Feb 23, 2005
The other night I left my studio I.D. badge at Maguire's place, so last night, on the way home from rehearsal, I took a detour to the East Village to retrieve it, on the condition that I stay and have a glass of wine. Once I got there I was talked into having some dinner, and more wine, and really good smoke.
Hitting the NY streets intoxicated is like going on a mission. It's scarier than driving. You have to make a visual check of everything you intend to take with you, and know exactly where you're going before you walk out the door. Once the door closes behind you, that's it; you're on your own. Gotta look straight ahead, stay focused, and move fast without drawing attention. Fortunately it's early enough in the evening that there's plenty of normal pedestrians out and about. I'm never alone. Head downstairs into the subway just as a train arrives. Cool, I love it when that happ...Whoa!! Don't get on that train, dude, you're not going to Williamsburg!!! Whew, that was close. Out of the subway and across the street I go, my heart rate increasing with the excitement of the close call. I'm now in the westbound station, but what? My card doesn't work! Heart racing now, I go to the service window. The guy says I used it across the street and I can't use it again for another ten minutes. Now I get how it works. He waves me through the service gate and I'm set on the L train until Union Square, where I get off and catch the N to Park Slope. Heart still racing. Breathe slowly and empty lungs with each breath. Better now. N train comes just in time. Have a seat beside large bearded Orthodox Jew and relax. Go over script lines in my head. Don't look anyone in the eye!. Be invisible. Virtual anonymity in winter gear. Good. Across the bridge now, only one more train and I'm home free. R train comes immediately. Get off at Union Street station, walk two long blocks and one short one. Find keys and enter brownstone. Mission completed.
Arrive home ditzy and stinky to the amusement of meticulous but forgiving roomate. Put on fresh shirt.