World Elephant Day - 12 August 2016

 

Elephant numbers have dropped by 62% over the last decade, and they could be mostly extinct by the end of the next decade. An estimated 100 African elephants are killed each day by poachers seeking ivory, meat and body parts, leaving only 400,000 remaining. An insatiable lust for ivory products in the Asian market makes the illegal ivory trade extremely profitable, and has led to the slaughter of tens of thousands of African elephants. Between 2010 and 2014, the price of ivory in China has tripled, driving illicit poaching through the roof.

As of 2011, the world is losing more elephants than the population can reproduce, threatening the future of African elephants across the continent. Bull elephants with big tusks are the main targets and their numbers have been diminished to less than half of the females. Female African elephants have tusks and are also killed, which has a terrible effect on the stability of elephant societies, leaving an increasing number of orphaned baby elephants.

 

Elephants are running out of space and time. Before we know it they will be gone — unless we collectively stop the senseless poaching and consumer demand for ivory, and allocate protected natural habitat in countries where elephants and other wildlife can thrive now, and in the future.

 

Because without elephants, just what kind of world would it be?

 

More information on the World Elephant Day website.

 

African Elephant / Afrikanischer Elefant (Loxodonta africana)

Lake Manyara N.P., Tanzania, Africa

Profitable house of the peasant Frolov (1910-1914), Baumanskaya street, Basmanny, Moscow, Russia.

Россия, Москва, Басманный, Бауманская ул., доходный дом крестьянина Фролова (1910–1914).

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan - U.S.A.

Type: Galaxie V8 Series 50 Model 63A Starliner Coupé

Production time: October 1959 - September 1961

Production outlet: 98,310

Engine: 4778cc Ford Y-block OHV V-8 292

Power: 188 bhp / 4.000 rpm

Torque: 396 Nm / 2.200 rpm

Drivetrain: rear wheels

Speed: 163 km/h

Curb weight: 1733 kg

Wheelbase: 119 inch

Chassis: wide-contoured box-section frame, 4 cross members and X-member + separate steel body

Steering: Magic-Circle low-friction recirculating ball and nut

Gearbox: three-speed manual / II and III synchronized / steering column shift

Clutch: 10½ inch single dry plate disc

Carburettor: Holley 2-barrel

Fuel tank: 76 liter

Electric system: Ford 12 Volts 55 Ah

Ignition system: distributor and coil

Brakes front: 11 inch double sealed self-energizing hydraulic drums

Brakes rear: 11 inch double sealed self-energizing hydraulic drums

Suspension front: independent Angle-Poised (swept-back) ball joint, Link-type rubber-bushed ride stabilizer, coil springs + internally mounted Double-Acting hydraulic shock absorbers

Suspension rear: beam axle, Hotchkiss type, A-symetrical variable-rate type link, + diagonally mounted Double-Acting hydraulic shock absorbers

Rear axle: live semi-floating type

Differential: hypoid 3.56:1

Wheels: 14 inch steel discs with safety-type rims

Tires: 7.50 x 14 Tyrex cord 4-ply

Options: Ford Fordomatic/Edsel Mile-O-Matic two-speed automatic transmission, Ford Cruise-O-Matic MX/FX three-speed automatic transmission, four-speed manual gearbox, 5766cc Ford FE-series V-8 352 engine, power steering, Swift-Sure power brakes, power windows, PolarAire Conditioner, SelectAire conditioner, MagicAire heater, recirculating heater and defroster, visored spotlight with mirror, inside mirror, console range radio, full tone manual radio, front antenna, rear fin mounted antenna, rear set speakers, rearview mirror, rear bumper reflector and backup light, Sport spare wheel carrier (sort of Continantal-kit), 4-way manual tilt front seat, clock, wheel covers, wheel trim ring, Rocker panel trim, rear fender shield, front bumper guards, rear bumper guards, Equa-lock differential, I-rest tinted glass, deck lid release, parking brake signal, cigar lighter, licence plate frame, locking gas cap, seat covers, ventilated seat cushions, two-tone colouring

 

Special:

- Ford was launched in a converted factory in 1903 with $28,000 in cash from twelve investors, most notably John Francis Dodge and Horace Elgin Dodge who would later found the Dodge Brothers Motor Vehicle Company.

- Henry Ford was 40 years old when he founded the Ford Motor Company, which would go on to become one of the largest and most profitable companies in the world, the largest family-controlled company in the world, as well as being one of the few to survive the Great Depression.

- The Ford Starliner was the fastback version of the flagship Galaxie line of full-size Fords in 1960 and 1961, along with the Sunliner Convertible, made up the Galaxie Special Series.

- This 1960-1961 Ford Galaxie V8 Series 50 was available as thsi 2-door Starliner Coupé, as 2-door 76B Sunliner Convertible (89,376 units built), as 2-door 62A Tudor Sedan (59,646 units built), as 4-door 54A Fordor Sedan (246,607 units built), as 4-door 75A Victoria (1960: 39,215 units built), as 2-door 65A Club Victoria (1961: 75,437 units built) and as 4-door 75A Town Victoria (1961: 30,342 units built).

- They were assembled in Louisville (Kentucky), Atlanta (Georgia), St. Louis (Missouri), Norfolk (Virginia), Chicago (Illinois), Mahwah (New Jersey), Pico Rivera (California), Wayne (Michigan), Homebush, Sydney, Australia and in São Paulo, Brazil.

From the very depths of my soul, with all my love for humanity, I reject the darkness, I reject the fear, I reject the hatemongers, the scaremongers, the purveyors of doom, I reject those who try to divide us with their vile ideologies, I reject those who cynically exploit our dreams and our nightmares for political and profitable gain, I reject the arrogant 'leaders' of all our nations who refuse to listen to their people, who believe in 'one size fits all', who put commerce before compassion, profit before people – the people of so many countries who believe in the ideal of a Europe united in its wonderful diversity, a marvellous mélange of cultures and beliefs, of tolerance, understanding and loving empathy, but who, tragically, are led by incompetent, corrupt, out of touch, career politicians who have abused that beautiful ideal, playing country against country and, in their hubris, have sacrificed it on the altar of their own self-serving, egotistical power games, while being manipulated behind closed doors by the warped avarice of financiers, business moguls and faceless corporations.

 

DON'T HATE! RELATE!

DON'T FIGHT! UNITE!

 

I have no idea what the future holds – for the people of the UK and all my brother and sister Europeans, for all the people around the world who will be impacted by the repercussions of the Referendum – but unless we come together, stand together, care together in this dark chaos, then those who would use and abuse us for their own ends, those who seek to divide and conquer, those who see us as nothing more than commodities and consumers, numbers on a stockholder's share report, who see our young men and women as mere pawns to fight and die in their sick wars, then they will win, and bigotry, racism, xenophobia, political and religious extremism will descend on Europe and become the menu from which we will all be dining on for years to come, and I refuse to let that happen. The darkness cannot, shall not, will not, prevail, for I believe in the innocent, laughing, fragile golden child we all once were but who was broken by broken people in a broken world, and who now stands trembling fearfully on the edge of a howling abyss...but we don't have to go into the darkness, pushed by those who would rather see us fall than rise, instead, we can choose to see the golden light in each other, and work hand in hand building bridges so we can all cross that terrifying gulf of hate and prejudice to the other side, to the light of a new future where religion and politics no longer hold sway, where they are our servants not our masters.

 

We are the broken, now is the time to heal ourselves and each other, together...

 

DON'T HATE! RELATE!

DON'T FIGHT! UNITE!

UNLEASH YOUR LIGHT!

Despicably Rotten Scoundrel

  

My thanks to everyone who has helped me with ideas in writing this story. You all know of whom I speak.

 

The opening scene is a formal charity ball in Scotland, at the seaside town of Clachtoll.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

Despicably Rotten Scoundrel

 

“I’m not really wicked, just written that way…!”

 

A pickpocketing female thief’s rather despicable and rotten tale told from her perspective….

 

“I’m not jealous, just an opportunist.”

 

^^^^^^^^^^

 

I do love a good old-fashioned charity ball.

 

It’s a place where rich twits, sorry, guests love to show off their finery, flaunting the fact they are wealthy enough to be invited to donate a bit of their easily earned, or given, cash. Also wealthy enough to be shorn of some of their wealth by other, shall we say, less proper manners.

 

Now, it’s true that there are mostly adults at these types of charity things.

 

But they also have a tendency to doll up their younger sons/daughters and bring them along to pretty much just display them. The poor dears are usually bored and desperate to be noticed. Which works to my advantage.

 

A bit of juicy, easy ripe pickings on the side with usually some surprisingly profitable results.

 

And then there are the parents and other adult guests, who once they have imbibed enough, become subtle and compliant enough for my fingers to do their task of acquiring their more valuable adornments

 

And I never thought of pickpocketing as right out stealing, preferably thinking of it as teaching a life lesson to those foolish enough, or young enough, to present a vulnerably easy target. And earn my living in the process.

 

But why the soliloquy one may ask?

 

Well, the last time I attended such a function I deliciously petted away a pair of pearl necklaces, a single and double strand, from two very different but equally gullible, charming quite young ladies who were attending a grown-up Ball for the first time. Their pearls fetched a surprising value.

 

One was in soft velvet the other was in sleek silk-covered chiffon. Both were easily woven into my web.

 

At the same affair, I also lifted an expensive diamond brooch from a wealthy lady as well as two fat leather wallets from a pair of tuxedo-wearing gentlemen.

 

But then I attracted nosey official notice and had to make a hasty exit. Blimey, a girl’s got to make a living.

 

And now here I was, a year later, standing across the street from yet another charity ball in Scotland. Smoking a leisurely cigarette as I watch the rich ladies' attire flowing down elegantly beneath furs and satin evening wraps of the mostly female guests pouring into the venue.

 

I spotted a group of younger ladies dressed elegantly in a collection of silks and satins, no wraps. They were off to the side smoking and chatting away amiably. They appeared to be an accepting lot, and I instinctively saw them as an acceptable way to camouflage my entrance.

 

I crossed the street and walked up behind them close enough to get a feel for the manner of conversation. They were all Scottish judging by their accents. Being Welsh myself I was hoping they would jump at the opportunity to talk with a newcomer to the area.

 

They were, and soon I was in with them thicke as thieves. Which was rather fitting.

 

The ball was in full swing by the time all of my adopted group decided to enter the establishment and I waltzed right in with them, easily escaping the notice of two security bulls who were keeping an eye on the entrance.

 

Once safely inside I made an excuse to leave them, promising them I’d catch up with them again. A promise I meant to keep for they were wearing some really lovely jewellery, and once they had drunk up a bit, should make them easy marks.

 

I licked my lips with anticipation over that future activity.

 

Once I broke away I circled the perimeter of the massive hall, watching the dancers in the middle. Looking out for an opportunity of any sort.

 

By the bar, a pair of young men were chattering away, and I pushed myself between them as I passed through. Easily lifting a gold watch from one of the tuxedoed pair.

 

I then spied with my little eye an elegant lady wearing taffeta, placing a solid gold compact inside her small pearl-handled white beaded clutch purse. I stood near bye, and as she bent down to adjust a strap on her high heel, I walked past and snatched the purse up, hiding it in my own larger purse.

 

I walked quickly off in another direction.

 

Then my heart stopped as I spied a young lady sitting at a table alone watching what I assumed were her guardians dancing.

 

What made it inviting was that no one was watching her.

 

In a chair next to her hung a luxurious sable, too valuable to trust in hat check.

 

Laying upon the chair was a small silvery clutch purse, worth quite a bit by my scrutiny. The girl was holding a purse of her own, a pretty, small satin number with rhinestones. Too expensive to pass up.

She was fidgety, either bored or needed to use the loo.

 

I walked up to her.

 

“Hello, luv.” I said as she looked up at me with a happy cherub face, glad to have someone to chat with.

 

“Aye Miss, halo. ” she answered with that darling soft accent that the young scot lassies all seem to have.

 

She was pretty, wearing a gold sequined blouse with long sleeves and a high collar. A long black skirt sleekly poured from her waist, held there by a gold belt with a large rhinestone clasp. Her long red hair was down hiding any jewels she may be wearing in her ears. Around her neck though, was a twisted strand silvery necklace with 5 real diamonds hanging down in a v shape at the necklace’s centre.

 

“You’re such a cutie I murmured reaching around and lifting her hair from her backside and running it through my fingers, eyeing her dazzling earrings set with real diamonds…and how they were set in her earlobes. They are old fashioned hinged clasped twins, valuable. My mouth drools over this discovery, for it could be child’s play to lift them.

 

She squirmed gleefully at my praise.

“Thank you, miss.”

 

I laid my hand on her shoulder, feeling the ultra-soft material of her blouse. I caressed my fingers along her sleeve.

 

“Your outfit is quite smashing Lass.”

 

With a woeful tone of voice she admitted:

“This was my sister's miss, I wanted a gown of my own, but papa said to wait till next year, and then I can wear real makeup!”

 

I petted her along the sleek backside of her blouse.

“You’ll look beautiful then I’m sure. As you look now, without makeup. And speaking of beauty, that darling purse you're holding is rather pretty. Is that your sister's also?

 

She shook her head no, the diamonds at her ears and throat erupting into frenzied sparkles. She held the purse up.

“Father Christmas brought it.”

 

I reached down and touched its exquisite satiny material.

“Very pretty. Something to take care of, especially tonight.”

 

Possessing the same curiosity of youth that needed me pearls last year, she bought into it, asking…

 

“Why tonight miss?”

 

I leaned in and explained.

“A lady had her purse stolen a little while ago, right from her table. The police are looking for him. You may want to put yours somewheres safe until he is caught. “

 

She looked at her purse worried, not sure what to make of what I had said.

 

I place my hand reassuringly on her elbow and pointed down to a purple silk-lined pocket of the sable.

“There miss, place it inside the pocket. No one will see it there.”

 

She obediently bent over to do so, while I placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, petting the delicious gold-colored material that covered it.

 

I looked around making sure the coast was clear, saying to her….

 

“Oh, and the other purse as well.”

 

She reached over to the table and picked it up. My fingers moved into position. As she leaned over to put it inside I easily undid the simple hook and circle clasp of her necklace and pulled the dangling piece from around her throat and slipped it inside my pocket in a blink of an eye.

 

She turned and looked at me with wildly opened concerned eyes.

 

“Oh. I’m sure they will catch him soon. Then you can take it back out. But for now, your purse is safe, as well as your sister’s”

 

She shook her head, earrings again flicking an expensive dance. But nothing glimmered where her necklace had been.

 

“My sister is not here miss. . She’s in France. It’s just me ,mum and dad.”

 

I knelt between her and that chair that held the gorgeous sable cost.

 

“Oh, please point them out to me.”

 

With young obedience, she surveys the crowd.

 

As she searched, and as I watched her face, my hand was feeling along the rich sable, reaching inside the sable coats’ pocket and pulling out the two small purses, placing them into my own, now sitting on the floor.

 

Her still-searching eyes lit up and she said…

“There they are…”

 

She was pointing to a rather handsome couple. The father is in a dark black tux with a black satin vest. Her mum was sumptuous in a long black satin gown with rhinestone trimmings. She was displaying a rather delicious set of diamond jewellery. My fingers itched, but I had done enough here.

 

I squeeze her shoulder, rising, as she again was becoming mesmerized by watching the dancers. Her earrings were tempting me, and I will admit I tried forcing myself to pass them by, but…

 

“Must take my leave sweetie, charming to have met such a pretty girl.”

 

She answered, keeping her eyes on the dance floor.

“Thank you, miss.”

 

I went in front of her and knelt looking into her doe-like wide green eyes.

“I think you will look positively lovely next year in your gown. I think you should wear your hair up.”

 

She smiled at me as I lifted up her silky hair.

 

“Thank you miss, I’m looking ever so to it, hopefully, I can wear one like mums…”

 

As she said that, my fingers were expertly caressing off the jewels dangling freely from her earlobes with a very practiced stroking touch of my own.

 

With her earrings clutched in my hands, I told her I hoped she would, and looked towards her mother on the dance floor.

 

She looked also and as she was I plopped her earrings in my purse and took leave.

 

I then hurriedly made my way to the bar for a drink and a breather. I had meant to pace myself this evening and not repeat my mistake from a year ago.

 

I mulled over my drink, watching the crowd, admiring the pickings they wore or carried. The drink and my delicious thoughts took their effect and I realized I needed to urgently use the loo, sorry, powder my nose, as the wealthy ones would say.”

 

I headed inside the nearest one and found one empty stall remaining. It was then a large group of women came in and gathered around the sinks and side tables waiting their turn.

 

I exited and with practiced quickness, looked them over, eyeballing a few plump purses, and the rings and bracelets that adorned the wrists, fingers holding them. I focused on an ornate diamond clip worn in the blonde hair of a young lady dressed in black velvet, my fingers tingled. Licking my lips I yelled…

 

“Mouse, there’s a mouse in my stall!”

 

In the ensuing panic, I forced myself into their startled midst as I hurried to leave. Bumping into the velvet-gowned young lady, she tripped and started to fall, as it was playing out, my hand snaked up through her hair easily whisking out the startled young thing’s fancy diamond clip in the process.

 

I made the door and left. Marveling at how easy that score had been. The fact that the flashy hair clip had been the only jewel probably allowed to be worn by the young lady did not faze me a bit.

 

I walked around the outer rim of the room, basking in the clever way I had nicked that expensive diamond clip from the unwary young victim.

 

It was then, in a side alcove of couches and comfy chairs, I spotted the group I had come in with. Already going on with drink-induced chatting and giggling. All very touchy-feely and huggy

 

I was all in for a bit of that action, seeing a multitude of opportunities for my fingers to be employed with.

 

I grabbed a tray of drinks that was sitting waiting for one of the waiters.

 

Took it over where it was well received by this group of wealthy young ladies.

 

And soon was again in thicke with them, laughing and doing some touching of my own upon their softly, expensively, attired figures.

 

I easily lifted fat wallets from two unguarded evening purses, before deciding to up my game.

 

One of the ladies, Trish, dressed in a silk dress with a nice diamond drop pendant and an even nicer gem-filled bracelet was telling a story that I wasn’t paying any attention to. What I was paying attention to was the other 3 dames in the group. All three dolled up in satin gowns with some very nice jewelry set with gemstones that matched the colors of their sumptuous designer gowns.

 

We were all huddled very close together around Trish to listen in to her captivating gossiping story told in a whisper.

 

They were not watching me.

 

I was holding onto one of the listening broad's blue satin gloved hands, managing to slowly work off her cocktail ring, a large sapphire surrounded by diamonds.

 

As we all put hands to our mouths to gasp over a particularly juicy bit of Trish’s story I placed my hand up along the backside of another listener's sunset-red taffeta gown.

 

Reaching for her necklace I undid the clasp, then waited until another highlight of Trish’s story had us all leaning in closer before slipping the ruby set gold necklace from around my victim’s throat without missing a beat.

 

Trish finally reached the climax of her story and the ladies turned toward each other and started talking about it over.

 

I just smiled the said.

“Really. That’s quite a delicious story.”

Though I still had no clue about her babbling.

 

But as I said that I place my left hand on the diamond-clad wrist of her right hand, over her vulgarly pricy bracelet. She put her other hand on my chest. I swore she was coping a feel.

 

She chirped...

“Isn’t it a riot, really I cannot believe it happened.”

 

As she said that, looking earnestly for approval in my hazel eyes with her heavily mascaraed blue ones, I squeezed her wrist, undoing her diamond bracelet and lifting it into my palm.

 

Transferring the bracelet to my pocket. I picked up a drink and chatted with them for a good ten minutes.

 

I finally found an opportunity to bid them adieu.

 

I received hugs all around. As I hugged Trish, my fingers nimbly undid her pendant and I slipped it off as her friends began yet another conversation.

 

Trish was in a hurry to join in so I had a very easy time of it.

 

I headed back out the hallway, finally letting out my breath, to have a smoke and take a well-earned break as I decided what to do next.

 

This patch was proving a gold mine, but have I had my run?

 

That would be a big No, to my run of luck being over that evening!

  

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

As I headed out I passed one of the rental guards. He looked bored. I noticed his open handcuffs attached to his belt.

 

I went up, acting tipsy, and placing my hand on his shoulder winked at him

 

“Happy to see you on the job.”

 

As I told him that my other hand lifted off his cuffs, mainly because I take a fancy to acquire anything shiny.

 

I then head out to the exit.

 

A man and lady are on the ground by the stairs smoking right under a ‘no smoking sign.

 

They did not appear to be a couple.

 

The male is wearing a fitted suit and what I considered a power tie, smoking a long thin cigar. I can tell he is wealthy by his silver Rolex and a fat wallet.

 

The man is randy ,obviously hitting on the girl. Not successfully I might add.

 

He eyes me with flirty interest.

 

I eyed the girl.

 

She was an early 20ish model of the type one would call mousey. Very tipsy and coy. I was surprised she wasn’t coming onto the bloke's advances.

 

Emilie, the girl, was wearing a fitted designer dress of gold satin with rhinestone trimmings. She was sporting a nice collection of expensive gold jewelry, pouring all along her body from ears, neck wrists, and hairpiece. She had no less than 5 cocktail rings that flashed rippling out along her fingers as she smoked.

 

I had the inkling, mainly by how she carried herself. that she may have been wearing gold jewelry this evening, but she also owned and could have been wearing diamonds. But gold did not interest me. Her diamonds would have.

 

So I found myself wishing our randy male fellow smoker would chase away the girl so I can relieve the git of his deliciously tempting expensive watch.

 

I pulled out one of my two lighters, the round one with no fuel, and unsuccessfully tried to lit my cigarette.

 

The male whose name was Sebastian, leaned over to light it for me and I nimbly picked his wallet.

 

The rental cop just then stuck his long nose outside the main door.

 

Looking down upon our small group he lectured

“‘Ere no. No doing that there. Take your business to the park yonder.”

 

He went back inside.

 

Sebastian sighed, giving us both a look. Sensing, incorrectly I might add, that neither of us are interested in him, he tossed the nub of his cigar and followed the guard inside.

 

Since I had just started my cigarette I crossed the street. The girl followed me, gaily chirping in my ear

“ That’s probably the only thing the guard is allowed to do, and thank you for saving me from that bore Sebastian. “

 

She pulled out a cigarette and asked if I had a light. I hesitated, then pulled out my square lighter and easily lit it. She guided my hand to her mouth. Her eyes were looking int mine, exploring. I felt her fingers subtlety caress my wrist.

 

It just may have been in gratitude, but that’s not what I read in her eyes.

 

Now I don’t lean that way, unless it’s to my benefit. Her gold jewelry now did appear to me to be one, a benefit I mean.

 

“Thank you she whispered coyly.”

 

Your welcome I said, taking up her hand and purring how pretty she looked this evening. Which was no lie, on several levels.

 

Yes. I dolled myself up pretty well she said. Her fingers wrapping around mine.

 

“I think you look lovely also..” she complimented me with a shyness I found almost as fetching as her gold necklace.

 

I had read the signs correctly, now if only I was right about everything I had deduced about her. My mind already wrapping around a plan.

 

I let her pull me to her. I could feel her perking breast’s running scintillating along my own through the thin material of my dress. Her breathing became deeper.

 

I responded by spitting out my cigarette and clasping my hands behind her and digging my fingers into her hinny.

She squealed with delight. Her own cigarette tumbling from her thicke red lips.

 

She went onto her tippy toes and planted a kiss upon my mouth. I responded by adding my tongue to the party.

 

She raised her knee up between my legs and began massaging my sweet spot sending prickly waves of pleasure through my entire being. Though my real center of pleasure lay upon her gold jewels and the way they were delightfully shimmering as she played along with my figure.

 

I raised my hands around her back. My leg went up as she stopped. Feeling it there she began to rub along it. Exciting herself.

 

Running my fingers to the back of her throat as all of my marks attention was on pleasuring herself, I had the pleasure of undoing the clasp of her three-strand gold necklace and lifting it from the front of her dress to behind her back and into my fist.

 

She whispered.

“There’s a playground up on the hill “

 

I answered, startled at how husky my voice was coming out

“ A playground, I like the sound of that. “

 

I let her lead, my hand wrapped around her silken waist. Holding tightly onto my prize.

 

^^^^^^^^**

Reaching the deserted playground,

We embraced, sucking and kissing passionately

 

I sat her on the bench. Had her lie down.

 

She giggled as my hands went up underneath her dress, and silk slip. I then discovered why she was giggling, she was not wearing panties.

 

My fingers delved inside past wet hairs and probed as she arched her back in ecstasy. She spread her dress open, revealing plump breasts striking inside her thin gold satin brocade patterned brassiere. She managed to undo it and flung it onto the grass. Then began to massage her naked breasts, rings sparkling, solid gold bracelets glinting. Her exposed breasts cooled in the misty air.

 

My free hand went up and joined in with her fun. Her rings were pleasingly digging into my flesh as I dig deeper into hers.

 

She was moaning with deep guttural primeval pleasure. Her whole figure is on electric, lava-hot fire.

 

Then shrieking so loudly it echoed, in a flash of seething back-arching ecstasy, she came….

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

Later we sat on a bench smoking. She was basking in delight.

 

“So happy I met you…!” she said cheerfully.

 

I intentionally didn’t answer.

 

She looked up into my face.

 

“I know this is cliche but want to go to my flat?”

