We try to sell the car
John, DB and Joe got up at about 8.20 in order to move the car. Shôn and I did not stir until a guy knocked on the door, popped his head in and said “Good morning, how many are we, two? Okay.” and then went away. Shôn and I looked at each other, dazed and confused. Nothing came of it: lucky the other three had left or the management might have taken it further.
Anyway, I was up and dressed like a shot. The others returned after parking the car in a permissible spot and we all went down to clear our stuff out so that we could get it sold. John was still trying to persuade us to give Bryan the car. He had the task of ringing Mrs Weiner and he was not looking forward to disappointing her after hinting that Bryan could have it. Still, I for one needed the money, and argued that we should at least get a few offers.
John happened to mention it to the bell captain as we were dredging out all the clutter which had accumulated - maps, old cans, brochures and wrappers etc. This guy came out into the street and look round the car. He offered us a “hunnerd an’ fifty bucks”. Told him we would shop around and let him know. Another conference in the street. Was it worth taking around car dealers for a better price? Went back and told the man we would take $150. That would give us $30 each for shopping etc. Not bad, but he said he couldn’t get the money until tomorrow. We cleared out the car completely and got all the bits and pieces into the hotel foyer. John found his “free night” voucher and booked the room so we went up and took a look (I put my bags in the trunk room). The room John had booked was the worst yet: small, dilapidated and with a broken TV.
After dumping our stuff in the room we went out to do a bit of last-minute present buying. Spent ages but achieved v. little. Shôn wanted to go to the top of the Empire State Building so I waited at the bottom in a coffee shop, having already seen it. Spent a long time in Macy’s until eventually they began to close the store. I still hadn’t got everything I wanted.
Back to the hotel, I rejoined the others and we teamed up with an Irish guy who John had met. It was virtually dark outside as we set off to take a last look at New York and find somewhere to eat. We drove for a few blocks and then walked to Times Square which was seething with life. Everything was bright and noisy, bewildering and slightly frightening. Black hookers mixed with people selling hot jewellery and guys handing out handbills offering “Complete Satisfaction for $6 - No Rip-off”. A huge cigarette hoarding blew smoke rings into the already polluted Manhattan air. We ate at a nondescript cafe and walked around some more. Met up with Shôn and his friends who were all legless drunk. Shon was stepping into the road and stopping cars and going “AAAY!” at the irate drivers.
We got into the car and drove a bit - including through Central Park which I didn’t think was very wise. Returned to the scruffy room and shared a six-pack, and talked until late. It was so hot we left the air-conditioning running all night.
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