Who Are the Homeless?

“The killing fields” is what CLEVELAND PAYNE JR. called the construction site in Lennox where he lived out of an abandoned station wagon.

At night, when he slipped into the front seat of the light blue 1975 Vega, Payne said he heard gunfire from the gang members who had claimed the lot as their turf. “I’ve seen so many people die around here that I named it after Vietnam,” he said.

Asked about his background, Payne related tales of encounters with movie stars and described military exploits around the globe. He has met the Pope, he said, and plans to travel to Russia soon to meet with Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev.

Payne, a Kansas City native in his 40s who said he has been homeless for too many years to remember, considered the car his home. Inside there were books, blankets, clothes, a fire extinguisher, a searchlight and, attached to the dashboard, a picture of the Pope.

“I have everything I need to survive,” he said.

The car, which has been slowly deteriorating for years, finally died shortly after he parked it in the middle of a construction site for the Century Freeway project. Payne tried to keep out of the workers’ way but he knew his days were numbered.

“I won’t be here long,” he said last month. “It’s just a matter of time before someone tows my car away.”

Three days later, the light blue 1975 Vega and Cleveland Payne Jr. were gone.