 

I looked at her, then looked over her remaining gold jewelry. It was calling out to just take me, as I answered her question...

 

“Gorgeous, simply Gorgeous. Oh I’m going to you flat Luv , but alone!”

 

She looked at me confused, trying to think through her horny drink-induced haze just what I was prattling on about.

 

I pulled the cuffs from my bag.

 

Going around behind her I raised her arms, she was totally pliable. Not really registered what I was holding. I pulled her arms behind the bench. Cuffing around one wrist, I cuffed the other end to a metal leg set in concrete.

 

As I looked into her eyes I saw they were starting to spin and sure enough, she passed out, for whatever reason, fear or just physically spent…

 

I checked her pulse, she wasn’t dead, just in a cold dead faint.

 

I began stripping the sully Lass of her remaining gold jewelry. Pulling out her earrings, undoing her hairpiece, and unfastening her many bracelets. Then methodically working away, I sucked off her rings. And finally, I unclasped a gold ankle bracelet.

 

Picking up her purse I found her address and the numbered key to her flat. I left her surprisingly mock designer purse on the bench. But emptied her wallet, discarding it on the ground.

 

As I checked her over for any missed valuables I thought of giving her a little more pleasure, but decided I was better off just letting her sleep it off.

 

Walking quickly out of the playground I cut to the opposite side of the park.

 

Hailing one of the parked cabs I gave him her address. Using her money to pay for it when we got there.

 

It was in a very posh neighborhood, I licked my lips wondering if I was right to be expecting diamonds somewhere inside her flat.

 

As I enter the block of flats I see a well-dressed man unlocking the door next to my victim's numbered door.

 

I say “Ello” and he jumps.

 

“Thought you were my wife.”

 

I had moved closer spying a fat wallet bulging from his pocket

 

I purr saying cheekily:

 

“No, wish I was, did you lose her now?

 

“Ah, here she is, found her now didn’t I.”

 

I turn. My eyes bugging out. I forgot all about lifting wallets as I saw his wife come inside, dazzling like some ornate overfilled display case at Tiffanies.

 

She was wearing a deep blue brocade patterned silk dress with flashy sapphire rhinestones adorning the neckline and waistline.

 

Her hazel eyes had been masterfully made up with black eyeliner and blue mascara. She looked like a picture actress from a Telly show.

 

She was wearing a stunning set of sparkling sapphire and diamond-encrusted jewellery. A full array, hanging from her ears, neck wrists, and fingers. One ring was especially flashy

 

Perched on her head was a short diamond studded tiara.

 

I had seen many tiaras this evening, but none this close to my already trembling fingers.

 

At the rather daringly low cut of her gown hung a very expensive sapphire/ diamond brooch successfully stealing away the prominence of the lady’s beautifully plump breasts.

 

She floats up to us.

 

They are both happily tipsy and introduce themselves as my new neighbor.

 

They both ask if I would like to join in for a nip, or a nightcap.

 

Bird in hand I thought. Let this one go.

 

I smile at the pretty pair

 

“Rain check please I need my beauty sleep.”

 

I give them both a hard look over, openly relishing the rich attire, and beckoning trimmings, of this clueless couple as they bid me farewell and go inside their flat

 

Then with those succulent imaginings, I use the key to my victim’s flat and go inside to rob the joint.

 

I waste no time, heading directly to the girls' bedroom where I knew the good stuff would be found.

 

Finding the bedrooms down a corridor, I go inside the master room and methodically begin with the contents in the drawers of a large oak wardrobe, feeling through satin, silk, and lacy undergarments. I find a velvet case holding some nice pearls and empty them into my purse. Then felt along some prickling soft dresses and gowns, being rewarded with finding a gold broach and diamond pin for my efforts.

 

Knowing there has to be more I check behind the many pictures on the walls.

 

Finding one, a painting of ‘Twelve Sunflowers by Vincent Van Gogh, set on a hinge that, when opened, exposed a wall safe. Expertly I place an ear to it as I work the tumblers, finding the combination quite easily.

 

Opening it I see several items. An old, loved Teddy Bear, a bundle of letters tied with ribbon on top of some photos, an oblong box that looked strikingly like the one I keep my vibrator in, and more importantly, three thin velvet-covered cases. Pulling out the largest case. I opened it.

 

My eyes opened wide, like a child who has been visited by Father Christmas. I had found her diamonds. A nice full collection of sparking “ice” that I quickly let slide into my purse. The others two cases contained evening jewellery also. One was a nicely ornate set of 24 Caret gold and the last was a set of glittery sapphires. I empty them all quickly.

 

Time enough later to drool over the nice haul I was taking.

 

I left the safe open and lifting my now very weighty purse, started to leave her bedroom to make my escape.

 

But then I spied it… and a naughty thought entered my head.

 

Sitting on a hook in a shadowy corner was a new dress, not yet taken in for a fitting. A short sleek black satin number with a sassy low-cut top, ribbed waistband, and above-the-knee hemline.

 

I go over and admire it. On a whim I slip off my dress, then undo my bra, to try it on.

 

Brilliant, it fits me like a hand in a glove.

 

Going back to the wardrobe, still wearing the dress, I pull out a small satchel and dump its contents on the floor.

 

I place my bulging purse inside, then neatly fold the dress I had been wearing and place it on top. Adding my bra also, relishing the feel of the material upon my naked breasts.

 

I also snatch up a pair of silver rhinestone-adorned high heels I had admired and place them inside also.

 

I headed out, more than satisfied with my evening’s haul, I had every intention of planning to call it a night.

 

But, as I was leaving the flat, I see my victim’s new neighbor, the man, as he is locking the door.

 

Putting the key in his pocket he turned and spots me standing there.

 

I gave him my best foxy smile, asking in my best new neighborly fashion

 

“We’re you off to in such a hurry luv everything, all right? Didja Lose your wife again?”

 

“So sorry”. he apologized in a high voice. not questioning why I was now back out in the hallway in a different dress, though his eyes went down to take a brief study of my breasts, then my legs gracefully sticking out from the dress’s shamefully high hemline.

 

He answered, obviously flustered on several levels.

“It’s a bother I need to go back to the restaurant, my wife left her bloody expensive purse there.”

 

A fish hooked, now to play him I thought as he walked up to me.

 

“Hope you not too long. And about that nightcap, knock on my door first when you get back luv.”

 

I reached down and began fingering his John Thomas, I gave it a good wank, finding the boy was already hard.

 

He was not displeased by my copping a feel, in the least.

 

He stuttered, before dashing off.

 

“I, I h’have 30 minutes to find a cab and get there before it closes.”

 

I smile. My hand was on his room key which I had lifted from his pocket.

 

^^^^^^^^^^

 

Flipping the keys in my hand, I went to the outside entrance and from a side, window saw the husband catch his cab.

 

“Bully,” I thought, that gives me 45 minutes, more than enough time.

 

I carefully walk down the deserted hallway and reach the flat of the friendly, wealthy, couple.

 

I carefully pry open the door and have a look and listen.

 

There is no one in the main room, which is unlit. It all appears to be the same layout, though opposite, as the flat I just burgled.

 

I carefully close and lock the door and slip into the shadows, my eyes adjusting, aware that I am running against the clock.

 

I hear movement from the area I know is the flats’ kitchen. Then the light clicks on. My objective, again, is the master bedroom’s wall safe. I’m hoping the Wife had had enough time to slip into something more comfortable and put her jewels away in the wall safe.

 

But I needed to take a look.

 

I took a peak in the kitchen. I could see her figure moving about. She was still wearing her gown…and jewels. I would have to deal with that later. But first the safe. From a reflection, I saw her Mascara was askew. They’ve been naughty tonight.

 

I move over to the small corridor off which lie the bedrooms. I see the master bedroom door is slightly open. Candlelight flickered out from the bottom, dancing along the polished oak wood floors.

 

Reaching the door to the master bedroom, I open it, slip inside, and lock the bedroom door behind me.

 

They have indeed just moved in. There were several traveling cases of various sizes. Shirts, trousers, and ties hung on a corner stand. In another corner, an oil Landscape painting was on the floor under the closed wall safe, waiting to be put up. Next to the safe was a large double tigerwood wardrobe.

 

I continue to quickly survey the rest of their room.

 

From the opposite side of the room, the candle was lit on a vanity reflected in the mirror. Something glittered. Shiny I thought.

 

I go over and see several 14k gold and silver necklaces, bangle bracelets, and rings all laid out in a heap inside an open case.

 

Suddenly I hear the door knob rattling

 

“Luv. Your back? You’ve got the chambre door looked”

 

“Chambre is it?” I thought. Pretty fancy for a flat. Even an upscale one like this.

 

Dropping the small satchel I go over to the door. Tapping on it I unlock it and stand by the wall so I will be behind the door as it opens.

 

The wife swished in, unknowingly talking to her still-absent husband in her heavy lowland Scottish accent.

 

“Guid lord laddie, sneaking about on myself are ya now? Well I….. umpph ?”

 

I had snuck out from behind the door, gripping her from behind, one hand on her mouth cutting off her sentence, the other pointing a finger in the small of her elegantly attired back like I was holding a pistol on her.

 

I hissed Into a diamond dangling ear.…

“Okay my pretty bird, this is not your husband, but a thief. You know what a thief does, now dontcha?”

 

She nodded weakly and I felt her figure go limp.

 

“Good, now not a sound out of you. Go and sit on that stool yonder,”

 

As I guided her, she went obediently to the oak vanity stool. As we passed a spot where more of her husband's ties hung, I whipped off a handful.

 

I pulled out the stool and she sat down facing the vanity mirror, giving her a clear sweeping view of the master bedroom behind her.

 

In the reflection of the mirror, she saw me, recognized who she thought I was(new neighbor), and looked at me with sad, large puppydog-like, questioning eyes.

 

I quickly, perhaps a bit roughly, pulled her hands behind her and tied them up using her husband's neckties. Then, using the same, I bound each ankle to the front legs of the stool.

 

“Now lady, where’s your husband?”

 

Tearfully she lied in a pleading tone…

 

“Not here, but he is coming back soon.”

 

Of course, I knew better, but I said…

“Then I’ll take my chances.”

 

She started to say more, but I cut her off by gagging her with a blue-striped Etonian Club tie that went well with her blue mascara.

 

Again in her ear, I whispered sternly.

 

“Going to be a good girl now, aren’t ya Lass?!”

 

She gave me a feeble nod yes.

 

I look down at the open case of day jewelry.

I reach in and begin scooping out the contents into the satchel as she watches and quivers in uneasy discomfort.

 

I knelt beside her.

“Okay my pretty one, time for you to take some weight off, time for me to trim your feathers.

 

She balked as I ran my fingers, intently, up along her gown, my fingers scintillating with the feel of its soft material.

 

Ignoring her muffled pleas I reached up and yanked out a long gem-studded pierced earring from each ear. I dropped them inside the satchel at my knees.

 

Then facing her, smiling with wicked intent, I unclamped her heavily jewel-laden necklace and let it slide down between her fear-perked breasts before reaching in deep and after a bit of fondling, finally fished out. I plopped it on top of her earrings, where it lay sparkling with intense fire.

 

I moved behind her, watching her watch me as I worked off her wide sparkling bracelets, dropping them onto the necklace, then I sucked off each of her rings, spitting them out into the growing pile inside the leather satchel. The last one, the big one I had admired, I left it in my mouth and looked at it in the mirror. My victim shuddered. I spit it out onto the glistening pile inside the satchel.

 

In the reflection of the mirror, I carefully watched her reaction, as I also watched my hands, snaking around feeling along her voluptuous bosom. I groped down along the pair of pert beauties, finally reaching down below her ample breasts, and unfastened the stunning brooch she had been so daringly wearing out, begging all evening to be stolen by any thief-minded observer.

 

And it was now mine!

 

I said as much to her, and she squirmed at my sneering words.

 

“Sweetie, you have probably no idea how much interest you generated amongst thieves like me when wearing a brooch like this out for an evening. I could barely pay attention to my dinner at the restaurant we were all at. I’m surprised you did not lose it earlier, but then, that’s my luck for tonight.”

 

I pocketed the brooch. This was too special to lose.

 

“Okay princess, now your precious crown..!”

 

I stood up and played with her hair, running my fingers through her silky locks I reached for her shimmering diamond-encrusted tiara and worked it out.

I placed it carefully in with the rest of my newly acquired jewelry collection.

 

Then I placed my head on top of her own and looking at her in the mirror pulled down her gag. I then said to my hapless prey.

“Let’s have the numbers to the safe pretty bird.”

 

She shook her head

“It’s empty. My jewels are still in the bank she pleaded.”

 

I cooed into her now naked ear.

“Liar, your eyes are a dead giveaway. “

 

I smiled at her reflection with a very pernicious look before continuing:

 

“But, even if your eyes were wrong, I’ll still be having a look won’t I now luv. I live to be looking at the insides of safes, empty or not. It’s a quirk of me own”

 

She shook her head no again.

 

I sighed. Redid her gag, picked up the delightfully 2/3rds full satchel carried it over to the safe.

 

Putting my ear against it and worked the tumblers. With the practice I had with the other flat’s safe, I had it opened in no time.

 

Inside was several healthy bundles of £ notes and five velvet-covered cases. I stuffed the notes into the satchel. Pulling out each case I opened them finding my eyes almost blinded by the assorted jewels they contained as the candle lite played over them. I would say that each case contained £75,000 worth of gems. A very nice haul.

 

As I emptied the last case I threw it on the blue satin cover of the king-sized bed and looked at my victim, thoroughly wilted down.

 

I said to her…

“What’s in there?”

 

Her eyes opened wide looking at the spot along the wall I was pointing to…

 

Chuckling I went to the double wardrobe I had been pointing to, and opened it, seeing a fine collection of my victim's clothing. Including gowns of every color and type of rich material. I looked them over, selecting a rather sleekly pretty one of blood-red satin with the diamond rhinestone trimmings that outlined the gown's bosom and waist, a design of the sort that always catches my eye.

 

Watching my hapless victim, I placed it against my figure as I looked at her, and then as I slid my fingers up and down its sensuously fine length, I admired myself in the mirror.

 

“Well my pretty one, it needs taking in, but I can make it work.”

 

I placed it gently inside the satchel, which I then closed up.

 

Then I thought pearls, they always have pearls?

Deviously I abruptly snapped out a question, though I suspected I knew the answer.

 

“Where are your pearls lady!”

 

She jumped at my sharp words, her eyes involuntarily dropping down to the shelves at the bottom of the wardrobe.

 

I knelt and began opening the shelves and once again found my fingers swimming through some rather luxurious silk and satin underthings.

 

Why these rich twit females think that places like their lingerie drawers make for an excellent place to hide their valuables will always be a mystery to me.

 

It was in the bottom drawer, underneath some long dress slips, where I found not one, but two cases that when opened I was pleased to see contained two sets of quite lovely pearls.

 

I held one necklace of pearls, a double strander, to my throat where it lay prettily down along my black satin dress just reaching my own delightfully perked naked breasts, and admired it in the mirror, seeing my victim slump down even more in despair.

 

I dropped the necklace into the satchel, quickly followed by the rest of the cases gleaming contents.

 

I then walked over with the satchel and standing above her lied to her reflection in the mirror...

 

“Okay pretty bird, lastly now, where’s the delicious evening purse I saw you with at the restaurant tonight?”

 

Wide-eyed she tried to tell me, words muffled by her gag, that she didn’t have it, forgotten it there hadn't she now.

 

I said to her, tweaking her chin:

“I believe you this time luv, ….Toodles..”

 

Then left her there, tied up in her bedroom.

 

^^^^^^^^^^

 

I headed down the hall and peeked out the outside door to the corridor.

 

Seeing it was empty I went out, locking the door behind me.

 

Going to the flat of my first victim I tossed the key inside and left the door unlocked.

 

Sighing with relief, I headed out.

  

^^^^^^

 

As I leave the complex of posh flats I see a cab coming down the street.

 

I quickly move into the shadows.

 

The cab pulls to the curb, and not surprisingly, my victim’s husband exited the cab.

 

I stay hidden in the shadows as he hurries past me unseen.

 

As he went inside the door, I slip from the shadows and jump in the back of the very same cab he had just exited, startling the driver who was a tad bit reluctant to take on another fare, that was until I waved a £50 note in his face.

 

I let out a deep breath as we drove off.

 

I was on pinpricks for the whole drive, though it was less than 9 kilometers away.

 

I had the driver drop me off at the hotel across from the one I was staying at this week.

 

I went inside, snuck out a side door, and when the coast was clear, crossed the street and walked into my hotel.

 

In my room, I picked up my already packed bags( a precaution I always take before leaving my room in case of the need for a quick getaway ), put on my leather jacket, and headed down to the front desk.

 

For during the ride here in the cab I reasoned to myself that tonight it would be a good idea to promptly check out of my hotel and take the first early morning train to…anywhere far away.

 

Which is exactly what I did.

 

So, on a roll of the dice so to speak, I took the train to my next adventure.

 

Her next Adventure:

 

“A Nefariously Rotten Scoundrel”

 

Fini

 

Manufacturer: Chevrolet Division of General Motors LLC, Detroit - U.S.A.

Type: Delray Yeoman V8 Series 1200 Model 1293 5-door Station Wagon

Production time: October 1957 - October 1958

Production outlet: 170,473

Engine: 4637cc GM Chevrolet 283 Turbo Fire Small-Block V8 OHV

Power: 185 bhp / 4.600 rpm

Torque: 373 Nm / 2.400 rpm

Drivetrain: rear wheels

Speed: 160 km/h

Curb weight: 1780 kg

Wheelbase: 117.7 inch

Chassis: GM B platform "Safety-Girder" cruciform X-frame with separate all-steel body (by Fisher)

Steering: Saginaw semi-reversible recirculating ball

Gearbox: three-speed manual / II and III synchronized / steering column shift

Clutch: 10 inch semi-centrifigal single dry plate

Carburettor: Rochester dual downdraft

Fuel tank: 76 liter

Electric system: Delco-Remy 12 Volts 53Ah

Ignition system: Delco-Remy distributor and coil

Brakes front: Delco 11 inch hydraulic drums

Brakes rear: Delco 11 inch hydraulic drums

Suspension front: independent trapezoidal triangle cross-arms, long and short control arms, spherical joints, coil springs + Delco double-acting hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers

Suspension rear: beam axle, four-link with 1 upper control arm, 2 lower control arms, longitudinal thrust struts, stabilizer triangle, coil springs + Delco double-acting hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers

Rear axle: live semi-floating type

Differential: hypoid 3.55:1

Wheels: 14 inch steel discs

Tires: 8.00 x 14 4-ply

Options: 3859cc straight-6 GM Chevrolet 235 Blue-Flame 6 engine, 5694cc W-series Turbo-Thrust Big-Block V8 engine, three-speed overdrive manual gearbox, Powerglide two-speed automatic transmission, Turboglide three-speed automatic transmission, Saginaw power steering, vacuum power brakes, power windows, power seats, radio, Air Conditioning, heater, defroster, dual exhaust system, whitewall tires

 

Special:

- Chevrolet was co-founded by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant. Louis Chevrolet was a race-car driver, born on December 25, 1878, in La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland. William Durant, founder of General Motors, had been forced out of GM in 1910 and wanted to use Louis Chevrolet's designs to rebuild his own reputation as a force in the automobile industry. As head of Buick Motor Company, prior to founding GM, Durant had hired Chevrolet to drive Buicks in promotional races.

- By 1916 Chevrolet was profitable enough to allow Durant to buy a majority of shares in GM. After the deal was completed in 1917, Durant was president of General Motors and Chevrolet was merged into GM, becoming a separate division.

- The Yeoman, designed by Clare MacKichan's Design Team was based on the Delray passenger car Series with the quad headlights that helped simulate a “Baby Cadillac” and built for model year 1958 only.

- This Yeoman represented the entry-level selections in the 1958 Chevrolet Station Wagon lineup (featured minimal interior and exterior trim and limited options), not counting the Delray Sedan Delivery.

- For 1959, Chevrolet's Brookwood would now offer a 2-door Wagon and become the lowest priced Station Wagon.

- Beside this 5-door Station Wagon, it was available as 3-door Model 1291 Station Wagon, both with six-passenger seating capacity.

- They were assembled in Oakland (California), Tarrytown (New York), Flint (Michigan), Norwood (Ohio), St. Louis (Missouri), Arlington (Texas) and in Oshawa (Ontario - Canada).

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness"

 

The missing parts represent those portions of scripture which believers tend to disregard. Paul clearly had a profound love and zeal for ALL of God's word. Do we?

The past decade has been one of continued modernisation of what is undoubtedly the Lufthansa Group's most profitable airline, Swiss. The flag-carrier alongside their subsidiary, Edelweiss Air are in the process of receiving new or in the case of Edelweiss Air very young second-hand aircraft.

Swiss has continued to receive investment in regards to their fleet; the flag-carrier for the past decade has received new wide-body jets in the form of Boeing 777-300ERs and very recently with the introduction of Airbus A350-900s featuring new cabins that will make its way onto the Airbus A330-300 fleet. The carrier was the first to receive the Airbus A220 when it was previously known as the Bombardier CSeries, and their eldest Airbus A320 family are in the process of being retired in favour of Airbus A320neo family aircraft.

At the time of writing, Swiss still has Airbus A320neo family aircraft on-order, the flag-carrier are due to receive a further 5 Airbus A320neos and 3 Airbus A321neos, however the fleet continues to suffer from issues relating to their Pratt & Whitney PW1000 engines. Whilst all of the Airbus A321neos are active, 4 Airbus A320neos are currently parked undergoing maintenance of which 2 examples are long-term. The issues are also affecting the Airbus A220 fleet with it expected the Airbus A220-100 fleet to be parked to keep the larger Airbus A220-300s in active service.

An interesting note, Edelweiss Air are also expected to receive 6 Airbus A320neos within the next 2 years and whilst 5 of them are expected to be delivered brand new directly from Airbus, one example will be transferred from Swiss.

Currently, Swiss operates 32 Airbus A320 family aircraft, which includes 9 Airbus A320s, 11 Airbus A320neos, 6 Airbus A321s and 6 Airbus A321neos. Swiss have 5 Airbus A320neos and 3 Airbus A321neos on-order.

Juliet Delta Juliet is one of 11 Airbus A320neos operated by Swiss, delivered new to the flag-carrier on 20th March 2025, leased from CCB Financial Leasing since August 2025 and she is powered by 2 Pratt & Whitney PW1127G-JM engines. She is named after the Swiss municipality of Grenchen in north west Switzerland.

Airbus A320-271N HB-JDJ 'Grenchen' on final approach into Runway 27L at London Heathrow (LHR) on LX318 from Zürich-Kloten (ZRH).

There's just something beautiful to me about the symmetry of a ladder on a switching lead, don't you agree?

 

Winona was once a busy railroad town served by four class ones (the MILW, CNW, CGW, CBQ) and one smaller regional (the GBW) with two Mississippi River crossings. Today that is down to just the MILW and CNW's successors CPKC and UP and both river crossings are long gone. But Winona is still an interesting enough place to spend a few hours, and while it was the street running down Wall Street that was the impetus to make the trip down from the Twin Cities, the Union Pacific's strange little island operation also intrigued me.

 

I've always been fascinated with landlocked operations and this one is particularly interesting. The latter day Chicago and Northwestern seemed to have a penchant for such, and by the time UP acquired the road in 1995 their were several including the ore lines in northern Wisconsin, the Superior terminal, the Colony Line out of Rapid City, and of course the CNW's Powder River operations. This one in Winona is accessed by 65 miles of trackage rights on CPKC's ex Milwaukee mainline from Tunnel City, WI and is a remainder of what was once the east end of the CNW's Dakota Division.

 

For whatever reason UP finds the operation profitable enough to hold on to and today they own just under two miles of 'mainline' trackage here extending east from CPKC's mainline at Tower CK which was in operation until 1989, the very last manned one in the state. The UP works out of the former CNW yard office and has a 13 track yard and multiple spurs serving the elevators and agribusiness and Mississippi riverfront barge terminal. A twice a week road train makes the trip from Adams to feed cars to the local job that is based here. I'm not sure of its symbol, but we caught it working a couple different times throughout the day and here is they are working on the ladder on the west end of the yard with rebuilt GP40M-2 1480 (ex SP 7110 rebuilt by MK from a straight GP40 originally blt. Feb. 1969 as BO 3711).

 

Rising beyond is the big Malteurop malt house, a major customer of both UP and CPKC that was once Froedtert Malting which was purchased by the French company in 2008. Froedert was a proud Milwaukee based company that traced its history back to 1866 and was once the largest malting company in the world.

 

Winona, Minnesota

Monday May 8, 2023

The revenge upon her would be sweet, even though it was purely theoretical.

She was the very epitome of every stuck up girl who ever passed judgment on those she refused to view as an equal. And I? I possessed the subtle skill to knock her smirking ego down a few pegs.

  

**********************************************************************

  

In late spring of the year 1952, a, bank rented safety deposit lockbox, dusty from many years gone by, was opened. The box had laid unclaimed, the banks records having been destroyed during the Nazi blitzes of World War Two. When its existence became known, an attempt was made to contact the owner, whose family surname was well known in the county. The name turned out to be an alias, no such person ever existed.

 

Please read the account below to learn more about the person who was believed to have rented the strongbox, as well as what he had placed inside……….

