MBTA Fun

[devilgrrl]

If anyone was taking the Orange Line from Haymarket around 2:30 - 2:45, did you happen to see the fracas surrounding "Shannon"?

I saw her getting on, when she called out to me and said I dropped something. I didn't actually hear her, but someone else started to go over and set off the T gates and she snuck on. She then proceeded to wander up and down the platform, waving a cloth deposit bag, telling people her name is Shannon, and that someone stole her change purse just like it from the Dunkin Donuts just a few minutes before. She was trying to collect $24 to get to South Station and get a bus ticket to Albany because she had to go pick up her 6 year old niece who had Type 1 diabetes and she had to get there tonight because her sister was being deployed.

Then, the panhandler on the other side apparently recognized her and start yelling at her to get a new story, he saw her here all the time, and to stop ripping people off. She starts back that she works here, that's probably why he saw her and he should get off his ass and get a job. It degenerated from their, to her calling him a drunk, much cursing, and what sounded like him whipping a handful of change at her as the train was coming.

She got on the train, took a deep breath, and started the spiel all over again. And yes, she was definitely getting money from people.

I was in Dunkins a few minutes before, when she was supposedly there, and I didn't see her. I'm guessing she was a grifter and this was my amusement for the day, but did anyone else see her? I know she was headed towards South Station. Is this a regular occurrence, as her screaming match with the other homeless guy would kind of indicate or am I pretty much mocking someone who was really down on their luck?

(x-posted to b0st0n)

Comments

[mrseff.livejournal.com]

Obviously being in London I didn't see it but there is a similar chap who boards my trains home who always complains that he's just trying to get enough cash together to get a ticket home to Leeds, that he had his wallet and mobile stolen and can anyone help. After the 3rd time, it gets a bit annoying but suprisingly, people do give money even tho he clearly is a grafter!

NB - these are the same people who won't help list buggies down onto the platform; who don't give up their seats to pregnant or the elderly; who flap and rest their newspapers on my head. Go figure.

[devilgrrl.livejournal.com]

I actually saw people helping someone with a buggy right before this happened! I was astounded because I've found usually no one will even look twice at you, especially if you're struggling.

Heh, my husband, aside from pregnant, with kids, and the elderly, still gives up his seat to women, regularly.

[wickedshadow.livejournal.com]

Some of those folks do come up with some pretty wild stories.

[devilgrrl.livejournal.com]

Grifter vs. Homeless was amazing, though.