Pearoast of accidental hobo-ism
As a scummy student, I spent a day travelling from Manchester to Essex to go to an old school friends birthday house-party.

As I was going back the next day, and, as I said, a scummy student, I figured that I'd travel light.

Travelling light basically involved a pair of pants in one coat pocket and a toothbrush in the other and carrying a crate of beer. Anything else could wait until I got back.

He lived about a 15 minute walk from the station, but I knew a short cut through the woods.

Unfortunately, as I'd arrive after dark, I drifted off the well trodden path and got a little lost. And wet. And muddy.

I arrived at the party after wandering around for about 45 minutes, looking rather the worse for it. With a now open crate of lager under one arm and third of the three cans I had opened almost empty in one hand and in a pretty foul mood.

After a few drinks, I had cheered up,

After a few more, I was very happy.

A few more and with all the beds full, the last stragglers of us were sat around a fire deciding it would be a good idea to go through the night rather than try to force ourselves into already over crowded beds or floors.

We made it through the night and at about 10am, I staggered off back to the station clutching a three quarter full bottle of wine.

By the time I'd got to London Euston for my connection back up North, this was half a bottle of wine.

It was at this point I realised I didn't have my wallet. Luckily my train ticket was tucked in my jeans pocket, but I was still desperate to find out if I'd left the wallet at the house.

I searched my pockets desperately for change for the telephone, but I had none. All I had was a half pack of Marlboro Lights.

I had an hour for my train, no money, no food, nothing to read.

I was dishevelled, drunk, dirty, stinking, muddy

Defeated, I leant against a pillar outside the station and slid to the floor. I went to get a cigarette and realised I didn't even have a light.

So I am sat there, on the floor, unlit cigarette in hand, a half bottle of wine next to me.

I looked up, as a well dressed woman walked past smoking.

I opened my mouth to ask her for a light and before I'd even said 'excuse me...' she looked down, and said 'i am sorry, I don't give money to the homeless because they will spend it on drugs or alcohol, but I have a banana here if you are hungry'.

And I was.

So I took it.

The shame.

And I never even used the clean pants or toothbrush either.
( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Fri 3 Jul 2009, 12:13, Reply)