The Black Box Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Black Box - Essay Example The symbols she uses indirectly communicate the major theme of the work, in addition to the seemingly innocuous dialogue of the seemingly innocuous lottery happening in the town. One of the more potent symbols Jackson uses throughout her story is the black box, and, more generally, just the color black. Black, as it is traditionally interpreted, stands for death, decay, ignorance, and decline. The black box, of course, holds the lottery slips. While a similar ballot box would receive slips from voters in an election, this box only gives out slips, showing the lack of individual choice and freedom in this ritual. The blackness of the box gives off an ominous foreshadowing of events, and is itself a symbolic description of how the townspeople have sacrifice their individual wills to the social decree., as Jackson writes, â€Å"The black box grew shabbier each year: by now it was no longer completely black but splintered badly along one side to show the original wood color, and in some places faded or stained†. The keen reader recognizes that the box’s decay indicates not only the physical corrosion of the box but of the social and moral corrosion of what it represents: the lottery. As the process accelerates during the course of â€Å"The Lottery†, Jackson writes that the townspeople stay as far away from the box as possible. Once again, this description is clearly relating to physical distance; but it may also refer to the concept of responsibility, and the moral qualms people have about participating in the lottery. The townspeople avoid the black box as if it were some kind of evil spirit, and because of this endow the box with such great power. Jackson writes, â€Å"The villagers kept their distance, leaving a space between themselves and the stool†¦Ã¢â‚¬  What otherwise would be just some old dilapidated box is, as a result of the social order and status quo, is an

Company overview and market analysis for pepsico

Company overview and market analysis for pepsico PepsiCo Inc. is the worlds second largest soft drink brand and the worlds largest potato chips manufacturer. In this report, we will be analysing PepsiCo Inc.s marketing strategies with regards to its North American market. Where absolutely required, PepsiCos international efforts are mentioned as well as some past advertising feats. I will, however, try to cover as much of PepsiCos recent strategies as possible. Relevant references are cited at the end of the report, following with a number of images in the Appendix. Company Profile: In New Bern, North Carolina, USA, Caleb Bradham created a fountain drink, which contained digestive enzymes pepsin and kola nuts. This was then known as Brads drink. Subsequently, it was renamed and marketed as Pepsi-Cola (Soda Museum 2010). The Pepsi-Cola Company, in 1965, merged with Frito-Lay Inc., to become PepsiCo Inc. Pepsi is PepsiCo Inc.s flagship product and signature drink (PepsiCo Inc. 2010). Advertising efforts in the early years of Pepsi-Cola mainly presented itself as a bargain brand compared to rival Coca-Cola. However, since the later part of the 20th Century, PepsiCos marketing strategy is focused towards the young people with taglines such Choice of a New Generation being the spotlight. Macro Environment: Political: PepsiCo Inc. is a multinational company. As such, it is exposed to different political environments. In 2006, The Centre of Science and Environment (CSE) based in India found that soda drinks including Pepsi-Cola had high pesticide content. Following this, the state of Kerala banned the sale and production of Pepsi-Cola, along with other soft-drinks. However, this decision was later reversed by the Kerala High Court. Five other Indian states have partial ban on soft-drinks (BBC 2006 The Hindu 2006). As part of a major public health initiative in the US, sugar-sweetened drinks and syrups would be levied a new tax called the soda tax (Reuters 2010). Economic: The financial crisis of 2008-2009 has had its effects on the soft drinks sector. During this period, the soft drinks industry lost over $55 billion (Beverage Digest 2009). Also, the packaged food industry reduced spending on non-essential food items such as snacks. Being a multinational corporation, PepsiCo has to take into account the fluctuations in foreign currency rates. The financial crisis caused the Mexican peso, British pound, the Euro and the Russian ruble to depreciate. As such, PepsiCos net revenue growth was reduced by 5% (Annual Report 2010) In the US, interest rates have been abysmally