Come on, come on. That frantic thought is sculpted into the crowd’s poses and expressions. Some are sitting, but most pace awkwardly.
Far off, they hear the train rumbling. Visible relief flashes from face to face.
It’s an awkward two-minute ride. No eye contact, rocking back and forth, biting fingernails. Come on!
The doors open and people lurch forth, loping crab-like with thighs clenched, men out the right side, women out the left. A moment later, a hundred stall doors slam. A long, protracted sigh.
“They should put these in houses,” someone says.
“Gross! What is this, the Dark Ages?”
*hwajangshil (화장실) is the Korean word for bathroom. This story does not take place in Korea. You can only imagine the sort of world where it does take place.
The Green-Walled Tower 
May 21st, 2016 at 3:16 am
That’s absolutely extraordinary. A triumph of imagination and descriptive writing
May 23rd, 2016 at 9:35 pm
Thanks, Neil. Really glad you liked it.
May 21st, 2016 at 9:07 am
I’m always accused of writing about bodily functions. At least I’m not alone. 🙂
May 23rd, 2016 at 8:59 pm
You’re definitely not alone. We could start our own writing group, call it The #2 Pencil, or something. 🙂
May 21st, 2016 at 10:07 am
I am not sure I want to imagine a world in which that does take place. Okay, no, you’ve got me thinking about it now: interesting idea!
May 23rd, 2016 at 8:57 pm
I could imagine it, but I wouldn’t want to live there. 🙂
May 21st, 2016 at 5:10 pm
This makes me cringe and laugh at the same time. What an idea, great imagination. The urgency is so–urgent. 🙂
May 23rd, 2016 at 8:55 pm
Yeah, that’s about how I react to it too, cringing and laughing. I don’t want to live in that sort of society.
May 21st, 2016 at 7:37 pm
I love the description of them running to the stalls and the collective slam. Brutal. Great writing, David. Very imaginative!
May 23rd, 2016 at 8:51 pm
Thanks, Amy. 🙂 I’m not sure how I came to this story, but who ever knows, right?
May 23rd, 2016 at 8:56 pm
We never know!
May 21st, 2016 at 7:54 pm
They have them in houses?! Why didn’t anyone tell me?
May 23rd, 2016 at 9:00 pm
You gotta check the interwebs sometimes. I tell you, the newfangled things they’re coming out with these days.
May 22nd, 2016 at 6:28 am
Doesn’t sound like a vacation destination. Lol
May 23rd, 2016 at 9:30 pm
No, not one I’d want to go to at least. 🙂
May 22nd, 2016 at 8:41 am
Dear David,
Relief is just a station away. Different.
Shalom,
Rochelle
May 23rd, 2016 at 9:29 pm
Yeah, you know me 🙂 Hope you’re doing well these days. I got a few weeks’ break from teaching and now I’m back for another 2 months starting next week. Should be okay though.
-David
May 23rd, 2016 at 3:11 pm
I can see this happening… it’s rational that we have to use only our required slots… how would it be if you could go to the bathroom when you wanted?
May 23rd, 2016 at 9:08 pm
Maybe this is how it is in North Korea.
May 24th, 2016 at 7:15 am
just loved it!
May 24th, 2016 at 7:34 am
I also imagine the penalty for anyone who can’t hold it long enough to make it to a stall. Maybe it’s one of those terrible worlds where people are terminated before they reach a certain age or if they have disabilities. Well written, David. —- Suzanne
May 24th, 2016 at 9:35 am
Thank god it’s not the dark ages 🙂 Nicely done.
May 24th, 2016 at 12:27 pm
I always enjoy your writing David, and this piece is especially creative and well done. The movement of the piece pulled me in, right to the last word. Bravo!