Beneath the Tracks

By Jimmy Stalikas

It was a cold day in December. But unknown to many, the chaos were boiling beneath the tracks. This day was like any other day, people commuting from the city, from places as far as Albany and New Jersey and Washington DC, but mostly from the five boroughs where most businesses were getting ready for ano

• Language: English
• Publisher: URLink Print & Media, LLC
• Release date: Sep 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781647539191

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BENEATH

THE TRACKS

JIMMY STALIKAS

Beneath the Tracks

Copyright © 2021 by Jimmy Stalikas. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the author except as provided by USA copyright law.

The opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily those of URLink Print and Media.

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Published in the United States of America

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021916362

ISBN 978-1-64753-918-4 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64753-919-1 (Digital)

15.06.21

Contents

PROLOGUE

THE START OF THE DAY

AFTERNOON

THE ACCIDENT

THE RESCUE

PROLOGUE

ON DECEMBER 15, 2012, THE day was a cold day, people going to and from the city by MTA trains, by Metro North, by Amtrak, by bus, by cabs, by vans, and most of all, by cars. The city is where eight million people come to work. Most businesses were getting ready for another day. It wasn’t as bad for those who lived by the MTA line, the people who traveled from suburbs New Jersey and Westchester. Some drive to the Bronx to park their cars and walk to the trains. But no matter where your spot happens to be, the city is where eight million people come to work from places as far away as Washington, DC, and Albany. And when you have that many people living and working in the same area, there are usually a lot of things going on.

This day was like any other day, people getting up early to make their commute to the city. Sometimes, even for those living in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Manhattan, the commute took some time, depending on if there was track work or someone threw themselves in front of the train. And usually, you didn’t find out why it took you so long to get to work until you’re home that night and flipped on the news. If the reason was that they had track work, well that’s just a part of life in the city. But if you were late to work because someone decided to end it all that day, you’ll think like, Wow, what goes through people’s minds to make them do such a thing! Then, you might start feeling a little guilty for the way you were cursing the MTA that morning. Or maybe, you’ll be among the lucky few who start to gain a little more gratitude for what they have. This is a story of how ten strangers survived a catastrophic disaster and found new meaning in life along the way.

This is Jack Baler from Eye on the News, Channel 6. We have new word on the survivors of the fatal train accident that happened on December 15 that killed ninety-nine people, and it appears that there are survivors. Special events today tell us that the survivors of the number 5 train have been noticed. Rescue is imminent. We go now live to Howe Caverns in the Adirondacks with Miss Val Villa. Go ahead, Val. You’re on.

Hello, everyone, this is Val Villa from Eye on the News, Channel 6. Today we learn that with the fatal accident that killed ninetynine people, there are ten survivors. All ten were rescued today from Howe Caverns in the Adirondacks. All will be taken to Westchester Hospital for testing of any infections. This accident has taken a toll on the city. From what we understand, the cause of the accident was an earthquake, an earthquake that read on the Richter scale as magnitude 7. We have with us is Mr. Leon from Shock Instability Institute of Greater New York. Please, Mr. Leon, can you tell us how bad this earthquake could have been if hit the surface of the city.

Sure, I can. You know the Empire State Building?

Yes, we sure do, Mr. Leon.

Well let me put it like this. Nothing will be left. A five would have done a lot of damage. We just have to pray we get to the people that are on the train.

You can say that again. This is Val Villa from Eye on the News, Channel 6. We’ll keep you posted as time moves on. Back to you Jack.

1. Tying Lui is an elderly lady in her fifties. She has a daughter who is an honor student. Tying hustles on the train daily, selling all kinds of gadgets, little key chains with fresh lights and many other things.

2. Cesar Rome is a Spanish-speaking man of Puerto Rican decent. He lives on 110th Street. He’s a Vietnam War veteran. He was wounded in ’Nam. He has no legs and has short dark hair. He goes from car to car on his skateboard asking for help.

3. Herbert Wells is a retired postal worker. He stands six feet tall, slim, and with short hair. He is of African-American decent. He rode the train mourning his wife Ella who died last Thanksgiving.

4. Lorenzo Levi is tall and with short hair. He lives on 129th Street. He is of African decent. He has brown eyes, and he likes to hustle money on the train and plans to hustle for the rest of his life.

5. Jamal Johnson also lives on 129th Street and Lennox. He’s 5’5" tall. He’s about 195 lbs, pretty heavy for a teenager. He has short hair and of African-American decent. He plays basketball. He hopes to play pro, but he feels he’s to short. He’s Lorenzo’s friend. He also hustles on the train.