 

**********

  

Case Study 84 :

 

Warning, these are the raw, bare unusual facts as originally recorded. Some names, times, places and some facts have been altered for obvious reasons.

Exerted from the private letters of Mr. Harley Q. circa early 1900’s.

 

Name: Harly Q. circa 19 …

 

Subject: Seemingly a rather dexterous scoundrel

 

Place: A large coastal metropolis

 

Time: A period of time in late autumn

  

**************

 

Harly’s story as related:

  

The following affair occurred during my younger days when my youth and its’ raw passions were still a strong pull on my reactions! Now, how do I start?

  

The Blonde dancing in front of me was dressed up like a movie star on a red carpet. Only about nineteen, her slinky gown created the impression of having been poured along her curvy, voluptuous figure, like shimmering liquid satin, fluidly swishing as she swirled about the massive chamber! It all made her appear far older and mature than she obviously thought she was. For some, her looks and personality may have been seen as charming and fun. “But for me personally, the only thing charming about her was the way her abundant sparkling jewellery played with the lights from the large chandeliers which held my upmost command!

  

But wait, I may be placing the carriage before the steed…….

 

Allow me to restart:

  

I had taken a long train into town with the intention of spending a few days relaxing from my previous month of hectic “professional” affairs. Rewarding myself, I located my lodging in a fancy upscale hotel situated across the street from a cavernous Ballroom, checking in for a fortnight. Since my social calendar was unusually light, with only the one high society event, a wedding that I was planning to attend the following Sabbath, at a “chapel” located in one of the cities sprawling suburbs. I spent the first day perusing the cultural calendar of the local papers, and ended up circling one or two events of interest that would be taking place later that month. I than took care of my remaining personal business, locating a reputable bank and renting out one of their lockboxes, before allowing myself some time off from my endeavors.

  

I than spent the first portion of my week taking in moving picture shows, visiting stores and hanging out at the local museums and antique shoppes. It felt great not worrying about work, although I will did admit that my mind scoped out a few prospects as I was out and about, walking amongst the great masses..

  

It was mid-week during my stay, while making my way back to the hotel suite, that I decided on a whim to pop into the Ballroom to see what it was all about. I walked into the massive lobby full of activity and wandered about, looking into the massive main ballroom, meeting rooms and various party rooms. As I was leaving I discovered a wall containing posters for all the upcoming events. One poster caught my eye. It advertised the occurrence of a Halloween Ball to take place that very weekend, Tickets still available. The Ball seemed to be the very type of party I was partial to, combining all of my favorite types of affairs, a large gathering frequented by the rich, and everyone attending would be in costume.

  

Purchasing a pair of tickets (less questions asked) I went out the very next morning scouting various shops in search of my own costume. I finally settled on a highwayman’s attire. It seemed appropriate, and the ribbon style “ masque” over my eyes set off the vacation beard that had been growing quite nicely since my last outing. On my way out to pay for the costume I spied a half off bin. On top of the pile was a phantom of the opera mask. On impulse I added it to my bundle and went to the checkout.

  

Although I really didn’t have the feeling that this concern would lead to anything, I mean, who wears good jewellery with a costume ? But a little bored by the inactivity, I was none the less growing excited about the venture. I still decided to play it cautious by setting up my usual safe guards, just in case.

  

A few blocks away from the Ballroom and my hotel suite I found a small chain style motel. Going to the desk I purchased rent for a room for the night, paying in advance. Going into the small room I laid down my purchases and headed back out to the street via a back stairwell, bypassing the registrars chambers. I headed back to my hotel suite to prepare for the evening.

  

After showering, I changed into a suit, shirt and tie. I then headed out onto the street a couple of hours before the ball was set to begin. Regaining my small quarters in the chain motel I changed into my new persona for the evening’s festivities and left via the same back door I had used earlier. I walked back to the Ballroom, getting my share of looks until I reached my destination, where I blended right in with the other arriving costumed guests.

  

I followed the stream to the ballroom proper. The main doors leading inside were large, made of a fancy scrolled oak, held open, and guarded by a pair of burly security types.

Apparently which, I soon gathered, was appearing to be the only security present for the evening’s festivities. Capital, I thought, smirking to myself as I joined my fellow guests.

  

I walk onto a landing, immediately in front of a long bannister guarding a set of wide stairs ascended downwards. I went off to one side, and paused at the railing, starting to survey with eager anticipation, the crowded room below.

  

All was quite glittering, as large chandeliers set off a spectrum of colors with any crystal or glass it touched. It especially created shimmers as it played off the colorful jewelry the lavishly costumed ladies present were wearing. Several dozen couples were dancing in front of a 17 piece orchestra, a slow dance, and many were dancing almost too close. Many more people were mingling around tables of appetizers. A large, chattering crowd was also gathered at the long oak bar that took up one whole side of the huge room. It was to the bar that I headed, to observe the merry proceedings.

  

But the Ball, as it turned out, was a bust, so to speak. Although several attempts were made to ask a number of charming (to me) ladies to add me to their dance cards, they all were, unfortunately, full. I should have suspected it would turn out this way, but I still harbored an all too familiar nagging feeling in the back of my head that something was still going to happen, call it intuition if you need to label it. So I nursed my drink, reminiscing about how I had reached this point in my then still young life…..

  

Ralph Waldo Emerson, one of my favorite poets, once said” Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

Long before the the time I discovered this quote I found that my life’s path had already been heading that way.

  

Without boring anyone with far too many details of my rather complicated youth, I discovered while quite young that I had a certain knack for adeptness at being able to nimbly pick pockets. When I was eighteen ( having graduated high school at seventeen) and out on my own in the world, I found this skill quite useful. But it was at a wedding reception in my early twenties where I became of age, so to speak.

  

She was older than me, resplendent in a sleek black satin gown with bright white frills, long white satin gloves upon which graced a pair of diamond bracelets. She was very tipsy and would not take no for an answer when asking for a dance partner. She cornered me and before I could catch my wits, we were in a close embrace on the dance floor. I was totally mesmerized by the feel of her warm figure emitting through the sensuous satin gown. My eyes feasted upon the dazzling show put on by her flashy twin bracelets. When the exquisitely long dance ended and she moved on: I was left with a lot of pleasantly mixed feelings, I was also left with my first trophy, the Lady’s appealing necklace of pearl that I had ever so delicately sipped off her throat, using the sleekness of her satin gown to its fullest advantage.

  

I found myself enthralled with my new “hobby”, and over the course of the next couple of years sought out fancy dress affairs to better learn how to master the art of attracting and dancing with any lady I chose. Along the way I managed to accumulate quite a few trophies for my efforts. I stayed under everyone’s radar by picking out only those females who had been enthusiastically imbibing and by allowing myself to acquire only one trophy per gathering, two if the function was large enough.

  

During this period I made two discoveries: One was that most women would rather assume their jewel had been merely lost long before ever considering that they had been robbed of it. The second was that most of my collection of pretty trophies carried an equally pretty price, and could quite acceptably be turned into ready cash.

  

So, by the tender age of twenty two, my life started to lead where there had ever been but few tracks. And thus we finally come to this particular branch of my rather unique, lengthily crooked trail….

  

So, there I was, on a bar stool, alone and growing more bored by the minute, wishing something interesting would happen. I can remember thinking, as I looked over my fellow partiers about a saying that I had always found to be amusingly true. “If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to.” I don’t know who first said it, but brother, the person was right on the money. As I had witnessed for myself time and time again. So I just settled in and watched the amusing antics of the wealthy among the crowd, especially those of …“the girl!’

The girl was a stunning young blonde who was probably just fresh out of high school, with the maturity level of a grade schooler!

  

I kept catching my eye on her all evening, and once or twice, was sure she caught mine looking. But I was not watching her for the reasons she would think were mine. To her I was just some male face in the crowd, exhibiting his lust. But, the reason my eyes kept traveling upon her was for an entirely different one. I just found nothing to be more annoying than a sulky, immature young whelp who believes she is the apple of everyone’s eye, making an absolute nuisance of herself. She was running around, making silly remarks about people, sometimes to their face. Hanging out with her group of friends whom seemed to be of the same mold as my blonde, one girlfriend was even dressed appropriately enough, as a willowy witch.

  

The Blonde was dressed up like a movie star on a red carpet. Only about nineteen, her slinky gown created the impression of having been poured along her curvy voluptuous figure, like shimmering liquid satin, fluidly swishing as she bounced about the massive chamber, slipping in and out amongst the guests! It all made her appear far older and mature than she obviously thought she was. For some, her looks and personality may have been seen as charming and fun. “But for me personally, the only thing charming about her was the way her abundant sparkling jewellery played with the lights from the large chandeliers which held my command! But I had decided, as far as I could tell, that she was wearing nothing but cheap rhinestones, which like her, appeared totally fake. But, as they say, appearances can sometimes be deceiving!

   

This girl was the epitome of every condescending stuck up high society girl that probably everyone has had the misfortune to be the victim of. The girl, who mainly because of her looks, was popular with everyone like her, and had no use for those who, forever what reason they deemed, was ostracized by those of her type. In high school I knew girls like this one, and was a witness, sometime victim, to many a scene of arrogance displayed by girls like her. This one was young, too young to be acting the way she was. Her mannerisms were just a beacon, reaching out out to be taught a lesson.

  

Wallowing in my boredom, a spark began to kindle into flame deep within my brain. Determined not to let the evening be a total loss, I decided act upon it. My plan being to theoretically get revenge on all those smirking girls who tormented me during high school, by knocking this cocky little scamp down a few pegs, using the best of my abilities..

  

Now, I’m not one normally to act as judge, jury, and executioner in most situations, in my selected line of work it would be hypocritical. But obviously old wounds’ had been opened, this long haired girl scampering about reminded me of ones whom had ridiculed me, another lifetime, one that I had left behind A long time ago. The opportunity for bittersweet revenge had presented itself for the taking, and the pull to obtain a little solace by using my unique talents was far too great to resist. Talk about mixing pleasure with business I though wickedly to myself, smiling with the inviting thought.

  

Believe me, this girl would be no innocent victim, and nothing I was about to attempt would leave her with any type of lasting impression, or harm. But if I could cause her at least some considerable discomfort to ruin the rest of her evening out, it would be reward in and of itself! I again eyed her sparkling jewels with all the seriousness I would have given any I was really interested in acquiring. Although she didn’t fit my favorite pre-requisite, she certainly was not drunk on alcohol, she was merely just intoxicated in her own questionable self-esteem, which can work just as well.

  

I waited until her friends had all apparently deserted her for the evening and leaving her, quite vulnerably, alone. I walked up behind her and tapped her shoulder. She whirled facing me, her eyes going from happy expectations to a glare! “What do you want!? she snipped disdainfully”. Calmly I held her gaze, “I was hoping you would help me win a bet” I asked in what I hoped was my most wily voice. She was curious, but wary of me, “as you should be my pretty miss”, I remember thinking to myself. Her eyes sized me up and down, and I seized the moment to take in her jewels, not at all disappointed in them, but my curiosity was aroused about her necklace, I definitely needed to get a closer look to appraise them! “Why should I help you,” she practically spitted out he words like daggers.

  

“It’s this way miss, a couple of boys over at the bar bet me 50 quid that I could not get a dance with the prettiest girl here.” “Me?” she asked primping, no I confessed, I picked you, they had wanted me to dance with someone far less pretty, in my opinion.

I don’t think so; she said with a slight hint of hesitation, my card is full. Just for fifteen minutes I implored. That’s all I need (which was the truth), and Ill split my winnings with you on top of it. She finally bought it, hook line, sinker and pound signs in her adorable violet coloured eyes. Fifteen minutes she specified, before, be-grudgingly, allowing me to lead her to the dance floor.

  

Now, as I took her stiff body in my arms, I was able to satisfy my curiosity about the girl’s necklace, and it caused a dilemma to rear its thought provoking head. While she was busy looking around to make sure none of her friends saw her dancing with me, I allowed myself a couple of precious minutes to think. Her long rhinestone earrings were clip held, and an easy pick. I wanted to try for them both,( I knew how I would do it), and losing a pair of earrings would send a message that they had not just fallen away. Also, I would be suspected by her, which suited me just fine. However, my dilemma was caused by the vixen’s pretty necklace. While the rest of her plentiful jewels were cheap rhinestones as I had suspected the row of diamonds that rippled blazingly around her throat were in fact, the real McCoy. So, which should I go for? The necklace would be profitable and easy but she may just suspect its clasp had broken. The earrings would be just for a sporty trophy, not worth anything but for the knowledge that she would know she had been a victim. Ah, life’s precious little quandaries!

  

So, I continued with the dance, my partner still rigid, so very true to her character. Then, with five minutes left, I made up my mind on what she would not be leaving the ball still wearing. She was a charmer, this disdainful one. Her stiff figure was warm to the touch, underneath the scintillating slippery gown. The show her sparkling jewels produced was most pleasing to the eye. All in all quite a pretty portrait, a shame it was that I was not allowed to appreciate it. Which was fine by me! I was able to concentrate freely on the task at hand. I looked around, the coast was still clear. Then eyeing for one last time her mesmerizingly swaying long earrings and the flickering diamonds that graced her pretty little throat, I executed my move..

  

By the time the final five minutes were up I had the selected jewelry in my pocket without even the slightest notice from my unwilling dance partner. Then, fifteen minutes to the second (good thing I had been keeping track of the time) she broke it off. “Thank you”, I said, to which she mumbled, “my money, sir!” I told her I had to collect it, and would meet her by the ladies powder room. I left her waiting, smiling inwardly to myself at the empty space from which the missing jewelry was glaringly gone from her.

  

She had no doubt that I would be back with her money, was I not merely like one of her household servants, who routinely, without question or error, existed to do her bidding. It would be a major jolt to her system when she realized I was not coming obediently back to her. I had no doubt she would spend some time searching me out for her money once she realized I was not coming back forthwith, with the intention of lecturing me on how I should act around my betters. So I knew that her immediate attention would be elsewhere upon realizing I was tardy, and that it would take quite a bit of time before she recieved a second shock of an altogether different sort.

  

I left with my prize, walking past the two guards with such a carefree air that even they would never have suspected that I could possibly have been up to any mischief. I made good time getting back to the dingy motel room. Changed out of my costume and back into the shirt and tie I had worn. The highwayman costume, which had served me well, I rolled in a bundle under my arm, I again left by the back stairwell and retraced my earlier steps, whistling, back to the suite in the hotel. Along the way the costume was stuffed unceremoniously into a handy trash bin. My little operation had been a complete success. The evening was after all, not going to be a total loss.

  

Back in my suite I stowed the newly acquired jewels the girl had worn into one of my many secret hiding spots. There they would be safe until I could convey it to my banks lockbox on Monday. As I finished I, spied the phantom of the opera mask lying discarded on top of a table. A shame it would not be used….

 

A thought washed over me that would not be denied! Risky, but it would make my evening complete. I quickly shaved off the thin beard, and restyled my hair. I changed from my suit into my tux and tails. Scooping up the phantom mask I headed back to the costume ball. Placing the mask on before entering, I presented my second ticket( not very often did the opportunity arise to use both of the pair of tickets I customarily purchased!) I walked past the two security types without a second glance from them, they absolutely did not recognize me, which meant I had passed that test. My objective now was to try and catch the second half of the show; namely the shimmering liquid satin gowned brats squawking reaction when she first discovered her jewels were gone.

  

I regained a bar seat just in time.

  

She did not disappoint!

  

************************************************************************

 

Epilogue

 

When, in the presence of both bank and county officials, the strong box was opened, it was found to contain a fairly large collection of the Kings currency, equaling roughly £500 , and a selection unmatched jewelry, rings, single earrings, bracelets, and necklaces, worth a almost £3.000. Also inside was small a bundle of papers. The papers, old and yellowed, appeared to contain the partial handwritten journals of a certain Mr. Harly Q___ , esq. The papers were examined, but gave no clues to who Harley was, or to his current whereabouts. But the journals presented clues as to Harly’s nature, and as a consequence the money and jewels were considered stolen goods and handed over to the authorities. No one knows what became of them, as for the papers, they were handed over to a relative of one of the government officials, and also, for a period of time, lost.

 

The journal was rediscovered amongst the personal files of the late Professor Sedwig Dermitt phd, llc.a dex,

Recovered, restored, and now kept in the human behavioral archives of the criminology dept, Chatwick U.

  

Courtesy of Chatwick University Archives

 

On the recent art events that involve to some degree concept of invisibility.

 

Various artist do a one-shot attempt at the invisible concept. As a rule it happens one time in the given artist’s career. (Rest assured that nobody except Paul Jaisini had their life time spent in the Invisible creativity premises).

 

The Invisibility one-shooter artist would not continue in this direction to be repetitive or simple do the same gig unable to develop further as the original attempt failed to be profitable or even promising.

 

from December 1973 up until deregulation in October 1986, the Midland Red had the licensed monopoly on the majority of the former Wolverhampton Corporation/WMPTE bus routes that ran from Wolverhampton out into South Staffordshire and Shropshire.

 

I can't imagine that many of these routes were particularly profitable for the Midland Red, especially by the 1980s, when car ownership in rural areas had increased significantly.

 

Following de-regulation of the bus industry in 1986, these rural services required financial support from the County Councils to maintain them. Over time this financial support dwindled away, and with it the willingness of operators to tender for these poor paying routes.

 

In the case of the 886 group of services, initially Midland Red West took-over from Midland Red North in 1986, so for a while there was little change. Eventually though, the service frequency reduced despite other operators taking up the County Council tenders, until such time most of these services simply disappeared.

 

Operating a morning run from the rural enclaves of Trysull and Seisdon in Staffordshire, Midland Red, Leyland Leopard 201 is pictured at Merry Hill (Fiveways) on the outskirts of Wolverhampton. Having crossed the county boundary, the bus makes its first stop inside the West Midlands, but note that it is virtually empty.

 

Happily, the Midland Red could pick-up passengers once inside the WM boundary for the run into Wolverhampton. From memory, it was quite common for people to stand back from the bus stops when one of these buses appeared. When ever I saw a Midland Red bus turn up ahead of a West Midlands bus, I would often catch it for a fast comfortable ride to town.

 

As for 201, that ended up working for Chase Coaches in Chasetown, Staffordshire between 1987 and 1989, after which it was sold for scrap.

 

Photo - 5th March 1985.

Store #8320. Closing April 2018. Part of ToysRUs’ closing stores that have complex leases and aren’t profitable.

The revenge upon her would be sweet, even though it was purely theoretical.

She was the very epitome of every stuck up girl who ever passed judgment on those she refused to view as an equal. And I? I possessed the subtle skill to knock her smirking ego down a few pegs.

  

**********************************************************************

  

In late spring of the year 1952, a, bank rented safety deposit lockbox, dusty from many years gone by, was opened. The box had laid unclaimed, the banks records having been destroyed during the Nazi blitzes of World War Two. When its existence became known, an attempt was made to contact the owner, whose family surname was well known in the county. The name turned out to be an alias, no such person ever existed.

 

Please read the account below to learn more about the person who was believed to have rented the strongbox, as well as what he had placed inside……….

 

**********

  

Case Study 84 :

 

Warning, these are the raw, bare unusual facts as originally recorded. Some names, times, places and some facts have been altered for obvious reasons.

Exerted from the private letters of Mr. Harley Q. circa early 1900’s.

 

Name: Harly Q. circa 19 …

 

Subject: Seemingly a rather dexterous scoundrel

 

Place: A large coastal metropolis

 

Time: A period of time in late autumn

  

**************

 

Harly’s story as related:

  

The following affair occurred during my younger days when my youth and its’ raw passions were still a strong pull on my reactions! Now, how do I start?

  

The Blonde dancing in front of me was dressed up like a movie star on a red carpet. Only about nineteen, her slinky gown created the impression of having been poured along her curvy, voluptuous figure, like shimmering liquid satin, fluidly swishing as she swirled about the massive chamber! It all made her appear far older and mature than she obviously thought she was. For some, her looks and personality may have been seen as charming and fun. “But for me personally, the only thing charming about her was the way her abundant sparkling jewellery played with the lights from the large chandeliers which held my upmost command!

  

But wait, I may be placing the carriage before the steed…….

 

Allow me to restart:

  

I had taken a long train into town with the intention of spending a few days relaxing from my previous month of hectic “professional” affairs. Rewarding myself, I located my lodging in a fancy upscale hotel situated across the street from a cavernous Ballroom, checking in for a fortnight. Since my social calendar was unusually light, with only the one high society event, a wedding that I was planning to attend the following Sabbath, at a “chapel” located in one of the cities sprawling suburbs. I spent the first day perusing the cultural calendar of the local papers, and ended up circling one or two events of interest that would be taking place later that month. I than took care of my remaining personal business, locating a reputable bank and renting out one of their lockboxes, before allowing myself some time off from my endeavors.

  

I than spent the first portion of my week taking in moving picture shows, visiting stores and hanging out at the local museums and antique shoppes. It felt great not worrying about work, although I will did admit that my mind scoped out a few prospects as I was out and about, walking amongst the great masses..

  

It was mid-week during my stay, while making my way back to the hotel suite, that I decided on a whim to pop into the Ballroom to see what it was all about. I walked into the massive lobby full of activity and wandered about, looking into the massive main ballroom, meeting rooms and various party rooms. As I was leaving I discovered a wall containing posters for all the upcoming events. One poster caught my eye. It advertised the occurrence of a Halloween Ball to take place that very weekend, Tickets still available. The Ball seemed to be the very type of party I was partial to, combining all of my favorite types of affairs, a large gathering frequented by the rich, and everyone attending would be in costume.

  

Purchasing a pair of tickets (less questions asked) I went out the very next morning scouting various shops in search of my own costume. I finally settled on a highwayman’s attire. It seemed appropriate, and the ribbon style “ masque” over my eyes set off the vacation beard that had been growing quite nicely since my last outing. On my way out to pay for the costume I spied a half off bin. On top of the pile was a phantom of the opera mask. On impulse I added it to my bundle and went to the checkout.

  

Although I really didn’t have the feeling that this concern would lead to anything, I mean, who wears good jewellery with a costume ? But a little bored by the inactivity, I was none the less growing excited about the venture. I still decided to play it cautious by setting up my usual safe guards, just in case.

  

A few blocks away from the Ballroom and my hotel suite I found a small chain style motel. Going to the desk I purchased rent for a room for the night, paying in advance. Going into the small room I laid down my purchases and headed back out to the street via a back stairwell, bypassing the registrars chambers. I headed back to my hotel suite to prepare for the evening.

  

After showering, I changed into a suit, shirt and tie. I then headed out onto the street a couple of hours before the ball was set to begin. Regaining my small quarters in the chain motel I changed into my new persona for the evening’s festivities and left via the same back door I had used earlier. I walked back to the Ballroom, getting my share of looks until I reached my destination, where I blended right in with the other arriving costumed guests.

  

I followed the stream to the ballroom proper. The main doors leading inside were large, made of a fancy scrolled oak, held open, and guarded by a pair of burly security types.

Apparently which, I soon gathered, was appearing to be the only security present for the evening’s festivities. Capital, I thought, smirking to myself as I joined my fellow guests.

  

I walk onto a landing, immediately in front of a long bannister guarding a set of wide stairs ascended downwards. I went off to one side, and paused at the railing, starting to survey with eager anticipation, the crowded room below.

  

All was quite glittering, as large chandeliers set off a spectrum of colors with any crystal or glass it touched. It especially created shimmers as it played off the colorful jewelry the lavishly costumed ladies present were wearing. Several dozen couples were dancing in front of a 17 piece orchestra, a slow dance, and many were dancing almost too close. Many more people were mingling around tables of appetizers. A large, chattering crowd was also gathered at the long oak bar that took up one whole side of the huge room. It was to the bar that I headed, to observe the merry proceedings.

  

But the Ball, as it turned out, was a bust, so to speak. Although several attempts were made to ask a number of charming (to me) ladies to add me to their dance cards, they all were, unfortunately, full. I should have suspected it would turn out this way, but I still harbored an all too familiar nagging feeling in the back of my head that something was still going to happen, call it intuition if you need to label it. So I nursed my drink, reminiscing about how I had reached this point in my then still young life…..

  

Ralph Waldo Emerson, one of my favorite poets, once said” Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

Long before the the time I discovered this quote I found that my life’s path had already been heading that way.

  

Without boring anyone with far too many details of my rather complicated youth, I discovered while quite young that I had a certain knack for adeptness at being able to nimbly pick pockets. When I was eighteen ( having graduated high school at seventeen) and out on my own in the world, I found this skill quite useful. But it was at a wedding reception in my early twenties where I became of age, so to speak.

  

She was older than me, resplendent in a sleek black satin gown with bright white frills, long white satin gloves upon which graced a pair of diamond bracelets. She was very tipsy and would not take no for an answer when asking for a dance partner. She cornered me and before I could catch my wits, we were in a close embrace on the dance floor. I was totally mesmerized by the feel of her warm figure emitting through the sensuous satin gown. My eyes feasted upon the dazzling show put on by her flashy twin bracelets. When the exquisitely long dance ended and she moved on: I was left with a lot of pleasantly mixed feelings, I was also left with my first trophy, the Lady’s appealing necklace of pearl that I had ever so delicately sipped off her throat, using the sleekness of her satin gown to its fullest advantage.

