“We have to have a Part 2 talk, this time about the elections,” my doorman Brad said as I walked into the building. This was on a mid-September afternoon. “It has to be on the weekend before the election,” he said.
In June I had interviewed Brad for my blog From the Eyes of a Doorman During COVID-19.
For a blogger always on the lookout for material, I pulled out my phone and we set a time for Sunday, November 1.
“So, what about the election?” I said as we took our seat on the couch facing the reception desk, masked and social distanced.
“Let me go back to the summer. My family was craving for normalcy, so one weekend we decided to go to the beach. We got there early in the morning, all the cars were parked six feet apart, and on the beach, people were social distanced. But by 10-11 a.m. the beach got crowded. My wife said ‘Let’s go’, and that was it. I believe next summer we may still not go to the beach”
“You think so?”
“I do. The beaches and outdoor pools! They didn’t have to open them. They said they did it because people were frustrated, and it would prevent rioting. Well, we had rioting anyway. I am o.k. with peaceful protests, but opportunists inflict danger.”
A couple approached and he leaped to open the door and exchange pleasantries. Taking his seat again, he switched back into interview mode.
“The outdoor restaurants? They are a safety hazard. The other day, a cab drove into the seating area on the street. Sidewalks are crammed, all for persons wanting to have a drink, which they can have inside their house. We can do without it. We have to put safety first. Stay home. Sacrifice one year of your life from the numerous years you have had Christmases, and Thanksgivings. Halt it for just one year.”
I nodded.
“Now let’s come to the election. You know that the polling place in the church next door has moved.” he said.
That very convenient place, literally outside our door, was relocated to Eleanor Roosevelt High School a block away.
“Why did it move?” I asked.
“They wanted it away from a residential street and an elementary school. Safety!”
Made sense.
“People in our building who left when the pandemic hit, have not returned. And now, more are leaving this weekend. They don’t want to be here during election week.”
On cue, a couple walked right passed us, wheeling their bags, and out the door. Brad looked back at me, with a see-what-I-mean look.
“By this evening, the city will empty out. There are rumors that Antifa is coming. It’s been too quiet.”
“You mean it’s the calm before the storm?”
“Yes.”
I must have given him this incredulous look.
“When you walk the streets, don’t you have this dark feeling?” he asked.
“Actually, I don’t. But I did observe walking by Bryant Park yesterday, stores being boarded up.”
“Antifa is coming. A lot of people are buying ammunition. They are ready to bear arms. People are stocking up on food. I notice the lines in the supermarket are getting longer, and people are buying more than they normally do. A blogger friend of mine, who is well connected has said to me: ‘Prepare yourself. Stock up. Something is going to happen.’”
“What does he think is going to happen?”
“If Biden wins, all hell will break loose. But if Trump wins, we will see something this city is not prepared for. Whoever wins, there will be rioting. We can say goodbye to this place. There will be fires. It will be beyond what we see in the movies. This is the week of all weeks.”
The phone rang and he rushed to answer it. Returning back, he took a moment to collect his thoughts.
“Where I live, is blue country. But the other day while driving home, I noticed four tables by the roadside with VOTE for TRUMP signs. People feel safer with him.”
A delivery man walked in with a cart full of groceries. Brad was busy for a few minutes, while I scribbled my notes.
“We have been sitting here for 30 minutes now,” he said. “Have you seen any foot traffic on the sidewalk other than those coming into this building? Have you seen any cars drive by? On any regular Sunday, people are out. Today, people are fleeing the city.”
I hadn’t noticed.
“My wife and I are Democrats. We are voting for Trump.”
Silence.
“We feel safer with him.”
“How is that?”
“If he is re-elected, he will call in the National Guard to control the riots.”
The governors make that call. Well, there have been extenuating circumstances when the president called in the National Guard. I believe it was JFK.
“And if Biden wins?” I asked.
“Biden won’t call the National Guard. Biden wants to defund the police.”
“Biden has said that he will not defund the police. . .” Sabeeha stop. This is an interview, not a discussion.
“So, if Trump loses, and there are riots by his supporters, like the White Supremacists or Proud Boys, Trump won’t call in the National Guard?” I asked.
“We may not know who wins or loses until February, and by then, we won’t have a president.”
“Are you afraid for yourself, on the job?”
“I will lock the doors.”
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