Singing 'n' the Rain.

"Excuse me, is it 6:00 pm yet?"

For her, it's been over a dreadful half-hour cooped up in the open air, remaining stuck under the entrance canopy of the theater lest she drench in the pouring rain of New York City. For me, it's been not more than 4 minutes so still refreshing. For her and her sister, it's been somewhat of an intimidating experience, being so far from their home city and country back in Vancouver, Canada. For me, it's just fun standing where the lights and people are as opposed to peering at them from the apartment window -- I guess mostly because it's optional. Heck I don't really even care that much about going to the show. I'm not all that thrilled about a show featuring old music about the 1960's, but it's an acclaimed Tony award-winning Broadway show's Tony award-winning Broadway revival, and I came here to be educated doggone it. So I'll give the lottery program a shot, no harm in standing outside the theater two-hours before the show and entering a drawing for the chance to buy one of the remaining tickets at a dramatically (hah) discounted price. And certainly no harm in doing all of that work even if only to not get picked; at least not for someone who's living just a couple feet down the block. These two older ladies certainly have more to lose, whose story begs a certain amount of sympathy, visiting the city under such gloomy conditions and all.

"You know what -- Diane, right? -- you know what Diane, in the rare chance my name gets drawn and both of yours doesn't, you can have the tickets. Honestly, it's means very little to me."

She gladly consents to my offer just as the distributor is about draw the names -- oh wow it's only been three minutes. But honestly, it really only takes a couple moments to build a warm connection here in the city, which is all the more wonderful amongst the chilly downpour. I really hope I do get this opportunity to serve these ladies. Not just for the satisfaction it brings, but because even the part of me that actually does want to see the show...well, kind of doesn't feel like it tonight. I've already seen two shows this week, one of them being another Broadway hit (awesome), the other being a refreshingly Filipino musical about Imelda Marcos produced by The Pan-Asian Repertory. I guess I don't know if I'm up for a third one so soon. haha...third one.

God helps me to another spoonful of that irony He likes serving me so much. Turns out my name doesn't get picked, but Diane's does, already after her sister's won tickets for the two of them. In reciprocation and disposal, she offers me the very last ticket to get drawn, which I graciously accept...immediately after my return from a brisk cautious run to the drug store ATM two blocks down.