| Dan Rather’s Drivers License |
(continued)
Copyright © 2007, 2008 by Michael Domino
| Hi. My wife and I found Dan Rather’s driver’s license on the street, on Madison Avenue, and we would like to return it to him. (One doorman turns to the other.) Do you think that Mr. Rather is in? You know, he has been in and out a few times this morning. Maybe this is the reason he’s been coming and going more than usual - might be looking for his license. Betty adds: The poor man must be looking all over the place. He might be looking, but I can tell you, he is no poor man, no way. This, you don’t have to worry about for certain. (We all laugh a bit.) Doorman: Hello, Mr. Rather. There is a couple down here in the lobby who found your driver’s license and they would like to return it to you. (Pause)Yes, sir. (Pause) Yes, sir. Okay, sir. (Turning to us) Mr. Rather said he would be right down. (Dan Rather appears through the elevator doors, dressed casually in a jogging suit, and strides briskly across the spacious lobby toward the doorman’s station. I move away from the doormen and Betty to meet Mr. Rather halfway, with an outstretched hand. Dan and I firmly shake hands in the center of the lobby.) Mr. Rather, my name is Mike Domino and this is my wife, Betty. We found your license on Madison Avenue and 72nd Street, and here it is. Nice to meet you, and thank you both very much. I was out jogging and it must have slipped from my pocket. I was over there getting coffee, too; maybe it fell out then. But thank you very much. It was very nice of you to return it. No problem, Mr. Rather, no problem. Are you guys from here, the city? Betty: We have a place on the East Side, in the 30s. Oh, that’s nice. Thanks again! Mike: Could we get a quick picture, please, if you don’t mind? Sure, no problem. Betty, stand next to Mr. Rather and I will take your picture. (I take my disposable Kodak from my pocket. Dan straightens his hair.) Oops! I forgot to do the flash thing. Mr. Rather: Oh, yeah, you have to press the button in the front to make the flash go. (I chat nervously while waiting for the flash ready-light to come on, as Dan Rather and Betty remained posed and smiling.) We, we found the license in front of uhhh… Brew and… I mean, Burger and…? Betty: He means Soup and Burg. Yeah, right, Soup and Burg. (The camera clicks.) Mr. Rather: Okay, thanks again. Okay, bye! (Betty and I walk away, in a bit of a daze.) Okay, the Met’s this way, right over there. Yeah, this way. I can’t believe you found Dan Rather’s license on the street, Betty! |