chronicles archive

heatwave
04 july 02

when it gets this hot and humid, it takes so much effort just to walk to the train station. then the station is just as hot if not worse than the sidewalk, so if you have to wait long, you can work up a sweat just standing there. but just when it seems like you can't stand it for another minute & might melt on the spot, the train appears down the tracks. that first gust of wind feels divine—even if it's really just faster moving thick, hot air—because you know that when the doors open, that sweet, super-chilled air will seep out and you'll walk in & be surrounded by it, saved from certain heatstroke.

if by chance, you got a bum car that isn't air-conditioned (you'll probably be suspicious because it will be nearly or completely empty), you can just move to the next car: sliding the door open, stepping onto the next car, and sliding the other door open to coolness, as the train rocks over the tracks.