A Whiff Of City Life

Robert Samuels: Justin Green stands on the Anacostia Metro platform, ready to work. A belt stretches across his chest, holding 33 tiny bottles filled with colorful liquids. On his back hangs a leopard-print bookbag, carrying 50 additional pounds of his product.

The train is approaching. Green speaks in a gravelly voice.

“Every businessman has different style,” he says. “Some are loud people who want to be seen. Some are more subdued, you know what I mean? My style?”

The train doors open.

“People call me sophisticated.”

Green walks to the back of the last car, then begins walking forward, muttering: “Oil man. . . oil man . . . oil man.”


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