  

I found myself enthralled with my new “hobby”, and over the course of the next couple of years sought out fancy dress affairs to better learn how to master the art of attracting and dancing with any lady I chose. Along the way I managed to accumulate quite a few trophies for my efforts. I stayed under everyone’s radar by picking out only those females who had been enthusiastically imbibing and by allowing myself to acquire only one trophy per gathering, two if the function was large enough.

  

During this period I made two discoveries: One was that most women would rather assume their jewel had been merely lost long before ever considering that they had been robbed of it. The second was that most of my collection of pretty trophies carried an equally pretty price, and could quite acceptably be turned into ready cash.

  

So, by the tender age of twenty two, my life started to lead where there had ever been but few tracks. And thus we finally come to this particular branch of my rather unique, lengthily crooked trail….

  

So, there I was, on a bar stool, alone and growing more bored by the minute, wishing something interesting would happen. I can remember thinking, as I looked over my fellow partiers about a saying that I had always found to be amusingly true. “If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to.” I don’t know who first said it, but brother, the person was right on the money. As I had witnessed for myself time and time again. So I just settled in and watched the amusing antics of the wealthy among the crowd, especially those of …“the girl!’

The girl was a stunning young blonde who was probably just fresh out of high school, with the maturity level of a grade schooler!

  

I kept catching my eye on her all evening, and once or twice, was sure she caught mine looking. But I was not watching her for the reasons she would think were mine. To her I was just some male face in the crowd, exhibiting his lust. But, the reason my eyes kept traveling upon her was for an entirely different one. I just found nothing to be more annoying than a sulky, immature young whelp who believes she is the apple of everyone’s eye, making an absolute nuisance of herself. She was running around, making silly remarks about people, sometimes to their face. Hanging out with her group of friends whom seemed to be of the same mold as my blonde, one girlfriend was even dressed appropriately enough, as a willowy witch.

  

The Blonde was dressed up like a movie star on a red carpet. Only about nineteen, her slinky gown created the impression of having been poured along her curvy voluptuous figure, like shimmering liquid satin, fluidly swishing as she bounced about the massive chamber, slipping in and out amongst the guests! It all made her appear far older and mature than she obviously thought she was. For some, her looks and personality may have been seen as charming and fun. “But for me personally, the only thing charming about her was the way her abundant sparkling jewellery played with the lights from the large chandeliers which held my command! But I had decided, as far as I could tell, that she was wearing nothing but cheap rhinestones, which like her, appeared totally fake. But, as they say, appearances can sometimes be deceiving!

   

This girl was the epitome of every condescending stuck up high society girl that probably everyone has had the misfortune to be the victim of. The girl, who mainly because of her looks, was popular with everyone like her, and had no use for those who, forever what reason they deemed, was ostracized by those of her type. In high school I knew girls like this one, and was a witness, sometime victim, to many a scene of arrogance displayed by girls like her. This one was young, too young to be acting the way she was. Her mannerisms were just a beacon, reaching out out to be taught a lesson.

  

Wallowing in my boredom, a spark began to kindle into flame deep within my brain. Determined not to let the evening be a total loss, I decided act upon it. My plan being to theoretically get revenge on all those smirking girls who tormented me during high school, by knocking this cocky little scamp down a few pegs, using the best of my abilities..

  

Now, I’m not one normally to act as judge, jury, and executioner in most situations, in my selected line of work it would be hypocritical. But obviously old wounds’ had been opened, this long haired girl scampering about reminded me of ones whom had ridiculed me, another lifetime, one that I had left behind A long time ago. The opportunity for bittersweet revenge had presented itself for the taking, and the pull to obtain a little solace by using my unique talents was far too great to resist. Talk about mixing pleasure with business I though wickedly to myself, smiling with the inviting thought.

  

Believe me, this girl would be no innocent victim, and nothing I was about to attempt would leave her with any type of lasting impression, or harm. But if I could cause her at least some considerable discomfort to ruin the rest of her evening out, it would be reward in and of itself! I again eyed her sparkling jewels with all the seriousness I would have given any I was really interested in acquiring. Although she didn’t fit my favorite pre-requisite, she certainly was not drunk on alcohol, she was merely just intoxicated in her own questionable self-esteem, which can work just as well.

  

I waited until her friends had all apparently deserted her for the evening and leaving her, quite vulnerably, alone. I walked up behind her and tapped her shoulder. She whirled facing me, her eyes going from happy expectations to a glare! “What do you want!? she snipped disdainfully”. Calmly I held her gaze, “I was hoping you would help me win a bet” I asked in what I hoped was my most wily voice. She was curious, but wary of me, “as you should be my pretty miss”, I remember thinking to myself. Her eyes sized me up and down, and I seized the moment to take in her jewels, not at all disappointed in them, but my curiosity was aroused about her necklace, I definitely needed to get a closer look to appraise them! “Why should I help you,” she practically spitted out he words like daggers.

  

“It’s this way miss, a couple of boys over at the bar bet me 50 quid that I could not get a dance with the prettiest girl here.” “Me?” she asked primping, no I confessed, I picked you, they had wanted me to dance with someone far less pretty, in my opinion.

I don’t think so; she said with a slight hint of hesitation, my card is full. Just for fifteen minutes I implored. That’s all I need (which was the truth), and Ill split my winnings with you on top of it. She finally bought it, hook line, sinker and pound signs in her adorable violet coloured eyes. Fifteen minutes she specified, before, be-grudgingly, allowing me to lead her to the dance floor.

  

Now, as I took her stiff body in my arms, I was able to satisfy my curiosity about the girl’s necklace, and it caused a dilemma to rear its thought provoking head. While she was busy looking around to make sure none of her friends saw her dancing with me, I allowed myself a couple of precious minutes to think. Her long rhinestone earrings were clip held, and an easy pick. I wanted to try for them both,( I knew how I would do it), and losing a pair of earrings would send a message that they had not just fallen away. Also, I would be suspected by her, which suited me just fine. However, my dilemma was caused by the vixen’s pretty necklace. While the rest of her plentiful jewels were cheap rhinestones as I had suspected the row of diamonds that rippled blazingly around her throat were in fact, the real McCoy. So, which should I go for? The necklace would be profitable and easy but she may just suspect its clasp had broken. The earrings would be just for a sporty trophy, not worth anything but for the knowledge that she would know she had been a victim. Ah, life’s precious little quandaries!

  

So, I continued with the dance, my partner still rigid, so very true to her character. Then, with five minutes left, I made up my mind on what she would not be leaving the ball still wearing. She was a charmer, this disdainful one. Her stiff figure was warm to the touch, underneath the scintillating slippery gown. The show her sparkling jewels produced was most pleasing to the eye. All in all quite a pretty portrait, a shame it was that I was not allowed to appreciate it. Which was fine by me! I was able to concentrate freely on the task at hand. I looked around, the coast was still clear. Then eyeing for one last time her mesmerizingly swaying long earrings and the flickering diamonds that graced her pretty little throat, I executed my move..

  

By the time the final five minutes were up I had the selected jewelry in my pocket without even the slightest notice from my unwilling dance partner. Then, fifteen minutes to the second (good thing I had been keeping track of the time) she broke it off. “Thank you”, I said, to which she mumbled, “my money, sir!” I told her I had to collect it, and would meet her by the ladies powder room. I left her waiting, smiling inwardly to myself at the empty space from which the missing jewelry was glaringly gone from her.

  

She had no doubt that I would be back with her money, was I not merely like one of her household servants, who routinely, without question or error, existed to do her bidding. It would be a major jolt to her system when she realized I was not coming obediently back to her. I had no doubt she would spend some time searching me out for her money once she realized I was not coming back forthwith, with the intention of lecturing me on how I should act around my betters. So I knew that her immediate attention would be elsewhere upon realizing I was tardy, and that it would take quite a bit of time before she recieved a second shock of an altogether different sort.

  

I left with my prize, walking past the two guards with such a carefree air that even they would never have suspected that I could possibly have been up to any mischief. I made good time getting back to the dingy motel room. Changed out of my costume and back into the shirt and tie I had worn. The highwayman costume, which had served me well, I rolled in a bundle under my arm, I again left by the back stairwell and retraced my earlier steps, whistling, back to the suite in the hotel. Along the way the costume was stuffed unceremoniously into a handy trash bin. My little operation had been a complete success. The evening was after all, not going to be a total loss.

  

Back in my suite I stowed the newly acquired jewels the girl had worn into one of my many secret hiding spots. There they would be safe until I could convey it to my banks lockbox on Monday. As I finished I, spied the phantom of the opera mask lying discarded on top of a table. A shame it would not be used….

 

A thought washed over me that would not be denied! Risky, but it would make my evening complete. I quickly shaved off the thin beard, and restyled my hair. I changed from my suit into my tux and tails. Scooping up the phantom mask I headed back to the costume ball. Placing the mask on before entering, I presented my second ticket( not very often did the opportunity arise to use both of the pair of tickets I customarily purchased!) I walked past the two security types without a second glance from them, they absolutely did not recognize me, which meant I had passed that test. My objective now was to try and catch the second half of the show; namely the shimmering liquid satin gowned brats squawking reaction when she first discovered her jewels were gone.

  

I regained a bar seat just in time.

  

She did not disappoint!

  

************************************************************************

 

Epilogue

 

When, in the presence of both bank and county officials, the strong box was opened, it was found to contain a fairly large collection of the Kings currency, equaling roughly £500 , and a selection unmatched jewelry, rings, single earrings, bracelets, and necklaces, worth a almost £3.000. Also inside was small a bundle of papers. The papers, old and yellowed, appeared to contain the partial handwritten journals of a certain Mr. Harly Q___ , esq. The papers were examined, but gave no clues to who Harley was, or to his current whereabouts. But the journals presented clues as to Harly’s nature, and as a consequence the money and jewels were considered stolen goods and handed over to the authorities. No one knows what became of them, as for the papers, they were handed over to a relative of one of the government officials, and also, for a period of time, lost.

 

The journal was rediscovered amongst the personal files of the late Professor Sedwig Dermitt phd, llc.a dex,

Recovered, restored, and now kept in the human behavioral archives of the criminology dept, Chatwick U.

  

Courtesy of Chatwick University Archives

 

Affair of The Haunts of the Very Rich

 

St Valentines Day

 

I’ve often noticed that with the very wealthy, the majority of them that do bother to celebrate St Valentine's day, are primarily the youngest of couples that belong to this class.

 

Young wealthy and naive. My type of combination.

 

^^^^^^^^

 

I was staying at an upper-end hotel that Valentine’s Day weekend, treating myself after having a rather profitable New Year's weekend a few weeks prior.

 

I had been excited to learn there was a ballroom in the basement where a dance was being held later that week. But it was sold out. So I was left out of that opportunity.

 

But there were others.

 

Amongst which:

 

At a park, an older upper-class dressed lady was waking as she held a corgi in her arm. I stopped her and asked if I could pet the little darling. She said yes and as I stooped over to pet the pup with my right hand, my left was busy removing a diamond bracelet from around the cubby wrist holding the bratty animal.

 

While the next day, at the same park, my eyes caught the glitter of diamond studs, 4 Carets worth, being carelessly worn by a silk-clad mum watching her children play as she sat upon a park bench. I walked behind the bench and easily lifted the fat wallet from her designer leather bag. I then sat down on a bench ten meters away, watching her profile. Wondering how she ever was avoiding being mugged?

 

Then…

 

Midweek found me at a 5 Star Restaurant eating dinner, conspicuously alone amongst the tables filled with romantically in-love couples. Many of them are from obviously a privileged upbringing, which is the game I was after.

 

Being alone, the tuxedo-wearing man at the desk had not wanted me in, until I slipped the upturned nosed Maître d £40

He put on a money clip with an already healthy wad of notes. Sticking it into a deep side pocket of his long tux coat.

 

Soon I was escorted to a small side table next to the swinging doors of the prep kitchen. The smells that wafted out when the doors opened certainly whetted my appetite, in more ways than one.

 

I was wearing my black satin jacket with its shiny rhinestone buttons. Underneath I was wearing my blue satin long-sleeved button-back blouse, paired with a long slick black leather skirt. My jewels were simple, consisting of diamond stud earrings and a diamond heart-shaped pendant.

 

I was hoping to make a score this evening, relieving some of the wealthy patrons eating here of a purse, wallet, watch jewellery, or a combination of these items.

  

For my meal, I ordered one of the more expensive items on the menu. The steak was very good, and the wine was even better. But my appetite was not quelled, for I was hungering after richer items, not on their menu.

 

I had my eye on a couple of tables. The love birds sitting at them had eyes only for each other, and not on purses or wallets, or other valuables they had on their very well-dressed persons.

 

A pair of violinists had been going around from table to table, collecting tips for their playing, or to stop them from playing, it was hard to tell.

 

They were now a pair at one of the tables I had been observing.

 

The couple that was sitting there was dressed in formal attire. He was wearing what I call a James Bond tux, his girl was poured in a short sequined dress with pearls. Her designer purse was hanging from the chair behind her, on top of a mink stole.

 

I placed my purse in a side pocket of my skirt, placed my satin jacket over an arm, and walked past the table, squeezing in between the violinists and the table behind. The violinists moved in, making the two at the table scrunch in closer.

 

As the couple at the table were moving their

chairs in, I circled behind, whisked by the lady’s chair, and easily lifted her small designer purse from the chair stowing it under my jacket.

 

I went to the loo and in a stall took out my purse and replaced it inside my pocket with the expensive one I had just lifted.

 

As I was washing up a pair of young ladies came in. One had a long velvet dress and wearing pearls. Her companion had on a short silk number that looked like it had been painted along her figure, it was that tight. Not tight was the flashy gemmed cocktail ring she wore on her left index finger. It was very loose.

 

The pair ignored me and began hugging and pawing each other with a lover’s passion. I sqoze by them, bumping silk into velvet. They giggled, I apologize, my fingers moved along the left hand that the bird wearing tight silk had wrapped behind velvet’s waist.

 

I pressed off against the pair, slipping off the loose gemstone ring from the wealthy bird’s left hand’s index finger as I did. Without the love-struck owner feeling so much as a prickle.

 

I went back to my table and downed the last of my Merlot.

 

Finishing my meal I left cash on the bill and stood up, looking around the room as I put on my black satin jacket with its shiny rhinestone buttons.

 

No other easy opportunities were apparent, so I decided to leave while I was ahead.

 

I then spied the velvet and tight silk-wearing birds at a side table. They were with two men in fitted suits. I was very curious over what the relationships were exactly between the four. I could almost smell an opportunity of some sort, but I was already on my way out.

 

As I left I spied the snooty Maître d'hôtel (master of the house), as he was eyeballing a far too young chick sitting at a table with long legs, and next to nothing covering them.

 

I snuck up behind him as he was watching her, and coming up alongside asked:

“Whatcha looking at Luv?”

 

Startled, He jumped a mile. And as he jumped, my hand slipped into his side pocket and easily lifted his real gold money clip. Weighted down with folded bills of money extorted from his restaurant’s patrons.

 

I giggled at his red face, tweaking his “Hercules Poirot” styled mustache as I said in parting:

“Cheers, thanks for letting me in…”

 

Happy with myself, I stood in front of the restaurant. Pondering if I should find a vantage point to see where that table of four was eventually heading when they left, or just amble off. I decided to go for a long stroll.

 

About 30 minutes later, I was sitting on a park bench, lighting a cigarette with my gold lighter, the one engraved with the king's head that I had lifted off a fine gentleman at a New Year’s Eve party.

 

I began rummaging through the purse I had lifted. A real silver compact, matching lipstick holder, and a wad of £200 were amongst my haul. I also discover a pair of tickets to a St. Valentine's evening ball that very evening. The very one being held in my hotel’s basement, the one that was sold out.

 

I quickly packed up and headed straight to my hotel, across the street from the park where I was sitting. It took me twenty minutes to reach it by taking a path that cut through the woods in the park’s centre.

 

I happily then cut through the lobby, casting an eye on the stuffed shirt manager at the desk. And the open door behind him that had security stenciled across the window.

 

Taking the elevator up 2 floors I got off and went to where my room was located, purposefully selected because it was facing across from a stairwell. I let myself in and began to quickly change into a more formal blue satin gown, keeping on the same jewelry.

 

Once I was prim and proper, I left. Eagerly headed downstairs to the basement where the ball was in full swing.

 

I happily showed my pair of tickets to the hotel security guard at the entrance, telling him:

 

“When my date shows up, I’ll come and give him his ticket.”

 

He nodded, not bothering to look like he ruddy well cared.

 

It was a packed affair. Live music, dancing, a table with raffle bins, and appetizers. A stocked bar off on one side with a buy your own drinks sign, thank you.

 

I had indeed bought myself a cocktail and began meandering around.

 

I soon latched onto a couple of young sisters, 14 and 16.

 

They were wonderfully attired in darling designer dresses of gleaming taffeta, complete with matching sashes tied from behind in bows. Their parents obviously have enough disposable income to spend an extravagant amount on dresses their progeny will outgrow in a few months.

 

The pair of lovelies were wearing rhinestones, but the 16-year-old was also sporting a flower-shaped gold pin, set with real gems. An emerald centre with real diamonds as petals.

 

I admired their pretty attire, gaining their confidence. Learning that their rooms were on the top fifth floor of this very hotel, in what I could tell was a penthouse suite.

 

Soon I had them pointing out their parents. As they did I let my hand slip onto the older girl's shoulder, my fingers curling around her pin.

 

The mum was wearing a sleek silk dress, with no jewellry, their papa in a vested suit. As both girls chatted about how lovely their mum looked, I easily lifted the older girl's expensively gemmed pin off from her soft gown. I did this as I had begun causally stroking down along her gown’s smooth material while she was busy looking away as she chatted on about her parents.

 

It was then the younger sister like she had been reading my mind, casually mentioning the fact that their mum was not wearing the pretty jewelry she had brought with her.

 

The older sister was still watching her parents on the dance floor and hadn’t noticed her sibling's comment. My senses began prickling something wicked. I daringly asked her why not, as I watched the older one out of the corner of my eye.

 

The sweet young thing answered truthfully:

“Because she wore them last night to the ball.”

 

Still keeping an eye on this girl's older sister who appeared to still not have noticed what her sibling was talking about. I knelt in front of the younger sister and lifted her heavy rhinestone necklace, watching it sparkle. I asked, carefully choosing my words:

“Pretty, now your mums cannot be as pretty as this?”

 

She smiled, her eyes opening with doe-eyed innocence:

“They are, ever so. And she has lots, doesn’t she.”

 

Then she pouted:

“We’re not allowed to wear them though.”

 

I had let go of her necklace. Though I will admit I had thought of lifting it from her since I was noticing she was starting to dance a little like she needed to use the loo, which would have made it an easy task

 

Instead, I whispered truthfully in her ear, with wicked intentions in my mind….

“Well, I certainly think both you and your sister should be allowed.”

 

I then asked if she could…

” Hold my drink for a sec?”

 

The little imp did do, as I rummaged through my purse. Knowing the cold ice in the glass she was holding should increase her need to use the potty.

 

The dance was ending. I took back my drink, watching as their parents went back to their table. I pulled aside the still-distracted older sister and asked if I could be introduced to their parents.

 

They gleefully took me over and introductions were made. I complimented the parents on what delightfully charming girls they were raising.

 

We had a conversation about that. Where the girls went to school, that sort of thing.

 

The younger daughter’s prancing was becoming more noticeable and soon the mum took her lead and went off with both daughters to take care of the issue.

 

So far I had played my cards correctly and as they left I decided to try a trump by asking the father if he would care to dance.

 

He did not appear affronted at all by my boldness and led me off to the floor. As he took me in his arms I stumbled against him, easily slipping his billfold from his suit jacket's front pocket. I stowed it away in a hidden pocket of my blue satin gown.

 

It was then as we danced that I spotted them.

 

A young wealthy couple dancing cheek to cheek. I studied them over my partner's shoulder.

 

She was beyond resplendent in a long blood-red satin gown that poured sleekly down along her figure. She was wearing a display of diamonds that looked like Tiffany’s display case, set against a red satin backdrop. Her husband was in full tux, wearing a gold signet ring engraved with his family’s crest. A crest I knew, a family that was one of England's wealthiest.

 

She was a giggler, he appeared to have issues keeping his wife focused.

 

There was a couple I would love to have learned more about. But by lifting the father's wallet, I was already committed to a plan.

 

Oh well. I turned my attention back to the father, who was a charismatic charmer of a man.

 

The dance ended and I took my leave. Literally. As I made my way to the nearest exit.

 

I took the stairs to the first floor, intending to pay my bill ahead for an early checkout. Since I may be leaving in a hurry.

 

Going up to the lobby desk. I saw it was deserted. Then looking out the front doors I saw the manager and the security man standing there holding apart two men who had pretty obviously been brawling.

 

I looked back to the empty desk, then to the opened door to the security room.

 

On a daring whim, I slipped inside. Not knowing what I would find.

 

In the corner was a large vault, opened exposing rows of metal boxes that required a passkey. No master pass keys were visible. And I probably did not have the time. But my lord, one could just imagine the delicious darling jewels that lay inside them.

 

I then spotted a bagged security uniform and cap. Not wishing to come away empty-handed from my daring sneaking into the room, I snatched it up and carried it past the still-empty desk. Coast was still perfectly clear.

 

I darted through the stairwell door and scurried up to my room.

 

In the room I quickly undressed and tried on the uniform, thinking it may serve as an effective ruse. Tucking my long hair up under the cap and putting on dark sunglasses I looked myself over in the mirror.

 

Surprised at how official I looked.

 

Taking off the glasses I went to my gown and took out the wallet. Finding £525 in cash and amongst his cards his room’s passkey. I had guessed right.

 

So now with the security uniform in my possession, I could freely go and burgle the room, without waiting till the little family returned, and were all fast asleep.

 

Putting the sunglasses back on, I picked up my leather pouch and headed out my door to the staircase directly across.

 

There were 3 suites on the top 5th floor. I knocked at the first door. No answer. I tried the key, but it didn’t turn.

 

Repeated the same procedure with the suite door directly across. The key clicked the tumblers and the door opened.

 

Licking my lips I slipped inside.

 

I had my torch and put on the red-lighted beam to look around. Beautiful room. A larger living area complete with a full bar and kitchenette. Double doors led out onto a balcony. I wondered if I could reach the other penthouse suite's balconies from it and decided to check it out after I went through the bedrooms.

 

Eagerly I then went into the first one.

 

Obviously the young sister's room. I let my beam work the room. Finding a dressing table I went over to it. Laying out was a pair of necklaces, one gold and the other with fine Pearls. A gold bangle bracelet lay next to them, surrounded by a couple of gold rings. I scooped them up. Next to them were twin velvet cases. I opened them. but found both were empty. For the rhinestones they were wearing I guessed. Without thought, I placed them inside my pouch.

 

Quickly checking the drawers I found sets of satin pjs But nothing else of value was hidden underneath. They were both too young to be using that trick.

 

I turned and went out to the living area. I caught my reflection in the mirror above the bar and startled, I jumped.

 

Twit, I had forgotten I was wearing a security uniform.

 

Snickering to myself I entered the master bedroom.

 

My beam of light located the dressing table and I went right over. A small jewel case lay there. I went over and opened the case, my eyes saw the welcoming sight of gold, silver, and pearl jewelry. All of it was expensive. I placed the whole case in my pouch.

 

No diamonds.

 

I soon located the closet and opening it saw it held a tux, several gowns, and dresses all of a designer's make. I bent down and located the small wall safe.

 

Now for the moment of truth. Were the wealthy mum’s diamonds here? Or had they been placed in the hotel vault I had spotted in the security office?

 

Using my stethoscope, I spun the tumblers and had it opened in no time.

 

Inside, much to my relief lay several velvet jewel cases. I pulled out the first. Opened it and my eyes were dazzled by the diamond set jewels it contained.

 

It was then I heard laughter from what seemed to becoming right outside the penthouse suite’s door. I quickly placed the case containing diamonds in my pouch, scooping up the other cases without looking inside. Closed the safe and quickly slipped out of the room.

I went straight to the main doors’ peephole, still hearing the twittering laughter going on outside it.

 

Heart thumping I looked through the hole. Then my heart rate exhilarated, leaping up into my throat as the saying goes.

 

For the commotion was coming from across the hall. It was the couple I had been salivating over as I had danced with the father. The giggling lass wearing a blood-red satin gown and decked out with diamonds, and her wealthy heir of a husband. Both were totally pissed drunk.

 

Tuxboy had dropped his keys and couldn’t pick them up. His pretty bride’s profile was bent over him giggling, diamonds flashing as they swung out away from her fine bosom.

  

He finally picked up the keys. The two of them embraced kissing.

 

“Get inside the room. You pair .”

I murmured as a plan of action suddenly popped into my mind. An epiphany if I have ever had one.

 

They finally managed to open the door and practically fell inside.

 

I turned and quickly scanned the room with my torch’s red beam. I located the suites phone on the bar top

 

Going over I made a direct call to the penthouse room the couple had just disappeared inside.

 

The phone was picked up, and after a bit of fumbling a male’s s chuckling voice answers with a puzzled yes.

 

I began speaking with the sharp clipped words portrayed in movies by authority figures. I added an Irish lilt to my words to heighten the effect.

 

“Sir, now this is the front desk. It’s imperative that you come down to speak with security. Do not bring your wife, we do not want to alarm her.”

