Country Bumpkin Returns to the Big Apple
Country Bumpkin Returns to The Big Apple by Dave Wright “Listen up, everyone!” The greeting came from a bald man with crazy eyes. He stepped into the subway at 34 th just before the doors closed behind him. I didn’t see a gun, but I imagined he had one in the pocket of his soiled khakis. What the heck? Will I be the victim of another mass shooting? The man grabbed the bar above his head as the train lurched forward. He cast a piercing stare over the coach. “I could use some change,” he shouted. “Anybody have some change?” Then he strode through the car daring anyone to meet his accusing eyes. I focused my gaze on a stray gum wrapper on the floor of the train. A few minutes earlier when we had boarded the southbound at 42 nd and Broadway, a young woman with wild, dark hair made a less intimidating plea: “Can anyone spare some loose change? Any little bit will help.” Persuasion is in the delivery. Sue dug in her purse. Not finding any change or small bills, she handed t