Day 75 - The Rails

 The Rails 

Matthew Ryan Fischer

 

There was danger all around and David didn’t have time to focus on which problem to address first. His arms were locked tight with assailant as they pushed and pulled back and forth. Somewhere back on the platform were the rest of the gang. They could be surrounding him right now, ready to attack from behind at any moment. It was ten-fifty and David realized the westbound train was on its way, due in five minutes or less. It would come around the bend and even slowing, it wouldn’t be able to stop in time and would crush them both. Worrying about winning a fight, or being attacked from behind, felt a lot less important.

None of this would be happening, David thought to himself, if Ian wasn’t such an asshole.

He had things under control. He knew these guys hadn’t bought tickets. He was going to handle it. He made his approach, but then Ian had walked over to check and see if David needed backup.

“No, I’m alright,” was what David said, but he wanted to scream ‘no, get the fuck out of here…’.

David could see the thugs tense up the moment Ian walked up. Ian was a prick and enjoyed acting like it. They were security guards sub-contracted out by the MTA to a security subsidiary employed by a private firm. They wore uniforms and could carry guns and had badges. They could issue tickets if necessary and detain someone for arrest if things escalated. The police looked the other way because they didn’t like working the trains or stations. The DA looked the other way because they could subpoena the guards if need be. The judges looked the other way because they trusted the DA and the police union. It was a cheap solution and it gave assholes like Ian a chance to play god.

I’m going to die over a dollar seventy-five, thought David.

Working security was supposed to be an easy alternative. Overtime was supposed to make the job worth it. But five years and a wife made overtime less desirable. Especially if they had a kid and David ever wanted to have any quality time at home. None of that was going to happen if things didn’t change quickly.

David had been to Iraq and Afghanistan. He had dealt with tense situations. He had deescalated worse. But Ian hadn’t been there then and Ian wasn’t known for de-escalation now. Ian liked to beat on people with his nightstick. Ian didn’t carry a gun, because if he lost that someone might kill him with it. But a nightstick he wasn’t going to lose his life to. That was a fine attitude if you were hoping to get into fights. David had had enough fighting to last a lifetime.

The one with the most tattoos went from laid back to leaning over, fists clenched the moment Ian stepped up and started talking with attitude. David saw the firsts. He saw the shift in the eyes. He knew it was coming. All Ian had to do was say one wrong thing.

All for a dollar seventy-five.

Why hadn’t they paid? If it would save a fight now, David would buy the ticket himself. But he didn’t get the chance. Ian opened his big mouth and was laughing about something and tattoos for arms leapt off the bench and flew towards Ian’s face.

David didn’t think, he reacted.

Then suddenly he was out on the tracks, tattoos for arms trying to pull him down to the ground. David went to one knee, and grappled for his life. He could allow himself to be brought down or put on his back. He wouldn’t get back up if that happened. Tattoos for arms could whale on him and his friends could get in on the action, but sooner or later David would succumb to their kicks and punches or to an oncoming train,

For once, David wished Ian carried a gun.

David had his though, and if it came to it, he would rather face an upset DA than the ten-fifty-five Red Line.

Tattoos for arms let go and ran off immediately after David fired into the air.

Later, the police would search the bag Tattoo for arms left behind and find his wallet, an unregistered Ruger wrapped in a t-shirt. He fucked up and, in his fear, left behind the means to catch him and the parole violation evidence to put him back behind bars. But all that would come later. Now and immediately, David jumped back to the platform, Ian waiting with a smile and fist bump, laughing and cheering David on, offering to buy him a beer later after work.

In that moment, David decided this would be his last night working security for the MTA.