WAITING TO BE LET INTO A SHOW AT THE SHELTER

By Matt Tobey

Homeless Guy: Hey, man, I want to show you something. 

Me: Okay. 

HG: Here, check it out.

[Hands me a week-old ticket stub for an LL Cool J show]

HG: The man himself gave me that. I met him in Atlanta, Georgia 'bout two months, three months...about four months ago. 

M: Wow. 

HG: You see that?

He points to the words "With Special Guest." 

M: Were you the special guest?

He laughs his ass off.

HG: You think I'd be standing here talking to you if I was the special guest?

M: Well, who was it?

HG: You're not going to believe it…James Brown. 

M: LL and James Brown on the same stage?

 
HG: Yep. I was there too. I was sitting on the stage all dressed up. I had a nice tie on. No shoes though. I only wear shoes to funerals. 

[end]