As a rule, I don't give money to beggars, street performers, or métro musicians. You may find I'm unfeeling, ungenerous, tight-fisted, an enemy of the arts - call me what you will (I call myself "broke"), but it's just something I don't do.
However, last night I broke my rule. When I got on the line 4, a man used the two poles that stand in the open part of the car to hang a black backdrop that had two green cactus-cutouts and a yellow moon sewn to it. Then the music started (Pat Boone's Speedy Gonzales) and Speedy himself appeared in puppet form, complete with poncho, sombrero, and guitar, to "sing" to us.
All of the riders were surprised but amused. One girl pulled out her camera to film the show. We all made tickled eye contact with each other. I had a front row seat and got special attention. The most remarkable part of the performance was this : I laughed! Normally the métro performers makes me want to change cars or crawl into a hole and die.
Anyway, j'ai craqué (I gave in) and gave Speedy a euro. I figured a good unexpected giggle was worth that, at least.
Getting off at Vaugirard,
Maria
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