While I was strolling around town with Tyrone in his stroller (see post below), I noticed a group of Aleuts watching the horizon at the waterfront. I instantly recalled this piece of fiction by Sherman Alexie, which describes quite well the typical reality of the Native homeless population here in The City of the Setting Sun.

It began to rain, so I decided to try and sneak Tyrone into the Aquarium, the entry-cost being well above my meager means. Ofcourse, sneaking into the Seattle Aquarium is near impossible, so I plotted a good-natured ploy. Having noticed that the ticket-booth girl was roughly high-school age and kind-looking, I figured that I might be able to charm her with a simple gift in lieu of actual money. I looked around on the ground and spotted a clean white envelope. I felt around in my jacket pocket and found two pens, one blue, one red. Having the required materials for fabricating something cute and creative, I sat with Tyrone on a nearby bench, protected from the rain by a pier-building's overhang, and got to work. After making Tyrone giggle by placing both pens in my mouth like walrus-tusks, I crafted my masterpiece on the envelope carefully. I'd envisioned making envelope art in imitation of Ruud Janssen. After much scribbling, I settled on a rudimentary doodle of an octopus and made my way toward the ticket-booth; with adorable Tyrone in arm, and my best Irishman smile on face.
"I've no money, but I drew you this..", I shoved the envelope through the slot meekly, "And I was hoping you could let me and my son in to see the octopus. He's never seen one, and I've been talking about octopuses- err.. octopi- all day, he's got no idea what I'm talking about, they're pretty difficult to explain to a li'l kid, y'know.", I smiled and waited.
"Okay..", she looked at me strangely, but not unkind, "I like the drawing and all, but, like, there are two tickets right here, inside the envelope.", she took the tickets out, and held them up.
I was amazed.
"Wow, anything else in there?", I laughed, took the ticket stubs, and went inside.