This is Grand: Stories of Chicago's Rapid Transit

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With a kickoff party on Nov. 14,
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***

ELEPHANT IN THE TRAIN CAR by M. Chilton

Brown Line, morning rush hour. At the pre-determined spot, the conductor opened the door so that two additional, coveted seats were available: the seats at the very front of the first train, facing out, where you can see the approaching skyline. A young woman on her cell phone took the first seat, I took the outside seat, before I realized she was talking on her cell phone at a deafening volume. I tried to read and not listen but was quickly drawn in.

She described to her friend what it was like to work at her advertising -- her friend was about to interview. Here are some quotes:

"We're not like the place you work for. Your place is a sleazy infomercial place. People don't know that it's in a nice building. This place is huge and classy and the name means something. The job you are interviewing for is much better than mine. (pause) My job is not good. Why? Because my boss is REALLY STUPID. He has no business sense. He makes really bad decisions. If I'd known he had no experience, less than me, I would never have taken this job."

She paused and I felt some measure of sympathy for having to work for someone not worthy of respect.

"No, don't mention me. (She drops into a whisper.) Don't say anything about
how I am."

She went on to say how progressive the place is.

"One guy spends all day working on the Kerry campaign. He wears a tie with donkeys on it. They are SO... that way."

She claims to blend in by just smiling and nodding.

"One of them made a joke that they would not hire a Republican. They must never know about me. I'm serious. They can't know I'm not one of them. It's like a cult."

At that point she was back to loud and obnoxious. I waited a bit to get up to move to another seat. Mercifully, the dividing wall and sound of the rushing train cut out her voice.

We got off at the same stop and I finally glanced up to see what she looked like. She was very pretty, with long wavy blonde hair in a '40s style. I wondered what she was like: The stealth hardcore Republican working in a place surrounded by the liberals she loathes.


	THE PHOTO CONTEST (news!) Only two weeks left to submit. We're hanging 12 photos at darkroom, With a kickoff party on Nov. 14, Tell your friends! *** ELEPHANT IN THE TRAIN CAR by M. Chilton Brown Line, morning rush hour. At the pre-determined spot, the conductor opened the door so that two additional, coveted seats were available: the seats at the very front of the first train, facing out, where you can see the approaching skyline. A young woman on her cell phone took the first seat, I took the outside seat, before I realized she was talking on her cell phone at a deafening volume. I tried to read and not listen but was quickly drawn in. She described to her friend what it was like to work at her advertising -- her friend was about to interview. Here are some quotes: "We're not like the place you work for. Your place is a sleazy infomercial place. People don't know that it's in a nice building. This place is huge and classy and the name means something. The job you are interviewing for is much better than mine. (pause) My job is not good. Why? Because my boss is REALLY STUPID. He has no business sense. He makes really bad decisions. If I'd known he had no experience, less than me, I would never have taken this job." She paused and I felt some measure of sympathy for having to work for someone not worthy of respect. "No, don't mention me. (She drops into a whisper.) Don't say anything about how I am." She went on to say how progressive the place is. "One guy spends all day working on the Kerry campaign. He wears a tie with donkeys on it. They are SO... that way." She claims to blend in by just smiling and nodding. "One of them made a joke that they would not hire a Republican. They must never know about me. I'm serious. They can't know I'm not one of them. It's like a cult." At that point she was back to loud and obnoxious. I waited a bit to get up to move to another seat. Mercifully, the dividing wall and sound of the rushing train cut out her voice. We got off at the same stop and I finally glanced up to see what she looked like. She was very pretty, with long wavy blonde hair in a '40s style. I wondered what she was like: The stealth hardcore Republican working in a place surrounded by the liberals she loathes.	She didn't want anyone to know "how she is." She has her way of "blending in." Her boss is "really stupid." Who could she be? Recent Stories: A DRAWING WEIRD WARNING AVOID, THEN IGNORE Top News: Feds propose money for security. There's nothing we like better than a good story. So , already. To be added to our mailing list and receive infrequent missives, send a blank e-mail to . Or don't make it blank, say whatever you want, however you want. This is America.