low between zero and 0.25% since December 2008 thereby allowing companies such as PepsiCo to make use of low borrowing rates to invest in operations and new product development (Murchie 2010). Likewise, in the UK, The Bank of England has maintained an all-time low interest rate of 0.5% (BBC 2010). Social: There is a new demand for healthy foods and beverages. As a result, PepsiCo is increasingly investing in developing healthier options to its beverages as well as promoting Heath Foods (Annual Report 2010). In the recent years, PepsiCo has launched Diet Pepsi, Diet Pepsi Max, Caffeine Free Pepsi, Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Natural and Pepsi One as variants of Pepsi-Cola. PepsiCo has also added a new line of products such as Aquafina Alive, Propel Health Water, Sobe Life Water, Dole Single Serve Juices and many more to meet this growing demand (PepsiCo 2010). PepsiCo has developed a Blue Ribbon Advisory Board, made up of leading health and wellness experts and third-party advisors from across the globe in order to help the corporation face these newly strengthened consumer demands. Furthermore, PepsiCo has recently worked alongside the Clinton Foundation, American Heart Association, and the North American beverage industry in order to set policies regarding placement of the correct products in the correct areas. Technological: PepsiCo Inc. relies heavily on technology to carry on its different operations and perform efficiently. Their technologically advanced distribution system, Direct Store Delivery (DSD), allows them to supply distributors and retailers with fresh stock efficiently (PepsiCo 2010). PepsiCo also has an extremely sound information technology infrastructure. To build and maintain an efficient IT infrastructure is a key asset to the corporations operations and helps improve the communication flow within their massive corporate framework. It also helps them improve the effectiveness of their operations and maintain financial accuracy. Micro Environment: Competitive Analysis: The carbonated beverages industry is highly competitive. The companies have to compete against global, regional and local manufactures on various factors including price, quantity, variety and distribution. The prime competitor of PepsiCo Americas Beverages is The Coca-Cola Company. In terms of carbonated soft drinks (CSD) consumption, Coca-Cola has a larger market share in the US as well as in many markets outside North America. Also, in Interbrands Best Global Brands list, Coca-Cola is ranked number 1, while Pepsi is listed much lower at number 23 (Interbrand 2009). However, PepsiCos snack brands hold significant leadership in the snack industry worldwide, with Pepsi commanding 28% of global sales. PepsiCo Inc. also faces stiff competition from other beverage companies like Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Nestle Corporation and Danone as well as other food companies such as Kraft Foods and Unilever. Segmentation, Target and Positioning: Market Segmentation: Geo-demographic: A multinational corporation has to take additional factors such as geo-demography into consideration. Trends affecting the US might not have an effect on countries such as Japan or Russia. Also, particular ads and marketing strategies are interpreted differently in different countries due to the difference in language and culture. For this reason, PepsiCo Inc. has adapted to the culture, tastes and language of the countries in which they do business. For example, in July 2009, Pepsi started marketing itself as Pecsi in Argentina after reports that its name was incorrectly pronounced by around 25% of the population (AdAge.com 2009). Psycho-graphic segmentation: PepsiCo has different products to suit different needs. It has segmented its beverage department to cope for different psycho-graphic variables such as activities, interests and opinions. For the health-conscious, Pepsi has products such as Diet Pepsi and Diet Caffeine Free Pepsi, while for those engaged in sports, Pepsi has its highly successful Gatorade range of isotonic drinks (PepsiCo 2010). For naturalists, Pepsi has products such as Pepsi Natural and Aquafina Alive. Products such as Pepsi and Pepsi Max are available for the mass market. Target Markets: The primary target group of PepsiCo for its Pepsi line of products are people in the age group of 13-34. It also targets people that are athletes and overweight (PepsiCo 2010). Pepsi has a distinctive style of portraying times in their ad campaigns. Their Generation Next campaign suggested that Pepsi is not just a drink for the next generation but