First Exposure

Cal Westings: Episode Two

Street Performance

Photo by Lucas Expedidor on Unsplash

It’s late summer. School is still out. The heat is killer, and no one wants to go outside.

Cal Westings had seen a commercial with a guy who was talking very loudly from a bench on the side of the road. So, eh wondered what that might be like in real life. The guy sitting there talking aloud at no one but probably someone must have heard him. You can’t hardly yell from a bench without someone hearing you.

The notion of street performance had until this moment been entirely foreign to Cal though it’s strange and thrilling possibilities now struck him with full force. Can you imagine? He thought he might do something wild like sing into a loudspeaker or play a harmonica on the corner next to the conveience store. Even beg for change, if I want to.

Cal Westings grabbed an old coffee can and his wireless speaker and started walking. Over to the corner where there was sure to be a crowd.

When he got there he saw a lot of cars passing by and someone walking on the other side of the street. He set up his gear anyway. Connected the phone. Started playing something with a tech-heavy beat for everyone’s enjoyment. As the final touch, he set the coffee can out very conspicuously in he middle of the corner square of the sidewalk.

It was not long before people started to notice. One person complained about the volume. Several minutes later, another person said excitedly, “You’re a DJ!” Cal smiled like he had done something correct.

Another twenty minutes passed and then a police officer parked in the nearest lot to walk over and have a talk with Cal. He didn’t look happy although he also didn’t look angry.

“Turn the music down, please,” said the officer. He looked like he had shaved his head not two hours ago.

Cal complied and started trying to explain. That never goes well.

“Someone called on you,” he said.

Cal was surprised, and you could tell. The tell-tale signs upon his face made it clear that he was not at all sure why that happened. Surely, people would be interested in what he was doing.

The officer looked closely at Cal. Probably not even an adult, no way he should check out the bar scene.

“This is something you do at the outdoor market.”

Cal never expected the police to care that he was playing music outdoors. How many people play music loudly from their car? He was just having a good time and yet there was no arguing with the officer. Cal had known friend who mouthed off with the police and today just wasn’t the day for it. Maybe he was right about that outdoor market anyway…

“Alright, pack it up. Move along. Don’t let me catch you doing this again.”

And that was that. Cal called it a worthwhile afternoon and then went home to listen to his music.

© 2026 Sam Grackle. All rights reserved.