Every so often on my way to work on the IRT, I’m on the train with a real cut-up of a conductor. He’s a cheery guy who likes to make many announcements. “Good morning New York, we’re doing Fridays today, not Mondays, not Thursdays, this is Friday.” Some people smile, others roll their eyes. The man is nothing if not persistent. Today, he offered this gem. “Today is February second, Manhattan. Since we don’t have any ground hogs in New York this is what we are going to do: If you see two rats, we’re in for a long winter, if you see one rat, then we’re going to have an early spring.” That got some laughs in my car. Then I overheard a high school kid tell his friend, “I saw ten rats the other day.” Watch the closing doors.