Running Through Lincoln Tunnel in Camouflage Not Ideal

The Men and Ladies of Envy

Some pro tips for tourists visiting New York for the first time: Taxis light up when they're available, you'll want to avoid putting your feet up on subway seats, and if you're stuck in traffic in the Lincoln Tunnel, it's best not to jump out and run toward Manhattan on foot. And that goes double when you're wearing combat fatigues. This was the life-lesson learned Wednesday night by a teenage step dance troupe from Jacksonville, Florida, whose desperate dash shut down the tunnel for over 45 minutes during rush hour.

The "Men & Ladies of Envy" (Facebook) had traveled all the way up to NYC to participate in the live on-air talent show "106 & Park" on BET. But after 15 hours on the road, with fame and glory just within reach, they hit traffic around 5:30 at the tunnel's entrance. So the plucky troupers—already costumed for their big break in army camouflage—decided to run through the tunnel on foot, hoping to make it to BET's studio 57th Street studios in time. Leaving two of the most irresponsible adults ever behind in the vehicles, they set off toward their big break. Of course, the police were not informed about their all-important BET appearance, and complications arose.

By the time Port Authority police caught up with Eternity Odom, 16, she could see the lights of Manhattan. But when cops forced her to her knees and drew guns on the five dancers, she says, "I knew we were in trouble." Eternity tells NJ.com, "I was boo-hoo crying." She says she "studied 9/11 in school" and, in retrospect, gets why running through the tunnel in camouflage might be seen as a security threat. "I am from Florida. We don't have tunnels," says another student. "Apparently we couldn't do that." Well, if Eternity got a B in 9/11, her classmate probably scored a D in geography, because that is not true. (To be fair, she's from the tunnel-deprived part of Florida.)

And if you think this story is the stupidest, just wait for it... After confirming that the teens were not terrorists, merely fame-hungry rubes, the cops OFFERED THEM A POLICE ESCORT TO THE STUDIO. So they could make their TV appearance. But when they got there, they were too late. Fox 5 reports, "The hard-headed producers of the live talent show told them not to bother, sending them in a trail of tears back down the New Jersey Turnpike." If Taiwan's NMA doesn't do a CGI segment on this within the next 24 hours, we're going to have to do it ourselves.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on November 19, 2010 10:22 AM

Comments [rss]

brook-lyn

So if an Middle Eastern person was to run threw the tunnel he then would have been arrested , thrown in jail or maybe deported , but you have a bunch of A-holes running threw the tunnel for ????? A dance , what A-HOLES , Im glad they didn't make it ...If it was me , I would have run them down .

zincink

I got a great idea, lets run through the goddamn Lincoln Tunnel.. idiots.

jaycjay

"Taxis light up when they're available"

It's that simple in many cities, but not in NYC. In fact, they're less "lit up" when available than when off duty.

I've seen plenty of obvious newcomers trying to hail cabs because they see that the roof light is on, but don't realize that the side lights being on in addition to the medallion number light means "off duty". No lights at all means they're carrying a fare.

Cannibal

Look at these fucking juggalos

jibbly

Hahahahahaha boo-hoo crying...

Oh god, I'm holding in the laughter at work so hard that I'm shaking.

capitalist

i feel for these kids... but just to clarify, "boo-hoo crying" means real tears versus what? laugh tears? Ok, I'll buy that.

I'm sure they'll get invited back to appear on a morning show by early next week.

valeriob

Hah CGI is a must!!

sakebalboa

A little early for April fools.

Stevennnn

They should have been in NYC the day before.

jt10000

The stupid. It hurts.

jenniferh

This story made me laugh so hard that I started boo-hoo crying. Thanks, Gothamist!

wobbleSmith

kids these days... having enough passion and whimsy about their hopes and dreams to actually pursue them against all odds...

NewHCE

Thanks gothamist, you made my day. This was laugh out loud funny.

The quotes are awesome. You can't make this shit up.

Nyctini11

Ditto, great pic for the story too!

matty

Why are they dressed as the robbers in dead presidents?

mistermarkdavis

+1 this is fucking great. I love "trail of tears to new jersey"

evbo

+1. This cracked me up, too. Nice job, JDS!

OSN!

Whoever is in charge of this posse should have made sure they had plenty of time to reach their destination, even if they had to spend a day twiddling their thumbs in the city before their big event. Incredibly stupid thing to do, running through the tunnel.