Be Gone!
I’ve been busking at circular quay for the last couple of months now. It’s the hottest busking spot in Sydney and has proved to be extremely profitable. The authorities are very strict here; not only do you need a license, there are designated spots depending on your act. For example you can only play in certain spots if you’re amplified, or if you are a circle act (a circle act is a performance that requires people to stop and watch e.g people that juggle chainsaws). I am defined as a non amplified, walk by act, which means I can play almost anywhere. I have found myself a lovely spot between ferry terminals 4 and 5, where only walk by, non amplified acts can perform. That pretty much leaves me and statues, so I’ve never had a problem.
The other day someone was in my spot. He was a magician. An amplified, circle act. In my spot. He looked about 15 with his top hat and slightly oversized suit. I waited til he’d finished his show.
“Hi are you finished for the day?” I asked
“Ummmm.. Actually I was going to do another show”
“Oh. Are you allowed to do a circle act here?”
“I’m not sure… probably not”
“mmmmmmm….”
“Maybe we could share the spot?”
“I’m pretty loud”
“Or could you play down by the restaurants?”
“Hmmm I don’t really play there”
I was not smiling.
“How about I do one more show, then you can have it”
“Fine”
In truth it was getting a bit late and I had to be going anyway, but there was no way he was getting away with being in my spot.
I waited til he started up again, then I called the ranger.
“Hello Circular Quay rangers, this is Ian speaking”
“Hi Ian, there’s a young man doing a circle act between wharfs 4 and 5”
“Is he amplified?”
“Yes, he has a microphone”
“Well he shouldn’t be busking there”
“…no”
Minutes later the rangers arrived. Minutes after that, the magician disappeared. Magic.
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