As a bartender, I’ve come across some bizarre situations and met, for lack of a better word, some “interesting” people while working behind the bar. I’ve seen hook ups. Nasty breakups. I’ve come across various morons. Drunkards. Druggies. Psychos. You name it. I’ve probably seen it.
But one occasion that stands out the most happened not too long ago. There is a regular who comes to our bar religiously everyday. Let’s call him Steve ** He used to be a high-rolling baller who worked for prestigious law firms doing patent work. About a year ago, he, like countless other unlucky souls, lost his job, and found himself on the unemployment payroll. He spent the first several months enjoying an unconstrained and unrestrained life free from the 9 to 5 drudgery.
He had nothing really to worry about. Well, at least back then. He had a steady stream of unemployment coming in. He had some savings. So life was good.
Fast forward one year.
Steve was still unemployed. Despite applying to multiple jobs and sitting through dozens of in-person and phone interviews, he couldn’t seem to land a job. Additionally, his unemployment check was running out. By now, he had accrued an enormous debt. His savings were negative.
He would come into the bar everyday, order water, and complain about his lack of funds. I could not help but feel sorry for his predicament. Really. How low could one person fall? In one moment, it seemed as if Steve had hit rock bottom. But the next day, something would happen and he would fall lower. There was no end to that bottomless abyss into which he had gotten himself.
So one day, he came into the bar as usual, complaining about his grim situation. His checking account was negative. His debit card didn’t work. And he was constantly being hounded and harassed by the debt collectors. In other words, he was destitute. Destitute and desperate. He had nothing. No credit. No cash. In fact, he was behind on his rent, and would soon be facing eviction.
Earlier on in the day, his former roommate had dropped off Steve’s old pan. I took it out, and as a joke, suggested that he “pan” handle. For some odd reason, he decided that it would be a great idea, and started to immediately brainstorm ideas for a sign.
I didn’t think much of it, but a few days later, while lunching with Jon, a fellow bartender, I found out that Steve had in fact taken my advice to heart, and had gone out panhandling. Jon who also works at the bar told me that Steve had gone out to panhandle and had made close to $100 in one day. Apparently, Steve had visited downtown government center and a few parts in Cambridge along the redline where he elicited the sympathy of passerbys who forked out 5s, 10s, and 20s.
Talk about some crazy shit huh? Let’s just hope he’s able to keep it up while he searches for a job, and doesn’t spend the money on drinks at the bar!
**Names have been changed to protect the innocent and the not-so-innocent
