applaud my performance or reach into their pockets for some spare change Yes I smile modestly like I’ve created this painting just for the fun of it and didn’t even know anyone was watching I just manage to graciously accept my first coins jangling into the can beneath the hand-painted hand-painted sign reading Art by hArt when I look up to see the blue suits of two police officers breaking through the crowd Miss Sydney Hart one of them asks Yeah that’s me I reply giving the pair my sweetest smile The first officer glances at my painting then fixes me with a steady look There have been some complaints Oh great So much for my tips 6 MERE JOYCE
Two All right everyone if you could just step aside The two officers a doughy young man with kind eyes and a stern woman with graying hair push their way toward me It’s like I can see all the money I was about to make dropping back into the pockets and purses of each onlooker I try not to let my face crumple in disappointment as I watch my admirers slink uncomfortably away from the scene Complaints I ask looking at the man who first spoke to me I’m not doing anything wrong I’m allowed to busk here on the boardwalk I’m away from all storefronts and I’m far enough off the main walkway that I’m not blocking pedestrian pedestrian traffic 7
The man sighs almost sympathetically We’ve had a complaint about the noise level I nearly groan out loud I dealt with this complaint before from a souvenir shop with a grumpy owner who kept calling the authorities But I found a new place to perform at the other end of the boardwalk I thought I was safe I’m sorry I say doing my best to sound genuinely sad and not just super annoyed I’ll lower the volume The female officer shakes her head and looks at me like she doesn’t believe a word I’m saying Miss Hart she begins this is the third complaint we’ve received this month I’m afraid you’ll have to leave the waterfront area Leave It’s only two in the afternoon I had intended to do at least three more performances before the day was out The woman nods Please pack up your things and go But but If you leave now we’ll let you off with another warning the male officer says If you resist we’ll have to issue a fine 8 MERE JOYCE
No no I’ll go I turn away from the officers and slump my shoulders watching the remaining crowd dwindle away I can’t believe I’m losing out on all these tips because of a stupid noise complaint But I can’t stay and argue about it I’m trying to raise money with my painting not lose it on a noise violation I walk back to my easel and start cleaning up I wipe the brushes on the bandanna around my wrist and seal my tubes of paint Then I drop my painting to the ground so I can collapse the easel and stuff my paints and my speakers into my Gonzo backpack When all the supplies are packed I load the easel and table under one arm grab the painting with my free hand and stand up When I do I come face-to-face with a boy He’s got short brown hair and a tacky string of seashells around his neck Nice painting he says and I shrug my shoulders thrusting the canvas out toward him Want it I ask no longer caring about making a sale The officers are standing nearby waiting for me to get going I take a couple of steps and the boy rushes to catch up 9 GETTING THE BRUSH OFF
