"The Switchman" is Juan Jose Arreola's satiric short story about a railway passenger and a switchman. The latter provides confusing information about the train system, symbolizing not only the inefficiency of the Mexican railroad system, but also the mysteries of life.

The story begins as a stranger carrying a large suitcase hurries breathlessly to a railroad station and arrives just at the time that his train bound for a town identified only as T_____ is scheduled to depart. As the man speculates about his train, he feels a touch on his shoulder and turns to see an old man dressed like a railroader and carrying a lantern, small enough to be a toy.

When he asks if the train has left, the old man wonders if the traveler has been in the country very long. He advises him to find lodging at the hotel nearby...