It was yesterday at 6am, Columbus Circle 1 Train Downtown station platform, NYC.
I was standing on the platform, waiting for the next 1 train that was expected in 12 minutes. Only two more people far at the end, heads buried in their phones, and a single homeless who just woke up after spending the night on the bench.
He looked at me and started suggesting what we should do, where exactly I should place myself on top of him, and after I ignored and started to walk away from him, he also added what he thinks I do for a living.
By now the screen read ’10 minutes to the next 1 train’ and as I am looking at the screen I suddenly hear a roar behind me and feeling a huge object pushing me forcefully. That man had it with my tranquility and decided to take things into his own hands and pushed me towards the train tracks.
In a split of a second I managed to grab with one hand onto the cement pole and found myself with knee on the hard floor and half of my body hanging above the tracks.
And then.
And then.
And then I proceeded to do what I was trained to do in the army. It’s called Krav Maga.
Some long moments later, after that huge man was lying down on the floor without moving, I called the police and asked them to come and send also an ambulance.
Two officers came, studied the scene for few seconds and asked, ‘Where are all the guys?’
I said, ‘It’s only him and myself.’
They asked, ‘But who beat who?’
I answered, ‘Well, we both said things we didn’t mean but technically he started.’
The officers cracked with laughter and looked at me with amazement and one of them asked, ‘Hey, where you’re from?’
‘Born and raised in the Holy Land,’ I replied.
The exchanged an admired look between themselves and one whispered, ‘Mosad, dude, for sure.’
I was then asked whether I want to come down to the station and file a complaint. I said I already missed my yoga class and that I took care of justice before they came.
The guy left on a gurney with painful and broken though repairable injuries and probably a lesson learned for his next attempt.
I climbed up and out of the station. The air was cool and crispy.
It felt very empowering to be able to handle that situation all by myself and with my bare hands. No spray, no knife, no help.
I believe this counts for the dare of the day, managing my thoughts, getting stuff done, and relationships. All under a single event and one unattended yoga class.
Thank you, Brooke.
That Screenwriter