Jaycee Woods

Formatting a short story with the working title ‘John-Doe’ about a homeless man. Despite the raw draft being 12k words, it ended with the following editing comment:

“I still don’t know who this homeless man is or his motivation. He was a completely different person to everyone he spoke to. Is he really the penitent Catholic who he showed the father or is that a disguise too? Does he have a secret agenda for becoming a confidential informant that is about more than money? What else can happen with this mystery character?”

Below is a snip of the beginning that remains rough, but it is at least formatted.

** Snip **

John-Doe had been homeless for a while. In a new city, first he needed to secure food and clean water, so he searched for a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. He found a soup kitchen that was about a half-hour away. He knew if he could get there, they would feed him a warm meal. He began walking towards the soup kitchen hoping the walk would not be too long.

While walking, he searched the crowd for other homeless men, thieves, and threats. He was not alone on the streets. Many other homeless people walked past him, some were in search of food or shelter, others were begging for money. Some other homeless people ignored him and kept walking.

He noticed someone else going in the same direction as him, they looked suspicious, but he did not notice them having a visible weapon. Based on height, weight, and gait, the figure appeared to be an adult male, wearing a large hoodie with their hands in their pockets. They seem to be walking towards the soup kitchen as well. He thought he could take the stranger in a fight as they had a similar height and build, but he was a little stronger and had been surviving on the streets.

John-Doe let the stranger enter the soup kitchen first and he followed them. The stranger got themself a serving of soup and sat down at a table. He noticed the stranger observing him. He got himself food and drink, then sat down across from the suspicious man.

John-Doe said, “You don’t look like one of us. Are you a reporter stealing our food? If so, at least make a donation to the soup kitchen.”

The stranger stared at him for a second then answered, “No, I’m not a journalist.” The stranger looked around quickly then nervously whispered in John-Doe’s direction “I’m not here for the food. I’m here for a different reason.”

John-Doe asked, “Are you a cop or bounty hunter?”

The suggestion caused the stranger to look more nervous, before saying, “Neither. I’m here for something else.” The stranger shifted in his seat uncomfortably.

John-Doe asked, “Hitman?”

That word made the stranger more nervous, then he answered quickly, “How did you know? Why aren’t you afraid of me?” The stranger seemed scared that John-Doe had recognized his purpose.

John-Doe said, “You aren’t here for me. I know that because I didn’t kill you already. You stick out.”

The hitman fidgeted in his chair nervously as he replied, “So what? I’m a professional. I’m only here for the money.” The hitman kept scanning the room.

John-Doe asked, “Are you going to make a donation to the soup kitchen or just steal our food?”

Angry at the accusation, the hitman paused as he tried to calm himself. Gaining composure, he said, “Look, I only got this job because I can’t get work any other way. I will give money if you leave me alone.”

John-Doe could smell the fear on the nervous hitman. Pointing towards a man in black standing by the kitchen door, John-Doe said, “No money for me. The money is for all of us. Give the money to the father on your way out. I am not judging you negatively for honest work.”

The hitman seemed confused by John-Doe’s statement but quickly got up and walked to the father who was running the soup kitchen to hand him a few dollars, then looked back John-Doe’s way and mouthed the words ‘thank you.’ Then he moved to leave the soup kitchen and walk outside.

John-Doe called, “Wait friend. You haven’t asked me for information yet. Sit.”

The hitman stopped suddenly and turned around to take John-Doe’s measure. Confused and a little nervous, he sat beside John-Doe in anticipation.

John-Doe asked, “Who are you looking for? Maybe I can get a finder’s fee. A very small cost but valuable information for you.”

The hitman’s eyes lit up a little bit but remained suspicious. After looking around quickly, he leaned closer to John-Doe and said in a low nervous voice, “I’m not supposed to say that to anybody.”

John-Doe said, “You don’t have to give me a name. Names are transitory here. You could give me a description. Does that break your rules?”

The hitman shook his head. “No, I think it’s fine to describe what I’m looking for… I’m looking for a girl, about 5 foot 5, short brown hair, and she is very quiet.”

John-Doe asked, “Will she be homeless or a civilian?”

Surprised by the question, the hitman responded, “She is not homeless, just a local resident.”

John-Doe asked, “If I tripped her and she fell in front of a bus, do you still get paid or do you need her alive?”

Shocked and afraid at the implication, the hitman responded, “I only need to find her. What happens after is up to the person who hired me.”

John-Doe observed, “So witness intimidation then?”

Surprised that this bum knew the score, the hitman admitted, “Uh…you got me. Yes, that is what it is.” He looked around and then leaned closer to John-Doe. “You won’t tell anyone, right?”

John-Doe answered, “I am nobody. I don’t know anybody, but I can be found here for dinner by a friend.”

Liking this unexpected reply, the hitman asked, “So if I want to get in touch with you again, I show up for dinner?”

John-Doe admitted, “Yes. Otherwise, you probably won’t see me as I am invisible. No one sees a homeless man.”

The hitman stared at John-Doe in disbelief. “You’re right. Nobody ever really sees you guys as they are looking away to avoid beggars. Even someone who is trying to look right at you seems not to really see you all. I’ll come back here for dinner to get any info you pick up.”

Having gathered enough information, John-Doe said, “Have a good evening, friend.”