Puttin' the Shine On

John Swain

As I knew it would once it got its claws into this story, the NY Times has shed new light on our shoeshine arsonist, John Swain.

After his arrest for setting fire to the Bryant Park shoeshine stand not once but twice, Mr. Swain was back on the street doing what he does, shining shoes.

Lest you think all people who shine shoes are one big happy family in midtown Manhattan, think again. Apparently there is as much politicking as on any Board of Directors. And, as in real estate, it's all about location, location, location. His roommate describes the situation as "cut throat."

Swain doesn't deny he set fire to the stand and his next court appearance is scheduled for May 17th. He faces a fine or a year in prison for two counts of fifth-degree arson.

Fired Up!

This sweet old man is John Swain and he's just been arrested by the NYPD for torching the shoe shine stand at Bryant Park, not once but twice, in the last two weeks.

Apparently he worked there until he was fired in March so he decided to show them what being fired really meant.

Now I'm not clear on how you lose your job if you bring your own tools of the trade. Does it mean he wasn't allowed to use the stand? Probably. But why did he lose his position? I'm really concerned. Everyone described him as nice and intelligent.

Oh, but they left out 'vindictive.'