Monday, September 12, 2016

dispelling a myth

I leave in plenty of time for tonight's screening of Bridget Jones's Baby at the AMC Loews on 68th and Broadway. 

I'm giving the intro so I want to arrive early.  About 300 people are expected.

I'm on a bus by 5:55 pm. Should be easy to arrive (and meet Jill)  by 6:30 ish.

My bus driver thinks he's a Formula One racer car driver.

I get on at 79th and Second.

Read a couple of emails.

Look up and see we've passed my stop at 67th; next stop is 55th.  Now I'll be late.

I get off at 55th, and take the crosstown 57th to Broadway. 

It's now 6:40. The film starts at 7. So does my intro.

My phone rings.  "Hi; it's Carl. Do you need a mike?"

I have no idea who Carl is.  "I'm sorry, who?"

"Carl. At AMC."  (No one from AMC has ever called me before). "Do you need a mike tonight?"

"Sure, that'll be great," I say. Just hoping I'll be there in time to use it.

I enter the subway at 57th and 8th.  It's a very long underground walk to the number 1 train. I change my mind; exit the subway; and am starting to get nervous.

I hail a cab. 

Now that I use Via, I can't remember the last time I was even in a cab.  But I do remember that you need cash or a credit card to pay.

I look in my purse; I see no wallet. No cash. And no credit cards.

Do I tell my driver now and risk not making it to the theater by 7?  Or do I wait till I'm at the theater and risk the driver's wrath?

I go for the latter.

"I'm so sorry, but I don't have any money on me at all."

Without hesitation the driver responds. "That's okay. Don't worry about it."

I think maybe he doesn't understand. So I repeat myself.  

"No problem," he says again.

I never get his name, but his Medallion Number is 2J79.  

"You totally made my night," I tell him when he drops me off in front of the theater.

I begin my intro. "Let me tell you how I got here tonight..." 

Just another example of how nice New Yorkers can be.




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