Back in his absurdist 1990s period, Louis C.K. had a sublime joke:
“Have you ever seen someone you don’t know? Again? It’s like God ran out of extras in the movie of your life.”
The premise being that the chance of running in to someone random in a megalopolis like New York a second time is so vanishingly thin that it would require a mistake of Biblical proportion for it to happen.
A few days ago on the subway, I saw a woman near tears. Trembling chin. Hand over face. Unmistakably distraught. We both got off at the Changshu Road station. I caught up with her and I asked her if she was all right. She replied, in a thick French accent, “Not really. But I will be okay.” I wished her a better evening. She put her hand to her heart, nodded, and walked away.
I doubt I will ever see her again. I hope she’s well. I really do.
Also, Louis C.K. has a new standup special available on his website and about a third of his new act is back to his old, absurdist style.