Leroy was a Gulf War vet and very interested in my welfare. He asked about my family, my work, my hopes and did I believe in Jesus. Leroy escorted me to the Lorraine Motel and even offered to take my picture in front with my camera. Wise to ways of the world and not wanting to lose the new camera I offered to take his picture instead. Leroy was pleased and surprised. After easily 20 minutes together he made his pitch about his lot in life and invited me to participate in his support network.
ATMs here deliver crisp $20 bills and I had a pocket full of them, so I shared with Leroy and he was pleased and perhaps surprised. Leroy left and I walked back to Beale Street and met Tyrone. (Replay the past several paragraphs with slight variations and you would have Tyrone's story). Similar pitch for financial support and me with only $20s, so I sent Tyrone on his way with another.
At this point I'm starting to feel like a packet of chips in the middle of a flock of gulls and was approached by another gentleman of the street. I fled...
Memphis has a policy of not encouraging "panhandling" saying that money is available for support of those in need and giving money encourages drug and alcohol dependency. Leroy and Tyrone were however professionals in their craft and I felt I had been given a gift in their street performance. No "spare change" or "Can I borrow a dollar".Today, I met Kevin, who in ten minutes at the light on Union Avenue shared his insights on Memphis and advised me what to see and what to avoid while exploring all of Australian culture I could share with him. Kevins's schtick was a diabetic condition and happily this time I had smaller denominations than $20.
It's a pleasure to see professionals as work no matter what their calling. Street performance in all forms is worth preserving and encouraging. There is good reason for signs that say "Do not feed the birds" but I'm happy to have met Kevin and to have witnessed his craft.
Kenn