The Big Guy on the Bus

Rio de Janeiro - It happened a few years ago, here in Rio. I took a bus on the Glória-Leblon line. When we got to the Praia de Botafogo the bus pulled up to the bus stop, and a big guy got on through the front door. (Back in those days, in Rio, paying passengers got on in back and exited at the front; about two years ago, they switched this around). In Rio there are many people who get on the bus without paying to sell trinkets: candy, pens, postcard, buttons, stickers... usually they memorize a spiel asking for your help, but they repeat it in such a mechanical and unconvincing way that I, at least, don't feel the urge to pull out my wallet.

This time it was different. The guy who got on the bus seemed like a basketball player from the NBA: when he talked he bent over a little so his head wouldn't bang on the roof of the bus. His arms were so muscular that he certainly could have been earning his living as security at rock concerts. He got on and started talking, with the drawl of Rio street smarts, half condescending, half aloof, pretending to be friendly; full of fake politeness and humility.

-- Good afternoon, everyone. I am here to ask for your assistance. I am unemployed, I have a family to support, I can't manage to find work, but I don't want to begin a life of crime, like so many others in my situation do. I don't want to resort to violence. I want to manage things peacefully. Look: I am unarmed. (Here he pulls his shirt-tails up, and turns completely around, showing his waist.). If I can get some help without hurting anyone, that's what I prefer, OK? I would like for you ladies and gentleman to give me a donation out of the goodness of your hearts.

We all, myself included, felt invaded by a great and unlimited desire to make a donation. I think I gave five reals, but I saw people giving ten, and I think there were people giving even more. The guy went from seat to seat collecting, and got off the bus at the next corner with not less than 150 or 200 reals.

A technical question: was this a robbery? Legally speaking, no, because there was no weapon (if we don't count the big guy himself, who was already a walking weapon), and there was no threat. If someone were to have recorded what he said, transcribed it on paper, and presented it in court, it would only be the politically correct and legally irreproachable discourse of someone who clearly states what he is asking for, and says he is against violence.

I paid my money half out of fear, and half out of admiration. Our "mendicant" produced an impeccable theatrical text, where the verbal layer was carefully thought out to protect him in the case of a possible confrontation with the authorities, but the stage presence, the tone of voice, the muscular frame all made the threatening message embedded in the scene quite clear. Not every play on the boards in Rio can boast of such a subtle script or such a convincing actor.

* Translated from the original Portuguese by Tom Moore. Tom is a classical musician and translator who lives in Rio de Janeiro. His most recent CD of trio sonatas by Boismortier is available from A Casa Estúdio.

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