Exhausted passengers stood waiting, staring into their reflections in the barricades at the MRT platform. "Please stand behind the yellow line," warned the familiar, feminine recorded voice. The train was approaching the station.
Throngs of passengers swarmed out of the train once its automated sliding doors opened. On the other hand, impatient boarding commuters tried to jostle and shove their way into the train.
"Toot, toot, toot, toot..." went the warning chime that signalled the shutting of the train doors. The cabin was packed like a can of sardines. I was quite miffed at some inconsiderate passengers. They were standing near the door and not moving in towards the centre of the cabin. Weaving through the crowd, I proceeded towards the middle of the train where there was more breathing space.
From the corner of my eye, I spotted a shady man with a baseball cap pulled low to conceal his identity. He was eyeing a designer purse that was peeking out from a lady's tote. The chic woman was standing right in front of me.
Just as I was about to dismiss my suspicion, his nimble fingers picked up the wallet at a lightning speed. My eyes dilated in horror. "Pickpocket! Pickpocket!" I shrieked. The shifty man was about to slither away when the train's automated doors were closing at the next stop. However, a portion of his sleeve was caught as a result.
Curious onlookers cast gazes at the commotion. The victim, realising what had taken place, rushed to reclaim her valuables. The criminal was handed over to the authorities who arrived briskly at the station. The young lady, grateful to recover her expensive wallet, thanked me profusely.
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Barricade: barrier that obstructs passage
Shifty: suggesting a deceptive or evasive character
Throng: crowd
Miff: offend
Weave: move side to side, especially to avoid obstructions
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