Summary

In Chapter 9, “Bob’s Big Night Out,” Bowen participated in The Big Issue’s eighteenth birthday event, “The Big Night Out.” The event was an “18 mile walk through the streets of London in the middle of the night,” meant to demonstrate “the reality of living rough . . . on the streets” (126). Bowen participated because he would earn free copies of the magazine. Despite his issues with the magazine, he saw the walk “as an opportunity to talk to people about the magazine and . . . the people who sold it” (126).

When they reached “the IMAX cinema at the Bullring roundabout,” Bowen was reminded of the past. The place used to be a refuge for “transient junkies and alcoholics” (127). Then he ran into his old friend, Billie. They caught up, talking about their former life on the streets.

Throughout the walk, Bowen’s conversations with local citizens distracted...