Memory versus Work

It's a Monday like any other Monday and you're off to work. You feel like you're somewhat in a haze after a great weekend. You're waiting for the subway train that will get you to work on time. Your body is on the subway platform, but your mind is still thinking about Saturday night. "Finally," you think, "I'm going to be on time to work on a Monday. My boss will be happy to see me."

You casually glance around at the crowd. Your eyes notice a little girl in worn clothes, about 10 years old. She catches your attention because doesn't seem to fit among the professionally dressed commuters, so you look again. She's with a man who seems preoccupied, anxious for the train on the other side of the subway platform to arrive.

Just as you hear the sound of an approaching train, you get a glimpse of the girl's face. She's looks more numb than sad but a little of both, and she's slightly dirty. You shake your head to clear the fuzz and suddenly you remember. She looks like the girl you saw on the postcard you recently put into the recycling bin. It had a computer-aged drawing of the girl who had been missing for two years. However, it was months ago that you saw the postcard, it was fuzzy and black and white, and you only looked at the picture for a few seconds.

Your instant reaction is to doubt yourself and turn to the stranger next to you. You quietly say, "Hey!" pointing your finger while holding your arm close to your body, "isn't that the girl who was reported missing a couple years ago?"

He looks at her then looks back at you. He slowly shakes his head and smirks like you're some kind of lunatic who is habitually late to work for dumb reasons (he's half right). He turns and prepares to board the train. The train, your train, the one that will get you to work on time, pulls up to the platform.

Now comes the crucial moment. You either get on your train or you don't. Which is it and what do you do next?