there's no player bar? just the logo...?

感谢你们，电影的周五是一个我更喜欢的泡泡中文分；）

There are some moments in life where the only way to keep from crying is to make yourself laugh. That is the inspiration for this short story as I took my second overnight hard seat trip in 3 days. I had 8 hours to occupy and so naturally I opened up the notebook. Enjoy

Title: Sleep is a luxury I cannot afford

"Your money is no good here" the dark faceless mistress of fate said to me as I stood outside the door of the 硬座车. Even while her words are still registering my thoughts slowly drift down a slow current of disbelief to my pockets. I reach deep into my pockets but all my fingers find are the lint covered lining of a pair of quality foreign made denim jeans. My sight starts to turn upwards again to meet the penetrating glare of fate's stare. I know once out eyes meet again, my doomed fate will be revealed to me. My luck circling the drain of the toilet is all my ears can hear over the pounding of my weakened heart.

My soul is on display as anguish and sorrow rip through my face like razor claws tearing through pure white stationary. At this point I realize that fate is not interested in money like mere mortals, but my most prized possession. She can see the weakness radiating from my eyes as the horrors of an 8 hour over night hard seat pulse through my stomach. She knows my price and is willing to push. she wants to stick the knife deeper into my fatal wound while I beg for salvation. The weight of a soft sleeper and my everlasting soul strike a balance on her hand held scale.

Just as she is reaching for her prize from my outstretched hands, the train horn sounds. "All Aboard!" it shouts in its monotone language so that everyone from any background can understand "Get your ass on the train!". For the first time I see a glimmer of fear in fate's eyes as she sees her opportunity slipping. For me neither happiness nor sadness is shown on my face, for I know I am a doomed man.

Just as the transaction is about to be completed my body is shoved inside the car by a surly, weather worn construction worker. With out an apology he looks at me almost with an expression of "You can thank me later". At this point I realized he had already made his deal with fate, and was still condemned to life on a hard seat.

So while my ass grows numb and my brain turns to mush, I can lay down my head knowing China doesn't own my soul.... just yet.

The paddling of the swollen ass for the induction ceremony was quite unpleasant.

You know the irony of it was I had the opportunity to buy a soft sleeper. I was about to upgrade my ticket, but I was 40 kuai short. And the most painful part was I had just spent 80 kuai taking the taxi to 北京西 when I could have easily taken the subway. So not only was my ass sore from the train but from also kicking myself in the butt. Lesson learned the hard way.

Which leads me to my favorite Confucian expression

By three methods we may learn wisdom:

First, by reflection, which is noblest;

Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and

Third by experience, which is the bitterest.

-Confucius

@卡梅罗 - great soundtrack. ;)