Susie: (singing)
Father: How old are you, Susie?
Susie: Nine.
Father: No…
Susie: Okay, I'm six.
Father: Do you want to live to be seven?
Susie: Mhmm…
Father: Then shut up.
–Post Office, 112th b/w Broadway & Amersterdam
Overheard by: Kristina
Susie: (singing)
Father: How old are you, Susie?
Susie: Nine.
Father: No…
Susie: Okay, I'm six.
Father: Do you want to live to be seven?
Susie: Mhmm…
Father: Then shut up.
–Post Office, 112th b/w Broadway & Amersterdam
Overheard by: Kristina
Subway beggar to the people on train : Yo, my daughter just died and I don't have any money to bury her… (recognizes someone on the train) Yo!
Man on the train: Hey! How's the wife?
Subway beggar: Oh, she good, she good. She be working too! She working on the 4 line!
–1 Train
Overheard by: Faye
Little boy: Noooo! You didn't die, I died!
Little girl: Argghhh! The crocodiles are coming!
–134th & Amsterdam
Overheard by: Tigertail
Dude #1: So when they told me Heath Ledger had died I asked if he broke his back!
Dude #2: Man–that was quick.
Dude #1: I didn't really say that. I just thought of it, but I'll use it tomorrow.
Dude #2: It'll be too late then.
Dude #1: It's never too late. There's always a second chance!
–Overlook Terracce & 186th St
Thug on cell: Yo, hearse rent a car? Yo man, I need to rent a hearse. Yeah, I'll hold. (pause) Y'all don't rent no hearses? Why y'all call yoselfs hearse rent a car? (pause) Word? Well, I need to move a body, maybe you got a van or something? (pause) I don't care, I just need to move his dead ass. (pause) Cargo van? Whatever. Yeah.
Thug's friend: Ask if they got am'blances.
–Grand Concourse, 158 St
Overheard by: Big Larry
Large man on payphone: I'm gonna kill her, man! I'm gonna fuckin' kill her! Then I'm gonna kill my cousin! I'm gonna go back to my house, kill that bitch, get my fuckin kittens, and kill my cousin! I want my kittens, man!
–SoHo
Overheard by: trying not to laugh
Father to kids: Which would you prefer, kitty casserole or puppy stew?
–72nd & Broadway
Suit: So one time I went into the bathroom and the cat was just like sitting on the toilet so I just unloaded on it. I told my roommate, like, "don't touch the cat" and then later I saw his girlfriend playing with it and hugging and kissing it. It was very funny.
–Downtown 6 Train
Upset-looking college student on cell: Ugh! My cat almost just died…and you're making this about your feelings?!
–Columbia Quad
Student: That's okay, I'll just eat my mom and fuck my cat.
–Pratt Institute
Overheard by: Toddlington
Student: Well, the situation in the essay is hopeless, you know? It's like finding a kitten in the subway and you want to take it with you because kittens just don't belong in the subway. But then you remember that you live in a building that doesn't allow pets and your roommate is allergic. So, your roommate is going to hate you and your landlord is going to evict you. I realize this is a bad example. I just really want a kitten.
–Eugene Lang College
Overheard by: Colleen
Guy #1: Left-handed people should all be incinerated.
Guy #2: Did you know that Gerald Ford would write left-handed when he was sitting at a desk, but…
Guy #1: That's why he died.
–Astor Place & Broadway
Overheard by: …but right-handed on a chalkboard?
Female employee: Hey! Don't spray me with fucking Windex!
Male employee: Oh, calm down.
Female employee: No! That's a death threat where I come from.
Male employee: Where do you come from?
Female employee: …Jersey.
–Ricky's, 3rd Ave
Headline by: Ogi
Runners-Up:
· “I Lost a Cousin in a Drive-by Spraying” – courtney c.
· “I Was Just Trying to Make It Easier for Me to See Right Through You” – not clear
· “Raise Your Hand If You Saw That One Coming” – engsci
· “Where Everything’s a Death Threat.” – BabakganoosH
· “Yet the Golden Shower Was Fine With Her” – nicky c
Midwestern tourist dad: Next we're going to the Empire State Building.
Six-year-old daughter: How far is it? Do we have to walk?
Midwestern tourist dad: Yes, it'll be fun.
Six-year-old daughter (in super whiny voice): Why? It's too far, I don't wanna walk!
Midwestern tourist dad: It'll be fun, we'll see the sights along the way.
Six-year-old daughter (on the verge of a tantrum): But I don't wanna!
Midwestern tourist dad (in very calm and soothing voice): Well, you can walk with us, or you can just lay down and die.
–5th Ave & 38th St
Woman: But I feel bad hitting you! You're injured!
Man: Oh, stop. I didn't die.
–Staten Island Physician Practice
Overheard by: Green Star
