Holds Are For Banned Riders

Why would anyone place a hold on a name?

I was still turning that over at 9:25 when a tall woman in a navy blazer crossed the concourse at a brisk walk. Her radio was clipped to her shoulder, and Bridget had clearly called her.

"Imani Brandt, duty supervisor," she said to me. "What's the problem, sir?"

"Ask her." I nodded at Bridget. "She shredded my ticket."

"He didn't have a seat," Bridget said.

"He had a hold," I said. "There's a difference."

Imani leaned over the counter and read the yellow flag. Her calm face changed, just a little. A small frown line appeared between her brows.

"Set by W.S.," she said.

"That's Mr. Sedgwick," Bridget said. "The manager."

"I know who W.S. is." Imani straightened. "Bridget, holds are for banned riders. Threats, assaults, stolen fares. I've worked here two years, and in the six weeks Mr. Sedgwick has run this station he has never placed one on a name."

"It's on the screen."

"I can see it's on the screen." Imani turned to me. "Mr. Frost, has anyone at this station ever banned you?"

"I've never been here before."

"Then I don't understand why he would do this." She said it quietly, and I believed her. She wasn't defending the flag. She was afraid of it.

"Neither do I," I said. "That's why I'd like to ask him."

Bridget laughed once, short and sharp. "You want to ask the station manager why he doesn't want you?"

"Yes."

Imani looked at the shredder tray, at the confetti of a ticket that had been perfectly valid, and then at the line of commuters who were listening to every word.

"I'll be honest," she said. "I don't think you should be standing here when he comes down. Take the side door by the newsstand. I'll make sure your money is refunded, and we'll sort this out another way."

"Is that what you'd do?"

"It's what I'd want someone to do for me."

It was a kind offer. It was also the exact move that would let this problem go on without me.

"I appreciate it," I said. "But I'd rather stay."

Her radio crackled before she could answer. The voice that came out of it was smooth and impatient.

"Sedgwick to Window Nine. Keep that man exactly where he is. I'm coming down."