The Homeless Train

There comes a time in every person's life where they see something so unfathomable that it stops them dead in their tracks. They stare at what is unfolding in front of them with utter disbelief and are convinced that they are dreaming. For most people this event is a death, a miracle, or other life changing event. For me, it was the homeless train.

I remember the day well. Mid-May 2008, the day started out like any other... Ross, Brick, and I began day drinking around noon to avoid the impending hangover from the previous night. Ross and my sweet Brick had just walked down the street to the Phi Delt senior house to meet Marilyn when the train arrived. I vividly remember opening the front door of BOX and nearly dropping my second 40 of Labatts. I stood with my eyes horribly transfixed upon the sight before me. The grotesque scene included an obviously homeless woman (withered, prematurely aged, distinct lack of hygiene) driving a Rascal scooter north on State Street. Attached to the scooter via bungee cords was a Kroger shopping cart full of garbage bags and other assorted homeless paraphernalia. Lastly, attached to the shopping cart was green Fisher Price wagon containing a second vagrant (also extremely unkempt). I stared motionless as this monstrosity passed me.

After the initial shock wore off, I knew that this was too amazing to just keep to myself. I immediately sprinted off to the Phi Delt house in order to alert Ross and Bricky-Bear as to the situation. Needless to say, they shared the same disbelief of what we had just seen. As Ross so eloquently put it, "I was surprised... mixed with a feeling of pride in what humanity has been able to accomplish." Fantastic. I think I'll always wonder what happened to that remarkable duo. Even though they were heading north, I can still picture them riding that Rascal all the way to Mexico. Crossing the border, then realizing that they were still homeless and heading back. The only lingering question that I have is, where did they charge the Rascal?