Larceny on Main Street

Downtown Sparta has gone to the dogs. Yup, we had a larceny of Main Street today.

Seems that a young man walked into the bookstore today and asked the attendant if she had a copy of a certain book which, naturally, she did. While she was in the back room retrieving it, the young man emptied the cash box and left the store.

Now, of course, this was a classic job of casing the joint, The perp knew the cash box was always left unlock when unattended and knew the book in question was in the back room, out of view of the cash box. The heist was a slam dunk.

The Sparta police investigated the scene of the crime and sent the store attendant to warn other downtown merchants about the thief. Sparta, you understand, is just not accustomed to such chicanery.

I suppose it's a sign of the economic times.

Along the same lines, I had a nervous lady come into the shop yesterday asking for change for a twenty dollar bill without explanation and without making a purchase. Considering (a) I did not know this person and (b) counterfeit twenty dollar bills have been showing up around town, I informed her that I was a little short on change at the moment and could not oblige her. So a customer at the bar pops up "Oh, I think I have change for it!" She was stunned when I later told her why I had refused. Then she tried to use the same said bill to pay me! Naturally, I refused it once again.

Wall Street is getting closer and closer to Main Street!