Tina Knowles was honored and the mayor’s security had guests anticipating the singing star instead of the pol.

He turns on his heel, exuding the calm of a man whose anger has escaped his body. The small crowd that has gathered on the other side of the turnstiles breaks into a mix of heckling and applause. As Adams strides back up the subway steps to his waiting car, a voice calls out behind him: “Would you take the upgrades again, Mr. Mayor?”