On Saturday, at noon, we saw this gentleman on the corner of Sixth Avenue and West Fourth Street. He stood with a duffle bag at his feet, batting a little punching bag. He had a basket for donations/alms/tips/whatever and a sign that proclaimed NON-STOP SINCE 11:30.

I went up to him and said, "Big deal. My heart's been pounding non-stop since 1963, and you don't see me out here looking for compensation, do you?"

He stared at me wordlessly.

"No," I said, "you don't!

He stopped batting the bag, stepped toward me, and punched my lights out.

What a showoff!