"Please, please mam." His tone is unique to the South African beggar, light hearted, as if he doesn't really care whether she helps him or not. Some beggars can make up to a grand a day, depending on their spot. If she refuses, he will forget her in a moment. If she acquises, he will forget her in a moment. It is the unseen coins in her purse that his attention is fixed on. Coins: small and powerful magnets. Flat metal pieces with a life-or-death meaning stamped into it. His glazed eyes belie the pin pointed determination in his mind. Being so fixed on such a simple goal - how could he not be successful. Never looking at the person belonging to the hand that will feed him breakfast, buy his taxi fare, a cigarrette.
Maybe she can wake him from his mindset.
Maybe he has been taught his mindset repeatedly by the ones handing him his treasure: never looking him in the eye.
How can we know we are human unless we are told. By God or by man, we long for this affirmation.
"Please mam, just R5."
Just R5? Is that all you are worth to me, my brother? Facing this harsh, destructive wind that is life, side-by-side. Same city, same sky, same sun. Maybe different chances, different experiences. But same fragile flesh, same terrifying-red blood, same spiritual yearning. Same hunger for love, same need for food.
We're both so weak my friend. Humanity is so pitiable.
"You must make a lot of money here."
"Yes, some people are generous, mam. Like you."
Like me.
Me and my pompous R5. If I don't have any use for it, I'm sure you won't. Are all the generous people like me?
"I'm under 16 I can't get a job."
Of course you can't get a job, you're on the streets. Please brother, you don't have to under-explain to me this state you are in. I know it's not because of one distant written law but because of many, many happenings. A victim of the destruction of human greed, of lack of love, maybe a warped mindset. Don't worry, I know you don't have a job because of all of us. Because of Eve. Because it's the way things are.
"Where do you stay?"
Please brother, let's be humans to each other. Let's learn each other and be friends. Isn't friendship more than R5?
"Under a bridge in town."
And then a hooting car pulls me back to my life.
"Sorry I have to go!"
"Ah mam don't be like that."
Don't be like that. I hurriedly pull out R5 and press it into his palm.
"That's all I have,
I'm sorry."
