theluxordream3

Ok here is the conclusion.

I fear it may not be as exciting as you imagine :)

Our hero revisited the supermarket a few days later.

This time the target was ELO 'Out of the Blue' albums.

Bound to sell well at school as it was a very popular/expensive double LP.

He entered the store and headed for the record department.

Thumbing through the records while waiting for the opportune moment

he spotted a suspiscious looking man a few rows away who appeared to be watching.

Definitely a store-detective.

They must have noticed the depleted stock and had beefed up security.

Further analysis revealed a second dude also loitering close by.

As a group of people momentarily shielded him from view,

he popped about half a dozen ELOs into his bag.

Testing the reaction, he didn't head straight for the exit

but, instead, continued wandering around.

Sure enough the sentinals followed, always keeping their distance

and feigning a browse if he looked in their direction.

He knew they could not accost him until he left the shop

as you are not techically stealing until you attempt to leave without paying.

This was when another idea began to form.

He walked to the white goods area.

Lots of refridgerators/cookers etc.

In a hidden from sight corner he quickly opened a fridge and put the records inside.

Then he walked towards the exit.

Once through the door he was taken by the arm and led to the manager's office.

"either you open the bag or we call the police"

was the basic line of attack.

Bag was opened. Nothing untoward inside.

Apologies and our friend was free to go.

Next night he returned. Avoiding the record dept. he went straight to the fridge.

Still there! ELO albums now back in the bag.

He was about to leave when he realised he was being watched again.

Had they seen him retrieve the cache?

Were they aware the records were in the fridge and had been waiting for him?

Now it just so happened that this was a very dark and rainy evening

and the wind was reaching gale force levels.

As my friend was near the exit there was a sudden extra-strong gust.

One of the heavy doors was blown shut just as someone was coming in.

The unfortunate shopper took a hard blow and was knocked to the floor,

In the ensuing chaos of people coming to help/rubber-necked onlookers

our light-fingered protagonist took his chance.

He ran through the door and did not stop running until he reached

a large advertising hoarding.

Diving behind it into undergrowth, he stayed there for an hour

fearing police may have been called and could drive by at any time

looking for a long-haired schoolboy with a heavy schoolbag.

Once he felt safe he emerged and went home.

My friend says it was the last time he did anything like that

as the experience really rattled him and he felt guilty

about using someone's misfortune as a cover for his escape.

I said crime does not pay...and in this case I mean that my friend

never forgot this incident and regrets it to this day.

A few albums or a few pounds is hardly a reward for a lifetime of regret.

I still keep in contact with him.

In fact I see him in the mirror every morning.

Be good to each other people.

regards

Titus