My quest for an apartment

So, I guess I should explain...

I've been accepted to a job recently, and so I really needed a place to stay--preferably a place very close to my business' headquarters located in the middle of the city (you know, to reduce the commute time). So I look up the classified ads in the local newspaper, and I find a great deal on a penthouse for rent just a few blocks away from HQ!

So I decide to head on down there the next day to check the place out. I convince my friend to drive me down there in his 1996 Chevy Impala. So my friend picks me up around noon the next day, and I'm on my way to my new home! (or so I thought).

When we get there, I must admit I'm a little surprised at the ... different cultural flavor of the area. But I am not to be so easily deterred from such a good deal on a penthouse suite. So I walk into the lobby (I honestly wasn't very impressed at first glance), and I walk up to the counter and ring the bell for the receptionist. About 2 minutes later, she comes out.

The receptionist was ... to put it bluntly: intimidating. She was rather heavy-set, seemed to be missing a few teeth, and had a red bandana wrapped around her head. Before she says anything, I notice that everyone around me is looking at me strangely, almost to the point of hostility. Including her. So, to lighten the mood, and possible befriend these people, I knew I had to do something drastic. I picked up on the heavy southern(?) accent when I walked in, and I tried to emulate it as best as I could. When I finally gathered enough courage to speak I said, "Yo dawg, I see yo ad in tha newspapers," I noticed her still standing there staring at me intently so I continued, "So dawg, do you got any penthouse suites up in here brotha?" After a very long, tense moment, and what seemed like an eternity later, she replied bluntly, "Get the fuck outta here 'fore I beat yo ass!"

At that point, I sensed a lot of hostility around me in the lobby, and I decided to maybe try my luck another day. I quickly said "Sorry, my friend is calling me, hold on..." Then I quickly walk outside, pretending to take a call on my cell phone. When I got outside I saw a bunch of people staring at me and I sensed that something went wrong. I walked as calmly as I could back to my friend's Chevy Impala, and got in. I had decided that I would come back later. Hopefully I'll meet a different receptionist when I come back.

So now I need your guy's help. WHAT DID I DO WRONG??? Why is it that I was treated with such hostility and mistrust? Do you guys have any recommendations for how I should try to get the penthouse?