Tuesday, December 10, 2013

UNBELIEVABLE Part One

1.  I got a key duplicated at a sketch, local place yesterday.  I brought it home and the key didn't fit.  So I went back in today to get it remade.  The hooded guy who helped me yesterday was there with a man in a blue puffy coat.  I had seen him walk in at least a minute before me.  But when they saw me entering, blue coat man shuffled some things back into his bag and acting like he'd JUST walked in saying "Oh, so you're closing at 6 today, good to know..."  Nice try, buddy.  I know a drug deal when I see one.  (This isn't the unbelievable part, in case you're wondering.)

The employee made a big deal about how he was going to give the new, working key to me for free, but that I better not tell his boss.  Of course he gave it to me for free- the first one didn't work!!  He was just making it right!  But I let him feel good about his generosity since my outcome was the same regardless.  Anyway, we chat for a few minutes while he's cutting the new key, and on my way out I say "Well, you have been very helpful, but hopefully I won't see you again tomorrow!"  (Alluding the fact that I want this key to work so I don't have to come into that dank, sketchy place again.)  His reply was "Oh, well you feel free to come by just for a visit anytime at all!  ........   I'll even pay you for the pleasure."  Unbelievable.

2. I do my big shopping trips to Trader Joe's on 72nd these days.  There is an elevator there, so my only concern is getting my baby and my food up the stairs at our stop.  People have been less eager to help me this last few months than when we first came to NYC (probably because I look less pathetic, generally) and so I asked a few people to help me up.  Two people refused me, and then this tired looking lady who was already carrying about 5 heavy-looking bags offered to help.  She rearranged her own items so she could lift the front of the stroller for me.  Pretty unbelievable!

3.  It was a very cold day and we'd been waiting at the 96th street station for at least 5 min for the next express train.  People around me surely noticed that T was restless, asking for snacks, kicking her blanket off, throwing Lambie out... the whole bit.  When the train finally came, I saw through the window that there was an empty seat by the aisle- the best place because it's more convenient to put the stroller beside me there.  I was first in line at the doors, ready to move in once everyone was finished coming out. Then out of nowhere, this lady who had watched me struggling with T swooped passed me and plopped into the only open seat.  She seriously shouldered me out of the way to get to the seat first, then had the nerve to look up at me as to say "Tough love."  Unbelievable.  People around literally dropped their jaws as they saw this unfold.

There are TONS of unbelievable things that happen every week.  Some good, some bad, some funny.  Every time I leave my apartment I wonder what the day will hold for me.  :)  Hopefully I'll stick to my plan of posting a few unbelievable things at a time every few weeks!

6 comments:

Heather said...

That is totally unbelievable. I was only in NYC for a morning and I too saw a drug deal. Mine was on a bus. Sorry about the tough love, but thanks for sharing your great stories.

Julie T said...

You are such a "real" and insightful writer--you should consider submitting your work!

All three stories were "jaw dropping" for me! That tired old lady does renew my hope in mankind...for ten that aren't, there always seems to be one who is! (see the story of the ten lepers!) Scott is probaby telling you not to be so charming to strangers-even if it could earn you a little pocket money :) Too funny! But seriously, I know a guy, in fact, I have a relative in Bellingham who could teach you some good back end defense...he used to play football. Very helpful in the subway.

Chelsea said...

Haha! Great stories! Glad you're writing them down and remembering them.

Chelsea said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tara said...

pay you for the pleasure??!? you've got to be kidding me! I think I will go shudder for like 5 minutes!

NatalieD said...

Wow!!! Such adventures you have, Stef!