than scaring the bejezus out of immature college boys. Thanks to training, I can lower my voice and project it to the rear wall of a mid-sized theatre. So when the illegal partying boys – fools enough to open a window onto the street allowing me to see in, light a joint I enter the door of my building. In reaction to my knocking on the door of unit #1 with majestic authority, the occupants inside immediately stopped talking and hold their collective breaths. You could cut the air. I wait to see if someone will stir and open the door. No movement. In a voice to make a director weep, “This is a smoke-free building. Put out the smokes or we call the cops.” Beat. A penitent male voice answers “Sorry, I didn’t know”. “Put it out now,” i reply, “Or the cops come.” “it’s out.” says the small voice. Beat. I continue, “You do know this unit, this apartment, is under police surveillance, the police can show up at anytime!” [This is true there is a code violation and an illegal Airbnb being operated out of this unit and the police show up at random to issue the renter a violation ticket.] Small male voice, “I’m sorry i didn’t know.” “Well, it’s true,” I reply, then add, “There is a whole lot more you don’t know!” Silence. I wait. Silence. Quietly I turn away and tip-toe up the stairs to my apartment. From a not too deeply hidden place, arises a contented chuckle. We LOL’s find joy in the most unlikely of places!
Since then, have heard the closing of doors as the party of males moves on to a place where there is less likelihood perhaps of a police raid. This weekend is the welcoming of new students to the NYU campus.