6. Jimmy DeVito is an artist and decorator hired by the city of New York to decorate the buildings that are not nice-looking to restore their appeal. He suffers with a neurological problem which was the direct cause of his divorce. On this day, he will be recognized by the mayor of NYC and receive a check in the amount of 250,000 dollars. The most important thing in his life is his son Jimmy. With this money, he hopes to spend more time with Jimmy.

7. Mike Kelly is a construction worker for LU 79. He stands about six feet tall. He’s slim, blonde, short hair, and lives in the Woodlawn, Bronx, with his wife Karen and their three kids.

8. Tony Pinto has dark hair with long side burns, a dark mustache, well built, stands 5’8", and weighs 175 lbs. He also lives in the Pelham Parkway, Bronx, with his wife Chrissy. They are expecting their first baby any day now.

9. Dorothy Bail is of African decent. She stands about 5’5" and on the heavy side. All she is talking about for the last ten years is that when she retired, she is moving down South with her sister.

10. Jason Persico is fourteen years of age, and he’s on the heavy side. He’s an honor student. He’ll be skipping from the seventh grade to the ninth grade, and he has a dog named Rocky. He lives with his mom in Brooklyn, NY. He is very smart, and everyone knows when they have a question and they ask Jason, he always has the right answer for them.

11. Amanda Da Rico is of Puerto Rican decent. She’s an aspiring actress. She has brown hair and brown eyes. She’s short, 5’2" tall. She has one problem—she likes to cut herself, and sometimes, she just wants to die. She’s been an outpatient at Bell View Hospital for the last two years, and she takes medication twice a day. This day, she is on her way home.

12. Tommy is a homeless man. He is in his thirties. There’s notmuch to say about Tommy. He’s more like a homeless ragpicker man, but when he talks, people listen. They don’t know why, but they just do.

Hello, my name is Mike Kelly. I’m one of ten survivors from the fatal train accident that happened in New York that killed ninety-nine people on December 15, 2012. I would like to share my experience with you, and this is how I remember it. I don’t even remember boarding the train. The last thing I remember is when we were running for the train and not knowing what train it was. If I knew it was the 5, maybe I would have waited for the 4, but whatever the case is, I’m grateful for the experience it gave me, knowing how much life is such a gift and I truly believe that what we do here really counts. So this how I remember it. Tony and I were leaving the job. That was the last thing I remember.

No! No! I don’t want to die. Somebody help me. Help!

Mike, Mike, it’s me, Tony. I’m only putting water over your head. You’re not drowning. Come on, get up.

Wow, Tony, what happened?

We were in an accident, Mike. I don’t know what happened.

All I remember was the same thing I said.

What was that, Mike?

I was calling you because you almost got thrown from the train when a lot of people were getting thrown.

What do you mean, Tony?

Mike, the top of the train car was ripping open like a can opener ripping the lid off. We were going down.

What do you mean ‘going down’? Isn’t that what happened, Tony?

You don’t know, Mike? Don’t you remember anything?

Tony, the last thing I remember was when we were running for the train. Do you remember the job?

Yeah, I remember the job and what we did.

Mike, do you remember in the shanty what we were talking about?

Yeah, I remember.

Hey, Mike, how are you doing? I’m Lorenzo.

Yeah, how are you doing? I’m Jamal and this is Jason.

How are you feeling Mike?

Well, to be honest, I feel like I’m still sleeping.

You’ll be all right, Mike.

Hello, Mike, I’m Jimmy, and that’s Herbert,

I’m Dorothy and this is Tying and Amanda.

Wow, all these people were on the train.

Yeah, Mike, they didn’t make it, and I’m Cesar.

Oh, Cesar, sorry, what happened to you?

No, Mike, this happened in ’Nam. I lost my legs in ’67.

Wow, and you survive that and this. You must be very special, Cesar.

Yeah, that should be nice if you can tell my ex-wife that. So, guys, you have any idea how to get out of here?

Well we were thinking about going that way.

Why that way? ’Cause the air is coming from that way?

No, Mike, it’s coming from that way. So maybe we should go that way. What do you say?

Everyone, do you think that would be a good way to go. I think we should make it clear now that when we decide on something, we should all have a say on it. So let’s take a vote.

Tony, all who wants to go that way say ‘I.’ All in favor to go that way. Nobody? So we follow the air.

