Debra Pickett

The big NeoCon trade show has been here at the Merchandise Mart for the last few days and the neighborhood has been packed with badge-wearing conventioneers.

They're heading out today, creating a massive cab crisis.

So, as I was walking on Orleans Street this afternoon, I happened to catch this scene.

A business suit-clad woman, having just exited the west side of the Mart, waves to hail an approaching cab. The cab slows down, as if to stop for her, but an orange-vested Mart Security guy waves the cab on, telling the driver that he has to wait in the cab line on the other side of the building if he's going to pick up Mart passengers.

The woman quickly becomes indignant.

Orange vest guy tells her that she, too, has to wait in the cab line on the other side of the building.

"But," she sputters, "I'm not with them."

He tells her it doesn't matter; that these are the rules today.

"But," she tries again, "I have a meeting to get to. I live here."

"Too bad," he says, pointing her, again, toward the growing line of bag-laden convention-goers.