Them

There are a few beggars in our neighborhood who are suffering or have
suffered unfortunate events. Our favorite is Mat-Boy. He appears to be
about 15 years old and might be 5'5" or so if his legs weren't twisted
into a wacky lotus behind his back. He slides around the street on
crushed soda bottles to ease his passage from curb to curb, and to
protect the rubber mat that holds him together and from which is name
derives. Otherwise Mat Boy is in good spirits and health, finding time
to learn some English and pose for creepy photos. His feet came untied
the other day and sprung foreward, but he figured it out.

Monk Manchu is across the street and prays constantly. He is the only
one I've seen make any money, and he is old.

Thumb Woman is very pushy. She uses her right arm - which elegantly
curls out in front of her into what looks like a foot with one long
toe - to push. Her cup goes in her left hand.

Skateboard Man and his cousin Prone Paul are a bit up the road but
I've seen them meet with Sleeping Baby and Peggy Li to brainstorm.
It's quite terrifying. The meeting usually takes place late at night
on the intersection next to the hotel, which is terribly lit at night
and very busy during the day. There is almost no one around as these
three jingle there cups together and laze back and forth in the gutter
talking. There is a window right behind them that has piercing blue
light and trays of boiled sea creatures on the sill, always.