Hey, Mike, Tony, we have plenty of water.

Yeah, I see that.

Yeah, the walls are bleeding with water.

Mike, Tony, where did you get the torches?

In one of the knapsacks. Mike, we found a lamp oil. You found a lamp oil, Jason?

Yeah, and a lot of other stuff too.

Hey, Mike, Tony.

Yeah, Cesar, what is it?

Do we have any rope?

Rope? What do we need rope for?

Amanda, he has a point.

Yeah, sure, I have a point.

Where are we going to get rope from?

We’ll cut up all the clothes from the people that didn’t make it.

You guys aren’t serious, right?

Please, Amanda, let them handle it.

You could say that again, Jimmy.

Thank you, Dorothy, but we have to make it happen. You know, it was because of the rope that we got from the other soldiers that saved our lives.

Really, Cesar, how did that happen?

Well, if you must know, Amanda. If we didn’t have at least thirty feet of rope, we would have never gotten out of the pit.

Twenty of us fell into the pit, and if we didn’t have the rope, we would have been captured and probably tortured and killed.

Cesar, that’s enough.

No problem, Jimmy, but your girl wanted to know.

Oh, Cesar, I’m sorry.

It’s cool, Amanda. Speak your mind if you must.

THE START OF THE DAY

EVERYONE, NEXT TRAIN TO THE Bronx in the middle tracks.

Hi, Tom.

Hi, Dorothy. Did you do any overtime this week?

No, Tom, I didn’t, did you?

Yes, I did over the weekend.

Well, I hope they ask me.

Don’t worry, they will. Okay. Have a good day, Dorothy.

Yeah, you do the same, Tom. Say hello to Angela for me.

Let me check the train for bags or anything else that might belong to anyone or any type of things left alone. As I take a break, I sit down and have a cup of coffee. I start to think about my retirement when I go down South to see my sister. I start to feel sad if I decide to stay there. I really don’t want to leave my two daughters and grandkids. But that’s all I been talking about for the last ten years, moving down South when I retire. It’s time to go back to work. I board the number 5 train going back up to Dyre Avenue, Bronx.

Watch the closing doors please. Next stop, Newkirk Avenue, MA.

Can I have two dollars for soda?

No, Leety, soda is no good. Drink water.

But, Ma, every time I go with the girls for lunch, I’m always drinking water, and it’s embarrassing. Please, Ma, can I have two dollars for soda.

No! Leety, after school, do the wash.

But, Ma, you said you were going to buy me clothes last Friday.

I need clothes, Ma!

Okay, Leety, we’ll go on Friday. Mommy will buy you clothes on Friday. Okay? Now go to school and no soda, okay?

Ma, be careful on the train.

Don’t worry, Leety. Mommy is always careful.

One dollar, one dollar. How’s your wife?

You knew my wife?

Yes, I know your wife, Ella. Yes, a beautiful lady. I haven’t seen her long time.

No, madam, she passed away last November just before Thanksgiving, and I miss her so much.

Please don’t cry. She with Jesus. She’s fine. Don’t worry. She’s good woman.

God bless you.

I’ll pray for her. She’s with God. Don’t worry, sir. She’s in good hands now. Please don’t cry.

She was all I have.

I used to talk with her. She always said she has two beautiful boys, Tommy and Eddy, and two grandkids.

Yes, we do, but it’s still kind of hard to live without her.

So, Herbert, you have your family and that’s beautiful. It’s more than a lot of people have, Herbert.

Yeah, I guess so, but I miss her so much.

Mr. Herbert, can I say something to you?

Sure, you can, Miss Tying. It’s all right.

Mr. Herbert, the one thing we all have to do is to live here. Be thankful because you have a fulfilled life and Ella brought joy to your life. She won’t want you to be sad. Ella used to say that when her time comes, it’ll be a blessed day because that’ll be the day she’ll see her Lord. So, Mr. Herbert, don’t be sad. Okay? We are only here for a very short time, so please don’t cry.

Yes, she did say that quite often, Miss Tying. You made me feel so much better, but I still miss her.

That’s all right. You can miss her, but be happy that she brought joy to your life. You have to go on. I’ll see you soon.

Okay, Miss Tying, thank you very much for talking to me. Bye.

Help, help, help.

He hustles on the train, hoping that maybe someday, he could get enough money to buy him some legs and he’ll be on his feet.

