Rails

I use the term on-the-rails a lot. Even I say it, it’s kind of like people are staying on the right path. Usually though, it’s an act.
Example: the other day I saw a couple while walking up to Capitol Hill. These two, almost definitely, had fetal alcohol syndrome. They were looking rough, maybe a little meth, maybe homeless. While neither they nor I initiated any interactions, I didn’t have the flight reflex. I associate this with the fact they each has their own pitbull. I told the Wif later I believed that there dogs helped them stay on-the-rails.
The thing is, a lot of my life I consider to be on rails, and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing.