Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

No.

The area that surrounds my place of business can sometimes be frequented by transients. In my estimation, it is due to the proximity of Union Station, which as you can imagine, is a hub for transportation. One can ride the rails, the subway, or buses with relative ease, so naturally you’ll find all sorts of people around, including the poor and unfortunate.

Before I begin telling my story, let it be known that I’m a huge proponent for solving homelessness. The idea that someone is without shelter is very sad to me and I feel we fail as a species, for allowing it to happen. War veterans are out on the streets as well as children. It’s shameful that in a country where one can buy a 60lb. sundae or a 12lb. pizza, one can also starve. My feelings about homeless people being established in a public manner, let’s proceed.

Union Station is a great place to get a cup of coffee and a bagel. Since my coffee embargo of 2004, I’m reluctant to indulge in a cup of Joe. Tea for me. So each morning, I travel to Union Station to fuel up and this morning was not different. On my way over, I’m asked for change by a person without means at least once a week. In recent weeks, it has been the same unlucky person a couple of times of week; the same person I gave five dollars to a month ago. The same person I’ve not given money to since.

“Can you spare some change?”

“Sorry.”

A week later:

“Can you spare some change?”

“Sorry man, I can’t.”

A week after that:

“Spare some change?”

“No can do, sorry.”

Another week passes:

“Can you possibly spare some money?”

“Sorry.”

That’s been the exchange until this morning; a morning where life was going to throw me a curve.

“Can you spare me a couple of dollars, sir?”

“Sorry, I can’t.”

“Man, you NEVER have change to give!”

In a tone less than polite, more accusatory, this guy was expressing his frustration. Inside, I felt a well of anger rise up in a quick, but gentle manner, to the point where time stood still. My mind raced and contrived the following:

“Motherf*cka, YOU are the one who never has change. That’s why you’re ALWAYS askin’ for some. ALWAYS. You’d think you would have money because you have NO overhead. You have no bills. You don’t pay rent. You don’t pay income taxes. And it seems like all your meals are f*ckin’ paid for.

I went to school. I busted my ass at a federal job. I broke my ass to get to where I am now… and I don’t have money. Bills for days. I should be asking YOU for money. Do you have a couple of bucks I can have, asshole? No? You should budget better. Dickhead.”

One of Adrian’s Rules of Life is – “Never provoke someone who has nothing to lose. You’ll end up dead.” So applying that rule, I said nothing and walked away. One day, I’d like to think that we all have brass balls like that guy, but we use them in a way that could be categorized as intelligent.

For the record: I’m not ashamed or regretful that I gave the guy money in the first place. No good deed… but screw it.