1998 Ford Escort Parked car, now cannot shift out of park.

Transmission problem
1998 Ford Escort 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 200K+ miles

This is the wife's car. She parked the car, went in to work, and came out to leave. Car starts fine, but will not shift out of park into any other gear. It is a console automatic gear selector. I can hear a click when I press on the release button but gear selector appears to be stuck. Selector linkage on transaxle will move a little when selector is tugged on but something is not releasing. Fluid level appears to be at optimum levels. I don't know if it is the release not disengaging or something in the transaxle locked up. Not previous issues or strange noises have been noted. Car was parked on a level, flat parking spot.