Just an update on the Manhattan Passport Agency for anyone having to expedite a passport:
The office was a breeze. We booked an appointment for 12pm and it was empty when we got there at 11:45am. I was in and out by 12:15 and my passport will be ready for pickup tomorrow by 3pm. I read online on Yelp that even if you don't have an appointment you can go anytime, though probably best to avoid the morning rush for people who need same day services. Just go after 10am or so. I even found a metered spot a block away and came back well under the one hour meter limit.
(And we went with the Orbitz tickets which I'll likely be canceling later today. Found a cheaper option.)