 

The drunk twit fell for it. Hanging up abruptly. I raced to the peephole. A short minute later he comes stumbling out and heads for the elevators.

 

As he disappears inside I went over and pushed all the buttons so it would come back up stopping at every floor.

 

Putting on my sunglasses I went to his room and knocked at his door.

 

“Security!”

 

His darling wife, still sporting all her delicious diamond Jewelry, cautiously opened the door.

 

“My husband just went down to see you?”

 

“Must have missed him, ma’am. But it’s important that I speak to you.”

 

She obediently opens the door and lets me in.

I surveyed the room. She was vulnerably alone.”

 

I looked at her, seeing her worriedly looking at me through the dark lenses of my mirrored sunglasses.

 

I spoke quickly using the same tone of voice I had used on her wealthy husband.

 

“Ma’am, several rooms have been robbed this evening. Your husband was told to bring any of your valuables to keep in the hotel's vault. “

 

She put a worried hand on her shimmering necklace.

“He..he didn’t say anything. “

 

I continued, not giving her foggy mind time to clear up.

“You don’t want to be robbed of them now do you miss? Here, you should let me take them down for you.”

 

I wasn’t a question and she nodded compliantly.

 

I reached in and pulled out one of the empty cases I had lifted from the daughter's room.

 

I held it open in front of her trying to keep from drooling over the exquisitely delicious jewellery . Was this gullible lady going to be this easily manipulated into just handing them over to me?

 

And Blimey, was she, ever so obediently going to do just that…

Beginning by reaching up behind her neck, rings, and bracelets flashing from her red satin gloves, her breasts bulging out like shiny mounds from underneath her tight blood-red satin gown.

 

Undoing the necklace’s clasp she removed it and laid it upon the case. Then reaching up into her long red hair, undid each of her dangling earrings and placed them on top. Raising each wrist she unfastened her bracelets and added them to the gleaming pile. Then slipped off her four heavily gemmed rings.

 

She took a step back, worried face told me she was buying into my scam.

 

“What about your brooch miss, not wanting the thief to get that now are you.”

 

She nodded, looking down and reaching in between her voluptuous breasts, plucked off the heavily jeweled broach.

 

Dumbfounded that I was now holding at least a cool ¾ of a million pounds in diamonds…

 

Yet, I still fished in for for more….

“Aye, that’s the girl. Now, anything else you need me to take to the safe.”

 

Again, it wasn’t a question.

 

She scrunched her nose in thought.

“Your right, thanks for reminding me”

 

With that, she turned, her gown swishing provocatively along her seductive figure as she disappeared inside her bedroom

 

Closing the case I stowed it inside my pouch. I moved to a side table and scooped up her plump, red sequined designer clutch purse and stashed it inside my pouch

 

Then stood by the door pondering wistfully over how I could con her into slipping out of and handing over that delicious red satin gown.

 

No clever ideas presented themselves as she reappeared, holding an upper-end Smythson blue velvet jewelry bag.

 

She explained, almost apologetically:

“My husband usually puts this in the closet safe at night. But I’m sure it will be more secure where you are taking it.”

 

Smiling as I took it while saying, and not exactly telling a fib,

“Thank you, I will make sure they are safe in my hands and apologize to your husband for the mix-up.”

 

She smiled back with relief in her eyes, then came up and hugged me. Saying in my ear…

 

“Thank you for taking care of me.”

 

Damn her luscious gown felt wonderfully nice, her warm figure even nicer as she pressed up against me.

 

Breaking apart I began telling her truthfully, as I looked her pretty gown-clad figure up and down.

“It is my pleasure. Love your gown by the way. Now miss, lock the door behind me. Though I’m sure your now safe from robberies.”

 

She was grinning at me, her eyes still a bit clouded with the drink as she stroked the front of her gown, fingers rolling along her fine breasts.

“Unless less the thief wants my gown, it’s all I have now of value to hand over.”

 

I certainly hesitated at that, almost like she had read my thoughts. Then smiling at her joke, left.

 

Avoiding the elevator, I quickly headed to the stairs leading down to my room.

 

As I went through the door onto the top landing of the metal staircase I abruptly halted.

 

I smelled him before seeing him. A strong, sour smell of whiskey intermingled with musk, warned me I was not alone in here.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

I peeked over the stairs railing looking down.

 

On the second floor, landing staggered a man. So drunk that I could smell it two full floors above him.

 

The git was looking around behind him, trying hard to figure out what door he had heard opening.

 

He was dapper, dressed in a tux with tails and a formal top hat. A delectable gold watch chain shimmered around his waist.

 

I slowly went down the stairs, hoping he would move off. I didn’t want to get off at the 4th or 3rd floors, too many risks to take the elevator.

 

But, buggers if the man didn’t budge.

 

I reached the top of the stairs above where he stood, swaying, his gaze transfixed on the 2nd-floor door.

 

With a heavy sigh, I went down the stairs, coming up behind him, I tapped his shoulder.

 

He turned his head around. Then eyes opening wide he said…

 

Blimey. Wha..what’s this, your a female bobby. Didn’t know you came like that.”

 

He stood there, gobsmacked, trying to figure me out.

 

I just stayed in the character I had created for the damsel in distress upstairs. Using the same time of voice I told him…

“Sir you need to go to your room.”

 

The bugger shook his head, saying with a muttering tone…

“No officer lady, I’m drunk in “pubic”, ya need to be arresting me sorry ass. I think you should securely frisk me. Isn’t that what you lot do?”

 

I shook my head, then spied his leather billfold sticking up from his pocket. Fat with notes.

“Okay, face the wall and spread your legs and arms.

 

He turned and as he tried to do what I had told him, fell against the wall, emitting a low moan.

 

I then frisked him, patting him down. Easily lifting his wallet, gold watch, and room keycard as I did so. I saw it was number 22, around the corner from my room.

 

“Careful of the family jewels there. Missy. May need them later if you catch my drift…”

 

I think he was winking into the wall.

 

Turning He held up his hands.

“Cuff me, officer,”

 

I shook my head no.

“Sorry, sir I can’t do that I’m not an officer only security.”

I sighed

“But I will put you under house arrest In your room. Is this your floor?”

 

He tried to focus on the door

“Two. What a coincidence that’s where my room is.”

 

I opened the door and pulled him through.

 

“Room number 22 miss officer.”

 

I led him down the hallway, not an easy task as he kept slumping against the wall. Thankfully no one popped a head from any of the other rooms.

 

Finally, we reached room number 22

 

He chuckles.

“Thanks for the Lift. Care for a drinky?”

 

I handed him his key

 

He took it not questioning how I had it.

 

“You go in sir. Pour yourself one. I’m still on duty.”

 

This wanker wasn’t giving up

“When are you off Miss officer?”

 

“Just starting my shift, not off till morning. I’ll come and give you a wake-up call if you’d like.”

 

He smiled with a crooked smile only a true drunk can pull off, and saluted me, amazingly without putting out an eye.

 

“Toodles then!”

 

I was gone before he had closed his door.

 

I quickly went to my room back around the corner, thankfully meeting no one else in the hallway.

 

In my room, I changed out of my uniform into my leather skirt and satin blouse.

 

I took my pouch and suitcase, now holding the guards uniform, to my lotus sports car.

 

Then going back upstairs I grabbed my overnight case, and my dress bag and went downstairs.

 

A young girl wearing a heavy cream-coloured silk blouse and black skirt was at the front desk. The security guard's door was closed and I could see a pair of male shadows taking inside.

 

After telling the girl I wanted to check out I asked what all the excitement was about.

 

She excitedly explained that a couple of blokes had gotten into a fight out front. Police were called and hailed them away.

 

I smiled, happily thinking that my own shenanigans had not yet been discovered. The wealthy young twits upstairs had bought into my story, of that I was certain.

 

I was paying my bill when the phone rang. I listened in and heard her saying...

“What’s that? No sir, we don’t have female security?”

 

I kept a calm look on my face as my heart began thumping. I whispered under my breath.

“Come on luv, hand me my receipt..”

 

Still, on the phone the girl smiled at me and handed over my receipt, saying into the phone.

“What’s that sir, house arrest? Yes sir, well I’m sure you are no longer confined….”

 

Relieved, I took my receipt and headed straight out the front door without hearing the ending of the conversation.

Once outside I hailed a waiting cab.

 

I had him drop me off at the train station.

 

Arriving there, I locked up my belongings In one of the lobby pay-as-you-go lockers. Waiting inside for a good half hour I then left with a group just departing and caught a cab giving him the address of the hotel two blocks down from mine.

 

He dropped me off and I went through the lobby out the back way, then down a side alley till I reached the lot where my car was parked.

 

I got in and drove back to the train station, where I collected my things.

 

Once I was back in my car, I lit a cigarette, took a few relaxing puffs, then put my sports car in gear, purposefully driving off through the night, planning on putting as much distance as fast as I could risk it, between me and the city I was leaving.

 

Fini.

 

37405 would leave at 1223, 53 late having loaded 10 wagons returning to Basford Hall as 0Z40. 70803 would leave at 1403

7 late ,as 6K33 back to Bradwell Up Sidings, Colas.

Couldn't stay any longer due to another commitment , but a profitable day at Pen and a lot of fellow enthusiasts to catch up with !!

The success of The Avengers has shown Disney how profitable epic crossovers can be, so they decided to have all of their movie franchises lead up to one ultimate crossover! Over the course of the next Star Wars movies, Mickey Mouse comes to a galaxy far, far away and is soon turned to the Dark Side. He starts to construct a third Death Star (called the "Death Mouse") as well as a time-space portal in order to join forces with all the other Disney-owned villains and take over the whole universe! This forces all the Disney heroes to use the same portal to team up in order to stop this new mousey threat! And so, in the final movie of the series, everyone comes together in Darth Mickey's base and battle it out for the fate of the universe! It's the ultimate showdown of ultimate destiny! You've got characters from Star Wars, Marvel, Pirates of the Caribbean, Pixar, Indiana Jones, and Prince of Persia all fighting each other! Who will win?

 

My entry for the Future of Star Wars contest on Eurobricks, inspired by a certain Flash music video.

Affair of The Haunts of the Very Rich

 

St Valentines Day

 

I’ve often noticed that with the very wealthy, the majority of them that do bother to celebrate St Valentine's day, are primarily the youngest of couples that belong to this class.

 

Young wealthy and naive. My type of combination.

 

^^^^^^^^

 

I was staying at an upper-end hotel that Valentine’s Day weekend, treating myself after having a rather profitable New Year's weekend a few weeks prior.

 

I had been excited to learn there was a ballroom in the basement where a dance was being held later that week. But it was sold out. So I was left out of that opportunity.

 

But there were others.

 

Amongst which:

 

At a park, an older upper-class dressed lady was waking as she held a corgi in her arm. I stopped her and asked if I could pet the little darling. She said yes and as I stooped over to pet the pup with my right hand, my left was busy removing a diamond bracelet from around the cubby wrist holding the bratty animal.

 

While the next day, at the same park, my eyes caught the glitter of diamond studs, 4 Carets worth, being carelessly worn by a silk-clad mum watching her children play as she sat upon a park bench. I walked behind the bench and easily lifted the fat wallet from her designer leather bag. I then sat down on a bench ten meters away, watching her profile. Wondering how she ever was avoiding being mugged?

 

Then…

 

Midweek found me at a 5 Star Restaurant eating dinner, conspicuously alone amongst the tables filled with romantically in-love couples. Many of them are from obviously a privileged upbringing, which is the game I was after.

 

Being alone, the tuxedo-wearing man at the desk had not wanted me in, until I slipped the upturned nosed Maître d £40

He put on a money clip with an already healthy wad of notes. Sticking it into a deep side pocket of his long tux coat.

 

Soon I was escorted to a small side table next to the swinging doors of the prep kitchen. The smells that wafted out when the doors opened certainly whetted my appetite, in more ways than one.

 

I was wearing my black satin jacket with its shiny rhinestone buttons. Underneath I was wearing my blue satin long-sleeved button-back blouse, paired with a long slick black leather skirt. My jewels were simple, consisting of diamond stud earrings and a diamond heart-shaped pendant.

 

I was hoping to make a score this evening, relieving some of the wealthy patrons eating here of a purse, wallet, watch jewellery, or a combination of these items.

  

For my meal, I ordered one of the more expensive items on the menu. The steak was very good, and the wine was even better. But my appetite was not quelled, for I was hungering after richer items, not on their menu.

 

I had my eye on a couple of tables. The love birds sitting at them had eyes only for each other, and not on purses or wallets, or other valuables they had on their very well-dressed persons.

 

A pair of violinists had been going around from table to table, collecting tips for their playing, or to stop them from playing, it was hard to tell.

 

They were now a pair at one of the tables I had been observing.

 

The couple that was sitting there was dressed in formal attire. He was wearing what I call a James Bond tux, his girl was poured in a short sequined dress with pearls. Her designer purse was hanging from the chair behind her, on top of a mink stole.

 

I placed my purse in a side pocket of my skirt, placed my satin jacket over an arm, and walked past the table, squeezing in between the violinists and the table behind. The violinists moved in, making the two at the table scrunch in closer.

 

As the couple at the table were moving their

chairs in, I circled behind, whisked by the lady’s chair, and easily lifted her small designer purse from the chair stowing it under my jacket.

 

I went to the loo and in a stall took out my purse and replaced it inside my pocket with the expensive one I had just lifted.

 

As I was washing up a pair of young ladies came in. One had a long velvet dress and wearing pearls. Her companion had on a short silk number that looked like it had been painted along her figure, it was that tight. Not tight was the flashy gemmed cocktail ring she wore on her left index finger. It was very loose.

 

The pair ignored me and began hugging and pawing each other with a lover’s passion. I sqoze by them, bumping silk into velvet. They giggled, I apologize, my fingers moved along the left hand that the bird wearing tight silk had wrapped behind velvet’s waist.

 

I pressed off against the pair, slipping off the loose gemstone ring from the wealthy bird’s left hand’s index finger as I did. Without the love-struck owner feeling so much as a prickle.

 

I went back to my table and downed the last of my Merlot.

 

Finishing my meal I left cash on the bill and stood up, looking around the room as I put on my black satin jacket with its shiny rhinestone buttons.

 

No other easy opportunities were apparent, so I decided to leave while I was ahead.

 

I then spied the velvet and tight silk-wearing birds at a side table. They were with two men in fitted suits. I was very curious over what the relationships were exactly between the four. I could almost smell an opportunity of some sort, but I was already on my way out.

 

As I left I spied the snooty Maître d'hôtel (master of the house), as he was eyeballing a far too young chick sitting at a table with long legs, and next to nothing covering them.

 

I snuck up behind him as he was watching her, and coming up alongside asked:

“Whatcha looking at Luv?”

 

Startled, He jumped a mile. And as he jumped, my hand slipped into his side pocket and easily lifted his real gold money clip. Weighted down with folded bills of money extorted from his restaurant’s patrons.

 

I giggled at his red face, tweaking his “Hercules Poirot” styled mustache as I said in parting:

“Cheers, thanks for letting me in…”

 

Happy with myself, I stood in front of the restaurant. Pondering if I should find a vantage point to see where that table of four was eventually heading when they left, or just amble off. I decided to go for a long stroll.

 

About 30 minutes later, I was sitting on a park bench, lighting a cigarette with my gold lighter, the one engraved with the king's head that I had lifted off a fine gentleman at a New Year’s Eve party.

 

I began rummaging through the purse I had lifted. A real silver compact, matching lipstick holder, and a wad of £200 were amongst my haul. I also discover a pair of tickets to a St. Valentine's evening ball that very evening. The very one being held in my hotel’s basement, the one that was sold out.

 

I quickly packed up and headed straight to my hotel, across the street from the park where I was sitting. It took me twenty minutes to reach it by taking a path that cut through the woods in the park’s centre.

 

I happily then cut through the lobby, casting an eye on the stuffed shirt manager at the desk. And the open door behind him that had security stenciled across the window.

 

Taking the elevator up 2 floors I got off and went to where my room was located, purposefully selected because it was facing across from a stairwell. I let myself in and began to quickly change into a more formal blue satin gown, keeping on the same jewelry.

 

Once I was prim and proper, I left. Eagerly headed downstairs to the basement where the ball was in full swing.

 

I happily showed my pair of tickets to the hotel security guard at the entrance, telling him:

 

“When my date shows up, I’ll come and give him his ticket.”

 

He nodded, not bothering to look like he ruddy well cared.

 

It was a packed affair. Live music, dancing, a table with raffle bins, and appetizers. A stocked bar off on one side with a buy your own drinks sign, thank you.

 

I had indeed bought myself a cocktail and began meandering around.

 

I soon latched onto a couple of young sisters, 14 and 16.

 

They were wonderfully attired in darling designer dresses of gleaming taffeta, complete with matching sashes tied from behind in bows. Their parents obviously have enough disposable income to spend an extravagant amount on dresses their progeny will outgrow in a few months.

 

The pair of lovelies were wearing rhinestones, but the 16-year-old was also sporting a flower-shaped gold pin, set with real gems. An emerald centre with real diamonds as petals.

 

I admired their pretty attire, gaining their confidence. Learning that their rooms were on the top fifth floor of this very hotel, in what I could tell was a penthouse suite.

 

Soon I had them pointing out their parents. As they did I let my hand slip onto the older girl's shoulder, my fingers curling around her pin.

 

The mum was wearing a sleek silk dress, with no jewellry, their papa in a vested suit. As both girls chatted about how lovely their mum looked, I easily lifted the older girl's expensively gemmed pin off from her soft gown. I did this as I had begun causally stroking down along her gown’s smooth material while she was busy looking away as she chatted on about her parents.

 

It was then the younger sister like she had been reading my mind, casually mentioning the fact that their mum was not wearing the pretty jewelry she had brought with her.

 

The older sister was still watching her parents on the dance floor and hadn’t noticed her sibling's comment. My senses began prickling something wicked. I daringly asked her why not, as I watched the older one out of the corner of my eye.

 

The sweet young thing answered truthfully:

“Because she wore them last night to the ball.”

 

Still keeping an eye on this girl's older sister who appeared to still not have noticed what her sibling was talking about. I knelt in front of the younger sister and lifted her heavy rhinestone necklace, watching it sparkle. I asked, carefully choosing my words:

“Pretty, now your mums cannot be as pretty as this?”

 

She smiled, her eyes opening with doe-eyed innocence:

“They are, ever so. And she has lots, doesn’t she.”

 

Then she pouted:

“We’re not allowed to wear them though.”

 

I had let go of her necklace. Though I will admit I had thought of lifting it from her since I was noticing she was starting to dance a little like she needed to use the loo, which would have made it an easy task

 

Instead, I whispered truthfully in her ear, with wicked intentions in my mind….

“Well, I certainly think both you and your sister should be allowed.”

 

I then asked if she could…

” Hold my drink for a sec?”

 

The little imp did do, as I rummaged through my purse. Knowing the cold ice in the glass she was holding should increase her need to use the potty.

 

The dance was ending. I took back my drink, watching as their parents went back to their table. I pulled aside the still-distracted older sister and asked if I could be introduced to their parents.

 

They gleefully took me over and introductions were made. I complimented the parents on what delightfully charming girls they were raising.

 

We had a conversation about that. Where the girls went to school, that sort of thing.

 

The younger daughter’s prancing was becoming more noticeable and soon the mum took her lead and went off with both daughters to take care of the issue.

 

So far I had played my cards correctly and as they left I decided to try a trump by asking the father if he would care to dance.

 

He did not appear affronted at all by my boldness and led me off to the floor. As he took me in his arms I stumbled against him, easily slipping his billfold from his suit jacket's front pocket. I stowed it away in a hidden pocket of my blue satin gown.

 

It was then as we danced that I spotted them.

 

A young wealthy couple dancing cheek to cheek. I studied them over my partner's shoulder.

 

She was beyond resplendent in a long blood-red satin gown that poured sleekly down along her figure. She was wearing a display of diamonds that looked like Tiffany’s display case, set against a red satin backdrop. Her husband was in full tux, wearing a gold signet ring engraved with his family’s crest. A crest I knew, a family that was one of England's wealthiest.

 

She was a giggler, he appeared to have issues keeping his wife focused.

 

There was a couple I would love to have learned more about. But by lifting the father's wallet, I was already committed to a plan.

 

Oh well. I turned my attention back to the father, who was a charismatic charmer of a man.

 

The dance ended and I took my leave. Literally. As I made my way to the nearest exit.

 

I took the stairs to the first floor, intending to pay my bill ahead for an early checkout. Since I may be leaving in a hurry.

 

Going up to the lobby desk. I saw it was deserted. Then looking out the front doors I saw the manager and the security man standing there holding apart two men who had pretty obviously been brawling.

 

I looked back to the empty desk, then to the opened door to the security room.

 

On a daring whim, I slipped inside. Not knowing what I would find.

 

In the corner was a large vault, opened exposing rows of metal boxes that required a passkey. No master pass keys were visible. And I probably did not have the time. But my lord, one could just imagine the delicious darling jewels that lay inside them.

 

I then spotted a bagged security uniform and cap. Not wishing to come away empty-handed from my daring sneaking into the room, I snatched it up and carried it past the still-empty desk. Coast was still perfectly clear.

 

I darted through the stairwell door and scurried up to my room.

 

In the room I quickly undressed and tried on the uniform, thinking it may serve as an effective ruse. Tucking my long hair up under the cap and putting on dark sunglasses I looked myself over in the mirror.

 

Surprised at how official I looked.

 

Taking off the glasses I went to my gown and took out the wallet. Finding £525 in cash and amongst his cards his room’s passkey. I had guessed right.

 

So now with the security uniform in my possession, I could freely go and burgle the room, without waiting till the little family returned, and were all fast asleep.

 

Putting the sunglasses back on, I picked up my leather pouch and headed out my door to the staircase directly across.

 

There were 3 suites on the top 5th floor. I knocked at the first door. No answer. I tried the key, but it didn’t turn.

 

Repeated the same procedure with the suite door directly across. The key clicked the tumblers and the door opened.

 

Licking my lips I slipped inside.

 

I had my torch and put on the red-lighted beam to look around. Beautiful room. A larger living area complete with a full bar and kitchenette. Double doors led out onto a balcony. I wondered if I could reach the other penthouse suite's balconies from it and decided to check it out after I went through the bedrooms.

 

Eagerly I then went into the first one.

 

Obviously the young sister's room. I let my beam work the room. Finding a dressing table I went over to it. Laying out was a pair of necklaces, one gold and the other with fine Pearls. A gold bangle bracelet lay next to them, surrounded by a couple of gold rings. I scooped them up. Next to them were twin velvet cases. I opened them. but found both were empty. For the rhinestones they were wearing I guessed. Without thought, I placed them inside my pouch.

 

Quickly checking the drawers I found sets of satin pjs But nothing else of value was hidden underneath. They were both too young to be using that trick.

 

I turned and went out to the living area. I caught my reflection in the mirror above the bar and startled, I jumped.

 

Twit, I had forgotten I was wearing a security uniform.

 

Snickering to myself I entered the master bedroom.

 

My beam of light located the dressing table and I went right over. A small jewel case lay there. I went over and opened the case, my eyes saw the welcoming sight of gold, silver, and pearl jewelry. All of it was expensive. I placed the whole case in my pouch.

 

No diamonds.

 

I soon located the closet and opening it saw it held a tux, several gowns, and dresses all of a designer's make. I bent down and located the small wall safe.

 

Now for the moment of truth. Were the wealthy mum’s diamonds here? Or had they been placed in the hotel vault I had spotted in the security office?

 

Using my stethoscope, I spun the tumblers and had it opened in no time.

 

Inside, much to my relief lay several velvet jewel cases. I pulled out the first. Opened it and my eyes were dazzled by the diamond set jewels it contained.

 

It was then I heard laughter from what seemed to becoming right outside the penthouse suite’s door. I quickly placed the case containing diamonds in my pouch, scooping up the other cases without looking inside. Closed the safe and quickly slipped out of the room.

I went straight to the main doors’ peephole, still hearing the twittering laughter going on outside it.

 

Heart thumping I looked through the hole. Then my heart rate exhilarated, leaping up into my throat as the saying goes.

 

For the commotion was coming from across the hall. It was the couple I had been salivating over as I had danced with the father. The giggling lass wearing a blood-red satin gown and decked out with diamonds, and her wealthy heir of a husband. Both were totally pissed drunk.

 

Tuxboy had dropped his keys and couldn’t pick them up. His pretty bride’s profile was bent over him giggling, diamonds flashing as they swung out away from her fine bosom.

  

He finally picked up the keys. The two of them embraced kissing.

 

“Get inside the room. You pair .”

I murmured as a plan of action suddenly popped into my mind. An epiphany if I have ever had one.

 

They finally managed to open the door and practically fell inside.

 

I turned and quickly scanned the room with my torch’s red beam. I located the suites phone on the bar top

 

Going over I made a direct call to the penthouse room the couple had just disappeared inside.

 

The phone was picked up, and after a bit of fumbling a male’s s chuckling voice answers with a puzzled yes.

 

I began speaking with the sharp clipped words portrayed in movies by authority figures. I added an Irish lilt to my words to heighten the effect.

 

“Sir, now this is the front desk. It’s imperative that you come down to speak with security. Do not bring your wife, we do not want to alarm her.”

