Artist Arrest #2

On Thursday my neighbor was arrested leaving the Key Food on Prospect and 11th Avenues. He had just bought some cereal, fresh mozzarella cheese, olives, tomatoes, basil, assorted other things.

He told me he had neglected to take his trusty box cutter out of his pocket before shopping (art students like him use them to cut illustration board, canvas, etc.) and when the police officers, who were standing at the exit when he left the store, detected its clip sticking out of his pocket, he was thrown up against the wall and taken into custody, where he remained until yesterday.

I don't know much about law. Did he commit a crime? Or did his tattoos, piercings and ear plug things scare people too much? Does anyone know anyone he could talk to, like a lawyer or something? He is being advised to plea bargain. Should he?

Too bad he didn't have the forethought to call the press before transgressing. I don't imagine Duke Riley would have the time to offer a course for artists seeking publicity. But it's a good thing, because then the police department would have no rest.

But it might do a lot for NYT circulation. The shot of Sir Riley emerging from "The Acorn" on page A8, sans tall boy, is such an unusual image for the NYT. Salty bare-chested urban bohemian dreamer/prankster myth-making golden pin up boy emerging from 8' orbalicious ovoid. Glad to meet ya.

I joined the navy, to see the world, but what did I see, I saw the sea....