Hobo: I was talking to my therapist and she said, “Would you rather hurt yourself or someone else?” And I started to say “myself” but then I thought she didn’t want to hear that. So I told her that I would hurt someone else. That seemed more sane.
–1 train
Overheard by: James Gillece
Chick: Oh my god, the last time I knew you I was a virgin!
–No Idea Bar, 20th St, between Broadway & Park
Overheard by: Jas
Old lady: Enter the train… She ain’t no virgin! Get in, get in!
–F train platform
Overheard by: Ritika
Crazy religious guy: The pope is a liar! He says that Mary’s a virgin as of today. That’s a lie! After Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph got married. You’re tellin’ me that they got married, but Joseph wasn’t hittin’ that?
–4 train
Bleached blonde to boyfriend: As far as my father is concerned, he thinks I am still a virgin… No, actually, there was that one summer he thought I was pregnant because I got fat…
–N train to Astoria
God squad lady: I have a two-month-old son, and I’m praying for his virginity.
–L train
Overheard by: Errol Stairpath
Kid #1, looking at the Mona Lisa on Da Vinci Code poster: Hey, look! It’s her again!
Kid #2: Who is this lady? She’s everywhere!
–Downtown 1 train
Overheard by: d.grace
Teenybopper #1: I really want some gum.
Teenybopper #2: Oh, here I have some. I bought this last night because I had some beers before babysitting, and I didn't wanna show up smelling like booze.
–Downtown 2 Train
Conductor: This is the 3:07 off peak train to Huntington. Stopping at Woodside, Jamaica, New Hyde Park…blah, blah, blah, you get the idea. Watch the gap. (clicks microphone off)
–LIRR
Conductor: There's a 2 express train right across the platform. Ready, set, go!
–1 Train
Conductor: There's a Brighton Beach-bound b train across the platform. Say that three times fast.
–F Train
Overheard by: Thom Cohen
Conductor: Ladies and gentleman, I have a very important announcement: this is not the last helicopter out of Saigon. I repeat, this is not the last helicopter out of Saigon. There will be another train after this one, and another one after that.
–Downtown 2 Train
Train conductor: This message is for the young man who stepped to the edge of the platform at the front of the train. This train feels no pain, this train has no brain. How about you?
–Downtown A Train
Overheard by: Guitarbuyer
Bus driver: This is East 18th Street. If you get off here, you'll be at the q train faster. If you choose to not use your god-given walking ability, the q train is next.
–B11 Bus
Overheard by: not using her god given walking ability
Conductor: This is 96th Street. Next stop, 103rd. Everyone ready? And away we go!
–1 Train
Overheard by: Ali
Homegirl on cell: You live in Staten Island, that’s too close to the wilderness, near the border. I am not emotionally ready to meet you in Staten Island.
–LIRR
Suit: He’s from Staten Island. That my Graceland.
–53rd & 6th
Overheard by: The Sock
Asian chick: What is that fruit called? Durian? That thing stinks so bad! It stinks like Staten Island bad!
–G Train
Overheard by: paco
Girl #1: In how many stops do we get off?
Girl #2: [Blank stare.]
–Staten Island Ferry
Conductor: Ladies and gentlemen, the next stop is South Ferry. From there, you can go to the wonderful Battery Park, go see the beautiful Statue of Liberty… Or go to Staten Island.
–1 Train
Overheard by: Smarlow
Ghetto mama: Gimme some of yo’ Skittles, boy.
Little boy: No, they be my Skittles.
Ghetto papa: Boy, you best to give yo’ mama some Skittles or yo’ ass is nevah gonna taste that rainbow again.
–1 train
Old White man: I have never seen a mother treat a child in such a way.
Latina mother: Dude. You don’t even want to fuck around with a crazy bitch from the Bronx.
–4/5 train
Overheard by: Taryn
Crazy drunk guy: When we get there, we gonna pull out all the plugs, and we gonna throw down! Then we’ll see who’s who and what’s what! You gay motherfuckers married? All the gay motherfuckers gettin’ married! Brooklyn! Brooklyn, you ain’t holdin’ your own! Queens! You and yo’ little iPod! You ain’t pullin’ your weight! We from the Bronx! 233rd and White Plains Road! Fordham Road! All you cannibals — I munch on a cannibal! When we get there, we gonna do this… Like Christmas!
Older, well-dressed lady: ‘Munch on a cannibal…’ That’s actually a great line. Very evocative…
–2 train
Guy: The thing about Cronenberg is that you have to appreciate him in
context to what he does…which is often unappreciable.
–Belmont Lounge, East 15th Street