that its drinkers are a generation ahead of their counterparts (PepsiCo 2009). Pepsi has products that target the different cultural and regional aspects of a particular country. It has products such as Nimbooz by 7UP in India where it targets the huge demand for country-style lemon drinks (PepsiCo India 2009). While in Mexico, it has Manzanita Sol, an apple-flavoured beverage. Apple is Mexicos second most popular soft drink flavour and Manzanita Sol means little apple sun in Spanish (Bevnet.com 2005). Positioning: Pepsi has positioned its products strategically against those of The Coca-Cola Company. Although Pepsi is second to Coca-Cola as a recognisable soft drink brand, it leads the markets of non-carbonated beverages and potato chips (Frito Lay). Since the acquisition of Tropicana and Gatorade and manufacturing its own brand of bottled water, Pepsi has earned the number one spot as non-alcoholic beverage company in North America. Pepsi is now heavily inclined to developing healthy food alternatives. This has positioned them strategically in a niche market that is growing fast. Marketing Mix: Product: PepsiCo Inc. has four main divisions that manufacture, market and sell a variety of products including snacks and beverages. These divisions are: (PepsiCo 2010) PepsiCo Americas Beverages (PAB) Frito-Lay North America (FLNA) Quaker Foods North America (QFNA) PepsiCo International (PI) PAB sells concentrates and syrups to Pepsi bottlers as well as directly sells finished goods to distributors and retailers. PAB brands include Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Tropicana Fruit Juices, Gatorade isotonic sports beverage, Lipton tea, Sierra Mist, Dole and SoBe (PepsiCo 2010). PAB also has a joint venture with Unilever and Starbucks through which it sells ready to drink tea, coffee and water products. Additional, PAB also licenses and markets the Aquafina brand of bottled water (PepsiCo 2010). FLNA manufactures snack foods which include brands such as Lays potato chips, Doritos tortilla chips, Tostitos tortilla chips, Cheetos cheese flavoured snacks, Fritos corn chips, Ruffles potato chips, SunChips and Smart Food (PepsiCo 2010). QFNA manufactures cereals, rice pasta and other branded products such as Life cereal, Pasta Roni, Aunt Jemima mixes and syrups and Quaker Oats (PepsiCo 2010). PepsiCo International manages the international operations of PAB, FLNA and QFNA. PepsiCo International licenses and markets PepsiCos brands in international markets. It also markets some region-specific brands including, but not limited to, Walkers potato chips, Mirinda, 7UP, Gamesa, Sabritas and Copella apple juices (PepsiCo 2010). PepsiCo Inc.s reputation and popularity gives the company the confidence to introduce new products. Their success depends on product innovation and the effectiveness of their advertising and marketing strategies. Place: Pepsi-Cola is available at almost everywhere. Pepsi has exclusive resale rights with fast food chains such as Pizza Hut, KFC and Taco Bell. It also exclusively sells its products at many supermarkets and malls. Pepsis products are also available at the leading departmental stores, gas stations and retailers. Pepsis vending machines are available at many office complexes and universities. Pepsi is also available at the White House (please check IC account for reference TIME Magazine). Due to its Direct Store Delivery system, Pepsi can get its products in these places and can maintain supply to a sustainable level. FLNA and QFNA products are available in all the leading supermarkets and retailers. Promotion: Pepsi-Cola has a strong promotion strategy. They use different marketing communication strategies which include print ads, television ads and billboards, point-of-sale as well as the Internet. PepsiCos marketing strategies include both push and pull promotions. However, their pull promotion strategies are more widely spread. Push Strategies: PepsiCo has several exclusive tie-ups with many fast food chains, supermarkets and malls. PepsiCo also has Point-of-Sale (POS) agreements with leading departmental stores and retailers. PepsiCo also provides incentives to distributors and retailers if they meet or exceed the sales target. Pull Strategies: Throughout its history, The Pepsi-Cola Company has been known to create one of the finest ads. Since it became PepsiCo Inc., Pepsi has focused most of its marketing communication towards the young generation (PepsiCo). Pepsi is well-known for its Generation Next ad campaign as well as some catchy taglines such as the classic Pepsi. Choice of a New Generation sung by Michael Jackson