The NYC Subway always has the funnest weirdos. One time this guy got on just as the doors were closing on a standing-room only car. As soon as the doors were closed and we started moving (i.e. there was no escape), he started speaking VERY loudly: "My brothers and sisters! I'm glad we could have this time together today so I could tell you about OUR Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! BLAH BLAH BLAH!" He kept going on and on, building up to his big pitch of soliciting people for change. No sooner did he mention money when a quarter came whizzing out of nowhere and cracked him right in the forehead. He reeled back, clutching his new wound and screamed out "And Jesus shall strike down the non-believers, blah, blah, blah!!!", pointing in the general direction of wherever the quarter came from. He received another quarter for his troubles. I looked down and the person throwing them was this HUGE black guy with a big smile on his face (the "preacher" was also black, btw, so no crying "hate crime, please). As soon as the preacher would start to talk, this guy would hurl a quarter. He had thrown about five quarters when finally he spoke to the preacher in this booming, deep voice "Shut up, you parasite! No one here wants to give you money because you found Jesus except for me, and I don't think you like how I'm sending it to you!" Then another voice spoke up, "That's not true! *I* want to give him money as well!" from this guy in running shorts and a tank-top with a fanny pack. He also started flinging loose change at the preacher. Pretty soon, damn near everyone on the car was flinging pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters at this guy. At first he tried to shield himself, then he tried to pick up some of the loose change, and then he pretty much assumed the fetal position on the floor, covering his head as best he could and screaming biblical damnation on everyone in the car. As soon as we hit the next stop, he bolted out of the car yelling something about how Jesus will punish the sinners. It was absolutely brutal and hilarious. My wife, whom I was dating at the time, and I were just sitting there with our jaws wide open. As soon as the preacher was off the car, everyone started cheering and high-fiving eachother. It was surreal. New Yorkers can be brutal.
jag