Mickey Z

Cool Observer

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Saturday, November 19, 2005

Little corner subway bench

This Storytelling Saturday, I have an opening act:

(Didn’t need him last night at Bluestockings.)

Once upon a time...

I was about 18 years old…on my way to work one afternoon at Gimbel’s right after a full day of high school. I was understandably tired and not looking forward to another episode of Subservient Theater. Hence, I monopolized both seats of the little corner subway bench.

My feet were up and my eyes were closed as I listened for those words of doom: Next stop, 34th Street. But something caused me to open my eyes early to notice this guy sitting across from me with a little sketch book out...trying to draw a picture of none other than yours truly. After squashing my first impression that he needed something fresh to fuel his imagination later that evening, I kind of smirked and closed my eyes again. I even felt a little flattered.

Just as we hit the 34th Street station, I did decide to #### with him anyway. Hey, I was 18. As the people seated near him watched his every pencil stroke, I waited until the last possible moment before de-boarding. In other words, he thought he had at least one more stop to use me as a model...but I dashed out before he could react. (Ah, to be young and stupid instead of old and stupid.) To this day, I sort of wish that I would’ve at least taken a peek at his sketch.

Stories, anyone?

+++

Bonus Story

About last night…

I must admit, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The weather in New York had suddenly turned wintery, it was a Friday night, plus: holiday shopping season had commenced. However, the scene at Bluestockings was just what I needed. The night began with Expendable James from Hell’s Kitchen introducing me by, yes, reading the bio collectively written by the regulars at this site. I don’t have an image of James to share, but here are his feline roommates:

The audience got my jokes (even when they were pitifully bad), participated in my kitschy gives-and-takes, and seemed genuinely interested in the material from 50AR (I must have sold at least 15 copies). Ben Mack from Guerilla News Network even sparked a conversation about Seven Deadly Spins and 5 copies of that book were sold, too. If any of the good folks who were there last night stop by here today, well, all I can say is thanks.