Razor Blades
Creepy! I’m glad I can read enough kanji to catch the public notices on the ferries. I am probably typical in that my eyes wander over random signs and things and I read them all just to see if I am capable of doing so. It means I read a lot of requests from bus companies to their patrons – that they’d not leave food, drink, or garbage behind in their seats and whatnot. Today, however, I read a completely different sign that freaked me out.
It said (and I’m paraphrasing) “Attention Passengers: Lately we’ve discovered several instances where someone has left razor blades in the seat cushions on this ferry. We are doing everything in our power to stop this. We immediately contacted the police and are cooperating with them, but for your own safety, please check the seats before you sit down. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. -Management.” After reading that you can bet your bottom dollar that I’ll be watching where I sit. For crying out loud.
It reminds me of the scares people had back when extremist AIDS activists were said to leave hypodermic needles in movie theaters and in the change returns of vending machines, hoping to infect more people and thereby increase awareness. That’s pretty sick, and I have no idea if it’s true or not, but I remember being uber-careful around vending machines and the movies when those stories were circulating. All it takes is one wacko out there, I swear.
