An escalator has a way of subverting power, it makes a mockery of authority. A tyrant on an escalator has temporarily suspended control. Is it funny? I think so, even if I can’t quite put my finger on it. Maybe it’s a form of comedic relief?
The thing that brought about these declarations was a moment when I found myself joined by four police officers on an escalator. And by joined I mean escorted, and by escorted I mean I had been arrested (fuck white Christian nationalism). It was one of those things where you know it shouldn’t be funny, but I couldn’t help but consider, while it was happening, the spectacle of all of us kind of huddled together, making our descent. I didn’t smile but I wanted to. It was very dramatic, in an “overdirected” kind of way. It felt like a scene in a movie where there’s fighting and action, but everyone has to pause for some outside interruption that occurs, like maybe everyone waits for an innocent baby rabbit to pass through safely before they resume. That kind of thing. Maybe an escalator can help put things in perspective, and slows things down long enough to think.
Edit 6/19: saw an illustration of an escalator and was reminded that I’d been wanting to update this. I think when speaking of a tyrant I was specifically envisioning Donald Trump, that one moment of him descending an escalator. I don’t know that every cop is a tyrant, but maybe I also kind of do think that. It’s inherent to the role, overpowering someone, having authority (tho still following a leader or set of laws, not having ultimate authority), exerting control. I don’t think I’m a tyrant, though I also think one doesn’t necessarily think of themselves as a tyrant, even if they’re acting like one.