The U.N. Representative’s Visit to the Storefront is Botched

Prabhupada had participated in the peace vigil to oblige his contact, Mr. Bogart.  Now Mr. Bogart was phoning to offer his appreciation and agreeing to visit the storefront.  He wanted to help, and he would discuss how the Swami could work with the U.N. and how he could solicit help from important people for his movement of Indian culture and peace.

Prabhupada regarded Mr. Bogart’s imminent visit as very important, and he wanted to cook for him personally and receive him in his apartment with the best hospitality.  When the day arrived, Prabhupada and Keith cooked together in the small kitchen for several hours, making the best Indian delicacies.  Prabhupada posted Stanley downstairs and told him not to allow anyone to come up while he was cooking the feast for Mr. Bogart.  Stanley assented, blinking his eyes with his far-off “saintly” look.

Stanley stationed himself downstairs in the storefront.  A few of the boys were there, and he told them, “You can’t go up to see the Swami – no one can.”  About twelve noon, Larry Bogart arrived, pale, elderly, and well-dressed by Lower East Side standards.  He said he wanted to see Swami Bhaktivedanta.  “Sorry,” Stanley informed him, his boyish face trying to impress the stranger with the seriousness of the order, “the Swami is busy now, and he said no one can see him.”  Mr. Bogart decided he would wait.  There was no chair in the storefront, but Stanley brought him a folding chair.  It was a hot day.  Mr. Bogart looked at his watch several times.  A half hour passed.  Stanley sat chanting and sometimes staring off blankly.  After an hour, Mr. Bogart asked if he could see the Swami now.  Stanley assured him that he could not, and Mr. Bogart left in a huff.

Upstairs, Swamiji had become anxious, wondering why Mr. Bogart had not arrived.  Finally, he sent Keith downstairs, and Stanley told him about the man whom he had turned away.  “What?” Keith exploded.  “But that was …”

Within moments, Swamiji heard what had happened.  He became furious.  He came down to the storefront: “You fool!  You silly fool!”  He turned and angrily rebuked everyone in the room, but mostly Stanley.  No one had ever seen the Swami so angry.  Then Swamiji walked away in disgust and returned to his apartment.