Gearing Up

When one is out in the wild hunting and observing the local wildlife, precautions must be taken. And make no mistake - Cincinnati is a wilderness, albeit one made of concrete and steel, but a wilderness nonetheless. Believe me, as a homeless man I can confirm that the streets of our urban metropolises are just as perilous as the Dark Continent. We're in the thick of it, and our quarry is the elusive creature known as a "Sin-Eater." We have no idea what to expect. It would be dangerous enough if we were simply observing the Sin-Eaters, but I also intend to eventually make contact with them. I can only guess as to how they'll react to me.

Aside from the Sin-Eaters themselves, there are other perils to consider. Taking a page from the safaris of Africa, Poincaré and I decided to get equipped with some serious gear. We tried to plan for every contingency, including inclemental weather, bugs, exposure and exotic diseases. We bought food, water, and supplies of every stripe: medicine, insect repellent, sunblock, tent, compass, canteens, and rucksacks with which to carry it all. We got a high quality camera with telephoto lens to help document our research, and Poincaré rented a jeep for us to use in place of his sports car. Given that money is generally not a resource at a hobo's disposal, my trusty knight put forth the necessary funds (which I assured him were well worth it). We even found a store that sells safari-themed clothing, everything from khakis, belted bush vests and camo jackets, to rugged boots, pith helmets and sunglasses. Not only will my companion and I be fully prepared to observe the Sin-Eaters in their natural habitat, but we'll also look the part! Poincaré had some concerns that we might look slightly ridiculous dressed in safari chic in the middle of a city, but I conveyed to him that vanity must not stand in our way.  

Note: We also considered purchasing a large net, in case we wanted to catch a live Sin-Eater for further study, but ultimately decided against it.

Should it so happen that Poincaré and I don't return from our journey into the Heart of Darkness, remember us as the intrepid changeling explorers that we are.