This is a rarity for me. A guy gets on the train and starts to plead is case for needing money. Dad is drunk, they got into a fight, he's been living on the Blue line and needs a ticket to Rockford. The ticket costs $18. Thank you.
Today was the first day I ever had this happen. At first, I looks away and thought about putting in my ear buds, but didn't. Then, I thought about how I was a good person and he could actually be a person in need. Then, I thought about what organizations can help him. Then, I thought about how I didn't really want to be a part of his life in any way. And finally, I decided that the karma good I might get out of a $1 was worth the risk that his story was a lie and a scam. My dollar went into his hands.
Hours later, I meet a friend at an event. We are talking about our day and the CTA, which trains are better, frustrations over rush hour, methods of getting a good place, and then the Rockford ticket guy came up. She met him too. She didn't give him money. She felt bad. She has seen him four times.
Four times? During the five encounters at our table, he should have had the money to get to Rockford. We laughed and bonded a little about being part of a scam, she resisting the bait of karma and me not.
Today was the first day I ever had this happen. At first, I looks away and thought about putting in my ear buds, but didn't. Then, I thought about how I was a good person and he could actually be a person in need. Then, I thought about what organizations can help him. Then, I thought about how I didn't really want to be a part of his life in any way. And finally, I decided that the karma good I might get out of a $1 was worth the risk that his story was a lie and a scam. My dollar went into his hands.
Hours later, I meet a friend at an event. We are talking about our day and the CTA, which trains are better, frustrations over rush hour, methods of getting a good place, and then the Rockford ticket guy came up. She met him too. She didn't give him money. She felt bad. She has seen him four times.
Four times? During the five encounters at our table, he should have had the money to get to Rockford. We laughed and bonded a little about being part of a scam, she resisting the bait of karma and me not.
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