NYC/DUBLIN – In a special event spanning two continents, officials in New York City and Dublin, Ireland simultaneously debuted two groundbreaking public technology sculptures—NYC Portal and Dublin Portal—collectively called “The Portal.” This gimmicky installation, unveiled on May 8, 2024, has captured the imagination of thousands, but none more so than Tony McDonald, a bewildered tourist caught up in a magical mishap involving the technologically pedestrian attraction.
Tony, an unsuspecting traveler, found himself at one end of the Portal during a weekend excursion. As he gazed into its shimmering depths, a magical flash enveloped him, pulling him across dimensions. Emerging on the other side, Tony stepped into a familiar yet disorienting scene. Was he in the heart of Manhattan or the cobbled streets of Dublin? He attempted to ask a disheveled man, but was promptly robbed of his wallet by the man, who returned to openly shooting heroin in the street.
Tony’s first instinct was to seek comfort in a nearby Starbucks. But as he ordered his coffee from a recent Middle Eastern immigrant barista, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. The customers all had the same iPhones, and none were talking to each other, so he couldn’t listen to accents in order to locate himself. The coffee tasted the same as it always had, yet Tony remained uncertain about his whereabouts.
Exiting the café, Tony stumbled upon a tent city teeming with migrants from diverse corners of the globe. Yet, no police officers patrolled the area, and neither a classic Irish brogue nor the famous New Yorker cry “I’m WALKING heah!” could be heard. Were they in the Bronx or on the outskirts of Dublin? The lack of cash transactions—everyone paying with credit cards or mobile phones—only added to the disorientation.
Seeking solace, Tony entered an authentic Irish pub. The barkeep hailed from Canada, and the clientele represented a global mosaic. Conversations flowed in multiple languages, and Tony wondered if he had stepped into a parallel universe where New York and Dublin merged seamlessly. The Guinness tasted the same, but the accents danced between boroughs and counties, not to mention a smattering of infuriating California uptalk.
Famished, Tony ventured into a nearby TGIFridays. Little did he know that this mundane chain restaurant would serve him the worst meal of his life. Was it the New York branch or a Dublin outpost? The menu offered no clues, and Tony’s hunger only intensified his disorientation.
As Tony grappled with his identity and location, the Portal remained active, its livestream capturing every moment of his enigmatic journey. The Flatiron Nomad Partnership, responsible for the installation’s oversight, acknowledged that a large majority of visitors had exhibited inappropriate behavior. Despite 24/7 security and barriers, the magic of the Portal seemed to amplify both wonder and chaos.
In response to the incidents, the Portal was temporarily shut down. Teams in both New York City and Dublin are working tirelessly to prevent further confusion and mischief. The overwhelming majority of visitors, however, have embraced the sense of joy and connectedness that this public artwork invites.
As Tony awaits the Portal’s reactivation, he remains unsure of where he is, or even where he’s from. The Portal will continue to grace Flatiron Plaza until fall 2024, a testament to the power of art, technology, and the inexplicable magic that defies borders. Whether you find yourself sipping coffee in a transatlantic Starbucks or pondering life’s mysteries in an international Irish pub, remember: reality is but a fragile veil, easily pierced by the enchantment of the Portal.
Franklin Carson