 

The drunk twit fell for it. Hanging up abruptly. I raced to the peephole. A short minute later he comes stumbling out and heads for the elevators.

 

As he disappears inside I went over and pushed all the buttons so it would come back up stopping at every floor.

 

Putting on my sunglasses I went to his room and knocked at his door.

 

“Security!”

 

His darling wife, still sporting all her delicious diamond Jewelry, cautiously opened the door.

 

“My husband just went down to see you?”

 

“Must have missed him, ma’am. But it’s important that I speak to you.”

 

She obediently opens the door and lets me in.

I surveyed the room. She was vulnerably alone.”

 

I looked at her, seeing her worriedly looking at me through the dark lenses of my mirrored sunglasses.

 

I spoke quickly using the same tone of voice I had used on her wealthy husband.

 

“Ma’am, several rooms have been robbed this evening. Your husband was told to bring any of your valuables to keep in the hotel's vault. “

 

She put a worried hand on her shimmering necklace.

“He..he didn’t say anything. “

 

I continued, not giving her foggy mind time to clear up.

“You don’t want to be robbed of them now do you miss? Here, you should let me take them down for you.”

 

I wasn’t a question and she nodded compliantly.

 

I reached in and pulled out one of the empty cases I had lifted from the daughter's room.

 

I held it open in front of her trying to keep from drooling over the exquisitely delicious jewellery . Was this gullible lady going to be this easily manipulated into just handing them over to me?

 

And Blimey, was she, ever so obediently going to do just that…

Beginning by reaching up behind her neck, rings, and bracelets flashing from her red satin gloves, her breasts bulging out like shiny mounds from underneath her tight blood-red satin gown.

 

Undoing the necklace’s clasp she removed it and laid it upon the case. Then reaching up into her long red hair, undid each of her dangling earrings and placed them on top. Raising each wrist she unfastened her bracelets and added them to the gleaming pile. Then slipped off her four heavily gemmed rings.

 

She took a step back, worried face told me she was buying into my scam.

 

“What about your brooch miss, not wanting the thief to get that now are you.”

 

She nodded, looking down and reaching in between her voluptuous breasts, plucked off the heavily jeweled broach.

 

Dumbfounded that I was now holding at least a cool ¾ of a million pounds in diamonds…

 

Yet, I still fished in for for more….

“Aye, that’s the girl. Now, anything else you need me to take to the safe.”

 

Again, it wasn’t a question.

 

She scrunched her nose in thought.

“Your right, thanks for reminding me”

 

With that, she turned, her gown swishing provocatively along her seductive figure as she disappeared inside her bedroom

 

Closing the case I stowed it inside my pouch. I moved to a side table and scooped up her plump, red sequined designer clutch purse and stashed it inside my pouch

 

Then stood by the door pondering wistfully over how I could con her into slipping out of and handing over that delicious red satin gown.

 

No clever ideas presented themselves as she reappeared, holding an upper-end Smythson blue velvet jewelry bag.

 

She explained, almost apologetically:

“My husband usually puts this in the closet safe at night. But I’m sure it will be more secure where you are taking it.”

 

Smiling as I took it while saying, and not exactly telling a fib,

“Thank you, I will make sure they are safe in my hands and apologize to your husband for the mix-up.”

 

She smiled back with relief in her eyes, then came up and hugged me. Saying in my ear…

 

“Thank you for taking care of me.”

 

Damn her luscious gown felt wonderfully nice, her warm figure even nicer as she pressed up against me.

 

Breaking apart I began telling her truthfully, as I looked her pretty gown-clad figure up and down.

“It is my pleasure. Love your gown by the way. Now miss, lock the door behind me. Though I’m sure your now safe from robberies.”

 

She was grinning at me, her eyes still a bit clouded with the drink as she stroked the front of her gown, fingers rolling along her fine breasts.

“Unless less the thief wants my gown, it’s all I have now of value to hand over.”

 

I certainly hesitated at that, almost like she had read my thoughts. Then smiling at her joke, left.

 

Avoiding the elevator, I quickly headed to the stairs leading down to my room.

 

As I went through the door onto the top landing of the metal staircase I abruptly halted.

 

I smelled him before seeing him. A strong, sour smell of whiskey intermingled with musk, warned me I was not alone in here.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

I peeked over the stairs railing looking down.

 

On the second floor, landing staggered a man. So drunk that I could smell it two full floors above him.

 

The git was looking around behind him, trying hard to figure out what door he had heard opening.

 

He was dapper, dressed in a tux with tails and a formal top hat. A delectable gold watch chain shimmered around his waist.

 

I slowly went down the stairs, hoping he would move off. I didn’t want to get off at the 4th or 3rd floors, too many risks to take the elevator.

 

But, buggers if the man didn’t budge.

 

I reached the top of the stairs above where he stood, swaying, his gaze transfixed on the 2nd-floor door.

 

With a heavy sigh, I went down the stairs, coming up behind him, I tapped his shoulder.

 

He turned his head around. Then eyes opening wide he said…

 

Blimey. Wha..what’s this, your a female bobby. Didn’t know you came like that.”

 

He stood there, gobsmacked, trying to figure me out.

 

I just stayed in the character I had created for the damsel in distress upstairs. Using the same time of voice I told him…

“Sir you need to go to your room.”

 

The bugger shook his head, saying with a muttering tone…

“No officer lady, I’m drunk in “pubic”, ya need to be arresting me sorry ass. I think you should securely frisk me. Isn’t that what you lot do?”

 

I shook my head, then spied his leather billfold sticking up from his pocket. Fat with notes.

“Okay, face the wall and spread your legs and arms.

 

He turned and as he tried to do what I had told him, fell against the wall, emitting a low moan.

 

I then frisked him, patting him down. Easily lifting his wallet, gold watch, and room keycard as I did so. I saw it was number 22, around the corner from my room.

 

“Careful of the family jewels there. Missy. May need them later if you catch my drift…”

 

I think he was winking into the wall.

 

Turning He held up his hands.

“Cuff me, officer,”

 

I shook my head no.

“Sorry, sir I can’t do that I’m not an officer only security.”

I sighed

“But I will put you under house arrest In your room. Is this your floor?”

 

He tried to focus on the door

“Two. What a coincidence that’s where my room is.”

 

I opened the door and pulled him through.

 

“Room number 22 miss officer.”

 

I led him down the hallway, not an easy task as he kept slumping against the wall. Thankfully no one popped a head from any of the other rooms.

 

Finally, we reached room number 22

 

He chuckles.

“Thanks for the Lift. Care for a drinky?”

 

I handed him his key

 

He took it not questioning how I had it.

 

“You go in sir. Pour yourself one. I’m still on duty.”

 

This wanker wasn’t giving up

“When are you off Miss officer?”

 

“Just starting my shift, not off till morning. I’ll come and give you a wake-up call if you’d like.”

 

He smiled with a crooked smile only a true drunk can pull off, and saluted me, amazingly without putting out an eye.

 

“Toodles then!”

 

I was gone before he had closed his door.

 

I quickly went to my room back around the corner, thankfully meeting no one else in the hallway.

 

In my room, I changed out of my uniform into my leather skirt and satin blouse.

 

I took my pouch and suitcase, now holding the guards uniform, to my lotus sports car.

 

Then going back upstairs I grabbed my overnight case, and my dress bag and went downstairs.

 

A young girl wearing a heavy cream-coloured silk blouse and black skirt was at the front desk. The security guard's door was closed and I could see a pair of male shadows taking inside.

 

After telling the girl I wanted to check out I asked what all the excitement was about.

 

She excitedly explained that a couple of blokes had gotten into a fight out front. Police were called and hailed them away.

 

I smiled, happily thinking that my own shenanigans had not yet been discovered. The wealthy young twits upstairs had bought into my story, of that I was certain.

 

I was paying my bill when the phone rang. I listened in and heard her saying...

“What’s that? No sir, we don’t have female security?”

 

I kept a calm look on my face as my heart began thumping. I whispered under my breath.

“Come on luv, hand me my receipt..”

 

Still, on the phone the girl smiled at me and handed over my receipt, saying into the phone.

“What’s that sir, house arrest? Yes sir, well I’m sure you are no longer confined….”

 

Relieved, I took my receipt and headed straight out the front door without hearing the ending of the conversation.

Once outside I hailed a waiting cab.

 

I had him drop me off at the train station.

 

Arriving there, I locked up my belongings In one of the lobby pay-as-you-go lockers. Waiting inside for a good half hour I then left with a group just departing and caught a cab giving him the address of the hotel two blocks down from mine.

 

He dropped me off and I went through the lobby out the back way, then down a side alley till I reached the lot where my car was parked.

 

I got in and drove back to the train station, where I collected my things.

 

Once I was back in my car, I lit a cigarette, took a few relaxing puffs, then put my sports car in gear, purposefully driving off through the night, planning on putting as much distance as fast as I could risk it, between me and the city I was leaving.

 

Fini.

  

Lifting light vague

 

-This tale is a fairly reasonably accurate description of a true event that occurred during a Welsh wedding reception some time ago...

 

-Mention must be made that the expensive looking attire worn by this particular young lady may have helped falsely enhance her jewelry’s appeal as a tempting target.

 

-Regardless of whether the nicking had been done to tease, or for a hoped for profit !

 

-Which leads us to the story below: the tone of which is deliberately ambiguous.

 

It is a retelling: either from the viewpoint of one sibling playing a trick upon another sibling, or the viewpoint of a scoundrel who seeks out profitable opportunities at fancy dress- up affairs.

 

It is for you, the reader, to guess out....

  

Title :

 

Perils of a Living Doll

  

She was certainly that, a living doll, scurrying about in her fluidly flowing,shiny in the lights, fancy party attire:

 

An eye catching ensemble made up of a rather glistening emerald green button up back thicke satin blouse with a high ruffled neckline with long sleeves ending in matching ruffles. A long flowing pleated black satin skirt quite nicely completed the darling ensemble.

 

But very few dolls ever wore jewelry like her’s:

 

A surprisingly full complement of gleaming white pearls dangle deliciously along her lithe, youthfully curved figure, with her long flowing hair, and a wide eyed doe like curiosity of living life glowing from her pretty face.

 

Though I had other more pressing business to attend, I kept an eye out on her, relishing each time I caught her in view.

 

Those baiting pearls kept popping up in my mind when she was out of my sight, making it hard to concentrate fully on anything else!

 

It was quite in the realm of possibility that those smooth pearls of Her’s were as valuable as they were pretty!

 

Also knowing the fact that the female in possession of them was quite youthfully gullible, added up to make for an all to tempting target to easily be subtracted from her lustrous possessions !

 

Being a tad bit assured that somebody else may do the math, and might actually happen to make that subtraction was the reason I waited,with baited breath, to again catch a lingering look to see that she still was in possession of all of them !

 

Then at the end of another successful work day, as I slipped away, I caught an unexpected final sighting of the girl.

 

The poor thing had exhausted herself from the busy agendas of her long day looking like a princess,and all that doing so will entail!

 

Dead Asleep now, peacefully snuggled in on a couch corner, quite isolate, however, not quite alone!

 

For a girl whom I knew to be her cousin, sat dozing next her.

 

A girl her age incredibly pretty in a long sleek peach gown, enchantingly wearing what looked like rhinestones, earrings and bracelet, (surprisingly no necklace)! She had now opened her eyes and was looking around incredibly bored.

 

As I watched she rubbed her eyes, then tugged at the sleeping Lass who did not budge. She rose with a visible sigh and skipping off , her pretty peach colored gown winningly fluttering along her eye catching figure!

 

Failing to notice me standing nearby in the shadows as she swished past still rubbing her eyes!

 

Silently I thanked her for being so quite accommodating in leaving her sleeping cousin , and her delectably appealing pearls, quite behind !

 

It was prime time for that mathematical subtracting I had mentioned earlier!

 

But then subtracting had always been my best subject, something I was rather keen at doing!

  

Again on the hunt, I stalked up behind my prey!

I crouched down looked her over from behind.

 

Her reflection showing up Clearly enough in the polished glass vase on the coffee table in front of her as I silently had treaded in from behind!

  

Amazingly it appeared, she had made it though the gauntlets of the day with all her pearls in place.

 

Even when she and her cousin , the girl in peach satin, had startlingly snuck outside to swing on a nearbye schools playground, they had fortunately come back in unscathed!

 

Untouched by the rather dark lurking elements that sometimes will creep in from societies shadowy outer fringe to feed upon the richly dressed unwary!

 

Since I won’t deny my desires probably made me a loosely connected part of that rather unconventional brotherhood at times, I still took a personal interest in making sure she came to no distress .

 

And so I had taken the time to lecture them for taking on such perils , whilst secretly harboring a desire to lift away the very pearls I was scolding her for taking a risk on losing by playing outside!

  

I now, of course gently sat down on the opposite end of the couch, watching her and the surroundings, planning my strategy.

 

For this type of subtracting, the distraction for the victim was her sleep.

 

I only had to make sure my moves along her figure were as nimble as can be and used the lest amount of pressure to work off what I was after!

 

Also a rule was to keep an eye on any subtle changes in her breathing or movement as I worked!

 

This would tip me off that it was time to leave with what jewels of hers I had in hand , regrettably leaving the rest perched in place as she was waking!

 

I saw her cousin quite aways off, she did not appear to be concerned or coming back anytime soon, leaving me a window opened for opportunity!

 

So I gently, with growing anticipation, slowly inched closer, my earlier desires now sharply reawakening!

 

Finally Reaching her sleep warmed figure, I ventured in to gently caress her arm, tingling encased in her emerald satin sleeve with its daintily ruffled end.

 

The young darling did not stir at my cool fingers touch as I eyeballed her wrists bracelet and ringed fingers!

 

Normally I would have gone for her necklace first, followed by her earrings, since in that order they are usually the most valuable of the jewels a lady would wear!

 

A procedure I had observed a thief carry out on two different ladies at the same venue! It was watching his moves that had effectively whetted my appetite for this game!

 

But , in this one’s case, I had an inkling that her bracelets and rings(especially the diamond one on her left pinky) that as a whole, may be the more advantageous route to proceed in case I had to face an early retreat !

  

I moved my fingers tingling down the sleeve of her right arm that lay upon her lap, carefully peeling back the ruffles to reach the pearled bracelet.

 

I then moved that bracelet up over her sleeve before lifting it, than delicately slipping it around until the diamond studded clasp was exposed.

 

Licking my lips I snapped it open, leaving the ends dangle as I moved my hand away and sat looking at her from the corner of my eye!

 

She kept on breathing heavily with no tell tale signs of waking up soon!

 

No one was paying our little corner any heed!

 

I reached over and taking up the bracelets end used the smoothness of her sleeve and her satin skirt between which it was sandwiched, and easily peeled it away !

 

I Let it lay on her lap, drooling over the pretty thing !

 

Then I reached down in again, curling my fingers around hers. Ever so delicately, one by one, slowly slipped off her shimmering rings from along each nuckle, feeling my heart beating with exhlileration, until they each were worked free ,laying them one by one on her black pleated satin clad lap till they all lay in a glittery group together!

 

Her left arm was at her side, and I gingerly grasped it and lifted it limply onto her lap to join her other.

 

I sat back for a minute, she wasn’t stirring, the cousin was still a distance away.

 

I went back to work.

 

Carefully I slipped off her other bracelet, laying it over my growing take. Then I lifted her pinky, where a glittery ring set with 3 dainty diamonds had been sparkling merrily as she had scurried about!

 

I easily worked it off , having it join in with the collection I had already neatly slipped off from her.

 

I took a deep exhale of breath of the air I had been holding, then reaching in, scooped them all up from her downy soft lap inside my cupped hand in one fluid motion.

 

As I pocketed them I watched her necklace do it’s dangly dance.

  

A fine double strand of glistening perfection laying their ever so elegantly up against the sheer front of her lush emerald green satin blouse.

 

Both strands dripping down from beneath her blouses’ elegantly ruffled neckline !

 

The matched strands dangled together just below her heaving chest. Held together by a round diamond set pin about halfway up on the right side.

 

The rich material of her form fitted blouse pleasurably outlined her petite young curves, with the enticingly baiting pearls adding a very nice accent to the overall picture.

 

It almost was a shame to relive her neck of the richly gleaming burden.

 

Almost....

 

Before making my move I delicately reached over and slipping my fingers underneath the strands, feeling her chest rise up and down in its gently moving heaves, lifted them up for the second time that day , I again drooled over them a bit before making my move...

 

I slid in daringly closer, placing my arm so it lay on the couch around behind her back.

 

As I watched around us from the front my fingers worked hidden from behind, locating the jeweled clasp , then prying it open, looking down at her I let the loose ends slither down along her shoulders. The pearls slipped away with an almost silent swish down the front of her slick blouse where they curled up in a dainty nestling pile upon her sleepy shiny lap.

 

I froze, ready to exit, but she did not stir from her dreams!

 

Far too exhausted to be awakened by my practiced subtle extraction of her jewelry !

 

I studied the piled up pearls for a few satisfying seconds,congratulating me on a job well done, well half done actually!

 

Then I reached in and neatly plucked the gleaming double strand free from where they lay nestled in to finish it!

 

As I was doing so I now felt something sharply hard inside her skirt against the back of my hand.

 

I looked it over as I pocketed her pearls and spied a pocket of her own in the side of her skirt, hidden in the pleats .

 

Wondering what it held, I eagerly pried it open and reached inside and surprisingly came away with a glittery rhinestone necklace !

 

“Whats this then luv?” I thought silently questioning her as I admire the pretty sparklers.

 

A necklace as pretty as this belonged around the throat of a girl dressed up fancy, like the one wearing the luxurious peach gown who had been sitting next to her !

 

Looking up at her angelic face I wondered what games of her own this pretty miss had been up to as I pondered vexingly whether to keep or return her sparkling trophy?

 

As I made my decision I saw her earrings peeping out .

 

That was all that was left to take, her pearled earrings with the diamond clasp ! Fortunately her delicate ears were not pierced, which may have been more of a sticky wicket encumbering their removal!

 

But still this might be tricky enough, her long silky soft hair held them for the most part safely inside.

 

I looked around then got up and went behind her and put the mirrored vase to use.

 

Picking up a strand of her hair I watched as I tickled her nose with it. She stirred, and without really waking, pulled her hair back away from her ears Nicely exposing her beautiful twin pearled earrings for an easy lift.

 

With a touch as delicate as any surgeon’s I reached around and gently pulled as I slipped off each one in turn.

 

Amazed at how easily they freely slipped off each slightly sweat glistened earlobe!

  

I cheerfully pocketed them.

 

Then spent some time watching her figure in my safe haven behind her, making good use of the mirror to assure myself nothing of value had been missed or overlooked !

  

Her tightly fitting attire still was glistening shiny, but starkly bear naked now that her gleaming jewels had been all been nicked clean away.

 

This had been almost too easy, not that I was complaining, for it had been a most enjoyably scintillating , guiltily pleasurable, game of it!

 

I looked around, planning my exit.

 

Then I spied something glittering in a far corner!

 

I recognized it as the diamond bracelet being regally worn by her errant cousin! I decided on following in to capture a better last look at the satin peach clad vixen!

 

Perhaps I may have to ‘bump’ into her and take the ‘opportunity’ to, with feeling, compliment her on her fetchingly pretty attire!

  

Toodles I endearingly said in silence to the sleeping doll’s shimmery figure still snuggled into the couch,biding her a fond adieu as I walked away, feeling my pockets nicely weighted down with her still warm purloined pearls!

 

Still finding amazement over the quantity and apparent quality of the jewelry that my victim had been allowed to wear out daringly alone this particular evening !

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

Not much later the girl did stir, stretching and yawning. Then laid her hands back onto her Lap, covered as it was in her midnight black pleated satin skirt.

 

She flexed her fingers along its luxurious length, relishing in the skirts satiny feel.

 

She looked around. Something was not quite right. Where was her cousin?

 

As she thought this she reached up to rub her eyes, than gasped...

 

She was looking at her hands, shocked , her bracelets were gone, and her rings, including her small one set with diamonds!

 

In her bewilderment she still was feeling cobwebbed from sleep as she, with a puzzled frown, reached up and ran her fingers through her long hair...

 

Hold on, where are my bloody earrings. Then she felt at her throat! Her necklace of pearls were no longer there, she felt down the front of her shiny blouse to confirm that the strands we’re no longer dangling down!

 

With a sinking feeling she realized that her pearls, all of them were gone!

 

And she had a pretty good idea of who had the Gaul to have spirited them away like this

  

The wanker she hissed under her breath as she mentally pictured her twin brother who liked to play lifting games and picking off items from her, like her jewelry.

 

He has been up to no good again, even though he had promised he would be in best behaviors after she caught him earlier!

 

For he had already lifted the rhinestone necklace of thier similarly aged girl cousin wearing a pretty gown of peach satin.

 

Taking it as he had danced with her!

  

She had seen him, and demanded he had hand it back to her!

 

Sulking over being caught and scolded out, he had given it to his twin and tasked her to be the one to somehow sneak it back to their cousin!

 

Which she had forgotten to do and her hand darted inside her silky skirts pocket to feel for the rhinestone necklace.

 

Nope it was still there, so she still had that job to do also!!!

 

She actually did not mind his games , rather the opposite actually! Just had felt a bit jealous he had danced with their cousin over her first !

 

And now she believed he had lifted her pearls in retaliation for her scolding him!

 

Of all the bloody Cheek!

  

That her brother had his eyes her pearls, and the downy softness of her sleekly pretty party outfit was no mystery!

 

She knew this because he had kept teasingly prodding her, touching at her pearls, on the long drive here as both had been sitting wedged in the back seat of papa’s small sports car.

 

Though she had also been an antagonist herself, intentionally giving him reasons to grasp her As she squirmed away, knowing full well it was triggering the desires to lift her jewelry that he was trying so hard to suppress with their parents seated up front!

 

Mum had only to tell them once to settle down, turning around to scold them, the diamonds in her earrings glittering as madly as she was only pretending to be at her children!

 

Those earrings were very pretty, too pretty to be kept at home. Papa had to go to a bank to get them, along with my pearls!

 

Thinking the word “bank” made her jump to her feet, as suddenly a cold realization swept over her!

 

The razor thin feelings that divided between the delicious chills of guilty pleasure that her pearls had been nicked and the cold stark reality of the punishment she would get for losing them if the parents saw her first before she got them back!

 

No matter how they had been lost!

 

Now fully wide awake, with a straightening of her glittering long shiny midnight black pleated skirt, she hurried off to call him out !

 

Or at least that is what she down deep hoped that was all she had to do to get them from him!

 

For an unsettling inkling was now forming queasily in her gut that it just conceivably may not have been her brother who had lifted her pearls.

  

For her mum had not really been happy with her insisting to wear them out this evening.

 

Thinking she may be a bit too young to be wearing them without her parents presence!

 

For mum and papa were a part of the bridal party and would not be able to keep close eyes themselves on her and her brother!

 

And it was only with her brothers suspiciously eager promise to keep an eye on her, that she was given permission!

 

Her mum also had not known about the small diamond ring she had smuggled out of the house to put her on finger once when her parents were finally not around!

  

She had been lectured to take great care of her fine jewelry, which of course she hadn’t , playing around like she was back at home and not attending a posh reception!

 

Then she had snuck off to the playground with their cousin, without her brothers knowledge !

 

And her brother had lectured her when she had admitted to him where she had disappeared off too. Probably mad because he would have like to have been included in!

 

And then....

 

Speaking of being scolded...!

 

She suddenly remember the icy stern lady in a red silk dress , whom she had not recognized, but apparently had seen the girls sneaking off outside to play!

 

Chillingly she recalled the penetrating look she her and her girl cousin had receive from that strange lady with severe hair and eyes who had caught them sneaking back in after being outside at the playground!

 

She had admonished them for going off alone dressed like they were!

 

As she scolded she pawed at the slick fabrics of the girls fancy dress attire caressing them over with clammy fingers, then had lifted my pearl necklace up like she was going to take it for safe keeping.

 

She doesn’t of course, but it had been a very unsettling experience for both of the startled doe eyed young girls !

 

But that lady had so unnervingly acted like my pearls belonged with her, she remembered with unsettling clarity!

 

But of course she was being silly, only men would have a desire to take a girl’s jewels, right!?

 

That’s the way it appeared on the telle show they had watched once!

 

But there had been plenty of men there, strangers who had stopped what they were doing and look them over as she and her cousin darted in and out amongst them

In the crowded ballroom.

 

Most had commented how pretty the pair looked, others just turned away with thoughtful looks on their smug mugs.

 

Now with a fast growing bit of nagging anxiety , pensively still feeling her still naked ears and the chillingly bare neckline of her ultra-soft satin blouse for still peskily non existent pearls , she urgently sought out her twin brother.

 

Needing to be assured that he had been indeed up to his tricks and would reunite her with them.

 

And in doing so, to be relived of her new concerns over the worrisome idea someone else may actually have been responsible for her missing bank vault worthy pearls!

 

Some unknown individual whose intentional reasons for nimbly lifting them off as she had slept would probably not involve giving them back to her!!

 

With these uncomfortable swirling thoughts she looked with suspicion through the crowd of handsomely attired guests!

 

Spotting the peach satin gown her cousin was wearing, she quickly swished to catch up and enlist her help!

