CTA Tattler

Take my lunch, please

Headed north out of Howard on the Purple Line, a huge hulk of a man sits across from a 40-ish woman with red hair. He wore filthy clothes -- from his vest to his boots with no laces.

He struck up a conversation with the woman. "You know. you're pretty cool. Most times when I talk to people on the North Side, they go like this" -- and he made a sour, disdainful face.

Then he said,  "Do you have anything to eat? I usually ask for food instead of money, because when you ask people for money on the North Side, they go like this" -- and he made the same sour, disdainful face.

She said, "Well, you could have my lunch," and she handed over a paper bag. He opened it, and pulled out a peeled, sectioned grapefruit half. "What the fuck is this? A grapefruit?"

The redhead said, "If you don't want the grapefruit, just give it back." He said, No, no, I'll keep it for later. It will help boost my immune system." Then he stuffed it in his back pocket.

He poked through the rest of the bag, pulling out some ham slices and cheese. "Aw man, don't you have any crackers or bread or anything." He just shook his head and started stuffing the ham into his mouth.

When he was done, he said, "Do you like the rock group Bon Jovi?"

She said, " I think they're sappy."

"Aw come on, I really like that song 'Wanted - Dead or Alive.' " Don't you?"

She got up to get off at Davis, and he said, "Have a nice day."

No word of thanks.