“Mister Young, your fifteen pages are first in the hopper,” he said. “Just like we did yesterday, each student will give you a five minute critique…” I settled in, trying to concentrate. I was up next.
“…So with a minimum of revisions, I feel you have a publishable article.” John looked around the group. “Any other questions or comments for Mister Young? Okay, folks. Pass your copy of his work to him, and we thank you for sharing it with us.”
After everyone had quieted down again, he looked at me. “Francis, it’s now your turn to be critiqued.” He smiled, holding up the ten pages I’d supplied to each member of the class. “I must admit I’m looking forward to this one. Were you really a thief and pickpocket in the past?”
I forced a chuckle. “Well, that’s something I’ll neither confirm nor deny. Let’s just say I’m on the side of the law at present.”
“I’ve got to admit I never had someone submit the intro for a book titled ‘How to be a Pickpocket and Thief.’ And the last paragraph not only got me interested, but from the comments I’ve received, everyone else too.”
I shrugged. “Like I said, if there’s time at the end of my critique I’ll give a short demonstration of how vulnerable people are to pickpockets.”
“Then let’s get to it,” he said.
Only a few had verbal remarks, while the rest said their comments were already written on the pages they’d critiqued. The final comments by the instructor were also short.
“…And if you keep a close eye on your habit of repeating ‘as’ and a couple other words, you’ll do fine.” John shuffled the papers stacked in front of him into a folder. “Now, as you requested, the floor is yours for the next fifteen minutes.”
“Thanks, Mister Morrelli.” I handed out sheets of paper, ensuring everyone had a copy before continuing. “This particular presentation is a boiled down version of one I’ve given to security types and private citizens over the past year. It’s been well received, and hopefully by you, too.”
My eyes traveled around the table, coming to rest for a moment on Dave. He had the ghost of a smile on his face, as if enjoying a secret joke. Wonder if he’d seen me… “The form I just gave you has points that list steps to take to ensure your belongings are safe. Not only on a trip, but in a public gathering like this.” I paused, and lowered my voice for dramatic effect. “How many of you would notice if I boosted something from you, if you were in a group where you felt comfortable?”
“What’s ‘Boost’, Francis?” Emily asked.
I smiled at her. “It means I take something from you without you knowing. Some people are pretty good at doing this kind of thing, and you have to keep your guard up or become a victim.”
I reached into a large bag next to my chair, lifting out a bottle of red wine. “I have a challenge for all of you. Suppose I was a pickpocket, working a crowd like you folks. How many in this class could I take something from without you realizing it? Write that number on the back of the form I gave you, if you would. Those who guess correctly win a bottle of wine or beverage of your choice.” There was a stir around the room at this.
John half-raised his hand. “You plan on doing this at tonight’s happy hour?”
I tossed a small cloth sack on the table in front of Dave, who chuckled and emptied it out. Wallets, bracelets, watches, rings and one necklace cascaded onto the table.
“Did anyone guess nine?” I asked, a smile spreading across my face. “The only one who didn’t give me a chance to lift anything was Dave. The rest of you rubes were easy.”
After a moment of stunned silence, everyone began talking at once. I lifted my hands until it was again quiet. “Dave, could you make sure everyone gets their property back? Thanks. As to how I was able to do it, there are several factors. Misdirection is one of the main ones.”
Half-an-hour later, I wound down. “John, I’m sorry to’ve gone over on my time. I see that there are still some questions. Howsabout I answer them after class, so we can get back on schedule?”
John stood, a wide smile on his face. “Thanks for the extremely interesting talk, Francis. I think I speak for all of us when I say this has been one of the most fascinating critiques I’ve taken part in for quite some time. Now I think it’s time for a break. Be back in fifteen minutes, people.”
Once the crowd had thinned from around me, I got Dave aside. “From the look on your face, you knew something was up. What’d you see?”
Dave chuckled. “Wasn’t so much what I saw as what you were doing. Very enjoyable, man. It was fun watching you swoop in for the kill.” He shook his head. “Got to admit, I only saw you actually take something once. The necklace.”
“Yeah, that’s the hardest to do without anyone noticing, especially the victim.”
“The other thing, just before you moved in on someone, I could see your focus sharpen on that person. Might need to work on it, as it’s apparent you’re going to do something just before you do it. Once done you noticeable relax.”
I cocked my head, thinking back. “Well, hell. You’re right. Thanks.”
“Which reminds me,” Dave said, raising an eyebrow. “I was the only one to guess the correct number. But since I don’t drink wine, how about a cup of coffee instead?”
I gave him a closer look. Yeah, he was definitely coming out of his shell. “You got it.” Shoot, wish all my payoffs were this cheap.
* * *
It was after eight the next evening and several of the students with guitars had started a jam session in the canteen. The place was packed by the time they
