GRAMERCY

The Old Rats are out collecting money for sick kids. They fail to elaborate. They've claimed to be the filthiest motorcycle gang around. But after brunch, they shake their change buckets at the stop lights and glare at drivers.

The world has changed. No one in Bramble carries cash. Of course, my friend Shadow’s wife Wanda is a software developer. She could build them an online portal for donations that would accept credit cards, ApplePay, CashApp. They could track donations over locations and times to identify the most lucrative intersections. They could even generate an email list to solicit donations without The Old Rats having to stand in the middle of the street with buckets. The website could profile the sick kids who have been made well, showcasing the good work of The Old Rats. Wanda could also use the projects to add to her professional portfolio demonstrating her skills, as she prepares to launch her own application. Of course, this collaboration first requires a conversation, and The Old Rats don’t talk. For myself, I always carry change precisely for these encounters. It would be naive to think The Old Rats don’t know who paid. I remain grateful for their work.

>>>