Downtown Manhattan Job and Coffee Cart #

A writer recalls their first job in downtown Manhattan, in a building on Rector Street. The building, dating back to the early 20th century, had a heavy brass door that required effort to open. The lobby was narrow and dark, with marble floors, high ceilings, and unadorned walls. Every morning, a friendly employee greeted the writer, wearing dark attire and a white shirt. The writer and their father worked on different floors. Each morning, work would be interrupted by the arrival of a woman with a coffee cart, dressed in a black uniform with a white hat, apron, and gloves.