Peacock & Palais ✍️. Behind the suit on the London tube…
By: Augustin Goudet
Tags: London

Peacock & Palais ✍️. Behind the suit on the London tube…

Similarly to colourful shoe lace in a school where uniforms are mandantory, the differentiating aspects of our outifts are hard to notice, quasi inexistant one could argue. It’s now 6:20 am on the jubilee line. From London Bridge, the scent Hugo Boss fragrance seems prominent on a daily basis. The polished shoes and ironed shirt give the sense of an organized army on the move. The game of watching and figuring out peoples’ lives and social construction is a challenging puzzle. Let the games begin, welcome to « behind the suit ».

It’s 6:34 pm, just past rush hour on the train. The european markets closed sometime ago. If I had to guess, I would say I’m surounding by a lot TAs as we know them, traders’ assistant for all. Sales people have now gone to meet clients and rejoice around a pint of pale ale or IPA. Traders have already gone home, Investment bankers are grabbing breakfast. You seem like quite the man. Your shirt with two buttons undone suggests that you’re either Italian or quite a confident chap. The fact that you’re watching a cartoon on your phone suggests that you’re quite independent minded, free of other people’s perception. The Brown shoes definitely confirm you’re not English. Off you go at London Bridge to enjoy a deliveroo in your newly refurbished trendy flat. It’s 6:41pm.

It’ 7:23 am, as such getting a seat would be considered modern day miracle at this hour. You on the other hand seem to be enjoying sitting down since you jumped on at West Hampstead. Is it crossword puzzles you’re playing on the back of the Times? No, it seems to be Sudoku. At the speed at which you’re completing it, numbers & logic have no secret for you. The smile this task brings you tells me you’re a woman of simple joys and high intelligence. The real question now is: Are you a Waterloo start-up CEO, a London Bridge lawyer, or Canary Wharf saleswoman with maths & statistics degree? Well we’ve just gone past London Bridge, I guess that means Option 3. You seem quite relaxed today, its probably because it’s Friday. Welcome to “behind the chinos” we could argue. It’s true, you do reflect the Friday feeling when there is more in diversity on the jubilee line than any other day of the week. Corporate overlords think they can hide amongst the people but trust me it’s an illusion. They wouldn’t survive a communist uprise. Oups, we’re here. It’s 7:40 & nearly the weekend.

It’s 10:05 am. We’ve lost 10 degrees over overnight, who would have believed London could be so volatile. Some friends used to say: “there are no seasons in London”. Well today, winter is showing its last teeth while spring is enjoying it’s mandatory leave. You’re clearly a photograph, an adventurer. The hiking boots you’re wearing and backpack you’re carrying tell me you’re not going to the city center. Epping forest maybe? There would be some nice pictures to take there. Peter Jackson enjoyed filming parts of its grandiose movie, Lord of the Rings. I bet you love that trilogy. Well in any case I wish you a wonderful day of work. It’s 10:12am.

It’s Monday, 7:50am. You’re looking at your watch frantically. We’re now stuck at Bond street without an ETA; nothing like a smooth Monday morning to start the week. Your anxiety barely shows, however I can tell that winging your 8:30am meeting was not part of the plan. We all know the disastrous combination of a Sunday midnight bedtime, a snoozed alarm clock and a hungover jubilee line. Don’t worry, nothing like a bit of stress to be focused and energised. You joined an Audit firm straight out of uni, which at the time seemed like a great idea. It was the best job out of your group of friends. Now, 5 years on, this thought is long gone as you dream of a gap year filled with a ski season, and working for an NGO. I hope you’ll take that leap of faith just like the Windsor tie knot you pulled off this morning. Very classy, I must admit, although we all now know why you’re late. We’ve all been through the 15 attempts at a decent tie knot. Have a very nice day. It’s now 8:05 am, the train still hasn’t moved.

