13 [more from this month]

The Gauntlet

Does anyone remember that game in Gladiators called "The Gauntlet" where the poor challenger, about as big as one of the gladiator's biceps, had to run down this half pipe and try to get past five or six human brick walls? They invariably nearly killed themselves in the attempt. Anyway, that's what it's beginning to feel like walking down Tottenham Court Rd. The challengers are still members of the general public but the gladiators are substituted by "chuggers" or "charity muggers." You really regret it if you do start to talk to one of them. They do a core information dump on you. I've started to say, "I'll look at the website" (which I do!) just so that I don't get stuck there, noticing everybody else walking past having a that-muppet-got-stopped smile on their faces. There must be better ways of raising money...