So I forgot my purse in my mom’s car this morning, but didn’t realize it until I was already on the train. At first I panicked, thinking I had dropped it somewhere but after mentally retracing my steps, I realized that it had to be in her car. The problem was, my train ticket is in there.
Of course I don’t realize any of this until I reach for my purse when the conductor comes by for my ticket. I reach for my purse and realize it’s not there. I actually gasped (not something I do often) and gave the conductor an alarmed look. “I’ll come back,” he said, and left me to do the mental retracing. Once I’ve decided I didn’t have my purse, and that it wasn’t lost, I start searching my briefcase for loose bills (I leave them in there intentionally for use in emergency situations such as this one.) I come up with 9 bucks - 6 dollars short of the on-board fare. Mr. Conductor comes back, looking a little :dubious: I explain to him about my purse. He asks “What kind of ticket is it?” “Weekly,” I tell him. He ponders for a moment, then waves his hand and puts the seat check in its spot. I thank him profoundly, and he walks away.
So I settle back, thankful, and mentally buying this man a new car when I win the lotto. Then it hits me: how will I get home? Mr. Conductor walks by again, so I ask him if he thinks I’ll have any trouble. He goes into this spiel about how his sister asks him why he is always so cranky when he gets home, and how it’s because people simply can’t grasp the fact that the rules are: No ticket, no ride; it doesn’t matter if you bought the ticket and forgot it at home, or lost it: if you don’t have it with you, you can’t board the train. All this time, I’m thinking he’s lecturing me in a really converational way, but he sums up by saying “I will be working the 5:25, if you want to take that one home.”
I noticed him eyeing my pack of cigarettes a little wantonly, so I offered him one, and he accepted. He says we’re even-steven now 
Anyway, thanks, Mr. Conductor, for saving me a gray hair or two. (And 30 dollars in train fare)
