A couple years back I stopped at a truck stop off of I-40 in Muskogee, OK. I walk in, get some snacks, pay for the gas, you know? Walk out, and this not too stinky, not so horribly dressed, 30-something bum approaches me. I'm wary as usual in these situations. He asked me in a fairly well spoken drall, "Hey man, I'm gonna be honest with you. Alot of us try to get some cash by throwing out Jesus, making signs, or playing the pity card, but not me. I've been walking for a couple hours and you know, I just really want an fing beer. If you could spare a dollar or some change so I could get me a cold one, that'd be awesome." I kinda chuckled, and he said, "Well... at least I'm honest..." I gave the man a dollar and some change, thanked him for being honest and headed towards my car. He stops me and asks, "Hey man I'm headed West, could you give me a ride?" I had to tell him, "No man, sorry, I'm going East." Got in my car and pulled on to the Westbound ramp towards Tulsa.

So much for honesty, eh?

I always ponder how people like Honest Bum end up like that. He seemed to have at least a part of a HS education. He communicated well, was polite and honest. Maybe the rat race just got to him so he said F it and decided to live a "free" life. Maybe he just never tried in the first place, taking the "easy" way out. Maybe this is the way likes to live... I'll never know.

I'd like to find him someday. I'd record his story. I'd have to take it with a grain of salt though because, nobody's that honest.