Garry Moore was exceedingly popular for about one year during the run of his TV show. It was produced in Manhattan, and during that year he learned never to stop moving on the sidewalks. If he stopped to chat with an admirer (he was often recognized), a crowd would form, making progress impossible.
When greeted, he learned to say something brief, perhaps add a handshake, and move on.
One night he left the studio late and met a fellow on one of the empty side streets. The fellow spoke some sort of greeting. Garry brifely clasped the man's arm, said “You betcha,” and moved on.
At the end of the block he realized what the man had said:
“This is a stickup.”
He looked back. The man was standing in mid-block, staring. After a frozen moment, the man turned around and ran away.
One night he left the studio late and met a fellow on one of the empty side streets. The fellow spoke some sort of greeting. Garry brifely clasped the man's arm, said “You betcha,” and moved on.
At the end of the block he realized what the man had said:
“This is a stickup.”
He looked back. The man was standing in mid-block, staring. After a frozen moment, the man turned around and ran away.
No comments:
Post a Comment