We stand together and yet divided on Picadilly Gardens tram stop. It is late at night and the freaks convention had just got out. We divide ourselves out nicely. The oddballs stand at either end of the platform and the normal people, myself and two others, stand in the well lit area at the centre.

It is like a Manchester Metrolink version of apartheid.

A 17 year old slapper and her friends were stood at the far end. She is on her mobile. "I got DDE in Art, Religion and Film Studies and I got into Sunderland Poly to study Nuclear Physics." she says pulling the top of her top down and the bottom of her top up. She tries to alter the small piece of denim she has that is passing as a skirt. "I can't believe it. We didn't get in anywhere" she says into her phone.

With hindsight, the normal people would've been much better standing somewhere else. We are sandwiched in a classic pincer movement. Our only escape is over the tram tracks. We are joined on the centre of the platform by a young couple. The woman is wearing a giant gold rope belt and some red knee length trousers, which just skim the top of her bright red knee high boots. I glare at her trying to indicate to her that for her crime against fashion she should really be stood with the oddballs.

At the other end of the platform a man walks on carrying several black bin liners. He sets them down. Looking at the largest bag he exclaims "You're not making any noise now are you?".

I check my exit route.

A woman starts to walk up the platform. She hesitates by the slappers and walks on by. She comes to stand with the normal people. I want to make her feel welcome amongst us so I look her up and down, smile at her and stare at her tits.