Hello HenryM.
Thanks again for sharing your memories, which of course stir up memories of my own in NYC.
I recall one occasion after visiting a supermarket, I was followed by a man whom I was convinced had ill intentions. After about a mile of walking and changing direction several times, I happened upon a gun shop, which I entered. The guy behind the counter asked if he could help me, so I explained that I was not intending to buy anything but as I was being followed I felt that his gun shop would be a good place to come for safety purposes. He was immensely helpful in telling me that my English accent was a giveaway for would-be muggers, as it screamed 'tourist', as, apparently would my gait and demeanour whilst admiring the scenery. He then gave me a few tips on how to walk with a purpose and only glance at my surroundings as if they were of little or no consequence. He then dipped below the counter and filled a bag with paper padding so that it looked as if I had bought a gun. I was instructed to put it inside my jacket, so that it made an obvious 'bulge' where a holstered gun would normally be lodged. I thanked him profusely for his wisdom and kindness before striding out of the shop and on my way. Needless to say, the man was no longer following me, and the rest of the shopping trip was uneventful. However, when I returned to my NY friend's house, my host was shocked and appalled at my story and warned against me travelling around NYC on my own in future.
On a completely different trip to NYC, I was once again alone and walking the streets, taking in the atmosphere, when I came across a lady who was clearly mentally distraught, and was quite possibly mentally ill. I paused and asked her if there was anything I could do to help her. To which she replied to the effect that she was homeless and hungry, and doubted whether there was anything that I could do to resolve these conditions.
I do love a challenge and I had plenty of time, as I was technically on a working 'holiday'. Thus, I suggested that I might be able to temporarily help with her hunger, if she would join me for a meal. However, there would be a 'price' that she would have to pay for the food -- which would be that she would agree to share her life-story with me.
She was a little puzzled, but agreed to my terms, and we sat down for a meal and a chat. This lady did indeed have a long-standing diagnosis of schizophrenia which we explored in some depth, before moving on to the rest of her life-story. I must admit that I find these stories quite fascinating, yet almost unbelievable in the way that they highlight the inequalities and the unkindness’s in our modern (so-called civilized) societies.
This lady had been a well-educated (PhD in micro-biology) and had held down a responsible job in a prestigious US university, until her illness necessitated hospital admission. Everything went downhill for her from that point. She lost her job, which meant she could not keep up payments on her house and she lost that as well. She could not afford medicines, so her condition had not been treated for years and she ended up on the street without anyone to help her. Most of her days were spent (as I found her) with her ‘hobby’ of cursing and swearing at passers by to see what their reaction would be towards her. This seemed to give her a sense of purpose and satisfaction as it reinforced her perception of the human race as being hostile and self-serving.
We parted on friendly terms and I told her that I would be back this way tomorrow, if she fancied another meal. In fact, it was my intention to return home to write a rhyme, capturing the essence of her story.
I did return the next day with my gift of rhyme, but my lady friend was nowhere to be seen.
I like to think that our meeting of the previous day was sufficiently friendly and constructive for her to reconsider her position and try to do something more positive with her future. However, these types of fleeting moments are sometimes simply that, and do not translate into anything more than a ‘brief-encounter'.
What they do for me, is create both memories and rhymes, which I can occasionally resurrect and contemplate.
Thank you for prompting me to do this via your post.
Best wishes
Bill