It’s 7:36 pm. Your Rab jacket, Barclays bag, slim look & fitted shirt suggest you take an interest in athletics. The gym-at-all-cost trend has only begun recently but you’ve been at it for many years. These are only my superficial observations. The more interesting feature here is the book you’re reading. The daily commute reading pack is usually composed of metro gossip, the sun, the FT, Sapiens, Flashboys or discrete Kindle readings. No you’re not one of these people, you’re focused on strategy combined with basic human paychology. The art of war by Sun Tzu, interestind read. I’m wondering if you’re contemplating the rationals of human behavior in war or the reasons driving humans to conflict or more likely how you can use it to get your MD promotion. “In the midst of chaos there is also opportunity”. It’s okay, we all have our subtle plans. Yours is quite obvious though…Anyways I wish you luck. Off you go at St John’s wood. It’s 7:57 pm.

t’s 7:27 am. A glorious morning in London, it seems everyone is enjoying the boost in vitamin D. You’re clearly embracing this unique morning with sunglasses. You seem to be the only one in the tube wearing them. To be honest, they’re Dior so you’re ve got a good reason to be showcasing them. Interestingly, they’re also hiding your expression as you prep a briefing note for your 8am meeting. The mystery remains as you switch to reading morning research. Looking at the expression deducted from your mouth, your kids were either exasperating last night or you have some tough phone calls

to make this morning. Anyhow, I have no doubt your day will be a success. Here we are at Canary Wharf. It’s 7:36am.

It’s 8:11pm. Good evening to you too! It’s indeed a rarity to have someone saying hi to you on a London tube. I could almost argue that when we look at each other from this moment onwards with quick glances it’s with a mutual respect and trust even though our interaction lasted about 1.5 seconds. As you were the initiator of that interaction I can only guess that your day was good. Your trainers look cumfy, your beanie and scarf are quite trendy. My guess is you live in shoreditch, near old street roundabout. In another life you’re a start up magnet. Everything appart from your dress and coat suggest as much. As expected you get out at London Bridge, leaving the -corporate jubilee line for the trendy northern line. XOYO tonight ? You’re in your twenties so I’m just asking. It’s a bit early in the week as it’s only Wednesday night. You’ll probably order a nice deliveroo and enjoy an episode of blackmirror. That’s how I’m thinking about my evening too as are many of the people on this train. Anyhow, I’ve overstayed my writting. Good night to you. It’s 8:20pm.

It’s 6:46pm. The Evening Standard, interesting choice of read for a Friday night. After a long week I’d expect a lighter read from you, something like “The importance of being Earnest”. Oscar Wilde does make for a treat on Friday night. But does it really? I guess studying the royals’ week as they figure out the social puzzle of Meghan Markel’s integration in the family is also fascinating. Oh that’s actually what you’re reading. Good choice amigo. Let’s switch to your appearance which seems to tell a lot about you.

The Asics trainers and North Face bag at your feet suggest a strong discipline, even more so, your visible cheek bones reflect the many runs you’ve gone on this year. For you Saturday’s are composed a short 20km run, you wouldn’t want to tire yourself after a long week of work. As you prep for your 3rd marathon of 2018, you’re starting to think you should have done it for a leaving. I bet the Iron Man is set for 2019. I wonder if you’ll dare put the little tribal tatoo on the back of your calve upon completion…bold move. Afterall this would only lead to your grandma coming back from her grave. It’s ok I’ll talk to her. Anyhow enjoy the sporty weekend chico. Asta luego. It’s 6:58pm.

It’s 8:06pm. JFK, terminal 7, gate 3. You both gaze at each other with such intensity that one would be a fool to think that you’re not going to spend the rest of your days together. 10 minutes go by and you’re still looking at each other speechless. It’s amazing how much communication is going on as you two stare at each other. Many people around you envy you both, they long for a story like yours hoping to establish a connection and trust like yours. They don’t realise the work that has gone in to building what you two have. Most of them don’t understand or notice. They don’t understand steps and sacrifices made to build what you have. They don’t notice that you can’t speak and that you’re in a wheel chair. I like the beard you’re growing, very hipster. She likes it too. You love her alphabet; the gestures, you understand them better than anyone else. They’re much more than just letters and words to you. They represent her. As she pushes your wheelchair to the plane people realise. It’s now clear to them – your courage and companionship is an example for all of us. Farewell you two; continue to be an example for all of us. « What we do in life, echoes in eternity ». It’s 8:29pm.

PS: It’s a treat to be sitting behind you. I’ll definitely say hi.