Felonious monk’s homeless observations

As a few of you know, or remember the relevant posts, FM has taken to exploring the city via metro.

Much to my constant worry.

I rarely ask for specifics as far as his life or wanderings goes as I don't wish to be an interrogator..

Over the last couple of days during a casual drink, he started to open up.

Mostly about the interactions of several homeless people.

One in particular is a female whom he befriended.

During the course of their interactions, he was buying food and eventually came across her sons. They asked him not to give their mom anything because they only got to see their mother only when she couldn't find or pay for anything to eat.

Turned out she was homeless by choice and had been for a couple of decades. I was unable to get enough information on her mental state n, but FM assured me she seemed to be fairly lucid.

Coming from him, I'll take that with a mine full of salt.

Turns out they're a number of others he's come across with similar situations where they've chosen to be homeless for a variety of reasons, and those that simply play off our sympathies to earn a few bucks.

This has me wondering if FM might like to live that way again since he's apparently getting entrenched with those in that community.

AMA as usual.