Hampton & Rabbit : The Paradox of NYC

The “Where You Gonna Run To” lyrics of Felix’s “Sinnerman” re-loops.

Verōnika, the patron saint of photography, is upstairs. That’s where he goes.

Verōnika’s ceiling reaches infinitely. Wide apertures of windows allow flattering light to run through the grand European-style dining room.

Hamish walks through the bar and past the hostess, who looks up and through him. She then nods, her head down, ignoring him as if he were a ghost as she returns to prodding into a tablet with her index fingers.

The dining room reminds Hamish of the paradox that is New York City: so many people jammed up against each other, creating obstacles for them to connect meaningfully. Two-by-two close seating construction is the perfect example. For the purpose of commerce, everyone is seated too intimately next to a stranger and in opposing-party style to their guest.

As he walks the aisle between the tables, he feels like a Dark Knight in a Battlestar commanding an array of minions seated at their controls. Angry that he does not see Amanda, he pulls out a lightsaber and swipes it through the legs of the low-sitting dining chairs as he makes large strides through the room and out again.