Crack in the Mangle

To people who use laundromats:

I would like to write a new advertisement for the Mangle Laundromat — one that not only describes the facilities there but describes them accurately.

True, there are many washers. But only five driers. One is reserved for the use of the laundromat staff who do laundry left by customers. At the time I was there two were broken. So that left two driers to do the laundry shared by the multitude of people who were using the multitude of washers.

There were no cards, no chess sets, but a collection of ragged magazines of some vintage did exist, and the tv was classically set near the, ceiling to ensure the lack of any attempt at a congenial, casual atmosphere.

The candy machine was also broken. The beverage machine did work. There were no tables Tor folding the laundry. One had to improvise using the chairs if one was lucky enough to he vacant. And last but not least in the comer was an ironing board (acceptable conditions) and an iron (unacceptable condition). The iron had a lovely black and brown design on the bottom, an accumulation of various burnt substances, and did not work efficiently. And one had to pay for the convenience of using this iron.

Since there are few laundromats in this vicinity, most of us have little choice. If you do not mind walking a few more blocks, there is a laundromat on Cuba Street. They do not have all those extra facilities of The Mangle anyway. So why not give them a try.

The concept of The Mangle is excellent. It would be nice if they could put that concept into action.