 

“””””””””””””””””

 

As she did so, the one who had a small cache of guests jewels hidden away in a deep pocket, was watching , with a secret grin, this recent victim’s shiny green and black attired figure’s worried progress from her couch, while standing a reassuringly safe distance away!

 

Watching with a wicked smirk as she was reaching the equally prettily attired young girl clad so elegantly in peach satin .

 

The one who had deserted her cousin from the couch leaving her unguarded as she slept.

 

The one who had turned away blushing,so winningly as the person had so eloquently complimented her while holding her arm to give added meaning to a false sincerity !

 

The one who in a matter of minutes was probably about to realize that her cousin was not the only one to have had several of her jewels mysteriously taken from her elegantly clad person!

 

Smirking at these thoughts, with a rather proud cockiness over this evenings accomplishments, shown in a happily haughty demeanor!

 

The person standing in the shadows slowly moved in , mulling over that in addition to subtracting, there was nothin like a good old fashion game of cat and mouse!

 

Fini

 

Now, not everyone likes an open ending to a story...

 

So If anyone would like to know what the real life solution was to the mystery of who took her jewelry, and whether she got it back , please ask in the comments section and I will privately email the answer

 

The Ed’s...

“the illusion of freedom will continue as long as it's profitable to continue the illusion. at the point where the illusion becomes too expensive to maintain, they will just take down the scenery, they will pull back the curtains, they will move the tables and chairs out of the way and you will see the brick wall at the back of the theater.” ― frank zappa

 

© All Rights Reserved Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission.

click image to view on flickr black or see it on my stream in flickriver: www.flickriver.com/photos/msdonnalee/

 

January 27, 2015 – Bottlenose Dolphins – Taiji, Japan

 

Taiji has kidnapped another Bottlenose pod. The harbor holding pens are being prepped for more captives. Just another profitable day for Taiji and captive dolphin industry.

The beautiful pod of approximately 25-30 Bottlenose Dolphins have been sealed into the cove together. There are many juveniles in the pod, some of which are likely to still be nursing from their mothers. They are exhausted and scared after the horrific drive process they have endured this morning. Tomorrow killers and trainers will rip the family apart to profiteer from their suffering. Many will be taken as slaves for marine parks and juveniles are likely to be dumped at sea to fend for themselves. Spotlights have been mounted at the cove to shine down on the prisoners as they swim together for their very last night as a family The greed and brutality of the Taiji killers and trainers is beyond belief.

 

Sites for more information :

 

Sea Shepherd Cove Guardians Page (official)

www.facebook.com/SeaShepherdCoveGuardiansOfficialPage

 

Cove Guardians

www.seashepherd.org/cove-guardians

 

Photo: Sea Shepherd

 

Providence and Worcester Railroad's Valley Falls based local PR-3 heads up the Moshassuck Running Track with a single load of rebar for Nucor/Harris Rebar seen here in this going away shot looking north just over the Mineral Spring Avenue crossing at MP 0.4. To facilitate the move the gondola is sandwiched between their two units, and they dropped the rest of their big train back on the mainline up by old Lawn Tower. After running north to the end of the line at Higginson Ave. in Lincoln they'll spot the car then MU their two units and return light back thru here off the 1.2 mile long branch.

 

Looking like the proud independent regional I grew up with, PR-3's two units still wear the classic red and brown scheme some eight years after Genesee and Wyoming orange took over. GP38-2s 2006 and 2008 are original to the road having been built new for the then only 7 year independent company by EMD in Feb. and Dec. 1980 respectively), and have spent their entire careers working the rails in and out of the Ocean State.

 

Colloquially known to railroaders as 'The Mud' this branch had been out of service for a couple years, but in a pleasant turnabout it recently returned to life when the railroad cleared all the enchroaching brush and put the signals back in service. In fact I believe this might be the first car since it returned to service.

 

Looking at this line as an outsider you wouldn't think much of it as it seems to be no more than any other old urban spur, but digging a bit deeper this line is so much more. This was once the mainline of one of the nation's shortest of shortlines and the tiniest of three such roads that maintained their independence through the late 19th and nearly all of the 20th centuries when the mighty New Haven was buying, leasing, merging, or crushing every other independent railroad in southern New England.

 

With credit to Edward Ozog's wonderful Rhode Island Railroads web site and Ronald Dale Karr's invaluable reference book "The Rail Lines of Southern New England" here is a bit of history.

 

Chartered in 1874 the two mile long Moshassuck Valley Railroad Company commenced operations in 1877 and ran from a main line interchange in Woodlawn, Pawtucket to Saylesville in the town Lincoln. It was built to serve the textile finishing mills of the Sayles brothers, but it was also a common carrier with a profitable freight business and for many years frequent passenger service. In fact until 1921 it ran up to 10 passenger trains a day with four stops on the 2 mile route.

 

The Sayles mills were the reason for building the MVRR and its major customer for most of its existence. Textiles to and from the Sayles Bleacheries, Lorraine Manufacturing Co. and Glenlyon Dye Works were a major source of traffic but there was also large amounts of coal for the mills and a variety of related products.

 

The textile industry in Rhode Island declined in the 1920's and 30's due to lower costs in the south and in 1960 Sayles operations ended. After 90 years being run by the Sayles family, the little road was sold to Standard Transportation in December 1967 and traffic remained relatively good as various light industries replaced the textile mills.

 

After 105 years of independent operations it was finally sold to its connecting carrier which by 1982 was the reborn Providence and Worcester. Nine years later the P&W abandoned the northern 3/4 of a mile of track north of the Higginson Avenue crossing where the MVRR's small yard and shop were located. Those shops still exist in fact and for decades the modern day P&W used the remodeled MVRR enginehouse to maintain MofW vehicles though when I drove by recently it appears to have been sold or leased for non railroad use.

 

To learn more and see some fabulous images of the MVRR in its earliest days and right up to the end in the late 70s click this link:

 

sites.google.com/site/moshassuckvalleyrailroad/Home

 

Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Wednesday November 20, 2024

I spent a couple nights in Newburgh for a getaway for my GFs birthday (at her request!) and managed to snag a few trains between other adventures. These two showed up back to back just a few minutes after we pulled into town before heading to our fabulous Airbnb overlooking the river (and the railroad!) from the hillside in the Washington Heights neighborhood.

 

CSXT's River Sub (ex Conrail, Penn Central, New York Central, nee West Shore) dates from 1883 in this area and despite being a relative latecomer its mainline up the west bank of the Hudson has only grown in importance over the decades as traffic patterns have shifted. Today this line between northern New Jersey and the Albany area is by far the busiest north south route in the northeast, while conversely virtually the entirety of the West Shore's route to Buffalo along the south side of the Mohawk River has long been abandoned.

 

Selkirk to Waycross manifest train M409 is southbound at MP 57.3 passing the Regal Bag building, long a favorite photo prop. Built in 1845 to house a cloth manufacturer known as The Newburgh Steam Mill, the six-story, 118,000 sq. ft. building was once home to 17,000 spindles and employed over 300 workers. Newburgh Steam maintained a profitable output until the early 20th century. Competition from southern mills led to the closure of the Steam Mill in 1892, but by 1910 the Coldwell Lawnmower Company was building 200 mowers a day here. (Eventually that company ended up as a piece of Toro.) In 1947, a handbag manufacturer set up shop here and continued through the early 2000s. Today, artist studios are available for lease on the fourth, fifth, and sixth floors.

 

The train is passing under the pedestrian entrance which connects the building to Water Street. It's this walkway that led to the fun fact that Regal was listed in Ripley’s Believe It Or Not as the only building that has its main entrance on the 6th floor.

 

Here's an article if you want to learn more: www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/local/2014/09/16/d...

 

Newburgh, New York

Friday February 23, 2024

Currently one of London's more profitable businesses

More pictures to come from this Gold Rush, ghost town.

 

In 1876, the Standard Company discovered a profitable deposit of gold-bearing ore, which transformed Bodie from an isolated mining camp comprising a few prospectors and company employees to a Wild West boomtown. Rich discoveries in the adjacent Bodie Mine during 1878 attracted even more hopeful people. By 1879, Bodie had a population of approximately 5000–7000 people and around 2,000 buildings. One idea maintains that in 1880, Bodie was California's second or third largest city, but the U.S. Census of that year disproves the popular tale. Over the years, Bodie's mines produced gold valued at nearly US$34 million.

Slinking away, still smirking over how rewardingly gullible the bejeweled wealthy girls in silky dresses had proven, Angie unexpectedly came across fresh, opulently inviting, prey.

************************

  

************************

 

Angelique D. at play

 

Angie D

 

Circa 1915

 

Case study 113 subset b

 

Early development: “Pickpocket” of worn Jewelry

 

Sub title:

 

What is it about rich girls that make them so lucratively gullible?

Quoted by Subject: log 1959

 

**********************************************************

 

What:

 

Along a path just outside where a departing congregation of a small church still gathered.

 

Where

 

The outskirts of Chestermere:

 

When:

 

An early fall day, in the year of our Lord 1915

 

Who:

 

An appealing lady wearing a secret smile, clad expensively in a silky top and flowing satiny ruffled skirt, a pair of gold earrings flashing merrily as she strolls.

 

Excerpted from Diary:

 

A lady in a cream silk blouse and long blue skirt was walking happily along a path on the outskirts of Chestermere. She was coming from the early Sabbath service of a local chapel, filled with the rousing words of the Parson’s homily. As Angie walked, she hummed a cheerful tune, her conscious, as always, free of any guilty feelings.

 

Angie was very pleased with herself, and the main source of the pleasure was now bouncing against her thigh as she briskly walked along. For deep in a small pocket hidden well below the waistline of her flowing sleek skirt, was a pretty jeweled pendent on a delicate gold chain.

 

Only just 15 minutes ago that jeweled pendent was still being worn by a member of a rather wealthy looking family whom had been in attendance at the same Sabbath service. Angie had scoped them out as the family had waltzed in just after the mass had started. The mother was dressed in a pretty white frock with ruffles of lace falling from her throat and wrists, along with a rather nice set of pearls. The rather formal and severe father was in a “monkey suit”, a gold pocket watch and fob stretched across his rather bulging waist. The pair had their hands full with two rambunctious , pre-adolescent twin boys, who had continually distracted them during and after the lengthy service. Which was good, from Angie’s point of view anyway, for it left the parents totally ignoring their seventeen year old daughter , at the end of the pew, standing with a sultry air about her.

 

The daughter was wearing a rather fancy party dress of thick red silk. Dangling down the front of the sheer red silk bodice, on a thin gold chain, was an attention grabbing deep green emerald starburst pendent that fell swaying from her dress’s high neckline. It had been the sleek dress that had whetted Angie’s interest, but it was the pendent that kept that interest focused during the entire service, delightedly eyeing the pendant’s shimmeriness in the low candle lit church. During the communion procession she had managed to slip in behind her in order to closer scrutinize the prospect, soaking in the expectations of acquiring it from the unsuspecting proper acting young lady..

 

As the service ended, the family joined in the stream of the departing congregation. Angie followed closely, looking for her chance. It came when the Parson stopped the father to ask a question, a group soon huddled around the mother and the twins. As everyone bent over to focus attention on the twins, including their sister, Angie circled her prey and slipped in close, hovering briefly over her back before darting in. In one fluid motion, Angie lifted with one practiced hand the chain and flicked open the thin clasp, nimbly catching the swaying pendent in her other hand as it fell, whisking the sparkling emeralds and chain away and palming it from sight. Absolutely no one noticed the flashy necklace as it vanished from the front of the sister’s silky dress. Angie had continued on her way, clutching the pendent, and headed straight out the door without looking back. Instead of heading back the short 3 miles to her hotel in the city, she decided to head out towards the woods, where she planned to lay low until dusk.

   

Angie now turned her head to have a look behind her at the distant chapel and the people milling about, her gold plated earrings flashing as she did so. Good, she thought, no one was following her, and she, in total security that she was out of danger, crossed off the path and went on the road.

  

Angie strolled along the country lane, trees lining it turning red and yellow in their autumn gowns, for quite some time, before she became aware of a band playing off in the distance.. Then turning a bend in the lane, through the thin wall of woods, she spied a wedding reception up on a hill by a white stone Church. From her vantage point she could see a multitude of colourful , richly shimmering gowns and the occasional sparkle of , she hoped , opulent jewelry.

  

As good luck would have it, she decides to crash the party. She was dressed for it, she was hungry, and who knows what pickings she may find inside to increase her earthly riches ,as the Parson had been saying! She walked around, skirting the woods and came across a hillside garden with rose covered arbors and bright flower lined paths. Two grubby boys of about ten and twelve were playing in the woods on the opposite side, by a small pond surrounded thickly with Rhododendron s. She entered the Garden and made her way up the winding path, coming out onto a small field with benches that lay on the opposite side of the church and the auditorium entrance to the reception.

 

Angie entered the crowded auditorium underneath the Church. She helped herself to the food buffet and sat outside enjoying her meal, as she watched the richly dressed crowd. A young man came up and asked her to dance, which she did happily, and just as happily lifted his gold watch and fob. And, too boot, after a few dances with him, she had become a part of his circle, happily mingling, and rubbing elbows with the obviously wealthy guests he presented her to. Including an introduction to his pretty faced teenage sister, who was sporting a pretty diamond ring on all too slender finger, that she kept waving in Angie’s face as she played with her long silky hair.

  

Angie soon left them and started to stalk about for a bit, noting that most of the guests were older, more mature specimens. There seemed to be a lack of young, well dressed children around, whose shiny offerings had been Angie’s main bread and butter for almost two years.. She had just come to the conclusion that she would have to settle for picking a few pockets or purses before leaving. She started to look around for the bloke with the fancy gold pocket watch who had first asked her to dance….

 

Then she saw her.

 

The lady was moving through the crowd, on the arms of a man half her age, giggling, not paying attention to anything else around her. She wore a long gown of a shimmery purple silk. But it was not the gown that had caught Angie’s eye, but the jeweled brooch that hung from the gowns cleavage, shadowed by its mistress’s ample bosom. Like the figurehead in a seagoing schooner it came, shimmering in the dazzling light of at least a hundred diamond chips, surrounded by an oval of blazing sapphires. Angie’s fingers tingled. It was time.

 

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Now, it had been better than three years ago when Angie had run across an ancient, toothless Gypsy in a long black dress with a faded shawl around her shoulders, who had spoken Angie’s fortune. When she had read Angie’s palm, she looked Angie dead in the eyes, a most knowing kind of look. Then she had risen, motioning Angie to stay and came back with a rather battered old pamphlet she wanted Angie to look over. Entitled the Cutpurse: skilles, artes and Secretes of the Dip by “Gaston Monescu, 1826”, it covered the various tactics and moves used by master pickpockets. Including whole chapters on successful “Methodes” of relieving a wealthe lady of her” jeweles”.

 

The Gypsy Woman, who had hovering over Angie as she had read deeply into the pamphlet moved and sat back down across from her.

 

Angie ,who by this time in her quite young life, was already an accomplished cutpurse and picker of pockets, looked up at the gypsy, grinned, and asked if it was worth her while. The Gypsy just smiled, reached up and opened her dirty laced shawl, revealing the silvery necklace that Angie had been wearing when she had come in. Amazed she traded the necklace for the pamphlet on the spot and quickly began putting its teachings into play.

 

Angie soon mastered this new level of her chosen craft.

 

She had started on mannequins: clothing them in long silky dresses and jewelry. She had practiced for months, first in a rented studio apartment, then in a secret basement located in an isolated, deserted old barn and then its surrounding woods. Soon she felt confident enough to go out and try it in the crowded streets amongst shopping women. She met with great success, but her gains were only a pittance. Still she practiced, and had gotten so adept that she soon was moved onto more affluent hunting grounds.

 

She reasonably started out with weddings. For the phamplett had suggested starting out at formal parties where there would be an abundance of youngsters dressed in their best by parents wanting to show their off female issues to an adoring public( in the minds of the wealthy parents, anyway). So she went, seeking out young, easily distracted young girls who were not used to wearing the array of enticing jewels placed on them by overly enthusiastic parents.

 

Angie’s first time out was met with some rather sweet success. A large day time wedding reception in Nova Scotia, held in a public park by a majestic sweeping waterfall.

 

Late at the reception, as she was still prowling without making any formal attempts, she soon noticed that the adults at the gathering were becoming quite gay with drink, and noticeably paying less attention to their children. Said children began to wonder off in groups, exploring and starting to run about playing games, their gowns and dresses whispering a Pied Piperish tune to Angie’s ears, their shiny jewels luring her ever closer.

 

Angie soon started to follow a pair of young ladies who had scampered off to explore.

One was an impish girl with long black hair flowing down, drawing ones attention to the frilly white dress she was wearing. Gold chain earrings dancing merrily from her ears, as a longish gold herringbone chain shimmering brightly in the sun as it lay hanging from her silk dresses’’ high neckline.

Her partner in crime was a most fascinating subject. A charmingly bright green eyed proper young imp, a couple of years older than white dress, with a rather pronounced Welsh accent, much like Agie’s remembered her parents having. Her silken red hair lay down her back in a neat long French braid. A long thin satin gown of emerald green swished as she ran with the awkwardness of youth to keep up with her new friend. A matching satin bow was tied just below her throat, its ends trailing down to her svelte waistline. At the bows center was fastened a glittering rhinestone pin. She also was wearing a small rhinestone necklace that encircled her throat just above the bow. Her ears were home to a pretty pair of clasped rhinestone earrings that matched the pattern of her necklace. Around one short shiny green satin gloved wrist was a brite rhinestone bracelet.

 

The duo found the waterfall, by which a photographer had set up a camera. Angie approached the lovely pair, and easily started up a conversation, helped by the fact that as an adult, she was not scolding them for walking off. They seemed pleased that Angie was actually doing the exact opposite, like a favored auntie, she was encouraging them to explore.

 

Angie led them around a bend for a different view of the cascading waterfall, out of earshot of the reception. She helped the black haired lass, Basil, up to sit on a small stone wall for a better look, also helping to slip off the shiny gold herringbone necklace from her throat with an almost effortless ease in the process. As, with itching fingers, she contemplated what to do about Basil’s gold earrings, Angie started to watch Lydia.

 

Oblivious to what was going on around her, the red head, Lydia, was standing next to Angie, looking over the fence which just reached her shoulders. Here dear, Angie said, after pocketing the purloined gold necklace, you’re messing up your pretty dress. Angie turned the girl towards her, reached over and said, here, let my fix your bow, darling. Lydia allowed Angie to retie it, as Basil, her back to them, happily was watching, enraptured, the splashing water. Angie finished undoing and retying Lydia’s satin bow, neatly removing the pretty rhinestone pin in the process, then as she straightened the girl’s color, Angie had her turn around. As Lydia obediently did so, Angie flicked open the rhinestone necklaces clasp, and peeled off the flashy necklace from around Lydia’s throat as she turned round. Just like that, Lydia’s rhinestone necklace went the same way of er pin, both ending up with the gold chain in a secret pocket hidden in the folds of Angie’s skirt.

 

Angie stood behind Lydia, placing her hands on Lydia’s slick silken covered shoulders, all three watching the waterfall. Angie’s left hand caressingly, ever so lithely inched down along Lydia’s side, reaching the girls wrist. As Angie engaged them in conversation, she slowly worked off the bracelet, leaving only the pretty earrings as her last challenge.

 

Angie lifted her right hand and slowly moved it up to one of the girl’s dangling earrings, sparkling in the waterfalls’ reflection.. With her left hand she pointed upstream. As both girls turned their heads to look, off came a rhinestone earring. Angie than playfully lifted Lydia’s long French braid and laid it over Lydia’s shoulder, below her now bare ear. She turned to look down, giggling, and as she did so, Angie plucked away the remaining earring; it easily came off and joined its companion with the rest of the collection of jewelry in Angie’s secret pocket. Amazed that the process of removing young Lydia’s jewels had gone off so easily, Angie almost wished Lydia had been wearing bells like one of her sleekly gowned practice mannequins. Her reasoning being that she would know if it was because her skill level was that good, or just the fact that Lydia was just an unworldly youth easily distracted. Whatever the reason, Angie, feeling fresh inspiration, looked over at the chirpy basil, and her shiny gold earrings.

 

Angie moved behind Basil, placing her hands upon the slippery waistline of her silk dress, then leaned forward, whispering in the girls ear, tickling it with her breath. As Basil giggled Angie reached up gently lifted the gold chain earring up from the lobe of the girl’s opposite ear lobe. Then nimbly with her thumb and index finger, flicked open the hinge clasp and neatly removed the earring, watching for any reaction from her victim. Basil never felt a thing, Lydia was still watching the waterfall, equally as oblivious. Angie kept her chin close to Basil’s ear, and the remaining earring. Cautiously she moved her fingers up, and then darting in with them, successfully repeated the maneuver. As the earring joined the rest of her collection, Angie could not help thinking that if all her future endeavors were as successful, she could end up living quite a comfortable lifestyle.

 

Angie stayed a few more minutes, keeping the pair distracted the whole time before she cautiously moved off, leaving the two of them there by stream. Basil happily perched on the stone wall, and Lydia bent down, busily plucking at the moss growing on the old stones. Both girls still quite fetching in their pretty gowns, both a bit less weighted down by any added trimmings.

 

For the next year, fueled by her early success, she started focusing entirely on wedding receptions. Honing her skills until it became almost mundane for her nimble fingers to lift a jewel, no matter where is was being worn by a squirming young lady upon her fancy dressed person. And, actually, some of her acquisitions where worth a surprising bit of dough when pawned.

  

Favored Case in Point:

 

It was in New Hampshire, on her 24th outing late during the wedding season of the following year when she came upon a rather prim young miss of about 13, clad in a long sleeved thick yellow satin blouse, a black velvet vest and matching gold and black vertical striped satin skirt. A young raven haired bumble bee with no stinger, but with pearls, black pearls in a long string dangling down along the front of her shiny back buttoned blouse. She was also wearing matched black pearled earrings, and a small, daintily jeweled pin in the shape of a humming bird on her velvet vest. She was sitting alone at a table, playing with some crayons and a book. Angie, who had been watching her for some time from a bar stool, had come up and caught the pretty little things full attention, easily capturing her interest, then, finally, suggesting they go and watch the activity on the ballroom floor from a small alcove in a corner. Liking the adventurous way Angie had suggested it, the bumble bee had eagerly followed Angie away from the table.

 

Angie continued making small talk as the pretty thing was watching the exquisitely gown guests on the dance floor, including the girls’ parents. She was met with youthful exuberance by the youth, who was so enthralled with the activity on the dance floor that she was as unaware of what was going on around her , much like one of Angie’s practice Mannequins. After quite easily removing the dainty jeweled pin, Angie’s subtle fingers were able to lift up and flick open the rhinestone clasp of the child’s pearled necklace. Angie than coolly waited for a prime moment before whisking away the wholly distracted young miss’s gleaming black strand of pearls from around the high ruffled collar of her yellow satin blouse.

 

And also, like one of her gowned and jeweled practice Mannequins, the young girl never noticed anything amiss as Angie continued on with her conversation for quite some time afterwards. It was daring, but exciting as Angie kept stealing looks at the bare front of the glossy yellow blouse where the pearls had hung down so deliciously, knowing they were in her own pocket, so close, but for the young lady, so far.. Finally she decided she was pressing her luck, and she wished the child a goodnight, before beating a hasty exit,( but not before circling back to the now deserted table and heartlessly lifted the fat, expensively made purses, of both the young girl, and her mother!)

 

The jeweled hummingbird pin, and string of matched black pearls, dainty and long, fetched a pawned price that left whetted Angie’s appetite for more!

 

So, it was after this that Angie, looking for fresher, richer challenges, decided to seek out slightly older prey in their natural habitats, proms and social teenage dances. Where real gems, usually borrowed from their mothers or Grandmothers, would be replacing rhinestones.

 

Still very youthful looking despite her twenty something age, Angie’s first attempt was an upscale dance she had come across while out about in a neighboring city. It was held in an old ballroom for a local boy’s prep school and their dates. Figuring the girls attending would be ripe for the picking in tight gowns and loose fitting jewels, Angie stole inside for a closer look. The only obstacle was getting one of the begowned girls away from her group long enough to make a play for something of value that she was wearing.

  

But, Angie came away with nothing but valuable experience on that first attempt.

 

And it was actually her third try before she met with success in the form of a gold bracelet. It was at a formal dance being held in a large room of a rather posh hotel called the Red Lion Inn. She had gone in for a peek, and spying a pretty young thing heading for the ladies room, fell in step behind her. She was a long brown haired girl, wearing a short silk dress, blue, forming the perfect backdrop for her mouthwatering selection of shimmering gold jewellery. Waiting in a small alcove, Angie made her move as the young lady came back out the door. Bumping against her, Angie’s right hand held onto the youngster by the waist, drawing her close, as she steadied herself, apologizing. At the same time, Angie placed her left hand on the unsuspecting mark’s left wrist, easily flicking open the clasp of the thick gold etched bracelet and slipping it off and away. The young lady, accepting Angie’s apology, went on her way, and Angie, swiftly darted for the nearest exit, securing the rather overly brite bracelet in her bosum.

 

Over the spring and early summer dance seasons Angie practiced, acquiring bracelets and rings down pat using her skillfully developing fingers. She soon also was having some success with necklaces, including one with a long gold chain and a flower pendent set with a diamond carpel surrounded by ruby petals that had turned a quite tidy profit.

