Pfunksfoolosophy

Actually, I’m looking forward to going out into the world.  The 24 hour laundromat is a haven for characters and since I am a writer and observer of the human condition in addition to being a stand up comic, it’s a cornucopia of material. I hope my favorite drunk/crack head makes an appearance. I’ve known her since I moved to NYC five years ago.

She’s still quite lovely and has most of her teeth. I’m not saying that to be funny, she really is captivating to watch. Her movements are graceful and her eyes don’t always have that dull thousand mile stare that most addicts posess. Her name changes each time I speak with her but when I first met her, she called herself Sandy.

Sandy is probably closer to 35 than she looks but she has incredible bone structure and smooth dark chocolate skin. I think in another life she would have made a great model. There’s something about her spirit that makes you root for her sobriety, but deep down you know that she’s going to wind up in Potter’s field soon. I give her food and direct her to Bellevue to dry out, but she never remembers how to get there and she disappears for a while. Just as quickly, I forget about her until I see someone with her build pinballing down the street. I hold my breath until the figure grows closer in my vision and I let out a sigh of relief and sadness because part of me wanted it to be Sandy just to know that she was okay.

My friends tell me not to give her any money, not to help her but I have to try. She’s doing desperate things because she’s in a desperate condition. Certainly, no one forced her into her addiction, but I think about what I would want if heaven forbid, one of my kids became like Sandy. I would want someone to keep trying. I would want someone to care about them.

Maybe one day, when she’s not completely fiending for her next hit, she’ll recognize me and remember that I want her to get well. She’ll see her worth and she’ll accept help.

Another day…another prayer…another wish for Sandy to turn up to help me fold my laundry for a couple of quarters and a sandwich.