Goodbye NMFA hello paid employee of the Ballet <3
Today was my last full day as an Unpaid Intern, and an oddly bittersweet goodbye to my bizarre little office job ensued.
My first goodbye was with Neal in his office. He handed me a gift with a card and I warmly accepted it but avoided opening it in front of him. I would have had to put on a performance and wasn't in the mood. I told him I got hired as an intern at ABT and he seemed impressed. He talked to me very seriously about my time there and my tenacious work, then tested me on my classes. He then told me to go and get anything I want. I was taken aback by how inspired I was after this painful conversation with my eccentric multi millionaire boss.
Neal then took us to MoMA, where he proudly paraded his staff of three around the galleries and talked just loudly enough so that everyone could hear which works he owns versions of. As ridiculous as his is, his privilege has also awarded his obsession, so meandering this museum that not so long ago felt like an impenetrable maze as if it was something conquerable was an interesting and welcomed change of pace. I had mentioned I was searching for a piece to write a final paper on, and by the time we were done with the Museum’s permanent collection I had three thesis options scrambled in my notes app drawn up from his ramblings.
We then sat down to a late lunch with his wife where we were so graciously amused with stories of their life. I snuck a peak at the bill and it was four hundred dollars for the five of us. We walked back to the office at sunset and by this time we were all forced to warm up to each other so there was less painful silence. Instead we mused over movies and New York and Neal’'s famous friends.
I opened my gift at home. Inside was a bonus check, a tasteful (expensive (google corroborated)) silver bracelet, Just Kids by Patti Smith, and a handwritten letter from Neal. I know he likes to flaunt his wealth and expertise under the mise of generosity, but I think I will never take this bracelet off until the day I die.
Unpaid Intern Lookbook! next internship is remote so hopefully I can be a little more daring next semes…
