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Scenes from the Chicago public transportation system: “Packages Are People Too”

This actually happened yesterday. It is not a scene from a hackneyed movie with such clichéd characters as the AWFUL WOMAN and the ANGRY COMMUTER, as much as it might read like one.

The scene: The Chicago El (Brown Line heading from downtown to northern neighborhoods, around 4:45 PM). The train is crowded, but not overly so. One seat remains empty. Two small bags sit on it next to a TEXTING WOMANwho has more packages in front of her

 ME: Is anyone sitting there?

TEXTING WOMAN: No. [resumes texting]

 ME: Well, may I sit there?

TEXTING WOMAN: If you sat there, where would I put my bags?

ME: Those seats are for passengers, not packages.

[TEXTING WOMAN resumes texting]

ME: Are you serious?

And scene. Actually, no. I paused to flip her off as I exited. I’m not proud of that. But I could be more ashamed, too. (She was having a loud conversation on her phone at the time, so I don’t think she noticed anyway.)