Strangers is Transit

ISAIAH

Posted on June 15, 2012 by Hobart Fowlkes

That dude with the iPhone is taking my picture. Every now and then he looks like he’s playing a game, but the eye of his camera lens keeps pointing straight at me. Here he goes again. I’m going to give him my nonchalant, bored-with-life-don’t want to go to school look. I’ve been told I have a great “look.” I mean one time this guy stopped me on the street and gave me his card, he followed me for a few blocks, but he totally seemed like one of those creeps who is into kiddie porn or something.

My name is Isaiah. If you couldn’t tell, I am mixed race. My father is a Sephardic Jew and my mother is half African-American and half French. Apparently, I have a look that can range anywhere from ghetto-fabulous to Urban Trustafarian Hipster Preppy Chic. I plan to work it, baby. I may only be 14, but I know I’m going to be a star. Oh wait, there goes the dude with the iPhone again. Let me give him my bored-pout. There. I’ll bet that comes out nicely. Where was I? Oh yeah, I’m going to be famous. Remember the movie “Fame?” I don’t! Too young, duh. But whenever I tell people that I am going to audition at New York’s High School of Performing Arts, everybody’s all like: “Ooooh, just like in Fame!!” I guess I should watch it on Netflix or something. So, whatevs, I’m going now for my big audition. Continue Reading →

CONSTANCE

Posted on June 1, 2012 by Hobart Fowlkes

My name is Constance and I live in Nassau County, Long Island. My husband, Vinny, is Brooklyn Italian and every year we visit his cousins in Italy. I am going to be very frank with you and tell you that in this photo I am extremely unhappy and very humiliated. My dog, Penelope, who is pictured on my lap, is my therapy dog. She must be by my side at ALL times or else I risk flying into insane, violent anxiety attacks. After years of therapy, I know. Its an illness. I’ve been diagnosed by multiple physicians. Believe me! Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, every benzodiazepine in the book, I’ve tried ’em. Nada! Penelope is my drug. I have a note from my doctor explaining the situation, but not everyone understands my need for a therapy dog, well primarily because I’m not blind. I even bought a full fare ticket for Penelope which is allowed in cases like mine. Vinny, Penelope and I are very lucky to be on this plane, because we came very close to being removed just minutes prior to our departure from JFK. We’ll land in Pisa, Italy in about 20 minutes. Well that’s what the stewardess just said. Excuse me. Now they like to be called “Flight Attendants.”. She was the same “flight attendant” whose nose I almost broke with my heavy camera bag about 8 hours ago. We’re friends now, thank the Holy Lord in Heaven! Her name is Irene. Continue Reading →