Security

[jim stone]

I've been playing a Sweetheart A fife in front of a local super market. I stand off to one side,
beside the shopping carts, and play Irish tunes and Christmas carols. Two days ago I made
41 dollars in an hour.

Today I noticed a large, mean looking security guard was watching me closely. He was wearing a black jacket
marked 'Security.' 'Here it comes, I thought. Sure enough, he finally walked over, stood squarely in front of me
and said: 'I have a question to ask you.'

OK, I said.

'When you play that instrument I feel very peaceful inside and all the troubles of my life go away.
Why is that?'

'I don't know,' I said, 'but it makes me feel the same way.'

'Also I notice that children who pass by think it's, like, magic. Why?'

'I guess they've never seen anything like it.'

'Thanks for playing here,' he said.

'Merry Christmas,' I said and reached out and shook his hand.

Crazy world.

[Berti66]

awww. this totally gave me goosebumps.
nuff said

[Alan]

Nice!

[hans]

Very sane. Thank you!

[dwest]

I would have said "Drop the weapon!" "Now back away!" But I like this version better even though a fife is involved.

[Innocent Bystander]

Nice story, Jim.

[emmline]

love it.

[Denny]

[crookedtune]

Music being played by regular people, out loose in the community, with no agents, handlers or publicists. What a concept!

[chas]

And I thought this was gonna be an airport horror story. Thanks for brightening the day, Jim.

[Unseen122]

I have a not too dissimilar one; a couple weeks ago I went out busking on Grafton St. I don't do this very often in fact very rarely but a friend of mine rang me asking if I wanted to. Well we did''t get much money (about 21 Euro in 2 hours split between 3 people) but we enjoyed ourselves. Now this past Friday I went into my usual session in O'Donoghue's pub and there is a junkie who often begs outside of it. Now, I don't like to give out money to beggars on principle but I don't mind giving out a cigarette because if someone is out begging they obviously can't afford a pack for 8.50 Euro; so I have often given this guy cigarettes. So usually if I see him I will at least say hi in hopes that it might brighten his day to be treated like a human being instead of nothing; which is how a lot of people treat beggars in many cities. So this past week he asked me for a light and I gave him one. Then he says to me 'I heard you playing on Grafton St the other day; it sounded lovely.' Something along those lines; it is great to know that someone who is clearly down on their luck enjoyed the music I was playing. That is one of my main reasons for playing the music and is worth more to me than the 7 Euro I got for the actual busking.

I really enjoyed your story as well Jim; like Chas I though it was about airports.

[Doug_Tipple]

Thanks, Jim, for posting the story. It was a breath of fresh air when sometimes I feel almost suffocated by what I hear and read in the news. Avery, thanks for posting your experience, as well.

[mutepointe]

Good for you Jim. I play my harmonica in public when I'm waiting in line. I hate waiting but I enjoy playing. I know of the reactions you receive. In the winter time, sometimes when I'm shopping, I'll stop in front of stores before going in to play a carol.

[I.D.10-t]

Crazy world.

You say that like you have never provided entropy.

I have only accidentally played in public, thumbs up to you.

[fiddlerwill]

Ive busked a lot. The biggest buzz is the old ladies who smile and say thank you. Makes my day. Notes are nice too