Oh, the signs are for real. What happened is that 20 years ago or so, the city lost the court battle to stop mimes, etc, from performing on the street. So as I walk down to Jimmy Buffets from my place, the first thing I pass, near the Police Station, are the hookers. After giving them a "how's tricks" greeting, the next thing I see is an Evangelical group holding signs, passing out tracts and eyeing the hookers. Then a couple of mimes, a street singer, a six-foot "tickle-me-Elmo," guys passing out notices, three card monte tables, drum sets, etc. Biggest draw is a short black guy with a penetrating high voice who does basketball tricks. The sidewalks are about 20 feet wide.
Thousands of bored Japanese tourists walk by, contributing. |
