4/6/10 "Subway series"

It's a beautiful day and I feel fabulous. I'm wearing dark gray, loose fitting slacks, a snug white tee, a three quarter sleeve pea green jacket and a yellow scarf. I've taken out the spring/summer stilettos so I have an extra switch in my hips. I have on my regular seeing glasses and not my hollywood shades and I'm on time today. I'm really feeling fab!


A woman goes through the turnstile. I swipe my card. Green light says go and I push the turnstile. I almost smash my face into it because it's locked.

What in the hell?! I swipe my card again. "Just used" Damn it. See, I have an "Unlimited" Metrocard and although I can ride as many trains and buses I choose, all day, every day, I cannot use it back to back on the same bus or train. I have to wait 20 minutes. A train is coming. This seems to happen to two more people. The three of us are standing there looking at each other waiting for someone to come thru the emergency doors. Incidentally, I live on the side of the parkway where there is no token booth. It IS a busy subway stop so someone will come through eventually.

Minutes pass and no one comes through the doors.

Another train is approaching. Commuters are running down the steps and through the turnstiles. The other woman who is waiting asks a woman to open the door. "I can't just open the door! You have to pay!", she screams. *gasp* Are u serious lady? Do we look like homeless people trying to get a free ride? I'm starting to get annoyed as yet another train approaches. We are having no luck.

I look up and my train crush is walking towards the turnstile. He's walking briskly trying to catch the train. I was cool and calm until I saw him. I'm burning with embarrassment and anger because I won't be able to ride the train with him. Our eyes lock briefly then he dashes through to catch OUR train.

More people come through but NO ONE comes through the doors. Bumbaclot, mudah skunt, f*ck man!..I spit out every expletive in my vocabulary as "Homeboy from the hood" looks me up and down suggestively and says, "Damn ma, thas a good look". I wish I had a bat! I would have beat him to death.

Three trains have passed. I attempt to swipe my card again, "Just used" More expletives escape from my glossed lips. I'm ready to snap I grab my fone to alert my coworkers that NOW I'm running late.

As I'm cursing explaining what has happened a teen comes through the emergency doors. Finally!! I scurry up the stairs coming face to face with a cop. The train doors close. Today is not my day!

I pull out my ipod as I realize the cop is not going to harrass me. "Only just a friend. The love story begins. Now here's a happy ending to believe in.." John Legend sings..I smile.. The train is coming. Today may not be such a bad day after all.



*ding dong*

Thank you for riding the MTA.