“Merritt” Homeless, Near New York University, NYC.
This was the second time I met Merritt. Merritt had a cup and sign set out on the sidewalk that he used for his variation on panhandling. The sign said, “Need money for tuition.” There are many variations on this strategy for connecting with potential donors. He was right near New York University and he had a vast student body walking by him all day. I wonder if he was at one time a student, but I never did find out? He had a book on philosophy with him that he was reading. The other time I saw him his sign read, “Sith Lord Killed Family, Need Money for Light Saber,” A reference to Star Wars, again popular with the college crowd. Must have learned in Panhandling 101 that a little humor can do wonders for the bottom line.