The E train

Is different insofar as the driver compartment is off to the side such that you can stand at the very front of the train and look out the window and watch yourself travel through the tunnels of New York. It instantly triggers "roller coaster" as a result of which you do feel like you are on a thrill ride and at risk of derailing at any time. You realize how close the stations are to one another. You realize how many offshoots and cubbies and side rooms there are along the tracks. You realize how ridiculously close people stand to the edge of the platform, and skirting along it you take in a rapid-fire of faces (anticipation· annoyance·excitement·fatigue·indifference·boredom·contentedness) as everyone looks the train square in the face. You realize how humdrum a job it must be for the driver, who doesn't manipulate the doors or the intercom or the announcements; all he does is accelerate, brake, wait, accelerate, brake, wait, smokes a cigarette and coughs a lot.