Some drama at Chase the other Sunday. There was a turf war of sorts as Connie arrived to find a man in a wheelchair asleep in the bank, spoiling her regular weekend panhandling routine. Well, I think he was asleep; perhaps he was keeping his head down to try and stay out of trouble. Connie berated the quasi-slumbering figure. "You can't stay in here. You have to leave! I can't talk with you here - there are things I say to people!" Connie does have a great line in sassy repartee, along with a repertoire of flattery and tart insults. It's just about the wittiest talk on Fifth, an avenue hardly known for bons mots.
I stayed out of the stand-off, and left with the situation unresolved. I knew who'd win though. I felt a little sorry for the guy in the wheelchair. It was a cold day, and you could hardly blame him for seeking shelter. But Connie had a point - this was her Sunday salon, and this was business. Connie has a loyal group of followers who pop in to use the ATM & slip her a dollar or two, or more. Many, like me, will drop in anyway, whether we need to take out money or not. I like a quick chat, and I like to watch her in action. Still stylish in her seventies, she's tough, and smart & impossibly funny. No-one works the customers as well as she does, and no-one leaves them in such good spirits. It's an art. I'll admit it - I fall for the game always. I'm in her thrall.
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