to the recent Refresh Everything and Every Pepsi Refreshes the World. Pepsi is also known to constantly rebrand itself to boost its reputation and trust as a company that keeps up with changing time. In 2009, Pepsi launched a new logo and rebranded most of its products in North America (Reuters 2008). One of the main advertising platforms over the years for Pepsi has been the Super Bowl, the National Football League championship game. Pepsi beverages have been advertising in the Super Bowl since 1987. However, in 2010, Pepsi opted out of advertising on this platform focusing its marketing efforts on the internet instead, ending a 23-year run. Frito Lay, however, continued to advertise in the Super Bowl (NBC News Associated Press 2009). In 2010, Pepsi announced that it would again start advertising in the Super Bowl (Reuters 2010). On an average, advertising on the Super Bowl cost Pepsi $3 million for 30 seconds of airtime in 2009. (NBC News Associated Press 2009). Pepsi is known to get its products endorsed by celebrities, some of which have been hugely popular with the people. Pepsis endorsement deal with Michael Jackson was perhaps one of the most expensive and popular deals of its time (Reuters 2009). However, since its overhaul in 2009, Pepsi has been including local people or amateurs in its ads to create a sense of connection with its consumers. For example, for the 2011 Super Bowl, PepsiCo has launched a competition wherein it is giving people a chance to make six 30-second ads for its Doritos chips and Pepsi Max with the winner receiving up to $5million for the best ads (Reuters 2010). Pepsi also has a huge presence on the Internet. In 2008, Google/YouTube teamed up with Embassy Row, a production company run by the creator of Who Wants to be a Millionaire, Michael Davies and Pepsi, to launch a new online video series called the PopTub. This daily show deals with pop culture, internet viral videos and celebrity gossip. PopTub is updated daily by Pepsi (Reuters 2008). PopTub and YouTube provide Pepsi a big online advertising platform. Pepsi even has its own YouTube Channel (YouTube 2010). Social networking is becoming an important aspect of peoples lives. As such, Pepsi has not left this area uncovered. PepsiCo and its subdivisions are present on Facebook and Twitter social networking sites. PepsiCo frequently updates its account on these websites, using them for marketing purposes, announcing new products and offers as well as general gossip (Facebook 2010 Twitter 2010 PepsiCo 2010). Pepsi Refresh Project is a new campaign launched by PepsiCo Inc. in 2009 and will run over the course of 2010 to freshen up the image of its flagship drink, Pepsi. The project invites people to submit their ideas on how to refresh their communities. PepsiCo has promised to give at least $20 million to fund these projects. This new campaign will be used by Pepsi to market its flagship as well as Diet Pepsi and Pepsi Max. This campaign will have a huge social media presence as people would be required to go online to submit their ideas as well as vote on winners (NBC News Associated Press 2009). Recommendation: PepsiCo Inc., as a multinational organisation, strives to be the worlds premier consumer food products company. In order to remain competitive, PepsiCo and its subdivisions need to be aware of the changing trends of the marketplace. PepsiCo needs to keep innovating and investing in healthier food options. The Carbonated Soft Drinks (CSD) market is continually declining. In 2008, the US CSD market share declined by 3% (Beverage Digest 2009). Keeping such trends in mind, Pepsi should launched healthier variants of their carbonated beverages and gradually move towards the increasingly more popular non-carbonated beverage sector, such as fruit juices and bottled water. PepsiCo needs to revise its marketing strategy to include the not-so-young group of people in its communication as these people are often left out from its marketing material. Also, by constantly monitoring current and potential customers, as well as reviewing the success of their marketing strategies, PepsiCo would be in a better position to identify changing market trends and develop better products for their target markets. The company, in 2007, had announced a major purchase of renewable energy sources which would help it in reducing its electricity costs as well as help improve its environmental footprint (NBC News Associated Press 2010). PepsiCo needs to keep investing in green resources as this would bring financial benefits in the long term as well as increase its reputation as a Green Company.

