The train slowed, and a voice announced our approach into Moreton-in-Marsh. He proposed that all departing travelers should be at-the-ready, bags in hand, to leap free of the proverbial 'gap'. I was ready. I did have bags in hand. The train slowed, then stopped, and I grabbed the door handle.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johngreyturner/4004792491/
To my horror it was locked, and in the momentary panic I did not know what to do. There had always been someone getting off in front of me, and I had never had to open a door. I dashed into the next car and shouted, 'Can somebody please get me off this train?' A man nearby, reading his morning paper in peace, threw down his morning paper, leaped to his feet and urged, 'Quick! Quick! Once the train begins to move, the doors will lock, and there'll be nothing for it. Get back down the aisle! Quick-quick!' I tried to be quick but I think he said 'quick-quick!' a few more times.
We finally reached the door, where he opened the window, reached down and pulled up on the door handle. How was I expected to know about this? I ask you. My bags and I staggered free of the gap, and the little man gratefully returned to his paper. I don't think he thought this episode the least bit funny, but as the train began to move, I saw the conductor pointing me out to another conductor.
They were laughing.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vonderauvisuals/7943384644/
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/johngreyturner/4004792491/">JohnGreyTurner</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a>
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