A Christmas Mugging

Just wanted to say happy holidays to everyone, and share a lovely little story that just happened to me as I left work.

I was walking down 19th street, when a man ran across the street to me.

He waved, and I hesitated for some stupid reason. He held one hand up to me, and kept the other in his pocket.

"I need you to do something for me." he said.

I didn't say anything, I was getting ready to blow him off like I do most all homeless people.

"I need you to not yell or run, and give me all your money."

I still didn't say anything, since I was confused. This was not your standard homeless man, this was a homeless man that might have been armed. And he didn't want some of my money, he wanted all of it.

He said it again. "Give me all of your money."

I looked at his hand, shoved in his pocket. He definitely could have had something in there, but suddenly, I didn't care. My silence broke.

"It's Christmas, man."

He looked at me angrily. "I don't care. Give me your money."

I didn't buy it. "No. It's Christmas. You don't mug people on Christmas. I'm going to give you ten dollars, then I'm going to walk away. I'm not going to run, just walk away, and everyone's happy. Okay?"

I took out the ten dollars. He snatched it out of my hand and shoved it into his pocket. Then he held out his hand again. I don't know why but I took his hand and said, "Merry Christmas."

He thanked me, and then ran off. I then called security at the hotel, and they in turn called the police, so he'll probably be in jail by nights end (which I almost feel bad about, but you just don't try to rob people on Christmas), but it was still an oddly touching (yet uniquely terrifying) holiday moment. Although, in hindsight I really don't think he was armed and realize that I could have saved ten dollars if I had just run away.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Much love, Paul.

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