Walking toward the dark opening, I found myself in a sudden state of panic. Before stepping on the escalator, I peered over my shoulder, hoping my friend had not driven away, but it was too late. I had to proceed downward. The Bethesda, Md., stop on the Washington, D.C., Metro has one of the tallest escalators I had ever seen, and the first sight of it intimidated me. Finally at the bottom, I purchased my SmarTrip fare card, anxiously...

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