The bus was trundling along Fifth Avenue when my cell phone rang. Was it work calling already? No it was my friend, J. "Sorry, can't talk now; I'm on a bus; I'm on my way to my periodontist at the Rockefeller Center".
"What did I just say?", I mused in horror and self-contempt. The bus was passing Louis Vuitton's and Tiffany and Co. Then the Trump Tower, Gucci and Fortunoff, Cartier and Versace.
It sounded so pretentious, "I'm on my way to my periodontist at the the Rockefeller Center", I was almost too embarrassed to remember saying it. But the thought of what it would cost numbed the memory out of my head, as I left the bus and made my way across the plaza to the art deco International Building, 630 Fifth Avenue.
I'm used to having to go to the lobby security desk when entering buildings, to announce my identity and explain the purpose of my visit. Ever since 9-11, security has been tight in large buildings, especially those considered to be landmarks.
But this was most security I'd experienced since I saw Bob Dylan at Madison Square Garden late 2001.
630 Fifth Avenue houses a large number of medical offices, so there would be hundreds of people like me arriving every day.
Yet each appointment was listed on the building's computer system and a barcoded ID code pre-printed for each visitor.
Here is mine, on the left. I showed security my photo ID - without it I would not have been allowed entry.
A slight problem - my name was misspelt on the building's ID card. It didn't match my name on my New York Drivers' License. I underwent double scrutiny and then was allowed to pass.
Around the corner to the elevators, but entry to them was restricted. Turnstiles cordoned off the area and this was the reason for the barcode on the ID card.
A movie came to mind. Chaplin's "Modern Times". Little did he know ...
I swiped my card at the turnstyle and I was in!
Great. Now to the next item of the day. Up to see my periodontist - my first visit to a periodontist.
I don't know what I expected. It was to be a "consultation" - I'd been referred by my dentist. I thought I'd be just having a chat.
The receptionist showed me to waiting area. She was nice. She told me I looked like Susan Sarandon . Lovely girl!
The periodontist was really nice too - well I
THINK he was nice. He is spitting image of a friend of mine who died too young and unexpectedly about three week's ago. My friend who I call Elf and who I'll never forget.
So remembering MY Elf I smiled at Elf-Periodontist and the session began.
I thought he'd just look in my mouth and tell me to floss more. But no, there were photos of my smile taken with an ordinary digital camera, and then the "PROBE". Every tooth and surrounding gum was measured with some instrument that I took care not to look at. There were three passes involving both outside and inside measurements. Six times around the cavity of my mouth.
Then Xrays. I was reminded of the U. S. National Debt Clock, the real time display of the US national debt at Union Square, where the least significant digits change rapidly before one's eyes.
The probe procedures seemed to take forever. But it was in fact only one hour until I could say goodbye to Elf-Periodontist and his lovely receptionist.
Back to the lobby and out into Rockefeller Plaza. I stopped to watch men unloading strips of grass cover to lay upon the concrete. Radio City and the Today Show studio. A couple of tourists asked me for directions to the Rockefeller Center.
"The Rockefeller Center, you're standing in it!"
Thirteen years ago it was, "Australia, You're Standing in it!" How my life has changed since those relaxing Melbourne days. From Bourke Street to the Rockefeller Center.
I have been bar-coded into life in New York.
Kate Juliff
New York
July 2005
