5 a.m.

Beware: It's the hour when the virtuous and the truly derelict are most likely to cross paths. It's a time when ritual is most important, as waking up is not an act, but a series of acts, and only by completing all of them, in order, are you really "up." Breaking the spell of sleep while the night is still on you is not an easy task.
   Thus, they are kind to us on the 5:41.

The body is like a dog; the mind is like a cat: While the mind is enjoying the train ride, fully aware, relishing the weirdness and vague feeling of superiority to the car-commuting hordes, the body is looking right—looking left—wondering, Is it last night? Is it tomorrow? What day is this? Am I awake yet?
   The mind listens in, smiles, and says "Tsk."