The tunnels of the subway system in New York City can be imagined as living entities, with the ability to breathe like humans. They exhale when trains rush through, filled with various scents, and inhale when they depart, creating a distinct atmosphere within their confines. When trains are not active, the tunnels remain dormant, occasionally releasing warm air or drawing in the cold, but primarily they lie in wait for the trains that animate them once again.

Joe Tesla, the character who inhabits these tunnels, is acutely aware of this unusual environment. The air he breathes is a mix of warmth and chill, different from human breath yet familiar to him. Living underground has become his reality, where the subway's rhythm dictates the life around him. The tunnels, with their unique characteristics, almost become a part of his existence, shaping his experiences as he navigates life below the bustling surface of the city.