breaking through the shell

See, mostly these people are just tired.  They see thousands of people every day, are mostly treated as functionaries and treat their customers correspondingly.  So you just ask them how long they've worked there, or comment on their jewelry or something.

And the next thing you know, you've got eye contact, a smile, and sometimes an earnest, "Thank you for visiting New York City."  It's very touching, and it makes visiting any place so very meaningful.

When I needed the museum security officers to call my friend in his office, the woman stepped out of the bag check line.  At first, she could not reach my friend, but then double-checked what she had dialed, apologized to me for dialing incorrectly, and got through successfully.  She and I chatted back and forth and laughed some.

Meanwhile her gruff partner was checking ALL THE BAGS and giving her a little grief, to which she responded, "Shut up."

She explained they were very busy and tired, but she was really friendly and helpful.  Then I filled out the visitor's pass and while the guy was STILL CHECKING ALL THE BAGS, she proceeded to PEEL THE BACKING OFF THE STICKER FOR ME while he muttered something like "don't worry about me..."
By this time all of us were laughing.  Here they are- can't you just hear their New York accents?

Another security officer in the shop at the end of the Silk Road exhibit was singing, "Follow the Yellow Brick Road," out loud to herself.  So I gave her a look and said, "No, different road," which she thought was HILARIOUS and went into gales of laughter.  She thanked me for the laugh when I left.

Oh, and here's part of the handrail at the museum:

Oh, and here's what I saw every evening when I walked home from the train:

Old headstones in churchyard by Ground Zero.

Entrance to park in Patrick's neighborhood.

I cut diagonally through this block every evening.