Katherine Russell Rich: What Goes Up

Mon Dec 01 2008

A writer’s uptown friends won’t believe her dating adventure with a New York City fire fighter, but in the end a NYFD t-shirt proves them wrong. Katherine Russell Rich lives in Manhattan. Her second book “Dreaming in Hindi: Coming awake in another lang...

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Moth – "What Goes Up" by Katherine Russell Rich

Introduction

In the episode titled "What Goes Up," Katherine Russell Rich shares a captivating and emotionally charged true story that delves into themes of love, adventure, and tragedy. Delivered live in New York City in September 2003, Rich's narrative takes listeners on a rollercoaster of experiences that intertwine her personal life with unforeseen events.

A Life on Track and the Catalyst for Change

Kathryn Russell Rich begins by painting a picture of her life before the pivotal events of her story. "[00:02:31] 'So until several years ago, I was on this straight ahead trajectory. I was first a magazine editor, then I was magazine writer and I only dated tortured magazine writer guys. And in short, I owned a lot of black and I was beginning to feel like a cliché.'"

Feeling stagnant and clichéd in her career and personal life, Rich sought a dramatic change. Her opportunity arose when The Times sent her to India, igniting a newfound passion for studying Hindi. Her enthusiasm is evident as she states, "[00:03:15] 'I fell madly in love with the weirdest thing and it was I fell in love with like studying Hindi.'"

Determined to embark on this new journey, Rich planned to immerse herself in learning Hindi, intending to spend a year in India. This decision marked the beginning of her transformative adventure.

An Unexpected Night Out and a Chance Encounter

As Rich prepares to leave for India, her friends organize a farewell dinner in the East Village. The evening takes a dramatic turn when a distressed customer at the restaurant, a junkie who has overdosed, causes concern. Rich recounts, "[00:04:10] 'The waitress says, what do I do? And we said, you have to call the police... [00:04:30] 'She does, and we're eating, and a troop of the most gorgeous firemen come walking in.'"

Amid the chaos, a group of attractive firemen enter, sparking flirtatious interactions. Despite her natural shyness, Rich decides to seize the moment, hoping to break out of her comfort zone before her departure. "[00:05:05] 'I find myself going, why don't you join us? And he goes, why don't you go on a date with me? And I go, all right.'"

A Romantic Evening Turned Comedic Mishap

Rich’s date with Fireman Pete Sapienza begins promisingly, filled with engaging conversations and shared laughter. She vividly describes their connection: "[00:06:00] 'We are making out. We are having such a good time. I've never acted like this in my life.'"

However, the evening takes an unexpected and humorous turn when Pete attempts to showcase his fireman credentials by bringing her to the fire station. Their adventurous spirit leads them to Zeckendorf Towers, where they attempt to make out in an elevator using a fire key. Rich narrates the ensuing chaos: "[00:07:45] 'We sneak by the guard, we go up. The fire key doesn't get us out... If I could stop the elevator, would you make out with me in the elevator? Like, you bet.'"

Their escapade is abruptly interrupted when the security system triggers an emergency lockdown, and security personnel confront them. Rich humorously details the confrontation: "[00:09:20] 'He's from New York. So what does he do? He bluffs. And every time they say anything, he goes, what do you mean?'"

Ultimately, Pete and Rich are forced to flee, leading to a high-stakes chase back to her apartment with police sirens blaring. The tension peaks as Pete insists she let him in: "[00:10:50] 'He grabs my hand and we run through the crowd... Now you gotta let me in.'"

Tragic Aftermath and Emotional Turmoil

Shortly after their tumultuous evening, tragedy strikes. Rich receives devastating news about the September 11 attacks, which profoundly impacts her and Pete. She reflects on the sudden death of Pete during the attacks, connecting back to their brief but intense relationship: "[00:12:30] 'He was getting raffled off on dates... 92 of his friends were killed, including everybody we met.'"

The emotional weight of losing Pete, coupled with the chaos of the attacks, leaves Rich grappling with grief and disbelief. She expresses her struggle to reconcile her past self with the person she became through these experiences: "[00:13:10] 'I was so far out of my safety zone, and I was having the best time... I slipped back into my old ways and I actually can't believe I did either.'"

Reflection and Closure

Kathryn Russell Rich concludes her story by reflecting on the profound changes and the lasting impact of that fateful period in her life. She acknowledges the surreal nature of her experiences and the emotional journey that followed: "[00:13:35] 'I don't think I would believe it, except I have proof.'"

Key Takeaways and Notable Quotes

Embracing Change: Rich's decision to study Hindi and travel to India marked a significant turning point in her life, highlighting the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone.
Unexpected Connections: Her chance encounter with Fireman Pete underscores how fleeting moments can lead to profound personal experiences.
Resilience Amid Tragedy: The tragic loss of Pete in the September 11 attacks serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Notable Quotes:

"I feel like I had to shake my life up." ([00:02:45])
"We are making out on an elevator. 11:30 on Saturday night." ([00:07:20])
"I was so far out of my safety zone, and I was having the best time." ([00:13:25])

Conclusion

Katherine Russell Rich's "What Goes Up" is a compelling narrative that intertwines personal ambition, romantic adventure, and the profound impact of unforeseen tragedy. Her storytelling captures the essence of The Moth's mission to share authentic, transformative human experiences, leaving listeners both moved and inspired.

