If you want to have conversations with your neighbors, a good way to do it is to walk down the street with a cart of taxidermy. They might start conversations with such openers as”
“My god!”
“What is it?”
“Are they real?”
“May I touch your dead animal heads?”
I’m doing props for Bully Pulpit, a show about Teddy Roosevelt, who was a big hunter. The whole thing is set in the North Room at Sagamore Hill which was decorated with… yes, taxidermy. I found these heads on Craig’s List and they were only ten blocks from my house. Clearly, I was not going to pass up a chance to interact with my fellow New Yorkers.
One poor woman, who must have been a serious vegan, had a look of absolute horror on her face while her son was totally fascinated. Her husband stopped with their daughter so I could explain about taxidermy and theater. She stood behind them looking like she wanted to throw up.
I’ll bet they have a very interesting conversation when they get home.
Everyone else I passed seemed either completely indifferent or amused.
You have the coolest freakin’ job on earth.
Days like this are particularly enjoyable.
Have I mentioned lately that you’re a wacky woman? In a very entertaining, can’t-wait-to-see-what-you’ll-post-next kind of way. I love it!
Thank you! High praise, indeed.
You should get brownie points for succeeding at making any New Yorker say “My god!” over something seen on the sidewalk.
It might have been a tourist.
Mary, we love you.
You are indomitable.
What zany elan.
It was surprisingly fun.
> Everyone else I passed seemed either completely indifferent or amused.
Ah . . . busy impersonating New Yorkers again.