Four Foot Eight

Finchley Central

There is no small amount of drama in the late afternoon as a Situation develops at the ticket barriers. Arms are waved, threats are made, positions are stated and restated, insults are hurled, but the protector of the ticket barrier stands his ground, parrying verbal blows, shrugging off the angry looks that would wound him, standing like a rock until his would-be assailants are reduced to begging and pleading for mercy and kindness.

Eventually, the crowd of teenagers finally accept that one child rate Travelcard isn't enough for all twelve of them and beat a surly retreat to the ticket machine as the warden of the gates howls in triumph and beats his chest - well, rolls his eyes and wonders why they even bother trying that one.