Throughout life, we are faced with choices. Some are simple. Some are more difficult. Our choices have consequences. Today, I had to make a choice. I'm pretty sure I made the wrong one.
After my meeting, I headed back to Trenton to take the train home. I'd never been to Trenton before and, based on what I saw as I drove through town and during my brief time at the train station, I'm not sure I want to go back. But, enough about Trenton. When I boarded the train, I mistakenly got on the Quiet Car. I didn't realize I was on the Quiet Car until I was settled into my seat with my laptop open, busily catching up on e-mails. I didn't think much of it as I didn't have any calls planned. I rode peacefully down to Philadelphia and through Wilmington without incident.
At about 2:10PM, I got an e-mail asking if I could join a call at 2:30PM. Hmmm, I thought. I'm not going to get into BWI Rail Station until about 2:45PM. I needed to be on the call. But, I was sitting on the Quiet Car. No cell phone use is allowed. No problem, I thought. I can move to another car. So, I shot a note back saying "Yes, I'll be on the call."
As soon as I hit the 'send' button, the questions started. Do I really need to move? I'm a quiet talker. I'll only be on the phone for 15 minutes before getting off the train. It's not like the train is really all that quiet anyway, what with the constant clammering of the rail car over the tracks. Is anyone really going to notice? The Quiet Car was only about one-half full. I'm sure they'd all be fine. What would Alec Baldwin do? That did it for me. I knew exactly what Alec Baldwin would do. He'd stay put, I'm sure of it.
So, I choose to stay on the Quiet Car and rebelliously take my 2:30PM call. When the call started, I quietly (yes, quietly) told the others on the call that I was on the Quiet Car and was going to stay on mute most of the time. But, soon, I had to ask a question. I bit my tongue. I silently hoped that someone else would ask the question for me. Eventually, I lost my patience and asked away. As soon as I was done, I looked around to see if anyone had noticed. It didn't seem that they had so I soon asked another question. After another minute or two, I volunteered an opinion. Damn the Quiet Car! I was on a roll. I went straight ahead with another comment.
That's when it happened. The nice lady in front of me turned around and said "This is the Quiet Car." I smiled meekly and gave her a thumbs up. I have no idea why I gave her a thumbs up. I don't think she did, either. She just shook her head in disgust and turned back around. At that moment, the conductor saved me. He announced that we were pulling into BWI Rail Station. Thank God!
I stood up (still on the phone, of course, but back on mute), gathered my things, and slithered off the train. I'd made a choice. Unfortunately, it was the wrong one. I'm sorry, nice lady on the train. Please forgive me.
