Suburban Station Return

Tuesday, 4/23/19 at 6:00 PM: As I wait in line to exit the train, a woman talks in the background. The conductor says, "Second car is open." The train engine rumbles in the background. There is a steamy exhale from the train as I step onto the platform. Commuters stampede up the stairs with squeaky shuffling steps. There is muffled talking, and a pat, pat, pat with each rising step. Once I reach the top of the steps, there is a robotic male voice over the loud speaker: "The scheduled 5:59 local to Trenton, next to arrive on Track 4, Section A." Two beeps accompany my step through the metal turnstyle. A man asks someone for a dollar. The overhead recording repeats its announcement for the train to Trenton. I move toward the exit. The door handle gives a pop when I push it open. Finally, more pounding pat, pat, pats each of my steps brings me to street level. End clip.

[image: Angled up from the bottom of the stairs. A railing on each side and stairs go up and then to the right. Philadelphia’s City Hall is on display through the color-to-ceiling windows.]

Photo credit: Andy Atzert