The word from the street
TONY
“You remember that aura that visited me when my friend died a while back? Well he came visiting me again.”
PHILIP
“Where was this?”
TONY
“You know the place where I’ve been sleeping the last few nights? It was the middle of the night and I was under all my clothes and covers, and all of a sudden the place was lit up like there was a fire, but I knew it was that aura. I don’t know what he wants this time but I’m for sure doing what he says.”
TONY
“You remember that woman Edith I told you about who’s always bringing me food and things? You know, she’s the one who invited me to visit her Sunday School but I never went? Well, she tells me that she was talking to her Sunday School kids about me, and she showed them some print-outs from the blog. Edith says that the kids just couldn’t believe that a homeless guy would believe in Jesus. So Edith’s going to bring her Sunday School class around so I can tell them myself.”
PHILIP
“I hope it’s not cruel to point out that the time change gives you an extra hour to work.”
TONY
“I was thinking that myself actually.
“You should have seen me this morning, thinking it was late already when I got going. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
TONY
“Phil, you should have seen the costume that the kids dressed me in last night.”
PHILIP
“What kids were those?”
TONY
“I’ve been going out with this family on Halloween for years. Back when my wife was alive, we used to go ‘trick or treating’ with them. Now they’ve got their own kids, which is who I went out with last night.”
PHILIP
“So what was your costume?”
TONY
“Let me put it this way — I had fishnet stockings, short skirt, garters, everything you can think of. My boobs were filled up with kids’ socks. I even had two guys proposition me. Anyway, the kids had a riot but I wonder what they told their mom afterwards.”
PHILIP
“D’you put those bins away every morning?”
TONY
“Every morning that I’m here I do.”
PHILIP
“Do you get paid?”
TONY
“No, I’m not getting paid by anyone; I’m just trying to be a good neighbour.”
TONY
“You remember I told you about that homeless guy who got killed maybe a month ago? You know, Silvio, the one who lived in that park just south of Queen and Roncesvalles. Anyway, I just went by there and those flowers that people left on his bench are still sitting there. It’s pretty sad; probably the first time he got flowers is when he died.”
[Tony offers a small piece of banana to a passing dog, to its ready delight.]
PHILIP
“How’d you know that dogs like bananas?”
TONY
“I’ve been on the street for a while; I’ve learned some things about street living, if you know what I mean. Anyway, it’s always a good idea for street people to be nice to dogs.”
TONY
“Phil, could you spring me for a coffee this morning? I’m flat broke; I didn’t even have dinner last night.”
PHILIP
“Your face looks like there’s something wrong. What’s going on?”
TONY
“You know my friend with the scruffy beard who sits down the street sometimes? Well, his girlfriend just died. Anyway, I’m trying to get some dollars together so I can get her some flowers.”
PHILIP
“Tony, excuse me for saying so but you don’t even have a roof over your head; you can’t go spending money on flowers.”
TONY
“Yea Phil, but she was my friend too.”
PHILIP
“How was your weekend? Did you get that turkey dinner organized?”
TONY
“Nope. I thought the guys were good for it. We even had a place to cook it. Anyway, it didn’t happen, and I’m telling you, I don’t like missing my Thanksgiving dinner.”
Thank you to all the people on Roncesvalles who’ve put change in my cap. I really appreciate it. Your help means a lot to me.
Tony
TONY
“There’s this woman who brings me a homemade lunch most mornings. So recently she hasn’t, which she was apologizing to me for, but I know she’s moving her home and she doesn’t have any place to even make me a sandwich right now. So I just told her not to worry; I said: ‘When you’ll be ready, I’ll be ready.’ “
TONY
“We’re losing another homeless guy.”
PHILIP
“Who’s that?”
TONY
“You remember when I told you about the homeless guy up the street, the guy who was drinking mouthwash? He’s in the hospital — has been for 3 days now. The doctors figure for sure he ain’t coming out of that hospital on his own steam, if you know what I mean.”
PHILIP
“How do you know this?”
TONY
“I spoke one of his other friends last night. The guy says that everyone’s done whatever they could to help the guy, but his insides were totally rotted out. You know, we’re just falling like flies now.”
TONY [As a funeral procession drives slowly south on Roncesvalles, Tony doffs his cap].
“I always take off my hat when a funeral comes by.”
PHILIP
“Why’s that?”
TONY
“Just showing respect for the dead.”
Homeless Man Speaks 
