This is very difficult for me ...
I've been coming here…read moresince the mid 90's and actually worked here for a spell During college at Canisius in the late 90's. I adore Joe Marcella, and despite(me) being almost 50 now, he remembered me, and made me feel like a VIP, and put me at the front of the line.
I love the youth and diversity, and had a wonderful night, felt totally my at home, but then felt sudden and bewildering betrayal.
I'm just going to say I got taken advantage of by some of the unofficial staff.
Please take into account I went without my partner, but came ready to dance and bleed $$$.
I tipped minimum $11.00 per $9.00 drink, tried to give the bouncer an Extra $20, but I think he was legit police and denied taking it out of duty.
I tipped the girl who charges the cover, double the cover, and was quick to buy random people drinks with no motive aside from friendliness.
ANYHOW, I will not elaborate deeply in a public forum, but I was essentially robbed, went to staff for help, and the help sided with the perpetrators, and I was told to exit the premise immediately.
It was beyond comprehension how the nefarious group actually seemed to believe their own lies. Albeit it comes with practice, they really "ACTED," as though they believed what they were telling
Me.
As I was essentially sober, I was meek and compliant, with the exception of spouting to one of the doorman, "Someone is going to regret this.
Prior to getting into the medical profession I was in hospitality for over Two decades, and am very sensitive to a clients needs or mood, as well as the stress the staff feels.
However, perhaps due to my professional capacity, I felt like I was trying harder to be polite and engage the staff, than they cared to try with me(granted they are sooo darn young).
Perhaps, going from being a somewhat attractive dancer, to a barely noticed old man of 49, I might just not be worth chatting up anymore, or perhaps, the younger generation is more socially aloof in general.
Anyhow,
For many straight or Gay patrons Marcella always symbolized inclusive, unconditional acceptance and safety.
Partly, it's difficult to go from being especially adored in my youth, to something of a non entity(at least in my mind) due to being older.
My sensitivities aside, what had been yet another Magical Marcella evening, became an almost insurmountable emotional nightmare......
A bizarre almost twilight zone scenario.....that at the very least appeared to illuminate a cohesive union between the official security staff and a select group of hustlers angling their nefarious ends.
Long story short, I got fleeced for almost $80.00, and was then told to leave, by the "Official," staff.
So robbed, ignored cries for help from staff,and the guilty parties really seemed to revel in successfully conning me, and to add insult
To injury, the perpetrators got
To enjoy me being kicked out of the bar....while they enjoyed my property.
More than anything I felt hurt....the irony is the thieves screwed themselves? I can be a fearsome enemy, but an even more intense friend....
For mere scraps they lost a potential ally/friend.... ironically, what they took was only about a tenth of what they could have yielded as my friend...
It's so appallingly the apparent pleasure people get from a well executed con.....even if it's a fraction of what they could have received honestly
My take away is that forgiveness, after the anger, if it can't be stopped, is crucial toward healing.
G