Over the past year we're heard some pretty mind-blowing stories from people bumming money. Their strategy seems to be looking as normal as possible and delivering a very fast, long story about why they need a few dollars. The stories are rarely cohesive and seem mostly unrehearsed.
1. Guy (early 20's) hanging out in our neighborhood next to a payphone pretending to call someone:
"Yo man you got $3? Our car just ran out of gas right up the street. My girlfriend and her baby are in the car and they're hungry. You in school? What school you go to? I go to Temple. My brotha is visiting from Baltimore but we have to go get him. You got a few bucks? We got a flat tire..."
2. Man (40ish?) slowly walking around West Philly:
"Hey! Hey! Hey buddy can I borrow $6? The cops are about to boot my car. I have a laptop and a watch in the car you can have as collateral. Its just a few blocks away. I'll be right back I just gotta pay my parking tickets so they don't boot it. They're waiting for me. See, I go to the restaurant school. I, uh, I also work at this restaurant and if you come in I'll make you good food for free.
3. Guy in Chinatown, early 30s, obviously drunk: "Hey guys, listen, I need your help. I just got back from the hospital, my dad just died tonight, so I went out and got drunk. I spent all my money on alcohol and now I'm broke. I'm a US marine and I have to go meet my unit tonight to leave town or I get dishonorably discharged. Its like...uh....four blocks away and I need $3.50 to get there.
Us: "If its only four blocks away, you could easily walk there".
Him: "No, but like, I have to be there on time. We ship out at 12:30am".
Us: "Well, its 8:10pm right now, so I think you have time to walk there".
because ice cream and purple motorcycles are magic
