l" Gathering speed as it moves out of the Fourteenth Streetstation, the train soon is hurtling through the dark tunnel thatthreads its way beneath the streets of New York City. Inside agrimy, grafflti-covered subway car some twenty women and mensit, close yet separated from one another, shielded from contactnot just by the padding of their heavy winter clothing but by thepsychological barriers they long ago learned to erect as they seeka few feet of space they can call their own, at least for as longas they occupy it. Some are readingma book, a magazine, a newspaper; one mandozes. Two women, friends who have been out shopping, aretalking animatedly, reliving the day's activities, sharing plans forthe Christmas holiday just three days ahead. A husband and wifesit wrapped in sullen silence, the aftermath of a quarrel. The restjust sit, eyes fixed and unseeing, bodies swaying and rolling to therhythm of the train as it hurries on its way to the next stop.