Service with a Snarl by CoreyBlack
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Description
Having spent way too many years working in the wonderful world of "customer service", I can relate to how this guy feels...
Looking not unlike a pissed off Roddy McDowell in one of those "Planet of the Apes" movies, this is the "gorilla" mascot that used to stand in front of the old Nationwide Video store across from Wrigley Field. One of many quirky denizens of the old Boystown, he stood outside in the elements for a number of years and eventually developed a serious case of the mange. Every so often, somebody would change his tie. I think he was wearing the canary yellow number when this picture was made. I don't know whatever happened to this furry fellow, he disappeared into the mists of time along with a lot of other colorful characters that once made B-town such a fun place to be.
Photographed on Addison Street near Sheffield Avenue in the New Town/Lake View area of Chicago on April 23, 1987.
Comments (15)
LBAMagic
Good choice of using monochrome; makes it more gritty and shocking.
beachzz
Lol, after working for the post office for 25 years, I know just how he feels!
auntietk
There are people who are absolutely cut out to be in customer service. They're pleasant, helpful, cheerful, extraverted, and they care about people in general. That probably explains why I went into accounting. LOL!
Chipka
I remember this guy. He's actually a gorilla suit, if I'm not mistaken, so maybe someone is wearing him as I write this comment. Or maybe not. At any rate, I love this shot, and I love that tie he's wearing. It was yellow, wasn't it? Great narrative too; it really does stir memories of the old, gritty, grotty Chicago. Things weren't that good then, but they at least felt better; there was more authenticity and more honesty and that's what I miss, more than the wreckage that passed for life in those "good old days." This is a great, moody, quirky shot that captures the great, moody, quirky thing that was once Chicago, and I'm glad you put this baby up. And now that it's 1:25am (at the time I'm writing this comment) I'm going to go back to sleep, but if I start dreaming of the classic Planet of the Apes franchise, I'll know why. Ah, but the original Planet of the Apes had a frikkin' amazing Jerry Goldsmith score! But that's a rant for another day. This rocks.
Bossie_Boots
Lol bless you i would not like your job so i take my hat off to you i love this though superb !!
durleybeachbum
Looks like one of the waitresses at our garden centre. Thankyou so much for your super and funny comments on my pics!
flavia49
it rocks!! fantastic capture!
NefariousDrO
Fascinating shot, although he's kind of creepy, to tell the truth. That effect is enhanced by the strong contrasts and b/w format. Great shot!
annie5
lol..so funny picture! Ext in b/w..love it :)
npauling
What a great expression even though he wasn't very welcoming. An excellent capture.
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend.
sandra46
EXCELLENT IMAGE!!!!
Bothellite
I once found a dead coyote puppy killed by a car and still fresh, laying on our dead end road's shoulder. I skinned it and took it to local town taxidermist. Nice pelt to hang in our front room on the trap door in the ceiling leading to the "master" bedroom. Many years later having soaked up a lot of heat from the front room's wood stove it quite suddenly just went to bits and fell down in little tufts of hair, completely junk. Perhaps the elements of Chicago were certainly capable of doing such to said beast. Fun read. Thanks for reminding me.
myrrhluz
I used to work as a cashier at a car wash. There was a TV playing and every now and then, they would run a story about rude customer service. They never talked much about the condescending, obnoxious, cell phone talking, rude, and inconsiderate customers. I know how the gorilla feels too, and have often felt his expression lurking behind my pasted smile. Cool image! I like the contrast between his rough and grotesque features and the bland commercialism of the sign above him.
KatesFriend
There is a joke about Darwin in this scene somewhere.