Life, 1923-05-17 · page 22 of 46
Life — May 17, 1923 — page 22: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes the chaotic morning routine aboard a Pullman train car, depicting different passenger "types" and their bathroom habits. The humor contrasts idealized notions of modern travel with uncomfortable realities. **Key figures/situations:** - **Lower 6**: Gets up too early from anxiety, then awkwardly blocks the washroom - **Upper 11**: Stands impatiently behind you while shaving, making you nervous and clumsy - **The shabby fellow at 6:15 AM**: Represents the disappointing reality that even refined people look disheveled before morning grooming - **The "seasoned veteran"**: Obsessively organized, spreading belongings everywhere - **Upper 12**: Treats the washroom as a personal lounge after finishing The satire mocks the indignity of shared Pullman car facilities—malfunctioning equipment, no hot water, towel shortages—and how close quarters strip away social pretense. The final caption, "Dawn Aboard the Midnight," suggests the irony of travelers' expectations versus unglamorous reality.
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After worrying all night about over- sleeping and getting carried back to the railroad yards, Lower 6 generally gets up an hour tooearly. All dressed up and no place to go” is right; his berth isn't made up and the washroom is full. All he can do is to stare uncomfortably out of the vestibule window, making it impossible for anybody else to get to or from the washroom. vs WILLIAMS Upper 11 usually reaches the washroom just after you, and stationing himself squurely be- hind you, watches your progress at first with in- terest, then with little sighs of impatience. As a result of this Presence behind, you reach your destination with a mean gash on your chin and a blob of shaving soap on your car. It sort of shatters your faith in everything to watch a fellow passenger, about 6:15 A. M., totter through the green curtains for his morning ablutions. So this is Man! bly finds that there is no hot water; or that the towels have all been used up; or that the soap- squirter won't work; or that the plug lets the water run out of the bowl. Which explains why when- ever you meet him he is taking his last trip on this confounded road. But the shock will not attain its highest voltage until you realize that you probably look exactly like that yourself. There is always one scasoned vet- eran aboard for whom Pullman washing is not a duty but a pleasure. Spreading his two handbags, fresh linen, and traveling toilet set over every available seat and hook, he omits no detail.in his orderly prog- ress from shave to shampoo. Some day, no doubt, he will produce a folding tub from his grip and make his abtutions 100 per cent. Having finished his own toilet, Upper 12 feels that the compartment has completed its usefulness as a washroom and may now be considered the Gentle- men’s Lounge and Smoking Room. The occupant who is unsuccessfully manoeuvring for his shirt and collar is debating the possibilities of also turning it into the Morgue. Dawn Aboard the Midnight comicbooks.com