And, of course, we do learn his fate

So. Charlie gets on at Kendall, heading for Jamaica Plains, which is already a little suspect, as far as I’m concerned. OK, things were different in those days, and he probably wasn’t headed down to J.P. to get Brazilian food, but still.

But here’s the question: Why does his wife go to Scollay Square with the sandwiches? Scollay Square no longer exists, of course, but it was where Government Center now is, that is, at the intersection of the Green and Blue lines (change for Logan).

Again, it’s conceivable, I suppose, that Charlie, in no particular hurry, decided to take the E line down to Arborway. It’s not really plausible, and besides, I doubt there has ever been an exit fee on the Green Line above ground. But fine. Charlie is stuck on a Green Line train, going back and forth, and of course the E train often does go as far as Government Center. But surely it would be easier for Charlie’s wife to pass the sandwiches out at the MFA stop or Brigham Circle, where she wouldn’t have to go into a station, yes? If Charlie lives down JP way, which was plausible in those days, why would his wife go up to Scollay Square to feed him sandwiches? And if he lives in Cambridge, why wouldn’t she go to Park Street? Even if she’s staying with the Chelsea sister, Scollay Square would scarcely be the most convenient Green Line stop. And more important, since Scollay Square was the red-light district (which is why it was knocked down and replaced with brick), what was Charlie’s wife doing in Scollay Square anyway?

chazak, chazak, v’nitchazek,
-Vardibidian.