About the Speaker

Kathryn Russell Rich resides in Manhattan and is the author of her second book, "Dreaming in Coming Awake in Another Language," set to be published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in July. Her storytelling prowess shines through her engaging and heartfelt narratives, making her a memorable contributor to The Moth Podcast.

Transcript

Rosetta Stone Advertiser (0:00)

As we approach the end of the year, I'm thinking about the next. Next year is the year I finally make my Spanish better than my 9 year old's. Rosetta Stone is the most trusted language learning program available on desktop or as an app, and it truly immerses you in the language that you want to learn. I can't wait to use Rosetta Stone and finally speak better than my 9 year old who's been learning Spanish in his own way. Rosetta Stone is the trusted expert for 30 years. With millions of users and 25 languages offered speaking Spanish, French, Italian, German, Korean, I could go on fast language acquisition. Rosetta Stone immerses you in many ways. There are no English translations, so you can really learn to speak, listen and think in that language. Start the new year off with a resolution you can reach today. The Moth listeners can take advantage of this Rosetta Stones lifetime membership for 50% off visit rosettastone.com moth that's 50% off. Unlimited access to 25 language courses for the rest of your Life. Redeem your 50% off@Rosetta Stone.com moth today.

Dan Kennedy (1:21)

Welcome to the Moth Podcast. Hi, I'm Dan Kennedy. The Moth features true stories told live without notes. All stories on the Moth Podcast are taken from our ongoing storytelling series in New York and Los Angeles and from our tour shows across the country. Visit themoth.org this week's story by Kathryn Russell Rich was recorded in New York City in September 2003.

Kathryn Russell Rich (1:52)

