Diary Of A Busker Day 45 Saturday February 19th Winchester High Street Next to Accessorize, Time: 4:55-6pm.
A short, sharp session-ette at the end of the day. I am starting to almost favour these later ones when there are not as many people about. I seem to take the same amount of money, although there is no guarantee of anything in this game. My theory is that, not being caught up in the enourmous wave of shoppers, some people may linger more and pay attention to the busker.
I’m at the same location as Day 38 – opposite the jewellers, and my impression on that day was that the three girls/women and boy manager were looking on me as an annoyance. Well, I have to say that their sinister behaviour today only confirms my suspicion. As they were shutting up at 5:30, boy manager comes to the front of the shop to shut the two narrow doors they keep open during the day. As he’s closing one door, he says in a voice loud enough for me to hear “…it’s really annoying”, while looking at me. Maybe I’m wrong/paranoid. It could be part of a conversation with one of the girls or could be directed at me, even though I’ve been there for only twenty-five minutes. However, I smile at him whenever he looks my way. I think – should I go over and ask if I’m bothering them? No, he can come over to me, or phone the police (or CPSOs, rather), which is what the shop owners seem to prefer – instead of just coming over and having a civilised talk to the buskers. They get the police to do the dirty work. Anyway, sod him, I’ve got guitar picks older than this guy!
Just before 6 o’clock, Ben, a friendly busker comes by. I tell him my suspicions of the jewellers shop. Ben tells me about the time he was busking all day, every day outside the Laura Ashley shop, near where we are now. His girlfriend came by once and told him the shop had put a sign up in the window, just above his head, with an arrow pointing down. The sign, which of course Ben couldn’t see, said DON’T GIVE THIS MAN ANY MONEY. He tells me he’s been busking in Winchester for six years, which seems a lifetime to me.
Before they leave the shop, the people working in the jewellers must have to scan each other with a special jewel detector – I can see them all do this through the metal grill. Nothing like a company’s trust for it’s employees!
Earnings: £19.53p.
Note: This is the first session where no one has come up and mentioned the article. Instant local celebrity can indeed be a fickle mistress.