Against Reinstating the Military Draft Essay -- essays research papers

Against Reinstating the Military Draft On July 1, 1973, Congress chose to end the draft in favor of an All Volunteer Army. According to "The Professional Bulletin of Army History, No. 27," the last man was drafted in December 1972 and reported for training in June 1973. Now, not only might the renewed military draft come back but also the age of compulsory service in the meat grinder might be extended from its former limit of 26 years up to 42 years of age. As Ken Adachi, the editor of ?Educate Yourself,? reports, a new draft will include BOTH men and women. While at various points in history the United States military has operated effectively and efficiently with the draft, reinstating the draft would contradict the ideals of freedom and patriotism that the United States stands for and is supposedly fighting for. People who support the military draft will say that it is the obligation of every citizen of the United States, and every other person residing in the United States, who is between the ages of 18 and 42, to perform a period of national service. Aren?t there many other ways--less deadly ways--to contribute to the country?s well being? Should we, as citizens, be allowed to evade this ultimate obligation by turning it over to the poorer members of society, those who can't find good-paying jobs or training except in the military? In "A War for Us, Fought by Them," William Broyles, a Vietnam war veteran and the father of a young man who is a soldier in the Marines, argues that the military draft should be brought back, and this time it should be done right: everybody should be drafted, not just ?the profoundly patriotic or the economically needy" (Broyles 695). On the other hand, one of the checks that help main... ...e unnecessary moneymakers, products of lies and deception behind the scenes, orchestrated by powerful and rich men who usually never suffer but, rather, gain from their machinations to create war. I support a National Service Obligation system that would draft all persons, at age 18, to serve for 18 months in some form of public service. This would allow American citizens to contribute to the country in different ways. But it should be one?s own decision how to contribute to the country. As said before, I believe that reinstating the military draft will not increase patriotism or a sense of duty, but will rather decrease the effectiveness of the military and will create huge protest feeling among country?s citizens. Therefore we should explore every possible way to contribute the country?s future instead of just putting our future and ourselves in the Meat Grinder.

Music Appreciation Text Questions Essay

Please complete the following questions. It is important that you use full sentences and present the questions and answers when you submit your work. Submit the work as a file attachment. This means you complete all work in a word processing document (e.g., Microsoft Word) and attach the file using the dropbox tool. Use the Unit 3: Text Questions dropbox basket. The answers to the Review & Critical Thinking questions are worth 10 points. Review Questions 1. What is the Hurrian song? Why is it important?The Hurrian Song is a collection of music inscribed on cuneiform on clay tablets. Its important because it is one of the first times Hymns were written down. 2. What is the Natya Shastra? Why is it important? Natya Shastra is a writing on the performing arts, dancing, and stage performance. This is important because it gives quite a detailed information on the types of instruments that was used at the time and was popular. 3. Who were troubadours? What was their music like?Troubadours were traveling poet musicians who traveled from place to place singing and performing for the nobility. The songs that were sang were generally monophic and they often accompanied themselves with an instrument like a lyre or even a drum. 4. What are modes? Describe at least one type of mode. Modes were used before the modern day scales. One Kind of mode is Ionian. 5. What is polyphonic music? How does it differ from monophonic music?Polyphonic Music uses two or more independent melodies. It differs from monophic music because monophic music was dominated in early middle ages. Critical Thinking Questions 1. Why did early humans develop music? What are some of the ways that they were thought to create music?Early Humans developed music because they wanted to express themselves. One way they were thought to create music was by listening to natural sounds and repeating them. 2. Why is the study of prehistoric and ancient music important? What can we learn from it?The study of prehistoric/ancient music is important because you can see how music  started and how it advanced. We can learn how they lived back then from it. 3. What roles did music play in the life of prehistoric and ancient people? Are the roles similar to or different from the roles that it plays today?Are the roles similar to or different from the roles that it plays today? The role music played was entertainment and Religious support. The roles are similar today its just more diverse. Discussion Questions Please post questions and answers on the UNIT THREE discussion boards. Unless otherwise instructed, you should submit at least one full paragraph for each question. Each discussion assignment is worth 5 points.

