A Great Weekend

My brother, Tim, came to town with his sophomore class. This was the third year I had the opportunity to meet up with him and his class and have dinner with them. Two years ago, they arrived in the City a little bit late, so they were on a tight schedule for dinner before going to see "The Phantom of the Opera." Charity and I got to the restaurant early and partook of a rather large frozen Long Island Iced Tea before they arrived. We had barely enough time to place an order for food and eat with them before they were gone.

Last year, they were on time, and we were handed the plates the group was given. After dinner, they had about an hour between dinner and "Wicked." As we walked a couple of blocks, I mentioned that Grand Central Terminal wasn't very far and maybe we could check out that building. Tim said that he had wanted to see it, but it wasn't on the schedule last year, so he would be interested in walking over there. We did and I was able to show the group the Main Concourse and the whispering tunnel in front of the Oyster Bar.

As the time grew closer to Tim's visit this year, he asked if I would be available to show a group around Grand Central again this year. Since I work there now, I was excited about the opportunity to do that. Tim also mentioned that he would like to take the kids on a subway ride this year, just one stop, just to have the experience. There is a shuttle that runs between Times Square and Grand Central that is perfect for this idea.

The group arrived around 2:30 in the afternoon, and we had until 5:30 to be back at the restaurant for dinner. Tim told his group we would be taking a subway to Grand Central and asked if any other small groups wanted to come. My guess is there were about 30 kids and several chaperons that went for this side trip. I was a little nervous about getting 30 kids to purchase tickets and get on the right train, but it all worked out. There was a minute when we had to wait for six kids who had broken off from the group, but they showed up in time to get on the train with everyone else. As the train lurched forward, every one of them fell back a step and I realized that I had forgotten to tell them it was a moving vehicle and they should hold on.

On the short ride to the Terminal, a New Yorker struck up a conversation with one of the chaperons and when we got off at Grand Central, she asked if we were going to see the ceiling of the Main Concourse. As we walked thru the underground passage, she kept looking behind to see if we were following her, and beckoning us "this way." She insisted on leading us all the way to the Terminal and showing us exactly where to go. I turned to Tim and said, "Sometimes, it's nice to have a New Yorker help you out!"

We went up into the terminal and found the restrooms. Then we went to the whispering tunnel and let the kids try it out. There were several who thought it was pretty neat, but some looked bored. We went upstairs to the Main Concourse where everyone suddenly seemed interested. As you walk from the sides of terminal to the Main Concourse, it opens up into a beautiful star lit expanse. You can't help but stop and take notice (and pictures.)

After several minutes, we went thru a passageway from the Main Concourse underground to 47th Street. We came out above ground at Madison Ave and 48th Street. We walked over to Sixth Ave and back down toward Times Square where Tim admonished the group: "Stay in pairs, and be back at Seventh Ave and 42nd Street by 5:30. They had about an hour and fifteen minutes to do some exploring and shopping before dinner.

Tim and another teacher, Dan, and I walked around a bit, then Tim was hungry so I showed them a place to get a $1 slice of pizza. We enjoyed that on the walk back to the restaurant for dinner.

At dinner, a couple people thanked me for taking them thru Grand Central. I told them it was nothing. One lady said, "I know, you do this every day, but it was really special for us." I try to remember when walking thru crowded areas of the City, like Times Square or past the Empire State Building, that the people who are in my way may never be in New York again and that this could be the trip of a lifetime for them. I forgot that just for a minute on that Thursday evening two weeks ago.

Later that evening, I had to do a trailer check for a mystery shopping company. By way of explanation, I occasionally have to go to a theater at midnight and watch the trailers for the opening show of a movie. This was for Scream 4 on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. I have many gay friends who seem to enjoy a good horror flick. I thought of them when I was called for this assignment, but quickly forgot about it-until I arrived at the theater. There were two guys in the back row, who just by listening, one could tell they were gay. Then another group of guys walked in and sat down, swishing and snapping the whole way. Apparently, horror movies are a gay thing. I never got the memo.

I got up and went into the City early Friday morning, without cigarettes. I asked a guy near the subway exit if I could bum one, and he pulled out his pack saying, "Man, these things are $15 a pack now!" I thanked him for the offered cigarette and walked away saying thats why I hadn't bought any.

My days at work are long, and seemingly endless, but that's not a complaint. I love working at Grand Central Terminal and interacting with all the people who come into the store. We have had some goals, but only recently have they been stressed. I am almost physically exhausted when I leave the store, but it is always fun to meet the challenges set.

This week will be another long week, but I am looking forward to the challenges and rewards ahead.