Interview with Mr. X

On October 4, 2002, Mr. X. agreed to answer several of your questions. Here’s the transcript of your interview.

What’s your name?

Um … You don’t need my name. My name is X. Mr. X.

Okay ... That’s fine … How old are you?

I’m 45 years old.

Where are you from?

Eastern Oregon. Pendleton. You know Pendleton?

Sure. We used to drive through there when I was a kid.

So you know why I left.

Well, no. Not really … I mean, why did you come to Portland?

I moved out here a couple years ago. I got a job managing some condos, and the owners let me live there. When I got laid off, though, I lost the apartment and I couldn’t find another place … This was in 1997 or so, when rents were going crazy. There wasn’t any place to live! So I put my stuff in storage with the money I had and lived in my car for a while, looking for work.

You lived in your car?

Sure. I didn’t have any money for gas, but I sure did live there. When it got towed, I started sleeping out. Lots of guys camp up in the hills, near that park where all you kids go jogging.

Forest Park?

Right.

What about shelters? Did you stay in shelters? A guy I talked with yesterday said that shelters were pretty scary places.

Who’d you talk with yesterday?

I talked with another guy who hangs out here, near the bookstore.

Yeah, I mean who was it? What was his name?

Darren. Darren White.

You talked to Darren?

Yeah.

Did you meet Boss?

Yeah, I met Boss.

And Darren told you that shelters were scary?

Yeah.

(Shakes his head.) Well, he’s right, I guess. Shelters can be dangerous. But it depends. You have to know where to go and how to act. Plus, they wake you up at 6 each morning and you have to leave and you can’t come back until that night. I can’t deal with that. So that’s why, basically, a lot of guys will sleep out rather than going to a shelter. They can’t deal with that kind of atmosphere.

That’s interesting … Did you look for a job? I mean, after you got laid off from the condos.

I’ve been working construction for a while. I get day jobs when I need them. Plus, I stop in a lot of the places around here because I know people, you know. There’s lots of people here trying to help me out. Everyday I ask them for some help, and they let me know if they can. Sometimes I can fix things or paint something.

Why do you hang out here?

Like I said, I know people, and they’re looking out for me. I know some of the folks that own that restaurant. And I’d rather be here than downtown, because things are definitely tougher down there.

Darren said he felt safer here, too.

Sure. The police don’t bug you as much here. Downtown, they’re worried about tourists, and about all the suits. They don’t worry as much about college kids. [Smiles] Plus, you know, you meet more interesting people here.

Is your family still in Pendleton?

No, they’re in Florida.

Do you have any contact with them?

No. I don’t want them to worry about me. People always say that I should call them. Go ask your family for some help. If you can’t ask them for help, who can you ask, you know. But I feel like I’ve let them down because of the way I’ve turned out. I’ll let them know when I’ve got it back together.

Do you camp out a lot?

Some. I used to rent a room in a hotel … it was down in all the warehouses, and a lot of guys stayed there when they had the money. But it got torn down a few years ago. They built some more condos there.

Do you think that it’s dangerous to camp out? Or are there other times when you feel you’re at risk?

I’m pretty careful. I don’t drink or use any more. A lot of guys, they get drunk and they use, say it’s a street thing. I don’t really blame them … It’s tough … And some guys are just crazy. There are some crazy people out here and don’t even know it. They survive, but they don’t really take care of themselves, if you know what I mean. … But yeah, there’s plenty to worry about. And there are plenty of folks who will get you if you’re not looking.

Um … what are your plans for the future?

I’m getting myself together. As I said, I started taking better care of myself. An individual has got to take care of himself. I’ve got a tutor at one of the shelters.

Really? That’s great. What are you working on?

They’re helping me get it together, you know. Get my GED.

That’s great. Congratulations. … Okay … If you could tell students something, what would it be?

I’d tell them that they’d better see how lucky they are. But I’m not so angry. Not like Darren, you know. It’s when people talk to you and ask how you’re doing … Like when someone tells me, hey, go over here and they might have a job for you. That’s the most important thing. More important than money. If you offer me some help, show me something that’s good. That’s the best thing.

Wow … That’s really great. … So you think you’ll be able to get your GED soon?

That’s the plan. … But I’d also say that there are some students who are a problem. Just like there are guys on the street who are a problem. It’s just the way things are, you know. Can I say anything that would change that? Probably not.

Yeah, I agree. … What do you think about the Ordinance? The law the city wants to pass to make loitering illegal.

What do you think I think about it?

You probably think it’s stupid.

That’s about right.

Do you think it will change the way you’re treated?

I have no idea. I mean, I hope not. But I also don’t plan to be around too much to find out.

I think that’s a good plan. … Listen, those are my questions. Thanks so much for your help. I hope to see you again. Good luck with your GED.

Thanks.

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