2013, Fourth Quarter, Sixth Selection

As I crossed the bridge, a hairy hand came out. 

"Stop, pay troll." 

I gave him 5 euros. He put it not in his purse but in a jar. 

"It's for the poor. They are very hungry," he said. 

"This week Africa. Maybe next week your country."

 He scratched. "When you get to the other side of the bridge, you get it back." 

I looked, saw no one giving back. He saw me looking.

"Not THIS bridge," he said.

 --Birrell Walsh