Are zombies really just tired Mimes?

#1 Steven Dahut(Manhattan apt.)2000
#2Ammba Shultz,Pesky Mime(Metropolitan Museum)2004
#3 Ammba Shultz-Union Square Park,Manhattan2004


Today is April 3rd.The photos will tell some sort of story, I'm just not sure what it is. Once again I'm wrestling to get the photos up and in the order I want. The rules of moving photos around still eludes me. So I will describe the photo before I tell how it fits into the story. You know most of the characters already from previous postings. If not, scroll down and catch up.Let's start with the new guy, who may or may not be a zombie grabbing Ammba. Actually it's Ammba who is attacking him. His name is Steve and his favorite movies are zombie movies. Ammba and I are fans too, but not nearly the aficionados he is. A little background first: I met Steve in 1998, when I was still something, some like to call "mocus." Basically, I was wandering around trying to pick up and fit the pieces of my life together. The only area of my life I felt was going well was my relationship with Ammba.There are few kindred spirits in this world, who truly have the soul of a child. Steve is one, as am I. Someone very wise once explained to me the real goal of life was to learn how to function and act like an adult, while keeping the wonderment of a child. Horse play is very healthy for all concerned; it's natural and a lot of fun.This is just a quick glimpse of what life is like when Steve is around. He is another crucial person in my life, who took the time and had the patience to guide me to the road I now walk. Certain people have the gift of judging character, without passing judgement on the person themselves. Ammba is one of these people. When she was only 2 years old she would say things like,"l like Steve papi, he looks out for you doesn't he? He is also very silly. When is he coming over again?" Steves' presence in my life did everything Ammba said it would and a lot more.He worked over 20 years as a New York City policeman. He is now retired, but I never would have thought he was a cop when I met him. He has been decorated several times and has the heart of a lion. He lived right next to the twin towers and during 9/11 we didn't know if he made it out or not. Ammba was very scared and asked "What about Steve?" "Where will he live?", "Can he live with us?". All I could say was " Absolutely baby, that would be great." Already making plans, Ammba says "He can stay in my bed and I'll sleep with you. It'll be like camping out, but inside." Well no sooner did we have this little talk than the doorbell rang and Ammba ran saying "I bet its Steve, I know its Steve, you watch papi" She opens the door and sure enough it's Steve and a few guests, one being a displaced cat. Ammba says to me "I know you were worried Papi. I prayed for him to come as soon as possible, that's what you said I could do. See everything's going to be just fine papi.I knew it would be." We continued to grow closer. He went with me back to Cozumel, to see if it was the right decision for me to move there again. We dove(scuba), hung out at Carnival, and talked a lot. He said "I think you're ready, if you do.Do you?" I said "I don't know" Steve smiled and said " Now I know you're ready". I didn't understand what he meant then, but I have a better idea today. There's a little story that always made me laugh when I pictured it.When Steve retired from the force he wasn't set on what he was going to do with himself. He did a little door work. When I say door work, I mean bouncing at clubs and other fancy places. I asked him how it was going for him. He replied "Interesting, not quite as smooth a transition as I thought it would be." I asked "What do you mean?" "Well I've had a few mishaps ,you might say." Steve replied. Still perplexed, I continued to pry, asking, "What exactly do you mean by mishaps?" He proceeded to tell me, "Well, my co-workers told me I needed to be stricter and more forceful when checking for ID. So the next guy in line walks right by me and I yell. "Hey!, buddy I need to see some ID." He keeps walking, so I yelled even louder this time "Hey! you in the orange jacket, I said I need to see some ID." Well, he kept walking. I ran after him at the encouragement of my collegues. I grab, spin him around and say, "What are you deaf? Didn't you hear me?" It turned out he was. Continuing to tell the story he says,"Next there was this homeless guy who insisted on bothering everyone in line. I ask him to please stop. He comes back a few minutes later and starts yelling obscenities at the customers. My boss says 'get rid of him.' I walk him across the street with his potted plant and sit him down. He's very drunk. 2 min. later he's back . I walk him back over again and say 'now stay here or you're going to have real problems.' As I left he grabs me and says 'Hey, it's a free country, I can do whatever I want.' Here I always picture Steve saying "No, thats New Jersey, here in New York you follow the law." Steve continued, "I give him a little push away from me and he stumbles into a brick wall head first. Well now we need an ambulance. He was o.k., just a little cut.".Completely deadpanned and serious he says "So it seems my new career choice is to humiliate the handicapped and beat up on the homeless. Hmm! I just wished I'd known sooner". I hope I did this story justice. When Steve told it I laughed till I cried. I still do. The only thing funnier is the story of "Serenity Movers" , but that's for another day. After I get permission to tell it. As for the mime picture, I say let's shoot him with a silencer.
Submitted for your approval. Jody