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Annalisa finally wound down at 7:40 p.m., only giving me fifteen minutes to make the six blocks and the last train. Her final comment was "I see that we're running out of time, so I'll close. I'm sorry that you didn't get the chance to hear our other exciting speakers. Please come by your Human Resources department later to discover the other thrilling benefits available at WayneCorp." There was a scramble of people assembling themselves, and a rush out the door.
By the time I got downstairs and signed out, I had barely five minutes to run the six blocks. I had three to go, and was waiting at a corner when I saw Annalisa drive past in a new Mercedes SUV. She hit a pothole and splashed snow and slush on someone. The light changed, and I started across, only to be grabbed and pulled back as a long black Cadillac wheeled around the corner on its way to the freeway. I looked up into the face of an older black man, and said, "Thanks."
"You're welcome, young lady." He grinned at me, and said, "I think it's safe to cross, if we hurry."
As we dashed across the street, I said, "I've got about five minutes to make the # 23 train."
"Well, then, we'd best hurry, missy."
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We hurried down the stairs to the local train platform, only to see the ticket window closing. I knocked on the window, and said, "I need a ticket for the number 23 train."
"Twenty three's come and gone, lady." I looked at the clock, which read 7:56.
"Damn."
"Now, no call for that kind of language, young lady." The older fellow said. "Where you headin' to tonight?"
"My car's at the Parkhurst station, and for once the Metro is early!" I told him in frustration.
"No need to get all excited. It'll be there. Take the 41 to Three corners, then the Grey line to Parkhurst station."
I nodded. "Thanks." I thought for a minute, and studied a transit map on the wall. "That means I'll be going all the way south, then around the island to Parkhurst." I exhaled, and added, "That means I'll be getting home about ten."
"More likely eleven to Parkhurst. You're welcome to ride with me to Three Corners."
"I accept." I held out my hand. "Selina."
He bowed over it. "A lovely name for a lovely young woman. Charles."
I giggled. I couldn't help it. "Thank you, Charles." I motioned to the ticket window. "How am I going to..."
Charles showed his annual pass for the Metro. "Allow me."
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Charles was refusing to take a seat until I had one. After two stops, a pregnant girl got on, and looked around for a seat. I stood up, and motioned to her. She sank into the seat with a sigh, and a nod of thanks. I smiled at her, and hung on to the strap as the car went around a bend and sighed into a station. Two young punks with gang jackets got on, immediately focusing on me. I looked around, and saw that I was the only white woman in the car. I pulled my purse across my head and ignored them. Charles saw them, and muttered, "Punks. I'll protect you, Miss Selina."
One of them strolled over to me, and sneered, "Bitch. You gonna come with us. You gonna par-tay with the Demon Boyz."
I looked at him, and snorted, "Not a chance, twerp."
Charles said, "Look here, you young punk. Leave the lady alone, or you'll deal with me."
The punk looked at Charles, barked a short laugh, and turned to regard me. He grabbed my hair, and said, "Bitch, you're gonna get fucked until cum runs out your nose."
I looked at him, smiled, and then said, "Sounds like fun, but I don't think you know how, little boy." He snarled, and pulled me close, mashing his mouth on me while his free hand groped my breast. The pregnant girl screamed, and I stomped his foot with a heel while touching the pressure points on his dirty neck. He dropped like a rock, and I spun and hit the other one with a foot to the abdomen, and a woman clipped him with her purse. He staggered, and Charles laid him out with a right cross. I straightened, and said, "My hero! Thanks." The car burst into applause as I kissed him.
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Charles escorted me to the proper platform for the Grey line, and made sure I got on it. I waved, and blew a kiss to him as it pulled out of the station, then settled back for the long ride to Parkhurst.
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There was over a foot of fresh snow as I walked toward the parking lot. Only a few dim lamps shone, illuminating the lumps that were the parked cars. I stopped for a moment, searching for mine, finally finding it under a burned out lamp. I brushed off enough snow with my hands to get into it, then started the engine and defroster, taking out the ice scraper and brush.
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I stopped, and rolled down the window to punch the code, only to have snow blow in to land in my lap. I stretched up to reach the keypad, and the snow slid down my skirt, pantyhose, and into my left boot. The gate didn't open, and I punched it again. I frowned, and tried a third time. Frustrated, I beeped the horn. Alfred must have heard me, or perhaps he was watching, because the gate slowly opened. I quickly rolled the window back up, to get out of the icy wind.
"At least the concrete's dry, even if I'm not." I told myself as I hurried up the ramp towards the garage door. I stopped to grin at the wooden ramp, noticing that someone had added no-skid strips to it. I pulled out my ring of keys, and started to sort through them. A gentle "Ahem." and I looked up to see Alfred holding the door for me.
"Thank you, Alfred, you're a lifesaver!" I told him.
"Indeed, Ms. Selina, I have been called such." He told me with a smile. He nodded to my key ring, and added, "It is the gold key with the triangular top."
"Thanks. Do you know why the gate code didn't work?"
"Oh, dear. The alarm company must have reset it. I shall reprogram it immediately."
I laid a hand on his arm, and said, "Leave it for now. Right now, I want a warm bath and twelve hours of sleep."
"A warm bath is an excellent idea, but you must be at work at eight tomorrow morning. I'm afraid that will only leave you six hours at most, Ms. Selina." He added, "Master Bruce returned home at four, had a workout and a quick meal, and retired early." He motioned inside, and asked, "Shall I assist you in drawing your bath?"
### Chapter10: Of Subways and Gentlemen