10 Comments
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Debra Fried's avatar

I love the way you captured that moment (those three moments.). I feel like this would be a great little Talk of the Town piece. I'll think of what you said about the etiquette of vestibules whenever I'm in one.

Rob Schwartz's avatar

Thank you for reading. And thanks for the kind words.

Deborah Carastro Birkbeck's avatar

I have to say that I love this illustration as much as your post!

Rob Schwartz's avatar

Ha! Thx. I loaded my photo into Nano Banana. A few tries gave me that.

Nicole Yershon's avatar

I felt every moment of that ... eek

Andrew Fraser's avatar

Such an interesting observation about vestibules vs lifts re talking to strangers. I'm living in Dubai, and when I step into our apartment lift, 80% of the people will be staring at their phones. Which sends 'don't speak to me' vibes. But I've found that if you strike up a conversation, it is invariably welcomed, and indicates that they find human contact preferable to scrolling.

Jef Loeb's avatar

Love the first person reportage. BTW, if you haven’t read McNally’s autobiography, it’s totally fits your running theme of reinvention.

Rob Schwartz's avatar

Loved his memoir.

Jim Nolan's avatar

Fabulous. And so New York-y.

Rob Schwartz's avatar

Means a lot coming from a "New Yorker" writer like you.