Exciting Story of the Day

My alarm sounded about 6:20 this morning and I promptly turned it off by accident instead of pressing snooze. I woke again at 7:00 with that dazed feeling, but knowing something wasn't quite right. After some seconds, I realized I should be walking out the door instead of getting out of bed.

I think I made it out the door 12 minutes later...

I made it to the metro and got off at my stop. At this particular stop, there are stairs and two small escalators. When you are in a rush, it makes sense to not take the stairs, but take the escalators and walk up them to move faster. I was the second person to board the escalator. Unfotunately, the man in front of me apathetically took up all the space on his step so that it would be impossible to pass. In Hungarian, I said, "Excuse me."

He turned disgustedly and said, "Excuse me--what?!?"

I said, "I'd like to pass, please."

He pointed and said very stubbornly, "The stairs are over there." And while he was pointing, another man came rushing by pushing his hand out of the way. The elderly man grabbed the passing man by the coat and shook him vigorously while repeating, "The STAIRS ARE OVER THERE!!" He did not let go of the man. The escalators turned off and we had to walk up the rest of the way, all the while the elderly, angry man shook the poor, rushing man heartily. Once we got to the top, he let him go as if nothing happened.

Well, it did. I'm so thankful that it wasn't me.