tales from an ordinary world

2002-01-14

He was a bit dishevelled, dressed mostly in shades of brown, but was nonetheless quite friendly. With the noise of all the coming-home-from-work traffic in the background I struggled to make out what he was saying as we waited for the tram in the evening sunlight.

Inside, he explained to me that "it's all 'hand over some money, get that chemical-brain-response. Hand over some money - chemical-brain-response'. People are addicted to spending money."

"I got addicted to buying cigarettes. Then I went onto cigars. I spent all of one week's money and spent next week's money. Then I ran out of money. I'm still down, man, but I'm getting up."

Moments later, it was his stop. We shook hands, I wished him well, and he went on his way.