Thread by @garius

New idea: Hamilton style musical about Lord Ashfield and Frank Pick, and the birth of London Underground as we know it.

Ends with Ashfield finally accepting one of Pick's fake resignations, and a sad, sad duet from both men.

"And I'm the damn fool that fired him."

WHO'S IN?

In all seriousness, one of Pick's tenets was that design should MEAN something. That it makes the world better.

Ashfield got that, but believed that you get the railway politics lets you build. Without that you're tilting at windmills.

The years of agreement on that, with the ultimate point of unexpected betrayal (from Pick's side) and a friend forcing your hand even though you know it's going to kill him (Ashfield)

Imagine that though. Every bio, every history is sympathetic to Pick. They all talk about his vision. But that's so obvious in hindsight.

Ashfield had a railway to run. A city to preserve.

Imagine your best friend asking you to choose between London and him.

I'm sorry, but I am choosing London in every version of that. Despite the knowledge it is going to break my friend's heart. Despite knowing he CANNOT see that's my way of preserving what he built.

Despite knowing he's going to hate me forever.

THAT'S the tragedy of the London Underground. It is built on one man's dreams, another man's ability to fuel them, and on knowing when you have NO CHOICE but to fuck over your best friend.

That's a fucking tragedy, kids. Our city is built on a betrayal worthy of Shakespeare.

But just pause for a second and imagine that. Imagine your friend has been dramatically resigning for YEARS and you've always protected him. You've always backed down.

And that you tell him, beg him, to stop. Because you warn that one day you will have to say yes. And he DOESN'T

Because he BELIEVES. And MY GOD that's been why you always loved him.

And then he does it that last time. And you have to accept. And the BETRAYAL in his eyes. Because he can never get it.

You are the bad guy now, and will be forever. But the railway. The railway HE built will survive. Because of your betrayal.

Fuck me man. I wish I could be that brave.

But I couldn't.

To destroy a friendship to preserve that friend's legacy?

That's love.

No one outside of transport remembers Ashfield now.

Everyone who loves London, or transport, or design knows Frank Pick.

That's so sad. For both of them.

Now go listen to 'Blinded by Rainbows' by the Rolling Stones. Because that's how this subject always makes me feel.