Day 2733
Tuesday August 25th 2026
Winchester
Halfway down The Pentice and I’ve got a bone to pick with Don Lavelle, who’s starting his latest painting…but not before he picks one with me –
‘Hey Marvin, did you not iron your shirt before coming out?’
‘Actually Don, it’s supposed to look like this. It’s linen, 100% linen. In fact, someone mistook me for you the other day.’
‘Oh, did they? I’m sorry, Marvin.’
‘Yeah, this bloke came up to me outside Greens and said “I really like your paintings” and I had to say “Ah, you’re thinking of Don Lavelle.” It’s happened a few times and I’m getting used to it. The only thing is, you’re a lot older than me, so is it a compliment? I don’t know.’
Don laughs ‘Oh, sorry about that! Oh well, you out for an evening shift?’
‘Yeah, just a short one, maybe an hour.’
‘OK, see you later.’
‘Yeah, probably when you’re heading back.’ Meaning when he’s on his way down the high street to the bus stop at the bottom of town.
I set up and start up at Nando’s with a load of down and outs hanging around the concrete bench in front of M&S which include Mr. Thank You and that short-arsed, topless one. Fortunately, the latter doesn’t give me much trouble today. A couple of other undesirables walk by during the set. Firstly, the arse from The Square, then that hideous woman with the long black hair who used to work in Pandora, opposite the Buttercross years ago. She’s looking more hideous, if possible. I think I used to call her Vampira. Not to her hideous face, obviously.
Coinage-wise, it had a promising start with £3 being donated by some teenage girls hanging about near the down and outs. And I had quite a nice time playing until I noticed I’d picked up a mere £4 more by the end of the hour. Even so, I was optimistic and carried on another half hour…but to no avail – I got zero else for the extra time and that was that.
As I walked past the homeless bloke who’s always near my bank says ‘Hello Marvin’ so I return the greeting, then he says ‘My dog passed away.’
‘Oh, did he? Sorry to hear that.’
‘Yeah, he passed away.’
‘Sorry.’
‘You got a pound, mate?’
‘Sorry, no I haven’t.’
‘OK, have a nice day, mate.’
‘Yeah, you too. Sorry to hear that.’ Well, I’ve got a pound. In fact I’ve got seven but I’m not giving him any because the last thing I gave him was a harmonica which he destroyed a day later.