How Far Would You Agree That ”Animal Farm” Is, As Orwell Himself Described It, A ‘Fairy Story.’

Five down. A word that is used in dermatology. 6 letters. That's a tough one†¦what's dermatology? Itches†¦that doesn't fit. Scratch†¦I don't know. I was pondering whether I should go over to that old man who was leaning against the fence. He had been there, in the same position, smiling and nodding at me for the last half an hour. Perhaps I should tell him to get a life? I sighed; I was so bored. Perhaps this is what waiting does to you? Why was I doing this stupid crossword? I should be on the train now, on my way back to Cardiff; there I would be getting drunk out of my mind. What was I going to say to Rob? â€Å"Sorry mate, couldn't come to your stag do, the train came late?† What a lame excuse. When would that stupid train come? The guard over there was looking happy, probably because he was enjoying watching all us commuters suffer. Perhaps I should show him what it's like, missing out on pints of free beer, strippers AND my best mate's stag do. Paranoia had set upon me. I had already started to think everyone was out to get me, and perhaps I was right? No, I hastily corrected myself, they don't even know me. Why on earth was I paranoid? I mean, I used to take this journey everyday when I was a kid†¦but things change. I was far more aware of everything now. At my feet, lay my briefcase; normally my portfolio would lie there, with all its sketches depicting life. For a brief second, I wished I could go back in time, and no longer feel the intensity of adulthood: having to work to survive, owning a house etc. I closed my eyes wearily. The train still hadn't come. Frustrated, my instincts told me to just wait, but, ignoring them, I marched over to the guard, and demanded to know when the train would arrive. He gave no verbal answer, and simply gestured at the electronic board above his head. He then walked off, presumably to help some old dear carry her luggage. Not. The notice board told me that my train would be delayed indefinitely. Estimated time of arrival was at least 4 hours away, if not more. I slumped back down onto the red plastic, cheap station seating, and resigned myself to a long wait. I got out my mobile, and began to text Rob, apologising for not being there. My text contained many words of crude language. As I began to text, I stopped. I remembered that I was at a station; where better to observe human life? Here, I could capture normal life, without having to draw forced behaviour. I looked across the crowded arcade. Businessmen, old people, women with severe hair-dos, punks, anarchists, goths, Asians, Africans†¦ no one out of the ordinary. I didn't know quite what I was looking for, but I knew they would stand out. Just as I looked past the Sainsbury's outlet, a woman burst in through the door from the high street, almost colliding with the ‘Welcome to Paddington' sign. She was drenched to the bone, although I didn't know how; it wasn't even raining. She had a peculiar look on her face, one of worry and exhaustion, yet somehow triumphant. She ran towards the platform, skidding several times, and ran straight to the guard. I could see her lips moving, but all I could hear was the crackly interference on the intercom. The guard walked off while she was still talking, and she was left standing there, alone. I had never seen such a unique woman in my life. She had auburn hair, naturally highlighted in streaks with a dull ginger colour, bright green eyes almost like a cat, which were opened wide as if she was annoyed†¦ Her eyebrows lowered as I saw her eyes scan across the timetable. What train was she waiting for? I told myself I wouldn't get involved. She was beautiful, but I already had a girlfriend: a kind generous one at that. No, I didn't love this woman, but was just enthralled by her. As she sat down, drips of water ran off her hair onto her top. She sat herself down on the adjacent bench to mine, and reached for her handbag. Her hand delved deep inside, and things went flying everywhere. Tissues scattered themselves all over her skirt, leaving bits of white fluff, which contrasted horribly with her blue and burgundy-striped skirt. A lipstick gracefully went sailing out of the bag, flew through the air, until it landed back on the platform. It then slid itself underneath the barrier, on the very edge of the platform. The woman flung more things out of the bag; the Vaseline came out, the lid fell off, and the contains went everywhere; a purse hit an old woman sitting near her who then started mumbling; photos of children and other people; tickets for buses and trains; receipts for petrol, shopping and clothes; a calculator fell out and made a crack sound; a film, mint