A stained backpack hanging off his left shoulder, Sunil steps cautiously over some homeless people, before stopping near the feet of one. He looks down at the ragged-clothed gentleman sleeping in a sitting position with his back resting against a metal fence. A dirty paper cup is wedged between his feet, with a ‘spare change’ sign held in place by a boot heel.

Sunil digs into his pocket and retrieves the quarter he found 30 blocks north. Quietly bending down, he holds the quarter out towards the cup. But before he can release it from his fingers, the homeless fellow’s eyes pop wide open. The man kicks the cup away, and a startled Sunil jumps back.