Wednesday on the 2 train. 34th Street.
Man with a canvas bag of sandwiches stands in the middle of a half-populated subway car, speaks forcefully:
“I am from the transit outreach program. we are a private group not affiliated with the MTA. If there is anyone here who is homeless or elderly or unemployed and you’re hungry, I have sandwiches here that you can have for no cost or obligation. For the rest of you, since we are not funded, we need any penny you can give. Even as little as a penny to help feed the hungry in New York. Even a penny will help. Is there anyone who wants to give today?”
He looks around for a response.
Woman in business clothes by the subway door: “Excuse me”
Sandwich man walks over to her: “Do you want to give today, ma’am?”
Her: “No, but you smell lovely, like a dryer sheet. What is that wonderful smell? Is it a dryer sheet?”
Sandwich man: “No, it’s this” (extends his hand with a tiny cologne sampler)
She sniffs it: “Yes! that’s it. Such a nice smell. It’s exactly like a dryer sheet. Doesn’t it smell like a dryer sheet?”
Him: “I don’t know”
Her: “Well it does, and it’s very nice”
Him: “Here, you can have it”
Hands her the sampler and steps off at 14th Street.