wrappers, pens†¦anything you can name was in there. Unfortunately, still more things came out. A mirror went flying through the air, straight towards an old man. He looked up just before it struck him, and caught it. I presume he then made a comment about 9 years bad luck as he handed it back, though I couldn't hear him, as the intercom was going on about cheap luggage cases at G&R Cases. Finally, she pulled out, with relish a mobile phone and a hairbrush. She began to brush her hair vigorously using the mirror. She placed it back in, then looked around in horror, at the scene of destruction that she had created. Annoyed (it seemed), she went around this part of the station, picking everything back up. I wanted to help, but I dared not; something was rooting me to the ground. Fear. The woman finally replaced the lipstick back in her handbag, and looked around. Seeing the shops, she walked off towards them. I followed. As I walked towards the commercial side of the station, I made up a cover story. If she noticed I was following and asked me, I would say either a) I thought you were someone else, or b) I need to get some apples†¦wait, but why would I need to go to all the same shops as her? I decided I would only use option a) if asked. She walked into Boots, and I followed. Why was I following her? I had no idea, but this woman interested me. Under the pretence of looking for a toothbrush, I watched her buy some Nurofen, shaving cream, Lynx deodorant, and a razor. Why did she need that? It was ‘guy' stuff. Finally, she meandered over to the cosmetics area, where she dithered over buying a plum-coloured shade of finger paint stuff. What was it called again? Oh yeah, nail varnish. After about 45 minutes in there, she paid up using her card, and left. ***** During the next 11/2 hours, she went to the luggage shop, Woolworths where she purchased a large bag of pick ‘n' mix, Sainsbury's to buy some pasta, and a florist. After coming out of the last shop with a bouquet of irises, she went back to the red plastic bench, and sat down. I waited for a while, and then followed suit. On my way back to the bench, I looked up at the notice board. Two hours before the train arrived. The woman seemed to be getting nervous. She was straightening her skirt, getting rid of every little crease or dent. She sat there, looking agitated for a while. She sneezed suddenly, and looked around, cringing apologetically. Then a train pulled up into the station. This was the 19:56 train pulling in, and she stood up, and ran towards the barrier. People filed out, and the noise level in my head slowly grew, but I could not make sense of it. All I could hear was endless jumble; babbling, talking, but one conversation indistinguishable from another. I could hear this in the background, but in the foreground there was silence, spare her breathing. A friendly old lady was trying to question me, but I could neither see nor hear her clearly. I was looking at her, but yet not seeing her. It was the same with the rest of the passengers: they had no features in my head. All I could see were faces, with one face standing out: the woman's. Her face had features: exquisite ones, which appeared perfect to me. Everyone else was the same, blank, just going. Her face told a story, one that I was trying to learn. I had become very overwhelmed by this woman. I watched her stand by the rail, lean over, clasping her hands with the rail between them. She stood on the lowest bar, held the bar with both hands and swung. She then leaned completely over the bar, got off it, and just held it with one hand. As the stragglers among the passengers filed out, the train emptied, and her face began to express anguish. As the doors on the one side closed, and the boarding passengers got on, she looked distraught. She ran from one direction to another, trying to find a way to get to the other side of the bar, trying to find a guard. But there was no one to help her. As the train departed, confusion came upon her face. She then slowly sat back down on her seat, and, with a look of determination, looked like no one could make her move. The train left, and the station became emptier. Most people had got on the last train, which had left for Greenwich. My train, however, was still conspicuous by its absence. I should now be at the club with Rob and the rest of his mates, getting more and more drunk by the moment. