At a Loss for Directions

Three days ago, I was walking on the sidewalk. All of a sudden, a very smart car stopped right beside me. The driver was absolutely panicky. He said, "Please, please tell me, where is the police station?"

O God, am I the right person to ask? I have been in this neighbourhood for more than thirty years, but still I do not know proper directions. So, I said, "I do not know exactly, but I do know that you have to turn around."

He was going towards Jamaica Hills, and the police station that I know of is on the other side of the Grand Central. Why did he not call the police? His accent was Puerto Rican.

I felt sorry that I have been here for so many years and I cannot help these people. I went a little further and then turned around. After thirty metres, I saw that he was asking an elderly woman the same question.

She started saying, "Go this side, go that side." All kinds of directions she gave. Either she was telling the truth or she was fabricating the directions.

24 October 2000