Welcome to New York
What a week. I had a few moments this week I feel the desire to blog about. This will be the first of a short series.
New York is far more vertical than my memories from 10 years ago. It makes sense though. Its an island. Hit the water line and the only direction to build is up. Even parking lots (not structures) are built vertically with cars stacked in neat mechanical carousels.
On my second night in town, I had dinner at the hotel sports bar. It was an adventurous choice, I know. A tasty Caesar salad later, I headed back to my room with a slice of cheesecake in tow.
When I got to the elevator bank, I found an attractive woman who was either in her early 40s or had lived a hard 30 years. She was on her phone and I heard her ask the other person to verify their room number. She had a very distinct accent.
A few pleasantries later and the elevator arrived. I got on the elevator behind her and another man who had joined the waiting party. When I’d gotten in, I noticed my floor was selected and went to the back of the elevator.
The woman commented on my covered plate from the sports bar and asked, “you can take your dinner to your room?”
“Sure, but this is dessert,” I said as I showed my elevator mates that I had a cheesecake.
“Ooh, that looks good,” she said.
“You can order one from room service. They’d be happy to,” I said. I was trying to be helpful. She just laughed.
We arrived on my floor and she walked into the elevator lobby. As I walked out of the elevator behind her, she turned around and looked surprised.
“I’m not following you,” I reassured. “I’m on this floor.”
She smiled and we parted ways.
My room this week was directly across from the elevator bank. I heard people milling about at all hours of the night. Forty five minutes after returning to my room, I heard her voice in the hallway. Her voice pierced my hotel room. I mentioned it was distinct, right? I heard her talking to someone on the phone again.
“You’re at what address again? Yes, I can be there in 30 minutes. No, cash only. Don’t forget to tell the front desk you’re expecting a visitor. They won’t let me up, if you don’t. Yes, about half an hour.”
Then I heard the elevator chime and she was gone.