Then he can help his three buddies Lou, Richie, and Carlos get some designer legs. As of now, he makes his way by skateboard.

Here you go, sir.

Thank you. God bless you.

Next stop will be Beverly Road.

Help, help.

You better watch yourself.

No problem.

Help.

Here you go.

Thank you. God bless you.

He already has my son. Glad to hear he’s blessing some of us.

What’s your name dear?

You don’t know my name, Dorothy?

No, but you seem to know mine.

My name is Cesar. How are you doing, Dorothy?

I’m all right.

Now, Cesar, just don’t let anything happen to you on the train. Okay, madam.

This is Church Street Please watch yourself while getting off the train and take all your belongings with you. Thank you for riding MTA New York. Next stop will be Winthrop Street. Watch the closing doors. Next stop will be Sterling Street. Come on, step lively. Next stop will be President Street. Watch the closing doors. Next stop will be Franklin St/Eastern Parkway, where you could catch the S, 2, 3, and 4 trains. Please watch your step while getting off the train. The next stop will be Atlantic Avenue, Flatbush Avenue, where you could catch the B, D, M, N, Q, R, 2, 3, 4, L, and I. Please watch your step and take all your belongings. Thank you for riding MTA New York. Next stop will be Nevins Street, where you can catch the 2, 3, and 4 trains going to the Bronx and Manhattan. Please watch the closing doors. Next stop will be Court Street-BoroughHall, where you can catch

M, N, R, 2, 3, and 4 trains. Next stop will be the first stop in Manhattan. It will be Bowling Green, where you could catch the 4 train. As you leave the train, don’t forget anything. Take all belongings. Next stop will be Fourteenth St./Union Square, where you can catch L, N, Q, R, W4, and 6. It is an Express going to Grand Central.

On the Construction Job with Mike and Tony at Fifty-ninth Street.

Hey, guys, grab the skill saw with the cutting blade and go up to the forty-third floor to the south stairwell and you’ll see where you have to cut and chop, and bring a few containers with you.

I’ll be up there before break.

Okay, Paddy.

Oh, yeah, Mike, what happened? Was Karen in your dream too?

Yeah, she was great, and she was winning ten thousand dollars and then I woke up to this.

Yeah, well that’s reality for you.

I know, Tony, but dreaming is nice. I think dreams are things that might happen.

Yeah, right, Mike. You wish things that will happen, right?

Sure, I could use ten thousand dollars right now.

Yeah, Mike, you and everyone will still be pushing containers.

Ha, ha.

Hey, Cesar, one of your vet friends is on the phone, and he wants to know what time to come over to play cards.

Who is it?

It’s Carlos. Here’s the phone.

Hey, Carlos, what’s up? It might be late. I got to make some extra money. Something came up. I’ll be on the 5 train all day, maybe around seven thirty.

Be good. Okay, bye.

Can you give me a hand with my skateboard, Millie?

You got to be careful, Cesar, riding the trains on that skateboard. God forbid you fall on the tracks.

I’m not going to fall on the tracks. I’ll be all right.

What if they call? What am I going to say? You’re on the train hustling money. Oh Lord, be careful,

Okay, Millie, I’ll be careful. Don’t worry. I’ll bring you back a little something, okay?

You just bring yourself back as whole as you are.

Maybe I could win some legs in a card game, Millie.

Oh Jesus! Why do you talk like that?

Thank you, Millie, see you later. Love you.

Be careful, Little Cesar. Make sure no one kicks you down on the tracks.

Thank you. I’ll be thinking about you all day, Millie.

Thank you for that thought.

Sometimes I wonder about her. Oh, it’s tough sometimes. Here we go, downtown first. There we go. I’m in.

Help, help, help, help, help. Thank you, thank you. Oh, excuse me, excuse me, excuse me. Help, help. Thank you, thank you.

The sounds of the trains are so loud sometimes you think you were in a machine room where there’s rubbing going on all day. Sometimes I think I’m good for nothing, hustling money with no legs. Forget about me ever having a woman again. My wife did the right thing. Left me and got married again. I still have the rest of me. My legs aren’t totally gone. I feel like a freak at times. The only time I feel good is when I’m hanging out with the boys. Maybe it’s because they’re like me. If I had the money, I would buy them all legs and have a special staff to train us.

Oh, watch where you’re going. Please, excuse me, sir. I’m sorry.

You could get killed doing what you’re doing. Don’t you have any place to go? You have to hustle money on the train and get in everyone’s