here was some kind of delay in the tracks up ahead, so the train was
idling at the station with its doors still open to the platform, so that any
frantic latecomers would be able to board. It was through these doors, from one
of the crackling station speakers that no-one can ever locate, that we all
heard the announcement:"Attention all passengers and station agents: we are looking for a pair of ears belonging to passenger Franklin Terry, lost in the system between the 16th street and Civic Center Stations. Please contact the nearest station agent if you have any information about a pair of ears, medium-sized, tan caucasian, with a tuft of white hair in each. Thank you."
All of us on the train (or rather, all of us who had been paying attention to the announcement - which was less than all of us) exchanged a few sidelong glances with each other, as if trying to determine if we had all, in fact, heard correctly. We all then perked up (including some who hadn't heard the initial announcement) as an electronic crack signaled another message.
"Passengers and station agents: we are also looking for a ring finger, also belonging to Mr. Franklin Terry, with a gold wedding band with a Celtic engraving on it. Again, that's a ring finger with a gold wedding band. Thank you."
It clicked off again, and a few hushed conversations started at the other end of the car. A station rent-a-cop strolled with the faint resemblance of purpose past our car, in the direction of the center of the station.
A long silence followed, with a few uncomfortable shufflings, and then a third PA announcement crackled into being. The voice was a little more rushed and exasperated this time:
"Attention passengers and station agents: we arealsolooking for a right foot and a left leg, wearing black leather shoes and grey slacks,alsobelonging to Franklin Terry. If either of these items is found, please contact the nearest station agent."
It clicked off with annoyed abruptness.
All of us were looking at each other now, as we were all to a one listening to the announcements.
It was at that moment, however, that the train gave a sudden lurch, indicating that the trouble in the tunnel ahead had been cleared.
Before the doors slid shut, we were able to make out one last announcement:
"Would passenger Franklin Terry, if it is still possible, please contact the station agent, either in person or via the white courtesy phone?"
Then the doors closed, and the darkness of the tunnel engulfed us as we
were once again on our way to our respective destinations.
G4b(4)