This is one of those moments that paints a vivid picture of the day to day experience of living in New York. Anyone who’s spent time here will be able to relate to it.
As I descended into one of the local subway stations yesterday morning, an electronic sign indicated that my train would be arriving in one minute. Perfect timing! I had that jackpot feeling knowing that I wouldn’t have to wait around for a train.
Unfortunately, my smooth running plan got complicated when I swiped my Metro Card at the turnstile and the display flashed the words INSUFFICIENT FARE.
“Great job, numbskull! Why didn’t you recharge your card during the week?”
I dashed over to the fare machines and pressed buttons frantically as I heard my train rumble into the station. I added twenty dollars to my card and dashed through the turnstile. I still had to run down a staircase to reach the track level, and I didn’t think that I was going to make it.
Luckily, the doors stayed open a little longer than normal. I made it to the train before they closed. As I was dashing across the platform, I notice that an old man with a cane doing his best to hurry down the stairs behind me. I wedged my body in the doorway so the doors could close. Once the man was down the stairs on safely on the car, I stepped all the way in, and we were on our way.
It’s in exciting little moments like these, especially in situations where you end up helping someone, or when a stranger helps you, when you come face to face with the inexplicable magic of living in this great city.
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