Diary Of A Busker Day 42 Wednesday February 16th Winchester High Street 1. corner of Marks And Spencer, Time: 11:45-2:15pm, 2. opposite Clinton Cards, Time: 2:33-5:15pm.
A man comes up after The Theme From The Third Man and asks me if I have been on “the big wheel?” I have to think about this for a few seconds before I realise that he’s referring to the ferris wheel in Vienna, where the famous meeting between Harry Lime and Joseph Cottons’ writer takes place in the film. “Oh, in Vienna? No, I haven’t.” “I went on that with my wife. She’s blind now, her brain’s dead. I pay a hundred pounds a day. Cost me forty-two thousand pounds so far. Anyway, keep playing that tune mate!” I keep playing that tune. Even the flower seller knows it by heart, which isn’t difficult as it’s only three notes. He’s also whistling along to Music To Watch Girls By, making this a very noisy spot indeed. It’s very noisy anyway, with six buses queing up to go around the corner every fifteen minutes. I start to stop(?) playing when this happens.
After 2 1/2 hours and only £11.97p, I leave this spot to Frank, who has finished playing up the road. I think he’s moving in on The Third Man – he’s asking about a chord change.
I move on up the road and end up making alot more than here in a lot less time. Some more people mention the article – not many stop to talk apart from Ragtime Phillip who has not seen me for awhile, but has very kindly photocopied the article for me. I also hear that there are a couple of letters from readers in this week’s paper, so I’ll buy a copy tonight. A lady says “Your guitar playing is as good as your journalism.” Oh dear, I hope it’s better than that – perhaps I can’t disguise my Focal Dystonia after all.
The lady who gave me the dvd of the man who died for twenty minutes appears – “Have you watched it yet?” “Sorry – no, I haven’t yet, it’s on the kitchen table. I’ll watch it tonight, I promise.”
Earnings: £41.30p.