Most of the Time

I had found a new passion for Bleeker Street. All of it, I think. I'm making a resolution to frequent there. On the way home today on the subway, the solicitations began with a man requesting food, change, anything anyone had. His story was the first original one I've heard, he had just gotten out of the hospital that day, he was carrying a patient's plastic bag and even produces a bottle of pills and some pink carbon-copy papers. One would think visual aids would be a powerful thing. He was unsuccessful. Usually, there's only one solicitor per ride, selling something, telling a sad story or performing. Tonight, I was lucky - it was a triple feature. He was followed by a mime, well, not literally. There are these women who in their fannypacks and plastic back packs must be carrying all the noisy and flashing items they sell. For some reason they are always women and always asian. They never say anything but shake the bobble-headed elephant that is clear colored sparkly plasic and not only lights up but also makes noise as it shakes. They also display the other items for sale, and the occasional sales person is sometimes even conveniently selling suspiciously packaged name brand batteries. I have never seen these toy peddling women sell anything. The third man tells perhaps the most about sales and the most about the mentality of a New Yorker. Dressed as the average subway rider, complete with nice kicks and a decent watch, he used a black and white laminated cover of Vibe, picturing the hip hop group of which he was a member. He proceded to tell the car that they were independently and individually selling their CDs and DVDs. Explaining that thier hip hop was progressive and non-violent and they did not promote gang involvement. They had all graduated from college and were just looking to sell their CDs. His shirt also listed a website on the back, he noted. where riders could find out more. Along with your purchase, he would also provide promotional materials. At least six people out of the 25 in the car bought either a CD ($1) or DVD ($2) or both. When he had to make change, he pulled a giant wad of dollar bills out of his pocket after working quite hard to get only that small wad and not the entire pile contained in his pocket. He changed cars at the next stop.