Doorman

I had just left the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art in New York City and was quite inspired by the exhibit of Abstract Expressionist paintings and Picasso’s guitar exhibit. Next door is MOMA Towers quite an exclusive hotel.

The doorman stood out front dressed in an impeccable uniform ready to serve. “Excuse me sir,” I said, who is the most famous person you have ever met on this job.”
“Me,” he said, “I am the most famous person you will meet here.” He laughed.

“Well let me tell you, man.” His voice gets louder with excitement. “Right here!”–He points a few feet to his right on the side walk–“Was Paul McCartney and he gave me his autograph.”

“Then,” he continues, “a very ordinary-looking young man rode up on a bicycle. He got off the bike, took of his hat and said:” ‘Sir I am here for a party may I come in.’ “It was John Kennedy Jr. a beautiful, humble man.”

“But then one night, when I was on the midnight shift, I looked a few blocks away and here comes this entourage of joggers. As they got closer, I thought who would be jogging in New York at 4 in the morning, he must be someone important? Now they were very close—I recognize the leader, it’s Nelson Mandela!
His group had picked MOMA as the turn around point. I said, “You are Nelson Mandela, and I reached out to shake his hand. A security man pushed my hand away. Then Mandela extends his hand and shouts: ‘I WILL his shake his hand…he is my brother!’”

D.J. Haslett copyright 2011