Just popped into an Army Navy store on my walk from Union Square toward NYU area, figuring I’d take a look at their bags. I got a weird vibe from the first person I encountered (approached me with a mannequin head and said, “here, this is for you!”), took maybe two more contemplative steps past her into the store, took a look around at the other people in the shop, felt like I was in the twilight zone… and about-faced and left (I am so good at doing that…).
Minutes later was approached by a woman with a salesy spiel, telling me I was on a hidden camera show for Mtv called Money from Strangers and the prank was on one of the employees of the store. They asked me to sign a release in case I wind up shown in the background. I asked if I could just be blurred out but before she could answer, she ran after another person who had been in the store to get them to sign a release.
I took that opportunity to dip into another place across the street for awhile, figuring if they lost me, they’d have to blur me out by default. I got caught 10 minutes later by the same woman and an accomplice, got further explanation about the show, and obliged to sign the damn thing.
I know there’s a personality type that gets really excited by experiencing / volunteering for stuff like this but to me it’s the worst. I just want to check out some bags and not be aggressively approached by strangers.
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