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the woman getting out her mobile. It was quite an old model for a person her age: I thought she would have a 3310 at least, since she looked about 23. But no, she had a Sony, with a pullout aerial and tiny screen. She was hitting the keys at a moderate speed, obviously texting. I could just about make out the words ‘Where are you' from where I was sitting. Then she hit one button hard, and sat back. I heard a faint beep; obviously the message had been sent. The time kept ticking away on the big blue electric clock. The second hand seemed to almost be slowing down, though I doubted that. The timetable kept saying that my train would arrive in one minute less time than last minute, until it said my train would arrive in 45 minutes. However, by that pint, I dared not raise my hopes, as it had said that so many times before I no longer believed it. Time seemed to almost be coming to a standstill, when I heard a sharp horn go, and another train slowly came round the corner into the main station. The woman ran towards the bar again, a fresh look of happiness on her face, but in the corner lay a hint of dread? I wasn't sure. Her irises in her hand, she stood on the rail, leaning over. Her free hand had nothing to do: it darted from the rail to her pocket to her skirt, and then it held the irises, then back to the bar. The passengers again stopped leaving, and the train was once again emptied. Through the windows a few silhouettes remained, so she looked like she still had a bit of hope. The final three passengers came out, and she fled from the bar, flinging down the irises onto the floor. From my seat, I could see her head held between her hands, and her chest was heaving gently: was she sobbing? She rummaged in her bag for a tissue, and, after wiping her tears away, gently picked up the irises from the ground, and held them in her arms. An old woman, who had seen the plight of the woman and her irises both of which had begun to wilt forlornly, walked over to her, started talking to her about the plight of the rails nowadays (I was now within earshot) and gave her a vase of water for the irises. As she left, the woman began to smile again, seeing the flowers perk up. After two more trains had come and gone, the woman's spirits had fallen almost irretrievably low and various texts, I saw her call someone, possibly the person who she was waiting for. She was muttering ‘Pick up, damn you, pick up', and when the answer phone came on, she almost burst into tears. She left a heartrending message, and I saw her visbly choke back tears a few times. Then she hung up, and waited. The woman's skirt was now crumpled, her top tearstained, the flowers dying, but hope of the person arriving kept a brave smile on her face. However, the smile was not for me, actually, it seemed almost everyone but. She didn't seem to even notice I existed. Then I heard a message on the intercom: ‘We are very sorry for any delays, but the 19:56 train and the 17:56 trains have been combined. They will shortly be arriving. We are sorry for any inconvenience. Please forward any complaints to the Railtrack Office in Cornwall. Thank you for your patience.' Finally! My train was actually going to arrive! What's more, in only a few minutes! But one thing almost scared me: it had combined with the woman's train. Was it coincidence? Or sheer chance†¦ However, I had no chance to ponder this question as the train pulled in at that moment. The woman ran over to the rail, as I queued to get aboard. From my place in the queue, I was at a good vantage point to see whom the woman was going to reunite with, and the happy event itself. A man got off the train, and the woman was waving at him madly. However, he looked around hurriedly, didn't appear to see her, and beckoned another woman off the train. At that point, my woman started to look confused, as if feeling why hadn't he seen her? She was almost at the point of climbing over the rail. The man who had got off the train, and woman with him grabbed each other, and kissed passionately. My woman looked aghast, shocked, and distraught all at once. She then took a sharp intake of breath. The man looked round and saw my woman looking distraught. The woman looked around, and caught my glance. For an instantaneous second we understood each other, then it stopped. I heard him trying to explain, but it was all for nothing. As I boarded the train, I saw the irises hit him in the face, the shopping hit the other woman, and my woman walked off into the darkness, in the direction of the oncoming trains. However, I had no time to find out what happened next, and the train slowly began to accelerate away. I realised that I had been staring at her unashamedly for the last 4 hours, and I felt I knew her; but all she knew of me was a second. The last thing I heard before the sound of the train blocked out everything else was a screech: was it a scream, or simply the doors closing? I realised I would never know, and concentrated on looking forward to the journey: who knows what might happen?