I came to this city a year ago and it has not been easy on the streets.   Gino, he does not like me being here in front of his store.  He glares at me every day, and yells.  Until yesterday I could not admit to myself, that the people who walk by, they hate me too.  They hate what I am.  A few of them smile at me and give me a little money, but most of them they either turn away in disgust or walk by, pretending not to see me.  Every once in a while someone will mimic me or laugh.  Yesterday, I almost died and they did not lift a finger to help me.  I had a half a sandwich and some grapes for lunch and was sitting and eating, when a grape it became lodged in my throat.  The terror that gripped me!  I could not breathe.  I stood and grabbed my neck, but the people did nothing – only watched and backed further away from me.  I flailed and stumbled around.  I must have looked desperate, but still they only stood and watched.  And so I repeatedly bashed my back against the storefront, hoping to dislodge the grape, but it did nothing.  And still they just watched, as if I were providing some sick amusement for their benefit!  I felt myself growing faint and knew then that I was going to die and that no one cared. I have never felt such sadness.

            But then, when I knew I could stand no longer and was surely going to pass out and never wake again, I felt it!  Someone, they hit me on the back so hard that my whole body shook and I felt the grape again in my mouth and the air rush in.  I was so happy! I turned, and it was him, Gino!  He was scowling at me, as usual, but now I knew that it was just his way.  Gino, he saved my life!  And the people, they began clapping for him and I knew that it was not everyone who hated me and I gave Gino a hug because I was so grateful for what he did.

 * * *

What the hell is that bozo doing out there now?  How am I supposed to make a living with a freak like him out there driving all my customers away?  The last guy, Danny, used to just sit there with a sign not bothering anybody. But this guy – always getting in peoples’ faces, creeping people out.  I’ve complained to the cops, but they say he’s not breaking any laws.  And I’ve yelled at him, but he won’t even talk to me.  It’s like a game with him and he’s trying to make a fool of me.  But now he’s gone too far!  Who’s going to come into a Deli if there’s an idiot in front acting like he’s gagging?  Well, if the cops won’t do anything about it then I will.

“Hey!” I bellow to get his attention.  But he’s too busy to even turn around and I’m pissed, so I shove him from behind – hard!  And then suddenly the people are clapping for him and he’s hugging me and I realize he’s suckered me into his little game again.  God, I hate mimes!