A couple of weeks ago I was in Times Square. I must have one of those auras about me or something that makes people feel they can approach me. A complete stranger, middle-aged average guy came up to me and asked for a dollar to get on the subway. He already had one- he just needed the second- could I help him out? I said sure, and as I was rummaging for a dollar he made conversation by asking me where I was from. I replied Massachussetts- and fully expected to get into some minor discussion about the yankees and the Sox. Instead he said: "Alright man! Me Too! I'm headed back to Brockton!" I thought I had misheard. Surely he had said "Boston!" ?? Quickly I blurted: "Did you just say BROCKTON?" He looked mildly bemused for a minute and the affirmed that he had indeed said Brockton. "Get Out!" I declared. "I'm from Brockton!" I told him. he looked skeptical. "Oh Yeah?" he challenges, "You Know Marvin?" With a puzzled expression I answer: " You mean Marvelous Marvin Haggler?"
"Oh, you do know.. And How about Rocky?" -- "Rocky Marciano? Of course I DO!! I'm from Brockton! Who DOESN'T know the Famous Brockton Boxers?!?!?!?!" Well, we shared a laugh. I had passed his little test and there we were- two Brocktonians that met by chance in the middle of one of the biggest cities in the entire world. What do you make of that?