Ficlets

Stranger in the Subway

“9:05, It’s late again,â€? Marcie thought to herself as she sat nervously waiting for the subway.
“I’m gunna get fired.â€?
She scuffed her feet against the concrete floor. The dank smell of the tunnels filling her nose and making her squirm. As she sat she began counting the circular black leftovers of forgotten gum ground into the platform.
“Spare change?â€? A woman with a crooked smile came shuffling through the crowd of passengers towards her.
“Spare change?â€? She reeked of the subway aroma.
“Sorry.â€?
The womans smile diminished and she shuffled towards the wall. She gripped a small can close to her stomach as if somehow the can fill her empty belly. Her clothing hung off her slight physique like a clothesline. The woman leaned against the wall, closed her eyes and sighed.
“9:07.â€?
Just then Marcie heard the screech of the subway coming down the tracks. She glanced to the woman against the wall who opened her eyes to check the contents of her can and approached the slowing subway car.

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