Subways

For Lethem the underground maze of subways is a place where the individual is put on display. He writes that although New Yorkers keep an appearance of indifference they are always inspecting their fellow passengers. Proper etiquette on the train is to never look anyone directly in the eyes and to feign interest in the television and community college ads. However everyone is always sizing up everyone else making sure there are no potential threats. To a tourist the subway may seem like chaos, but there is a routine and a set of unwritten rules. If anyone breaks this pattern, such as the "loopers", then they are immediately suspect to suspicion.