Fluro

Some of the hard-working folk crossing the footbridge going to and from the towers, plodding back home at the end of the day, might resent the beggars. Couldn’t they clean toilets or polish shoes along the riverbank, rather than just sitting there with their hand out? 

         There were people who thought like that; politicians who more or less said it in unguarded moments. 

         You couldn’t blame them, chained to their desks checking numbers, ticking boxes, filing their papers, doodling and gazing out the windows over tree-tops. In the offices the bosses kept an eagle eye out watching for the flip of the screen, timing lunches and even toilet breaks. These people had it hard too. They put in the hours and earned their money.

         The regular lumpy chap at the head of the footbridge over the river looks like he’d piss-up their coins first chance he got. Just had that look about him; it might not have been the case at all. Wouldn’t make hearts go Bomp-de-bomp that particular fellow. Some of the others had a much better chance. Beggary was a kind of beauty contest too.

         It’s gotta be done right there at that spot. You couldn’t hope to reach that office crowd just sitting on your bum with your hand out. That wouldn’t get you very far. 

         This lumpy chap had done his thinking, nutted out the situation.  

         JOB ACCOMMODATION FOOD read his sign on the cardboard he had standing up for the passersby.

         That was unique in itself. No other beggar you saw in the city presented like that.

         Only after these openers here was the coin hinted, and that indirectly too.

         Or ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE.

         Block letters beside the rubbish bin at the head of the multi award-winning footbridge snaking across the river, where there was a little café underneath right on the water and the rowing boats cruising by. 

         Bowed so low you think he’d taken a turn this thick-set man with nothing to recommend him, eminently forgettable ordinary Joe. 

         Where does one ever see heads bowed nowadays? And so low?... In Asia you saw it perhaps. It was very odd in our town.

         The coin going onto this man’s mat doesn’t raise his head too far either, just enough to voice his thanks. 

         Extra well-judged was fluro polo work clobber too. Ready to spring up on the spot for anything you might have for him this chap, then and there. This man was no layabout, rest assured. Try him.

         The fluro had only been added in the last few days. 

         Good luck to you Cob.