Book Publishing and Teeth Whitening

As I waited for my bus yesterday, I noticed a guy sitting under the covered shelter watching me.  We were the only two at the stop at the time.  We made eye contact (something my daughter is always telling me NOT to do!), and he said “Hello.”  He was a little tattered in his appearance and I suspected that while he may not have been homeless, he was a little down on his luck. He also looked strangely familiar. I responded to his greeting and then he asked, “Hey, you got a twenty on you?” I actually looked around, because I was certain someone else must have walked up behind me. He said, “I’m talking to you. You got a twenty?” I laughed and said, “Twenty dollars? No, I don’t.” Then he said, “Why you laughing? See, I’m trying to get this book I wrote published, and I need some financing.” (Then I remembered why I recognized him!)

Sidebar: Probably over a year ago, this SAME GUY asked me for “some money” to help with the printing of a book he’d written! At that time he went plum off on me, and I just went plum off back on him! (In hindsight, probably not the smartest response.) I remember how it really ticked me off that he acted so entitled and told me I wasn’t supportive of his efforts, as if I was a long lost spouse or relative. I thought surely this same guy isn’t still trying to run this game—or maybe he does have a book to be published. But today I still wasn’t feeling like a benefactor—and I didn’t have twenty bucks on me anyway!

When I laughed, he said, “You sure got some pretty teeth. All white-like” This comment threw me for a loop, and I just said, “Thanks.” He said, “Yeah, I’m gonna get me some teeth whitening too. Gonna have a nice smile just like you.” I smiled (showing no teeth this time). He got up and left, walking down the street…I suspect still looking for a benefactor…for his book and his teeth-whitening project.

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