I shouldered my backpack and held onto my various files and stationary, following the crowd in their zombie-like stupor. All the seats are naturally taken immediately by the younger generation while a sea of pepper-grey heads remain standing up. Me? I prefer standing, actually. I close my eyes and start listening to the screech of the metro train's tyres as friction conjures an unpleasant symphony.

I can hear an accordian somewhere in the background. I open my eyes, look to my right, and not 2 metres away from me, there is an accordian player with his wife who is carrying a baby in flimsy material.

The man is putting on a big smile, his big belly somewhat balancing his accordian while his wife goes from person to person with a plastic cup that has been worn out from months of use.

Naturally, the younger generation pretend that they can't see the hunger in her eyes while the older generation rummage around their bags unsteadily, finding spare change or other treats. A bend comes into view and the old woman tumbles unexpectedly into the lap of a young businessman, yakking away on his mobile phone.

At the next stop I notice a girl produce a couple of coins and drop it into the cup that's about to get off while ensuring that the elder generation gets the now empty seats. I didn't think that such people existed here on Earth anymore.

I write down a few things and then I look at her and for a minute, I think I'm visible to her because her eyes widen slightly but just as soon as that happens, I'm whisked away to a different scene, keeping in mind that she definitely needs to get a reward one day.