Sie entwirft Plakate und verliert ihre Kleider im leeren Nachtzug.
The story
Julia has taken off her shoes, burying her toes in the cold draft from the floor. Her dark gray shirt clings to her shoulder, the sleeve having slipped over her gloves. The cream-colored top is caught under her arms, barely covering her breasts. She takes a single deep breath, the light falling softly across the curve of her abdomen. Her dark, damp hair clings to her temples and drips slowly down her neck. The train squeaks lightly through the curves, but no one is boarding.
The setting
The carriage is empty, save for Julia and the gray, harsh shadow cast by the overhead light. Yellow panes cast warm reflections onto the metal edge of the folding seat and onto her legs.
Who she is
Die Grafikdesignerin
Julia is 29, born in Sao Paulo, has lived in the city for sixteen years, and works as a freelance graphic designer at a small agency near the main train station. At night she sketches type variations on her tablet and takes the last subway back. Tonight the car is empty and the light is warm, so she stays seated and pushes her shirt further up until her stomach and chest are exposed, because it feels so direct and honest.
Her world
In Berlin, most subway lines run on weekdays from about 4 a.m. until shortly after midnight, on weekends around the clock, at night usually every 15 minutes[3][7].
When Julia leaves the agency at the main station, she rides the night network: on weekdays the subway ends depending on the line around 0:30 to 1:00 a.m., after that night buses with route numbers starting with N take over[3][5].
The cars of the Berlin subway are equipped with continuous ceiling lights in warm yellow, which cast hard shadows on seats and bodies in otherwise dark tunnel sections[1][2][7].
A short glossary
Freelancer
A self-employed person who works on a project basis for various clients and does not have a permanent employment contract.
Hourly rate
A fee calculated per hour of work, bundling costs, expertise and profit of a freelancer in one number.
Night network
Special routing of subway and night buses that ensures continuous accessibility of the city in the late hours.
Tunnel section
Section of a railway line that runs underground and permanently requires artificial lighting and signals.
