Andrew J. Lederer

near where i've been staying.

i was going to jaywalk when i saw him and i considered not jaywalking but i didn't think that london was one of those cities where they get you for jaywalking, so i started to cross the street right in front of him when, suddenly, he asked me to come to him.

at least that's the way i remember it.

but he didn't say anything about jaywalking. he wanted to know if i was involved with drugs.

according to him, i saw him and then ducked behind a bus shelter and put something in my left pocket.

in fact, (before the jaywalking thing) i didn't see him and ducked behind a bus shelter to put my foot up on its bench and re-tie my shoes. i also put my cell phone into my pocket.

the cop (are they called that here? are they bobbies? patrolmen? constables?) didn't believe me when i told him i had re-tied my shoes because a few days earlier i'd seen guys spraying insecticide along the path i'd be walking i didn't want the loops of my laces to touch the bug spray-poisoned sidewalk.

now, why wouldn't a guy accept a reasonable explanation like that?

he made me show what was in my pocket.

it's good to know that london police officers (i actually mean this) are on the job.

tonight, i headlined at laughing horse, oxford circus (shouldn't it really be called laughing horse, carnaby street?) and enjoyed myself thoroughly, as did the crowd (of 6),

no gig scheduled tomorrow, which means i theoretically don't have to leave the house.

i wonder if i can get through the day without spending any money.