The human hand icon on the card reader flashed red, as if urging Mai Mingle to place her hand on it.
'I have no choice but to do it at this point.'
Mai Mingle's mouth was dry and bitter. She couldn't begin to guess what the punishment would be. Following the broadcast's instructions, she placed her right hand on the card reader.
With a BEEP, two lines of text lit up on the small electronic screen.
"Passenger Mai Mingle: 1st violation. 1 point deducted. 1 point forfeited."
"Points remaining: 0"
Mai Mingle must have read those two lines ten times before she dazedly pulled her hand back.
'The punishment is just a point deduction?'
Still in disbelief, she wiggled her fingers and toes. They were all still there, nothing more, nothing less. As she turned her head, she was so startled by Ashley's face over her shoulder that she almost screamed.
"A point deduction?"
