Running late to catch a train to Connecticut this morning I dashed into the subway entrance for cardholders only, thinking I had enough credit on my Metrocard to fly through.   When I reached the turnstile & swiped the card " Insufficient Fare " came up instead of "Go."  I looked plaintively at the young man facing me, who was exiting the subway, & it flashed through my mind that I might ask him to let me use his card in exchange for cash; I hesitated and he was gone, so I headed for the street again, toward the entrance with the ticket machines on the other side of 6th Ave.  I had my wallet open, cash in hand, when a young man heading toward the street glanced at me & said in a foreign accent :  " You would like to pass ? "  I said " Yes! "  He turned and walked back to the turnstile with me and swiped his card.  When I offered my dollar bills he held up his hand in protest, saying " It's eelleegal. "  I tried to insist, asking if he was French, and he said " Oui, je parle français-- go through ! " & waved me on.  So I did and was on my way--all in a matter of seconds !

I could not believe my luck & suddenly thought of the Metrocard that I keep on my desk :