Conditional Reality

Swingshift Pulldate played guitar for many years. He called it his magic box of air and stood at subway stations playing hundred year old songs. Whenever anyone tossed a bill or some coins into the rumpled hat at his feet Swingshift acknowledged them with a smile or a slight nod. Most nights he made less than twenty dollars. Once a young woman working on a doctorate in urban folk music came to interview Swingshift. I don't know nothing about music, said Swingshift. She bought him a coffee and asked him questions. I need to understand people like you, she said.