Ramon and Blanca went to Barcelona yesterday, as they usually do. Only this time, instead of taking the regional train – the one that takes a good two long hours – they decided to try their luck with the AVE, which was also cheaper. So, excited, they embarked on this little adventure… or at least that’s what they thought. What no one imagined was that this promised journey would end before it began. And not because of a train problem, but a pure and simple lack of common sense.
At the AVE station in Vilafant
Ramon and Blanca, our protagonists, arrive at Vilafant station, accompanied by their nephew who leaves them right at the door. Both are ready, tickets in hand, and, of course, accompanied by their inseparable chihuahua, Neon, nicknamed “the Bat”. A three kilo dog, as harmless as a ball of wool with legs. Ramon is happy, ready to board. Blanca carries Neon in a bag. But when they pass the first check… zaska .
The day the world almost ends… or how AVE and empathy don’t always go in the same wagon”
Employee of the AVE: (looking at Neon with a face of few friends)
— I’m sorry, but the dog can’t go up without a carrier.
Ramon: (surprised and a little annoyed)
– Forgive me? But if we carry it in our bag, it won’t bother anyone! Besides, we’re blind, and we’ll only be on the train for half an hour.
Employee of the AVE: (in a robotic tone, as if he had been implanted with a chip to repeat sentences)
— The rules are the rules. Dogs must travel in an approved carrier.
Blanca: (trying to keep calm)
— Look, sir, understand us, we’re only going from Vilafant to Barcelona. Neon will not come out of the bag. Really, it’s a small dog, it won’t bother or bark…
Employee of the AVE: (unchangeable, with the same stone face)
— The rules are to be fulfilled. Either they bring the transporter or they can’t go through.
Here, Ramon begins to notice how his patience is running out. Blanca presses Neon’s leash, who is still in the bag, oblivious to the human drama around him.
The frustrated return and the indignation
Ramon and Blanca, already angry, leave the station. Out there is the nephew, who makes a surprised face when he sees them come back.
Nephew: (with “this is a joke” face)
— But are you back? what happened
Ramon: (with growing indignation)
— That they didn’t let us pass through Neon! That he has to go in a transporter, or that the dog had to eat the whole train!
Nephew: (ironic)
— You see, what a danger, a two-kilo chihuahua loose in an AVE. And what? Did you tell them you’re blind and carry the dog in a bag?
Blanca: (with exasperation)
– And so much that we told him! And nothing, that the uncle looked like a robot: “the rules, the rules…”
Ramon: (making cockroaches)
— I told him it’s only thirty minutes, thirty! But nothing, there was no way. It was like talking to a wall. It’s not like he told us “I understand his situation”, no, not even a bit of humanity. We’ve been stuck at the station by a dog that won’t bother or leave the bag!
Back to Mas Torrencito, with explanations
Ramon and Blanca return home, defeated. I’m on my own, organizing checkouts, washers and dryers like there’s no tomorrow. When I see them come in, their angry face is so big that I can’t help but comment.
Me: (half joking, half curious)
— But what happened, are we already at Christmas?
Ramon: (snorting)
— What a Christmas and what a quarter! The mess we had at the AVE!
Me:
– Let’s see, tell me… what happened?
Ramon: (gesturing)
— Well, nothing, we were so happy with Blanca, with Neon in her bag, which is a mini chihuahua, and we stopped at the station. Blanca passes, they check her ticket, everything is fine, and when I pass with the dog, the uncle comes and tells me that Neon can’t pass if he doesn’t go in a transporter.
Me: (with disbelief face)
– HOW!? But if it won’t bother anyone…
Ramon: (outraged)
— That’s what I told him. I told him that we are blind, that the dog goes in the bag, that it will not come out, and nothing! What are the rules, what are the rules… But of course, when you see that they let a family with five children walk around, here yes, no problem, eh?
Rules… and common sense in oblivion
After listening to Ramon and Blanca, the absurdity of the situation is so great that one does not know whether to laugh or cry. The “rules” seem designed to be applied rigidly, without thinking about the context, the people. And this employee in particular seemed to be enjoying the little moment of power.
Me: (trying to hold back laughter and outrage)
—In truth, it seems that he had nothing else to do but to hate the first thing that crossed his mind. And on top of some blind people with a chihuahua in their bag… Let’s see, what harm can Neon do on the train?
Ramon:
– Nothing, that’s what I told him. But the aunt did not raise an eyebrow. It’s like he doesn’t understand the situation. He just repeated the same thing: “The rules, the rules”. As if he didn’t have the ability to think, to say: “OK, I understand that the situation is different, they can pass, but don’t take the dog out”. That’s it! I don’t think the train broke down.
Me: (sighing)
— Of course, and now, between the round trip to Vilafant, all the waiting, and the anger you’re carrying, was the AVE worth it to you? Well, if I find out, I’ll come to you in Barcelona.
Ramon:
– Yes, I tell you the same. Because now, between the delay, the plans I had with my mother to eat, which Blanca would do in Barcelona… all to shit! All because of a stupid rule applied with even more stupidity.
Final reflection: Until when power misused?
It’s just that, seriously, sometimes it seems like common sense went on vacation and has no plans to return. Because it’s okay, the rules are important, but when you have a blind couple in front of you, who only asks you for a thirty-minute journey with a mini dog… can’t you make an exception? And more so on a half-empty train, where the chihuahua wouldn’t even bother the station pigeons.
At this point, it seems that some employees find satisfaction only in enforcing meaningless rules, as if their power resides in screwing over those who deserve it least. Because come on, seriously… who is more annoying? The three-pound chihuahua or the family of five children screaming in the wagon? If at least the cries of “the rules are the rules” will be applied fairly for all…
Epilogue: “Will we evolve one day… or will we continue to put stones in our own way?”
Here the question remains, while Ramon and Blanca, back home, continue to hallucinate with the surreal experience of trying to travel with the AVE… and crashing into a wall of bureaucracy and lack of empathy. A little reset wouldn’t hurt, right?
From Mas Torrencito we wish you a HAPPY MONDAY!!! and may your dog accompany you!!!!
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