there were the infinite lights : the luminous walls and ceilings that seemed to drip cool , even phosphorescence ; the flashing advertisements screaming for attention ; the harsh , steady gleam of the `` lightworms '' that directed , this way to jersey sections , follow arrows to east river shuttle , upper level for all ways to long island sections most of all there was the noise that was inseparable from life : the sound of millions talking , laughing , coughing , calling , humming , breathing .