RetroCard

You might not get this if you’re not a New Yorker, but I thought I might send this out to all yall in the public transportation spectrum. Over here in New York City we got these nondescript little orange cards that cost lots of money and allow a commuter to travel from one place to another. These “MetroCards” can be refilled, unless you decide to purchase a *Weekly or Monthly card.*

I don’t know why these cards are different, but they are. They require a whole new card every time you buy one and so if you’re anything like me at the end of buying one you’re left with two identical looking cards with two very different values.

* Card A is worthless.
* Card B is worth $70

I, however, in putting my credit card away, after buying my new MetroCard, have gotten totally confused which is which.

This isn’t a complicated process, but the fact that I am now unsure which card is which is very disconcerting. I will find out which card is which when I swipe it at the turnstile to gain access to the subway, but this uncertainty will follow me even after I’ve swiped the right card and folded the wrong one in half to distinguish it as _not the right one._

You will sometimes find me, down on the platform, in front of a trash can, reluctantly letting go of the bent metrocard, fearing that just maybe it was the good one and I have just thrown away $70.