Walking through Union Square I was accosted by a grubby guy, maybe mid-twenties, who offered to buy a cigarette off me. Usually I’d say no and be on my way but he already had a dollar clutched in his dirty fist. I said fine, dug in my pocket and produced an American Spirit in exchange for his crinkled George Washington. I started to walk towards the subway. He trotted after me, and asked if he could get some change back, like fifty cents. I looked at him in disbelief. Like I’m a walking bodega? I said no, clutched the dollar and started off again. He followed and said just forget it, thrusting my cigarette back towards me. I stuck it behind my ear and handed him his money back. Astounding.
Spontaneous Commerce
This entry was posted in Dangers of Smoking, Kids These Days, New York Stories, WTF and tagged beggars can't be choosers, dollars and senseless. Bookmark the permalink.
LOL – that’s fucked up. I would have liked you to keep his stupid dollar.
I would have, but I didn’t need the hassle. Plus, I got my cigarette back, so even steven.