all i knew in advance was that i needed to dress for the weather and that whatever we were doing was "time sensitive." despite the snowflakes in the gray sky and traffic on the road i made incredible time.
i got to mugshots at 21st and fairmount around 2:30. if i gain nothing else from this project, i have improved greatly in the realm of timeliness. james was later than expected but i swear it was no big deal. he sent regular updates with his status and we hadn't fully set a time to meet anyway. i had work to get done and a drink to do it by.
james arrived and we did what i have all along expected to be an awkward hello. instead, and i don't know if it's my brand new outlook or what, but that part has been so easy and natural. considering one of the controls in this experience is not really getting to talk to the guys beforehand, it's surprisingly easy to meet a stranger and be at ease in a short period of time. "i guess you're why i picked this location," he started, keeping on his jacket and scarf.
i stood up and followed suit seeing his sense of urgency. we walked out the door and across the street to eastern state penitentiary. though james had spent a good deal of time there this past fall (not an inmate, guys--this place is now a historic site. it's an amazing piece of architecture and holds so many stories,) he hadn't seen it as the actual penitentiary sans zombies and sets. we had a really great tour guide who was kept busy with some extremely curious guy. james filled me on extra details and pointed out some things he knew on his own. he was the type that made you feel both comfortable and safe in that environment. it was cute, he'd do the touch-the-back-of-my-arm-when-i-walked-down-the-stairs thing, you know, totally appropriate and appreciated.
after the tour we headed back across the street for coffee at about five. he brought along a really cool illustrated book of beasts aptly titled Beasts! it was a really great way to start the dialogue. he was charming and sweet. we stayed until the place was ready to close. we had five hours of steady conversation. we talked about maybe hanging out again. and again, i'm not opposed. the guy had a tree house like the spaceship from "flight of the navigator," which is one of the few movies i've actually seen. so much talking. my voice was totally shot the next morning. i also almost feel like i should be sending mugshots a check for rent.
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