It’s kind of surprising — the nights that are really, really hot and you don’t think anybody’s going to be out, and there’s a million people and musicians out. And then there are beautiful nights that are quiet with just three or four performers, and YOU’RE STROLLING AROUND CHECKING THEM OUT. It is a six-hour shift, and you kind of do a figure-eight lap around Harvard Square and run down Mass. Ave. a little bit.

When we start our shift we go over to the Charles Hotel and pick up our sound monitor. We have to be 25 feet away [from the musicians], and THEY NEED TO BE UNDER 80 DECIBELS. I’ve also got to make sure they’re not angering a business they’re in front of. It’s kind of a low-key job.