The days grow brighter in the city and the warmth of it causes me pain, for I know my place is elsewhere and entirely not the same. I Dream of countryside’s alive with green things and happy peoples not filled with dread at daily life, those constantly at war in this concrete colossus of human strife. The dreams I have are of fields and streams unburdened by artificiality, free to roam and to grow as their nature demands in perfect reciprocity. In my waking moments I find peace in the fact that I have done what I came to do in this place, the greatest city on Earth, the one filled with the highest number of dwellers, the perfect population of people set upon its eternal rebirth.
But how to leave the dwelling in haste as well as style? How to make most of fleeting time and dime? I know of ways to be sure, yet which to chose? Do I go as always before, hoarding every penny like a scrooge at winters door? Surely not, for I came prepared. This will be a spenders journey, a gift to myself, for myself. And so I chose the expensive option, the one so few can afford. I speak of course of the magic train, the Shenkansen of Japanese lore, that so many adore. Or, as its known abroad the bullet train, with perhaps only slightly less fame. Shall I speak of its acclaim? Of its speed and style, service and luxury? No, not yet, for first I must let the experience unfold. These things I leave to you for now, for the story must go on, and the words I write, as any song, must not be overly long.
To acquire the magical ticket I was told I would first need to be anywhere but in Japan, outside its bounds in another land. Not only this, but to to pay far less than the full asking price I could not be Japanese, or even living in Japan, isn’t that nice? “What nonsense is this?” I asked myself. What sense does it make? Rest well my friend, be at ease, leave it all to the Japanese. They have reasoned it out, done the math, and mapped the route. All I must do is follow their ways, and all my worries shall be assuaged.
To my surprise and for which many smiles arised, I was able to get the ticket without first leaving the countries limits. All that needed be done was to go forth to the main station and fumble about with my words and credit cards until the workers could make fun. Perhaps it was only luck, perhaps only chance, but they sold me a ticket, and that’s all I asked. For a modest fee of $800 dollars I was out the door with an 8 cent piece of paper, the one I could not lose or else be out of luck and that same $800 bucks. With glee in my step and visions of green in my mind, I stepped away from the station, returning to the capsule which would now only be mine for a limited time.
Two and a half weeks I’ve spent in this place, when at first glance I was sure only three days would have been enough before my escape. But that’s how it is when no plan is your jam. The world is your oyster and fate your rudder in every land. No complaints or regrets shall be accepted, for every step I take is my own, every miracle and mistake a consequence I have sown. The fruits are there, and the knowledge of them laid bare. Off into the wilds I flow, where oh where shall I go? Only time shall tell, and you shall hear it all, beginning as always, in the next episode of this tale…