eebmore: Ruthed

Ruthed

April 28, 2006

In the early evening a few ago, I was in Charles Village, running a few errands and buying a documentary about a tambourine man for only sixty percent of the price from the online store (take that, corporation for public broadcasting!). A fiftieish woman walked up to me, change in hand, and told me she needed a little more to get to the House of Ruth. For those of you not in the know, House of Ruth is a charity home for abused women. So of course, I told her to kiss off.

Oh, I’m just kidding. I just scowled, snarled and told her I couldn’t help her. You see, House of Ruth is lady-begger talk for “gimme money.” I get House of Ruthed ALL THE TIME, usually with Baby Ruth’s in toe. It’s the female equivalent to begger-man’s pulling out three year old crumpled court papers, telling you they just got out of city jail and need bus fare to get home. I get that one about once every two weeks too.

It’s a pity. One of these days, a woman really is going to need bus fare to get to House of Ruth, and I will have just scowled and told her I can’t help her. Hasn’t happened yet though. Houses of Ruths are semisecret undisclosed locations, to protect the ladies from the violent men unclever enough to find them, usually in cruddy neighborhoods, like the one across the street from my apartment. Oh, I’m too clever for you, House of Ruthies. If you’re going to try to work a guy over for pretend bus fare, try to do it outside of walking distance from your pretend point of destination. Stop passing people and making me for a mark. I only look sympathetic, trust me.

This one had gumption, though. After my abrupt refusal in a meanie tone, she pulled a quarter from her pile of change and asked me if she could buy a cigarette. I think I must have made it up one notch on her respect-O-meter. No longer a sucker in her eyes, the lie just washed away and she was prepared to engage in some exceptionally small-scale capitalism with me. I don’t take quarters from people in need of bus fare, but I don’t give away cigarettes on the street either. I had to scowl and not help her again.

Abuse is a vicious cycle.

02:40 AM | Permalink

Comments

The junkies who panhandle at the corner Potee and Patapsco have a gas can that they share. When one gets some money, he hands the gas can to the next one and heads into the Bolero bar for a cool one.

Posted by: tfg at April 28, 2006 05:59 AM

The House of Ruth will also pay your cab fare, what I did was explain that to them and offer to flag one down .. always worked. But, since I've moved out of the GayBorhood I haven't gotten HoR'ed. And keep your eyes peeled for the AidsWalk scam coming up soon.

Posted by: exBartender at April 28, 2006 06:02 AM

When I stop for gas at Mulberry and Greene I often get a guy who rushes up to me all out of breath asking me for bus fare because he's late for work. The guy must be chronically late because I'm pretty sure he's come up to me three times recently.

Posted by: mike at April 28, 2006 09:54 AM

How about the guy who "fell asleep at the Greyhound station" while on his way to Pittsburgh, was "relieved" of his wallet, and needed bus fare. When I said I had no money, he said, "Well, I can go to an ATM with you." Points for chutzpah! Points, but no money.

The second time I ran into him, he used the same story, down to the phrase "relieved of my wallet."

Posted by: disappearingink at April 29, 2006 10:05 AM

disappearingink, pittsburgh? they ALWAYS tell me philly. Always. Pennsylvania must have some sleepy stupid bus riders.

tfg, there used to be one guy who worked downtown and mt. vernon with a gas can. he started with a milk jug, but then upgraded. after he tried to hit me up about half a dozen times, he got me right out front of my apartment. I completely lost my shit and screamed at him. One of only two times I actually screamed at a beggar. No, wait, one of three times; but the third time the beggar started yelling at me first after i politely refused. that was justified.

ex-bartender, the neighborhood hasn't been nearly as gay since you left. *zing!* but thanks for letting me know HoR will pay the ladies’ cab fare. awesome tip.

Posted by: eebmore at April 29, 2006 11:06 AM

Then there is the young woman with a baby in her arms asking for money for food for her and the baby. Please we are hungry, just $5 or $10 dollars. The baby is so hungry please help us.

Nope, I was on to her because she always hung out at the same place, sometimes a different baby. We had heard of her before we met her. She had a good scam going and was using babies from friends etc. to get money. The cops finally told her she would be arrested if she didn't stop.

Posted by: Double Dogged at April 29, 2006 09:17 PM

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