City Banter (06.14.22)

I enjoy city banter, and the little moments of urban connection it makes. It’s downtown, and it is also somehow small town. Hello to Mr. B, whose barbershop opens onto the skyway. Hello to Granville the shoe man, and to Rodney the young security guard, and the well-dressed young man who sells ice cream and is also a fashion designer. Friendly nods for, and from, everyone.

And hello to the stalwart members of the downtown beat, who patrol the skyway on foot and sometimes roll through on their Segways.  When I ask if it’s hard to ride a Segway, one says, smiling,  “Want to see a video?” Yes, I definitely do. There is a long empty hallway, with two officers rolling. The first one swerving for fun, the way kids do on skateboards, until one swerve was a little too big and he ran the Segway into the wall. The second officer went to help, and stepped off HIS machine, and fell, and then they were both down. Someone set the clip to cartoon music and circulated it.

“Is that you?” I ask, laughing. And am answered, also laughing, “I cannot say.  I cannot say.”

Urban life is stitched together by a thousand encounters. Have a good day, everyone.