On the Side | On the train, a strange brew

0 Comments | Philadelphia Inquirer, The, January, 2007 | by Rick Nichols

The time: 11:35 a.m.

The date: Wednesday, Jan. 17

The place: The Cafe Car of Amtrak's Train 184, en route to Philadelphia from Washington.

The offense: My cup of coffee.

It began innocently enough. I'd run into an old friend at Washington's Union Station, proposed a cup of coffee at the Starbucks, and, after a sip or two, realized I better hustle to the gate before I missed my train.

It was Verona blend, I think. I settled into the cafe car, the better to spread out my papers, catch up on some work.

I was idly into sip three or four when the conductor approached, his eyes locked on the cup.

Not in a good way.

May I supply a little back story here? I'd had a lovely 24 hours or so in Washington.

My wife...