Be Nice New York

Around 2 years ago, I drove in from Jersey for a friend’s birthday dinner on a Friday night and parked on 14th St. We did start with dinner but then decided to go sing karaoke followed by drinks at a third bar which we stayed at til close. When I got back to my car it was after 4am and it was gone, my cell phone was dead and I sat on the curb to have a smoke, cry and try to figure out what to do.

I look up to see a menacing 6ft by 6ft figure walking toward me in the deserted street and I remember thinking, “Well, if this is how I’m going out, at least I had a good time tonight.” Turns out he was a bouncer that had just got off work. He told me I shouldn’t be there because the area gets dangerous at that time of the morning (I’m thinking, no shit!) and he proceeded to explain I had probably been towed due to night parking regulations. (?!!!)

He called the tow pound, hailed a cab, took me to the pound, walked me through the process and even offered to lend me the money to get my car out!!! I didn’t take the money but was so appreciative I drove him to a diner in Brooklyn where we had breakfast. I made a new friend and have learned how to read ALL the parking signs.

- Emmy Rivera, comedian.  Image by Ralph Blumenthal/The New York Times.