When the well-dressed man saw him, he wondered if he was all right.
The old man was standing in front of a vending machine. His head was bowed, and he was leaning against the vending machine with the palms of his hands. The man went over to him and asked if he had a problem. The old guy gathered himself and looked around.
“I was trying to buy a fruit bar,” he said. “I managed to get the first two coins in, but I dropped the last one. It must have rolled under the machine.” He grimaced and said, “I don’t have any more change. I can’t get down there, you see.”
“Can I help?”
“Well, that would be good of you, yes. I’m sure it’s under there.”
The man, although wearing a suit and tie, squatted down and peered underneath. He stood up and said, “It’s dark under there, I’ll use the torch on my phone.”
Switching it on, he said, “This’ll help.”
He crouched down again and quickly stood up with a smile. “I can see it,” he said, “but I think I’ll have to lay down flat and, on my side, because it’s hard up against the bottom of the wall. I’m pretty sure my arm is long enough.” Removing his jacket, he said, “the floor looks a bit grubby; can you hold this?”
“Of course,” said the old man, “I’m so sorry to put you to all this trouble when it was my clumsiness that caused it.”
“No trouble at all,” came the reply, as he lay down, holding the torch in one hand while extending his other arm as far as it could go.” After a bit of grunting, he let out a rasping, “Yes!”
Struggling to his feet, he handed the coin over with a grin.
The old man went to say something, but was cut off. Taking his jacket back and putting it on, he said, “That’s OK. You’ve thanked me enough. Glad I could help. Why don’t you buy your fruit bar.”
The old-timer put the last coin in, collected his snack, and with a wave, went on his way.
Driving home, the man was feeling rather pleased with himself.
When he got there, he was telling his wife about his good deed for the day. He was doing this when he made the discovery… That was when his feelings about the old guy did a rapid about turn.
His wallet was gone!