Was on the LIRR outbound to Wantagh and the conductor asked for my ticket. He stopped and looked hard at me and said "Hey, I know you, from my shop days, Pete, right?" I had to look just as hard at him and then it struck me, I was looking at Mark Flynn, one of my very favoritest rodbuilders from the past. Hadn't seen him in probably 18 years.
He (and I) look much more "mature" of course, what with his carefully groomed full gray beard and fancy conductor's cap, but he was still just plain old "Mark" to me. I asked him how he liked his "new" career. He said he really loved his rod shop, but it made no money. The LIRR job pays way better, with benefits for him and his family. Can't argue with that.
He looked great, and sounded exactly the same, with the low-toned speaking voice, and we wished each other well, as he moved on down the aisle. What a great guy he was, and no doubt still is . . .
He (and I) look much more "mature" of course, what with his carefully groomed full gray beard and fancy conductor's cap, but he was still just plain old "Mark" to me. I asked him how he liked his "new" career. He said he really loved his rod shop, but it made no money. The LIRR job pays way better, with benefits for him and his family. Can't argue with that.
He looked great, and sounded exactly the same, with the low-toned speaking voice, and we wished each other well, as he moved on down the aisle. What a great guy he was, and no doubt still is . . .
