Open Sky in a Crowded Space

There are a few subway stations where there is are huge elevators that transport people to the platform rather than stairs or an escalator.  168th street is one of them.  While some of the elevators depend on operation by the passengers, there are others that are operated by an MTA employee.  This person sits in a hot, stuffy, crowded space for hours with grumpy, anxious, tired people, pushing one of two buttons:  Platform or Street.  Sometimes they have a fan, sometimes a radio.

I suppose it makes sense that one would develop strategies for this sort of job.  Nevertheless, it was a fresh breeze to be wished a good safe evening my this gentlemen, and to witness the entire elevator of New Yorkers change their posture and most gratefully return the wish from such an unexpected source.  This was a New York boatman from Siddhartha, transporting us back and forth, breathing in the angst and returning an open sky in a crowded space.