They Find a New Place at Twenty-six Second Avenue

Mike felt obligated.  He was good at getting things done and he wanted to do this for the Swami.  So the next day he went to The Village Voice, got the first newspaper off the press, looked through the classified ads until he found a suitable prospect, and phoned the landlord.  It was a storefront on Second Avenue, and an agent, Mr. Gardiner, agreed to meet them there.  Carl and the Swami also agreed to come.

Mr. Gardiner and Mike were the first to arrive.  Mike noted the unusual hand-painted sign – Matchless Gifts – above the front window.  It was a holdover, Mr. Gardiner explained, from when the place had been a nostalgic-gift shop.  Mike proceeded to describe the Swami as a spiritual leader from India, an important author and Sanskrit scholar.  The rental agent seemed receptive.  As soon as Prabhupada and Carl arrived and everyone had been congenially introduced, Mr. Gardiner showed them the small storefront.  Prabhupada, Carl, and Mike carefully considered its possibilities.  It was empty, plain and dark – the electricity had not been turned on – and it needed repainting.  It would be good for meetings, but not for the Swami’s residence.  But at $125 a month it seemed promising.  Then Mr. Gardiner revealed a small, second-floor apartment just across the rear courtyard, directly behind the storefront.  Another $71 a month and the Swami could live there, although first Mr. Gardiner would have to repaint it.  The total rent would come to $196, and Carl, Mike and the others would pitch in.