Caught!

On Thursday I took the 151 bus to visit a colleague at her school, sit in on a class, and meet her head English teacher. I had not realized my monthly transportation pass had expired a few days before.

First emotion: Surprise. As I see a crew of three security people move through the very crowded bus, I'm surprised, because these people rarely check passes on buses.

Second emotion: Confusion. She is giving my bérlet a closer examination.

Third emotions: Shock, immediately followed by helplessness. She gives me that "you stupid idiot look, points at the date on the pass, and says, "Today October 1."

Fourth emotion: Embarrassment. I feel hundreds of eyes focused on me, in which I'm seen as the typical illegal cheat, finally caught after months of beating the system.

Fifth emotion: Relief. "You buy ticket. Four hundred forint." ($2.25) It could have been a 6000 forint fine. I guess having a monthly pass was at least an indication that I try to be honest.

Needless to say, before I jumped on the 151 to go back to my school, I found a ticket office and became legal again.