(l) What's missing? (r) Where are the benches?

This morning, Audrie and I left Green Bean and walked across the street to Panhandler’s Park to sit and plan what all we had to do today to get ready for NightWatch tonight. But when we walked up the sidewalk, I noticed right away that something was missing — all the benches were gone!  That little patch of green at Elm and McGee was nicknamed “Panhandler’s Park” for a reason.  Is the City practicing a little reverse hospitality?  I guess there’s more than one way to discourage panhandling.

Audrie was righteously indigent and I was sardonically amused.  (We make a good team.)  We went and sat on the concrete where one of the benches had been.   When a friend walked by, I asked him to take our picture.  I also asked him for a dollar, but he laughed and said, “No.”  So, no 40 for me this morning.  Dang it.  Don’t tell the cops, please.  I don’t have a panhandler’s license.