Circular Logic

Posted on June 12, 2007 by Steven Coleman

Have you ever heard or read something and unintentionally tucked it away in your memory only to have it pop up out of nowhere precisely when you need it?

This happened to me last year, when Tokyo was in its ‘sweltering humidity’ phase of summer. So as we again approach this time of year, and begin to carry our coats to work, a story comes to mind.

I had read in a local magazine that the Yamanote Line (the circular line that rings metropolitan Tokyo) would be shaving its circuit time by a few minutes, from about an hour and one minute to about fifty-eight minutes. Perhaps the one-hour figure lodged itself in my brain.

One hot and sticky day when I had a job near Shinagawa Station on that line, I accidentally left my coat on the overhead rack. I thought I had earned myself a trip to the lost and found, but two and a half hours later as I walked back to the station I had a bright idea: I would go to the exact place on the platform I had gotten off, and search incoming trains.

Of course the trains stop only for a moment, so I’d have to be quick. Also I would have to assume that the same train would still be running, and that the coat hadn’t already been turned in. Since it is Tokyo, I could safely rule out theft. The odds were long, but at about ten minutes prior to the three hour mark (since disembarking) I settled in on the platform, and waited.

I searched one train, hopping off just in time, then another – jostling through the crowd. To be safe I had to cover at least three doors. Anything dark – briefcases, coats, bags – would catch my eye and cost me precious seconds’ consideration. Had I missed it? - I wondered. I was having no luck; and the window of opportunity was fast closing. My technique was improving, however, and I decided to search one more train.

The next train came, and scuttling in and out my eyes stuck on a dark lump on the rack, the door closing tune was playing when the lump finally registered with my recognition. Voila! – like magic, my coat was riding the rack right where I’d left it three hours before. I could have jumped for joy, but instead I said nothing, taking an available seat quietly below the forsaken coat. Needless to say, I didn’t forget it again.