Two legs to stand on

A few nights ago I was walking past New York Public library when I saw a man in a wheelchair on the corner of West 40th and 5th Avenue. Both of his legs had been amputated at the knee. The man was busking. He was playing a trumpet to the accompaniment of a jazz recording. He was there with an able-bodied friend who had a trombone. It was about 7pm.

About one hour later I passed the same street corner just as it was starting to rain. I saw the man again in exactly the same place—only this time he was standing up on two fully-formed, perfectly capable legs, packing away his sound system and talking to his friend.

I considered taking a photograph but thought better of it in the dim light.

If I see him busking again I’ll be sure to get a picture though. Then I’ll ask him where he keeps his legs…