Escalator and Skateboard Choreography
On my regular SkyTrain commute, I've witnessed some interesting scenes. Today, my attention was caught as I approached the concourse at VCC Clark. The strange noise sounded like machinery, approaching fast. Before I could turn and look, a man in a baseball cap flew by my right shoulder on a skateboard, skidded into the station, rounded the corner and landed on the rising escalator, all in one fluid movement. Whew!
By the time I got to the bottom of the escalator, travelling on foot, he was more than halfway up. Feet pointing outward and knees slightly bent, he resembled a California surfer waiting for a wave. Positioned side to side, the board fit neatly on the stair.
We were approaching the top and I wondered how on earth he'd get off.
New choreography kicked in fast. As the rider redistributed his weight and applied the necessary pressure, one end lifted and then the whole board bounded forward. In seconds he was coasting onto the train car. Fortunately, it was pretty empty; he was still moving at speed. How does he manage his postmodern dance in rush hour?