a moment of unity.

 

 The fountain looked innocent, even pretty, from a distance. It was pretty as they neared it as well. So they sat by it and waited for their ride. Everyone sat at the waterside, wrapped in their own worlds of conversation, completely divorced from the lives of the people they were sitting next to. The sun shone on dappled water, music drifted from the open doors of the bars lining the riverside, a breeze teased their skin.
  Then a gust came and picked up some of the water spilling over the edge of the fountain, scattering droplets over its surprised neighbors. There was a unified intake of breath and everyone's eyes sought those of a fellow human being. After that assault by water, anyone with the breath of life in them became an ally. A few made comments about the water's spray to which those around them readily agreed. And then everyone abandoned those to whom they had turned to for support just moments before. The magic of that unity passed and everyone once again became strangers.