The Writers' Circle

This is a fictional account leading up to a scene witnessed by a man who was having a bad day. Readers in the UK will probably remember the true events.

***

Daniel Jackson's day usually began as any other working day began: leaving his warm bed and lovely wife, taking a refreshing shower before breakfasting on toast, fruit juice and coffee; which was always strong and black. This day however, July 21st 2005 was different. 
"Damn that thing!" he said, realizing the alarm had failed to wake him. 
Josephine turned and snuggled up to her husband as best a woman who could give birth at any moment, could do.
"Take the day off, honey," she said, although she knew in her heart that the money Daniel would lose, should he do so, was more than they could afford.
'I love you', was all he said as he gently slid from beneath the covers. The shower was extremely quick and cold; the water having barely enough time to wet his body. He silently cursed the almost sleepless nights, due to Josephine's inability to rest in one position for any length of time. 
"You know nothing about lack of sleep," she would tell him. "Just you wait until the twins are born!"
The thought of his family suddenly doubling in size brought a smile to Daniel's face. Exciting times lay ahead. He likened it to when he first went on the giant roller coaster at Blackpool; he was filled with fear and trepidation at what it might be like, but the journey, although short, was such an adrenaline rush that he wanted more, but for now, tired, hungry and late for work, he rushed from the tiny flat to Stockwell tube station.
Daniel stood near the edge of the platform, determined to be one of the first to board the train that was due at any moment. All about him were fellow passengers no doubt waiting for the same train. Some were dressed in City type pin-stripes while others wore all manner of colourful clothes. The noise of constant talking and that of the tannoy filled the station with a cacophony of sound.
He looked at his watch and frowned, there's no way I'm going to make it on time now', he thought. He was restless and worried that being late for work might affect his chances of being gainfully employed on a permanent basis. The three month trial period was almost up, and he prayed that the day would not get worse.
A man sidled up to him and proceeded to eat what appeared to be a hot bacon sandwich. The aroma reached Daniel's flared nostrils, and he berated himself for not having eaten breakfast. If only he could hold that sandwich and feel its contents sliding across his taste buds before being swallowed into his empty stomach. In an effort to quell his hunger pangs, he put a minted sweet into his mouth but still the smell of bacon could not be lost.
Frustrated and becoming impatient, he again looked at his watch, the train was late, but as panic began to unsettle him, the tannoy blared out a message, "The train arriving on platform..." 
People immediately started to crowd around him. They were so close he could smell body odour. Unfortunately, the bacon sandwich was finished and probably forgotten by its consumer, so the aroma of it no longer lingered in the air. That at least would have helped to mask the awful smell of sweat.
Brakes squealed as carriages were brought to a standstill and doors opened. Daniel Jackson boarded the train, moved to near the end of the carriage and took hold of the back of a seat to steady himself. Suddenly, there was a commotion as voices were heard to shout 'Stop!'
A coloured man, followed by several white men, rushed to board the train. He made his way past Daniel, where he stopped and turned to face his pursuers. Jackson looked into the eyes of the frightened man, who was no more than six feet away. The man's pursuers pushed people, Jackson included, out of the way. Hand guns were raised and loud bangs filled the air. Passengers, in fear for their lives, fought their way out of the carriage: all, except Daniel, who stood staring, transfixed by the macabre scene before him. The coloured man who just seconds before had been a living breathing person, now lay in a pool of blood. 
Daniel Jackson had witnessed the life essence of another man being stripped from its owner. He would soon realize that being late was not that important after all.