Don’t Get Took
Posted on Sunday, October 11th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
photo credit: abdultaiyeb
I promised you a Dad-vice, and a Dad-vice you shall receive. Whether it’s 1972 or 2009, and you’re looking for a job or wandering the streets, it pays to keep them eyes peeled.
The Reality Show
In 1972 I was on a job assignment in NYC. We couldn’t afford to live in the city, so we lived on Long Island. During the summer my mother and brother Bill visited us. We showed them the sights, driving to Chinatown, my office at 34th and Park Avenue, Grand Central Station … and we parked the car in midtown and strolled down the Great White Way. Big stuff!
We were enjoying the sights and sounds when Marilou, ever-vigilant, became suspicious that we were being followed. In fact about 10 yards behind us was a group of 4 or 5 youths, and they were strangely quiet and focused.
We turned at a crosswalk; they did too. Uh oh, suspicions confirmed!
We picked up our pace; they did, too. They were tipped off!
At the next corner we dithered in a countdown, then dashed across the street at the last Don’t Walk warning. We were able to hail a cab back to the sanctuary of our car.
Mugging averted, we drove back to Long Island.
Later Bill talked about “the guys following us,” but Mother never mentioned it. We’ll never know if she knew why we hustled her into the cab, or if she simply had consummate confidence in her sons.
Others were not so fortunate. We saw an older couple approached from behind by a youth who snatched the lady’s purse and ran. The man tried to follow but had a game leg and gave up after a few steps.
In the real world, eternal vigilance is the price of safety!
Let’s start the week out right, my friends. No drinks tonight, no muggings this week, and may we all get jobs (if we want them)!
