Hungry and Panhandling - NYTimes.com "Help me, man, I'm hungry!" shouted as if his lack of food were somehow my fault. I fished in my pocket and pulled out two quarters. "What's this?" he asked, insulted. I need a dollar. Standing there with my hand out, I shuddered in fear of his voice. "Hey, man, you can't get nothin" for 50 cents." "Take it, or leave it," I said, trying not to be intimidated by this threatening tone. He looked at me. "I'll take it; times are tough," he said. "Times are tough," I agreed. Pause. And then, "God bless you," he said.