Three Claims on a Red Coat

Nina had checked 214 coats during the winter concert and expected to return them just as quickly. The first red wool coat matched ticket 88. So did the second ticket held out by a woman behind the first. “That printer jams,” Nina said. “Tell me what’s in the pockets.” “My apartment keys,” said one. “A silver lighter,” said the other. Before Nina could check, a third woman pushed through the departing crowd and laid ticket 88 on the counter. She looked at the coat, then at both women. “Don’t put your hand in that pocket,” she said.