So until several years ago, I was on this straight ahead trajectory. I was first a magazine editor, then I was magazine writer and I only dated tortured magazine writer guys. And in short, I owned a lot of black and I was beginning to feel like a cliche. So I really felt like I had to shake my life up. And I got sent by the Times over to India and I fell madly in love with the weirdest thing and it was I fell in love with like studying Hindi. And so I came back and I started studying and I think this is, you know what, I just really want to go over there for a year and learn Hindi. And so I set plans in motion and I thought, now I'm going to throw my life up in there and do this. And I wasn't entirely off track because I did get a book contract. Oh. But I was going. And so about a month before a couple of my friends decided to take me out, a couple of my girlfriends to say goodbye. And we go down to the East Village, this little restaurant, and we're having a great time and the Guy at the bar who's a junkie ODs, but he doesn't really, like, die on the floor. He does that junky, like. So the waitress says, what do I do? And we said, you have to call the police. And she said, no, he's going to get in trouble. We said, no, no, you really have to call. He could die. So she does, and we're eating, and a troop of the most gorgeous firemen come walking in. So they're not interested in the junkie, you know, they're like. Want to just flirt. And, like, I'm actually really shy, but I'm this new person who's going to go off to India, so I'll do anything now. And I'm flirting and they're going like, oh, ladies, this is like dinner theater for you. And the junkie's just, like, ignored. Well, then the most gorgeous of them, the fire lieutenant, comes over to the table and he says, how's the food, ladies? And to my absolute shock, I find myself going, why don't you join us? And he goes, why don't you go on a date with me? And I go, all right. And I was just like, I couldn't believe this. And they leave. And at all the tables, we suddenly realize they're all women out on the town. And they're all going, hey, were you guys flirting with the firemen? We're like, yeah. And they all start going, I like that one. I like this one. And my friend Trish, in from out of town, goes, I like the junkie guy. We said, you can't like the junkie guy. That's like, you're not allowed to do that. He's gotten up and run home. He's totally fine. So lo and behold, the phone rings and it's Fireman Pete. And he asks me out and we make plans, and I meet him in this Italian restaurant. And I mean, this guy looks like a Tuscan painting. Blond, Italian, really, really gorgeous. And we meet and we're just from two different worlds, but we're having so much fun. Like, he tells me about his uncle, Johnny Bellumsa, who's in the mob. I never heard about a mob guy. And then he starts telling me about when he one time carried a dying baby out of a building. And he went to hand it to a journalist, and the guy wouldn't take it because he was on duty. And he said, later that guy came up and asked for an interview. And I went, yeah, I'll give you one. And I was like, just seeing journalism from this Other side. And then he just can't believe I'm going off to India. He said, I've never. You mean, like with elephants? And I'm like, yeah. And I'm feeling frisky. So I write his name in Devnagari's script, which I thought was so cool. He was just like, oh. And so at the end of the evening, he says, well, I gotta stop by the fire station. And I knew he's like this Italian horndog. He wants to show he's on a date on Saturday night, but that's fine. We go down, he goes, I'm going to get you a T shirt. And he brings me a T shirt. But then he's really there just to show the fire guys, and they're not there. So we had to sit in his car for 40 minutes. And finally this big truck comes roaring up. They all get out. I meet him. There's a sweet little old fire captain chief guy, and all of them, and they're so sweet. And then he takes me to my apartment, and he goes, I want to come up. And I said, I don't know you that well. And he goes, no, I want to come up. And I said, no, I don't know you that well. So he said, listen, if I can, I live across from Zeckendorf, which has eight towers. He goes, if I can get us to the top of Zeckendorf Towers, will you go up and make out with me? So how are you going to do that? And he said, I have the fire key. So who would say no? So I said, all right. And we sneak by the guard, we go up. The fire key doesn't get us out. So I said, all right, I'm going home. He goes, no, no, no. If I could stop the elevator, would you make out with me in the elevator? Like, you bet. So we go in. We are making out. We are having such a good time. I've never acted like this in my life. I mean, I've worked at these staid magazines. I am just making out on an elevator. 11:30 on Saturday night. And finally I said, I really have to go. So we go down, and the doors open to a sea of angry people. Because what Fireman Pete wasn't thinking is there's something called the fire block. And if you lock one elevator with the fire key, you lock all eight elevators. And not only that, we were on elevator cam, so I'm not kidding. So. And they're gonna arrest us. I'm not kidding. They're so mad. They've gotten the Sniffy co op president bord out of. Out of bed. President guy out of bed. He's carrying a Pekingese who's looking aggrieved. And he goes, I'm calling the cops. So, like, what are we getting? And so this guy, he's from New York. So what does he do? He bluffs. And every time they say anything, he goes, what do you mean? Like, no matter what anyone said, he goes, what do you mean? And so the fire, the co op president, board's going. President's going, you can't do that. Well, he gets them all fighting. And then all of a sudden, he looks at me and he goes, run. So he grabs my hand and we run through the crowd. And as we get on my doorstep, you can hear the police. They've called the police. They're coming up the sirens. And he goes, now you gotta let me in. And I said. So I go, you're right. You're right. I gotta let you in. So we go up to my apartment, and we could see that there's the police right down below. And they're going. So this guy. And this is like, when I really knew I was no longer myself. He has me open the window and scream out, you won't take me alive. And then he has me add, coppers. You won't take me alive. Coppers. I. This is all true. I was so far out of my safety zone, and I was having the best time. So we start going out kind of. And all my friends are giving me, like. They're all these, like, snotty magazine people like me. And they're like, you're dating a fireman. And then they say, well, are there sparks? Stuff like that a lot? So I'm going, yeah. So I'm not really dating a fireman. Because the way that the magazine guys would always go, oh, I'm sorry, I'm on deadline. He would go, I'm sorry. A burning building fell on my head. It was the same thing. It was always like these. He had more burning building injuries than you've ever heard of every night. So we kind of really weren't. We were going up at night. And then I had to go to India. So he said, well, we'll write. I get over to India, and it's the fifth day of classes, and it's evening, and I go to pick up a friend who's living in the palace for these complicated reasons. And it's another story. And she said, the guy at the front desk says, she wants to talk to you. And she Gets on the phone and she says, you better come up here and see what's on television. And I knew it was. You could tell it was really bad. So I go up to her room just as the first tower is going up in smoke. And I'm like, oh, my God. And we sit, we watch all night. Second tower goes down. And then they say, all the firemen were killed who got there. And I'm thinking, oh, man, that guy. The fire station, it was like, right next to the World Trade Center. And I was just. I was so devastated. We all were, but it was just so surreal. And I go in the next day, and we're only speaking Hindi. And I'm like, you know, like, to me, a man of fire is known. And the woman, the teacher, says, I will be your mother, sister, friend. And it really was comforting. So finally, I don't know what to do. And I start emailing all my friends, and they all email back and go, we were all wondering that. We were wondering. We're trying to find out. And they'd been calling, they'd been emailing. Nobody could find anything else, as you remember. It was insane. So finally, my friend Jill's husband, who's 80, says, I'm going to walk over there and I'm finding out. And he did. He walked to the fire station and there was a guy there, and he said, Did Lt. Pete Sapienza make it? And the guy goes, who wants to know? A lady. So does he? Yeah, a lady. And he said, yeah. And the guy had gone to Italy that week. He had gone to Italy. I mean, never left the country, you know, and it was the week. So then, like about December, I decided, I'm going to write him. And he writes me back and it's, you know, he says, yeah, 92 of his friends were killed, including everybody we met, the old guy. Everybody was killed. On the plus side, he was getting raffled off on dates and, like, Staten island, he was on all this tv, like, fireman Greet America shows. And so then the whole year goes by. I get back, and now all my magazine friends are going, so you're going to go out with the fireman now? They want that. But now, Lieutenant Pete, he was busy before. Now he's a celebrity. He's only dating supermodels and actresses, right? So he will call me back, because, you know, if a woman calls, he'll call. But it was clear I was no longer in his league. You know, he's just not. It wasn't going to happen. And time went by and I started to wear like I was wearing colors for a while and then I started to wear black again and now I'm like half and half. And when I tell new friends this story, they can't believe I did that. You know, I slipped back into my old ways and I actually can't believe I did either. And I don't think I would believe it, except I have proof.