What I Learned On The Saddest Night Of Andy Kaufman's Life

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Bruno Sammartino, not Buddy Rogers, 
was my wrestling hero.

May 29, 1964 was eleven days
after my 14th birthday.

As a bonus, belated gift,
my parents got me 2 tickets 
to take a friend
to Madison Square Garden
for this Championship Match.

I cheered maddeningly when Bruno Sammartino 
applied a back-breakingly hold
on Buddy Rogers to win the title
in  forty-eight seconds.

What I learned on the
"saddest night of Andy Kaufman's life" 
occurred in a taxi when we left the Garden
to meet my father at Rockefeller Center.

The fare was 95¢ and I handed the cabbie $1

When I told him to "keep the change,"
he handed me a nickel and said
"You probably need this
more than I do."

[In 1964, almost all cabbies spoke English]

Despite the sarcasm in his voice,
I said "Thank you, sir"
but learned that tipping
only five percent is like
not tipping at all.

PS
I didn't know it in 1964
but today I believe
Andy Kaufman
was a genius
of mystery 
and comedy.

 

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