Red Line Backflipper

On Thursday, Bostonist joined a bunch of tired people in a red line car, and a guy hopped on and started shouting. We rolled our eyes at each other and looked uncomfortable because we figured he was either there to make trouble or sell candy bars for a dubious charity.

But he had a surprise. He whipped a boom box out of a voluminous green backpack and pressed play. The sounds of Stevie Wonder's "Part-Time Lover" filled our car, and the man started doing a series of backflips - on a moving train.

The guy was incredible. He even had a few commuters smiling, and people never smile on the T.

Of course, he collected donations, but if he did backflips and breakdancing poses in a moving T car, he deserves 'em. We imagine the T brass would be none too thrilled, but he made people enjoy riding the T for once. Has anyone else seen this guy in action?

Photo by Caroline Roberts.