 

Then there had been the night of her first big haul, at a private girl’s school homecoming in Connecticut

 

She had started out by finally selecting and shadowing a young lady clad a slinky black dress, draped in her mother’s diamonds. Angie was drooling over a flashy wide glittering gemmed silver bracelet that hung loosely from the young vixen’s limp wrist. She was sure it was made up of real diamond chips. As the girl squirmed past Angie heading to the dance floor, her bracelet was easily plucked off the wrist of her black elbow length satin glove and secured deep in the bosom of Angie’s dress.

 

It was now becoming all too easy, smirked Angie as she unflappably headed out of the exit with her trophy. But, as she crossed the street, she was stopped by a hard looking Italian thug who emerged from the shadows. Angie at first thought wanted to mug her for her earrings, but it turned out he just wanted to see a girl who was inside attending the dance . He described her, and Angie, her interest growing, agreed to locate her and give her his message to meet him outside.

 

Angie went inside and soon found the girl. All her wishes had been answered. The unsuspecting lass was both richly gowned and even more richly jeweled, combined with zero common sense. This fidgeting girl had been seeing the young Italian on the sly, away from her disapproving family and friends. Angie led her out the back way, the opposite side of the Dance Parlor where the Italian was waiting in an alley.

 

Angie pointed across the street towards an entirely different Alleyway, offering to wait with her when the girl balked about going down it. As they waited, Angie fawned over the poor, beautifully adorned young innocent. Helping her straighten her luxurious gown, and helping her primp her long hair, so she would look just right for her east end Romeo. After waiting ten minutes, Angie instructed the girl to wait, while she went out and peeked down the street to see what was keeping her lover.

 

As she left, Angie stole a look back at the still primping young lass, eyeing her slinky gown, and remaining jewels, before heading off down the street, looking into her palm at the pair of long Garnet and diamond earrings that lay nestled, glittering fire there. She then placed them into a secret pocket, joining them with the girl’s small, expensive matching pendent, liberated as Angie had helped her negotiate a curb with her stiletto heels. Both pieces of the lass’s jewelry shared the same pocket with the wide silver bracelet encrusted with diamond chips that Angie had taken earlier..

 

More than once since then, Angie wondered if the ditzy, well jeweled girl ever had made it back out of that alleyway unscathed.

 

The experience had even more so whetted Angie’s appetite. So, even though she was still practicing on younger females, she was now dying to ply her trade upon mature women displaying the real McCoy.

 

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So it was with that in mind that Angie now watched, with itching fingers, the beckoning brooch. Though Angie was still unsure enough of trying her abilities on wealthy ladies who would not be as easily distracted as young girls, the timing felt right. As the lady recklessly displaying the brooch passed, her attention lost in the arms of her lover, Angie turned and followed, getting a close look first at the brooch and its pin, noting that it was not tightly clasped onto the gowns thin material.

 

As the couple headed to a table they passed two wealthy dames arguing vigorously with each other. Pricey rings flashing as they pointed fingers emphatically in each other’s face. On the side of table away from the pair, but near to Angie as she was passing by, lay a small, fat silvery clutch purse . Figuring that any dames loaded down with that many gems should be carrying a healthy wad of dosh in it, Angie, on the fly, took action.

 

As she passed she snatched it, and slipping it under her arm turned and headed towards the ladies powder room. Just before entering Angie looked back watching as the two still argued, gemmed rings flashing she had gotten away with it! Going into a stall she scrutinized the clutch for its valuables; disappointed to find only a fiver, some loose change, and a silky laced handkerchief. How cheap can you get she thought ruefully over the wasted effort? Hiding the clutch in the folds of her satin skirt, she left the stall, passing a lady applying makeup in a mirror. She was very pretty in a fluid teal gown, wearing dazzling white pearls upon her ears, neck and wrists. Something about this lady seemed familiar, and Angie’s senses started to sound an alarm. Catching each other’s eye, Angie nodded, but the lady appeared not to recognize Angie, nor Angie her, but the feeling still lingered. Angie left ,guardedly perplexed.

 

Angie went to the bar to have a drink while she thought about who the lady may have been. She was in a position to see the dance floor and she soon spotted the purple clad lady with the brooch Angie had her eye on, again in a deep embrace with her lover. The Brooch would be profitable, but risky as along as she stuck close with the Boyfriend. Angie needed a way to get him out of the picture for a while. It was as she considered several options to carry out the challenge that Angie again spotted the lady in teal , dancing with a tall red headed man. . Cold prickles like ice ran down her spine, It was the pearls! She suddenly remembered who the lady, and her dance partner were!

 

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Only 5 days ago she had been starting her third week operating in Calgary. She had been following a rather attractive, obviously wealthy woman, wearing an eye catching purple silk dress, carrying a dress bag and some smaller parcels. Close at her side was an unheeded calfskin purse. Alongside the lady was a smaller version, obviously her daughter, a girl of about 14. She was wearing a white shiny turtleneck with an equally shiny long tiered skirt. Both of her hands were occupied with department store bags also. When the ladies darted into a swanky hotel ,Angie had followed, she always had had luck in these types of establishments. They had entered a crowded lift and Angie had worked her way in behind the pair, riding up with them in the rickety contraption. Mother and Daughter got off on 12 and Angie stayed on until 15, exiting with not only the fat wallet from the calfskin purse, but also the shiny gold herringbone necklace that had been flashing from the daughter’s throat, securely in her pocket.

 

Angie decided to call it a day. She had already made about 30 dollars from wallets lifted at the department store she had been working over when she had spotted the mother and daughter at the checkout. The mother was paying from a thick wad of cash, and judging from the jewelry of both were an indication of how wealthy the family was. She had followed them out onto the street and it had paid off in spades. Now, all she had to do was find an exit. She saw a stairwell next to a slightly open door with a maids cart outside. She stopped and hovered over the cart to peer inside the room. It was at that moment a door opened on the opposite side of the hallway.

 

A red headed man in an open tux shirt came out of a room, looking at the cart, and Angie standing next to it. Seizing the opportunity, Angie quickly asked if he needed something. I was looking for a maid; I spilled some wine on the cashmere carpet. Seeing the name Bannister above the bell, she said sweetly, certainly Mr. Bannister, I can have someone take care of that for you.. I was just coming up to let you know there is an urgent message down at the desk for you. (Quick improvisation was a special talent of Angie’s.) Why didn’t you bring it, he started to snap, than , never mind, just get a maid, and he headed towards the elevator.

 

Angie picked up the towels and headed cautiously into the massive suite. From the bedroom off one side she heard running water. She looked around quickly, seeing many valuable articles, but nothing small enough to quickly conceal. She took the towels into the bedroom.

 

Angie went into the bedroom, expertly taking everything in. A long silver lamee gown lay out on the bed. On the vanity lay a silvery purse, a pair of long silver satin gloves , a silver watch, silver necklace, a pair of long dangling silver earrings, and a small blue velvet pouch. On a side dresser laid a man’s thick gold watch and a money clip with a wad of bills, a tenner showing on top. In less than a minute after entering the room she had scooped up the money clip, watches, silver jewelry and gloves stuffing them into the purse and lifting up her long skirt hid it in one of its secret pockets. She lifted up the pouch and found it was empty. A picture on the vanity showed an attractive lady in a black dress and pearls. She briefly wondered where the pearls were, did not see any likely spot, and so had turned to make a hasty exit, when a feminine voice called out from the bathroom where a shower could be heard running. Steam was coming out from the slightly ajar door.

 

Dear, a refined voice stated, I have soap in my eyes and cannot find the washcloth. Angie, smelling an opportunity, peaked her head around the corner into the steamy bathroom. There was a shower stall with glass doors at the end of the long room with a double sink running along the side. From the hook by the shower hung a peach negligee and matching long robe. The door was open slightly and a very soapy femine hand was reaching out trying to feel along a towel bar, just missing a hanging washcloth.

 

A soapy hand from which glittered a pretty gold pinky ring set with small diamonds. Angie went over and pulling off the washcloth, rapped on the glass door , receiving a thank you dear in return as the hand reached out for it. Angie wiped off the protruding hand, and a dry voice said, no, not my hand dear, as the washcloth was plucked playfully from Angie’s grasp , and the door closed. Angie bent down and picked up the diamond pinky ring that had been slipped from the showering woman’s finger by the wash cloth, from the carpeted floor underneath the shower door. she than turned ran a hand along the satin rode, looking around. Bingo, on the counter lay a pair of sparkly long diamond earrings. Dumbstruck at her luck she grabbed them off the sink. , she was jolted back to realty when the voice again called out, are you still there dear? She scurried out of the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

 

She was at the apartment door in a flash, opening it a crack to make sure the coast was clear, it was. In the hallway Angie headed for the stairs because she knew that Bannister was far too important a man to take a stairway. She had been in the apartment less than 4 minutes, and had probably looted it of enough valuables to more than double her take so far of the last three weeks since arriving in Calgary. Leaving by a back exit she came out of a small alley. Looking over she spotted the young lady whose necklace she had lifted in the elevator kneeling down and looking in some bushes. Her shiny skirt pleasantly splayed out upon the ground around her. Angie briskly walked past her and off down the street. She made it without incident to the dingy apartment she was renting by the day. Collecting her meager belongings Angie checked out immediately. Leaving by bus for Chestermere, where at a small bank she rented a safety deposit box to stash all her ill-gotten gains for safe keeping until the heat wore down a bit.

 

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Now Back to the Present

 

Angie now knew how lucky she had been. The red headed man, Bannister, may have recognized her. Calgary was too close to Chestermere , she should have been more cautious when scoping out the receptions guests. Angie turned and headed to the bar to think the situation over.

 

She saw the young man whose watch she had lifted, talking to an older, pretty lady laden with pearls. Behind them stood his sister, her diamond ring sparkling as she twirled her hair. Angie circled wide, coming up behind the lad, she grabbed his shoulder, why hello there. He smiled, introducing her to his Aunt, whose jeweled fingers she took into her hand in a gracious shake. He continued talking to his Aunt, it seems that they were discussing a family matter of some importance .Angie, finding the rings were tight on the Aunt’s chubby fingers, let go of her hand and moved over to the sister, and engaged her in conversation, moving a little off so that the sister turned her back to her brother and aunt.

 

The sister twittered, curling her hair impishly as Angie asked her why she wasn’t dancing. No ones asked, she giggled nervously. What about the boy who has been watching you all eyeing, Angie nodded her head outwards, the girl turned , her hair flying, as she lowered her hand, which Angie took up, petting it in a conspiratorial fashion, go over and ask him, Angie suggested. Go an ask him? I don’t see him she said, but I couldn’t, and she turned back to Angie, flashing her baby blues innocently. That’s okay deary, Angie patted the girl’s hand, keeping her eyes in contact, not allowing her to break the gaze, and perhaps looking down and noticing her loose ring was now gone from her slender finger. Angie took her leave of the sister, and of girl’s annoying nervously twittering giggle. Angie, slipping the diamond ring securely away, continued on until she reached a small alcove from where she could see most of the reception hall.

 

She lit a cigarette, purple silk and her desirably take able brooch was still safely out of reach on the dance floor, and Bannister’s attention was all on his wife. She thought it over, weighing her options, and the risks that were now in play. The song ended, and the dancers started to head off the floor. Angie’s eyes darted, Red headed Bannister and his wife were heading off to the far side of the room, Purple silk and her partner were heading to the bar. Angie’s heart stopped, no, Purple silk was heading to the bar, her lover was off to the men’s rest room. Angie snubbed out her cigarette, rising to the bait, it was now or never. Like a feral feline, Angie began to slowly stalk her prey.

 

But then Angie saw her chance slip through her fingers and evaporate into nothingness, like the smoke from her crushed cigarette. For at that moment an older man bumped into the lady Angie was tailing, spilling his drink down the front of her purple silk gown. Angie retreated and watched from a distance. As the man profusely apologized he produced a silk handkerchief and help wipe down the pretty lady. As he did so, the beautiful diamond broach vanished from her bosom. He had been slicker, slicker than Angie was ( for the time being) able to be. Angie felt her heart sink. Not only had she been deprived of the broach, but the existence of another member of her trade meant that she had better scram, not wishing to cross him. She could tell by the look in the man’s eyes that this was one not to be tangled with

 

Giving up on any plans she had been harboring, she got up, turned her back to the dance floor, headed as quickly as she could to the far exit, keeping her gains, and cutting her (presumed) losses.

 

Angie reached the door without challenge, opening it, she found stairs leading into the Church above. But first she stole a look back. She observed the man suavely talking to the now brooch less lady wearing purple silk. In that second a long haired (ginger) young lady passed by him, wearing a slinking green satin dress. Angie saw the man watching her walk on bye, and then immediately took his leave of purple silk, and began following the perky girl in green satin, with her savory collection of loosely dangling silver jewelry, heavily encrusted with flickering emeralds.

 

Angie turned away, and while wondering how she had failed to have spotted that prime prey in green earlier, went to the stairs.

 

She went up the stairs, coming out into a small chapel in back of the church. A door led to the outside, which Angie took, pouting inwardly, feeling all the world like a child who had been deprived of a desirable toy. She found herself on the side leading down to the Garden from which she had entered. The Church was now in between Angie and the reception, so she felt free to move unobserved. She crossed over to the gardens entrance and headed down the hill.

 

In front of her was a hedgerow, on the other side, Angie knew, was the small field with benches that lay at the entrance to the gardens proper. It was coming from there that she head the voices of children playing, on the other side, but she paid no heed, her mind was on leaving the area.

 

As she hurried along the hedgerow she saw something sparkle expensively in the sunlight through one of the gaps in the hedges. She stopped and curiously looked through a small opening. That’s were all the young darlings have been hiding she remarked to herself, her interest peaking. Forgetting all about leaving and lost opportunity of the brooch, she now focused on the new “toy” now dangling its enticement to her. It belonged to a girl in a slithering silvery gown, with her long hair done up in a long plait. Angie eyed the girl’s sparklers, which Angie first took as all rhinestones.. But, as Angie took inventory, her eye focused on a ring that she was wearing on one of her petite fingers. It held a fiery display, diamonds and rubies. There was no way the ring was rhinestone. Looking around to access the situation, Angie decided that by hook or crook, she needed to get a better look.

 

Watching the colourfully gowned young ladies innocently at play, Angie mused over the golden opportunity just waiting for someone unscrupulous to acquire the jewelry they were wearing. Someone should make them aware Angie decided, surprised that no one older than 16 was watching over them. Knowing that the scene before her was too fertile an opportunity to pass up without at least a long glance, Angie looked around, making sure no adults were about unseen in the woods, or any other nook and cranny of the play area.

 

Angie had found she had a knack for capturing young, well dressed lady’s interest, much to her amusement, and profit! It was with this in mind that Angie decided to allow herself a few precious minutes to watch from her hidden opening to see what may transpire. There were six children, four young ladies who were obviously dressed for a wedding, and the two urchin boys of about 12 and 10 she had spotted earlier. They were dressed as the local poor farm boys they obviously were. Angie quickly overheard the names of the girls as they called out to one another. .

 

The group were playing, appropriately enough for Angie’s point of view, a children’s standard game of cops and robbers. All Angie could think about, as she watched the boys with exuberance chasing and holding the giggling, squirming girls, was that there would hopefully be no actual robbing of jewelry as the game was played out. As each girl, Angie quickly memorizing their names, was ”captured” and taken to “prison”, Angie was able to scope them out at leisure.

 

The youngest Cecilia, about six, was wearing a long smooth gown of deep cream, with a midnight black bolero style jacket of velvet. From her neck was happily swaying a long silver chain with a jeweled winged beetle pendent, her jacket was home to a matching pin.

 

Cecilia’s older sister, 10 year old Claire, was wearing a puffy blue satin blouse with a long bow dancing down the front. Her long skirt of glistening black flowed in ripples as she ran. Also moving in ripples were the long gold herringbone chains she wore dangling from her neck, as were also her matching earrings and bracelet. A thick, expensively shiny gold ring encircled her middle finger.

 

Claire’s friend, Abbey, of about the same age, was wearing a longish gown of sunset pink satin, with a white satin sash encircling her waist. At the center of the sash glistened a gold pin set with pearls. Around her throat, dangling from her ears, were glimmering white pearls.

 

The oldest girl, the one in charge, was a fourteen year old named Amanda. Young and flighty, she kept looking up into the voluminous white clouds in the sky as if trying to see what they were forming. She was dressed in a longish slithering silver princess style gown, the style one may see flowing along the shapely figure of an actress at the moving picture awards ceremony. A fancy necklace with large garnet stones and small diamonds was flapping against her chest as she ran. The necklace matched her long earrings, bracelet, along with her pretty ring. She was wearing a flashy red jeweled head band , with strings of gold and rhinestones interwoven into her long plait of naturally wavy chestnut hair. The head band was all rhinestone, as were the garnets in the rest of her jewels. But what from a distance appeared to be small diamonds in her matching set that separated the garnets, were actually ¼ caret diamonds. Angie, upon realizing this, felt her heart burning with desire at acquiring a piece of the set being so vulnerably dangling from Amanda’s slickly attired person. But a couple of ripping gold herringbone chains, or even a jeweled beetle pendent flicked from a velvet jacket would be nice to acquire also, if only for the practice benefits.

 

To Angie’s secret joy, Amanda was the last girl to be captured, only because a stone lodged itself in her shoe brining her up lame. She was held by one of the boys, and lead, limping, to the other two girls. As a new game was started, she sat out. She hobbled to a nearby stone bench, brushed herself off , watching the group play before removing her shoe to find the annoying stone.

 

Angie started to make her move even before Amanda had made it to the stone bench. She reached her as she was shaking her shoe, slipping up alongside her on the cool bench. The girl jumped, but Angie’s special (practiced!) smile soon won her over. Angie soon enticed the young thing into casual conversation, extracting useful information as Angie, feigning a cheerful interest on the outside, while studying the girls expensive gown and drooling over the glistening garnet and diamonds that adorned it on the inside.

 

Angie tried to direct Amanda’s attention to her young charges, commenting about their pretty baubles, then asking who the boys were, and how well they knew them, about who suggested the game they were playing, how robbers were attracted to pretty things you know, and, were the boys playing the robbers next? Surreptitiously trying to plant seeds of distrust in the immature girls mind, and Angie could see that those seeds had found rich soil. Her intention was to keep the girl distracted long enough for a go at acquiring her necklace.

 

Angie, not unlike a feral cat, waited patiently for her opportunity to take the necklace from the unassuming Amanda to arise. But the girl was not cooperating; her attention on the playing girls lasting for mere seconds before focusing it back on Angie. Angie decided to use a different tactic. Angie placed an arm around girl’s silken shoulder and pointed up into the fluffy white clouds, asking her if she could see what Angie saw.

 

In the clouds, Amanda asked? As she leaned back into Angie who drew her close, relishing in the silky , quite scintillating feel of the child’s slick gown. No, Angie thought unkindly, you silly rich twit, the clasp of your necklace is what I see ( her fingers snaked up the backside of the sleek silver gown towards the tantalizingly easy open able clasp). The one you are about to lose to me, she continued thinking before answering the girl.

 

But seconds later, when Angie did answer, it was with a sweet motherly tone that dripped honey. Yes dear, in the clouds, doesn’t that one look like a soldier, or perhaps a highway man on a horse she inquired to Amanda? No, I think it’s a prince answered Amanda, and Angie thought , not for the first time, about the power of suggestion, for the mass of clouds looking like absolutely nothing but a mass of clouds to her!

 

But, it was an opportunity opened, and as the guileless girl was happily lost in her thoughts, Angie began to lift the clasp into position. As the necklace move up the girls chest, Angie could see its jewels, all sparkly, as the sun came back, peeking through the clouds. But Angie was not the only one who noticed, for the oldest lad who had been stalking up on the youngest sister’s hiding spot, was attracted by the sparklers now flashing around the distracted girl’s throat.

  

The boy headed towards them, and Angie’s fingers retreated. As the girl noticed the boy approaching, she gave a nervous giggle, and placed a hand to her throat. Angie began to rise from the bench, feeling the opportunity was slipping away, for the second time that day. But she hesitated a minute, and she was glad she did.

  

The boy came up and asked Amanda if she was going to play again. He was openly gawking at the necklace Amanda was nervously fiddling as he spoke, and Angie drooled to herself, you dear sweet child. For She could feel Amanda pressing hard into Angie as if seeking protection from his eyes. Angie took action, pointing out the sister the boy had been stalking. Successful diverting the boy’s attention, she sent him after the girl.

  

Maybe it was the things Angie had been feeding the girl about strangers and playing robbers, or pointing out the highway man in the clouds, but the attention to her necklace by the lad had had an obvious effect on Amanda. Angie, seizing the opportunity, exploited it to the fullest. With an Epiphany like thought, she knew what to say, and do next. And if it worked, then Amanda’s necklace would not be the only bauble acquired by old Angie girl.

  

Angie shooed the lad away, and he left, reluctantly to rejoin the game in progress. Then, in an inspired bit of deceitful storytelling, Angie related to Amanda a sad tale about an incident in her childhood, one she made up on the spot. The girl listened, still cuddling for whatever reason, as Angie stroked her enticingly attired figure down, relishing in the softness of her gown, along with admiring jewels she was so intent on acquiring. It was not often in Angie’s line of work that she was able to really check out one of her victims in this manner, and she relished every minute of it.

  

As Angie went full bore into her tale of woe ,she lifted up the attractive necklace from pretty girl’s chest, as she chokingly told the youngster that when she was her age she had been playing dress up in one of her mother’s gowns and had put on some of her mother’s jewelry without her permission.

  

Angie than took up the girl’s slender hand into hers, fingering gently the pleasingly expensive ring , seeing tin the young ladies eyes that she had struck a chord, and Amanda was totally held captivated with her story. Angie continued on… She had gone outside and over to the playground where a group of older children had convinced her to play a game of cops and robbers. When they had been done playing and Angie had gone home, she discovered some of her mother’s pretty jewelry was missing.

  

Angie noticed with satisfaction that as she was reaching the end of her story Amanda had stiffened, her heart started beating faster, and she started to check over her own jewelry. Your mother’s than, Angie drooled to herself, she had nailed it on the head. Carpe Diem Angie said to herself, throwing all caution to the wind.

  

Cops and robbers? That’s the game the boys are having us play, Amanda questioned with visible concern. As she was making this statement, Angie saw with satisfaction Amanda’s open mouth gasping as her eyes went to the boys who were now high in a tree, innocently unaware of what they were underhandedly being accused of eventually attempting to do ( steal the young girls jewelry)!

  

The two Boys had spotted a bird’s nest and where trying to see if it had eggs as the sisters watched them, backs to the bench where Amanda and Angie sat. Seeing the coast was clear, Angie quickly acted, before her story lost its effect over Amanda. Angie produced the purloined silver purse and pulled out the silky handkerchief. She spread the handkerchief out on Amanda’s silken covered lap, setting the purloined purse down upon her own.

  

I really think you should put your jewelry somewhere for safekeeping. Why don’t you wrap it up in this handkerchief, you can keep it in my purse. I’ll lend it too you if you promise to bring it back to me when you get back to the reception. Amanda nodded wisely (those earrings were very pretty Angie told herself) , Angie’s heart went to her throat, the young innocent, abroad from the reception, had swallowed Angie’s deviously luring tactic. Here, Angie promised, I’ll start, and she took of her gilded earrings and laid them gently out upon the shiny white surface of the silk handkerchief. This way I won’t lose mine either, she confided in Amanda, who looked back at Angie with her innocently wide blue eyes.

  

Amanda now showed no inhibitions while reaching up and removing her glittery necklace, laying it gently out upon the handkerchief. It was soon followed by rings and bracelet. Removing the headband and rhinestones chains, undoing her plait in the process, her long hair flowed down her back in curls. It curled up as she laid it upon the ever growing, sweetly glimmering, pile. Then she flung back her long hair and undid the screw backs of her flashy earrings, placing them on top of the heap. Angie’s heart began beating faster as she realized she was going to get away with this! Aw, she thought, as the last of Amanda’s expensively glittering jewels was added to the already glistening pile, wealthy children are so adorably cute when they are being gullible.

  

When Amanda finished, Angie looked down upon the glittering mound, unbelieving her luck. But then the unimaginable happened. Amanda, laying the handkerchief with its precious cargo on the bench next to her, stood and called back the two sisters and their young friend to the bench.

  

Angie held her breath as the girls, turned and dutifully ran up to her, the boys still high in the tree, paid no attention to them. Angie watched, almost salivating as the pretty darlings in their fluttering frocks came bouncing back, necklaces flinging in and out, obediently to Amanda’s call.

  

As they reached Amanda, she told them that they had better remove their jewelry for safe keeping. Why, Challenged Cecilia, with childish accusation? Amanda looked back at the boys in the tree, because I think you may lose them while you play, she scolded. We’re careful Cecilia retorted obstinately, as she looked from Amanda to her sister Claire. Amada looked at Claire, and lifting the girls gold necklace pointed her chin at the tree containing the two boys, and said, they will be the robber’s next game. Claire went wide eyed, and told Cecilia and Abby that they had better do as they were told.

  

Claire was closest, and with a nod from Amanda, unfastened her necklace and laid it out on the silky handkerchief. They were soon followed by her gold drop earrings, bracelet and ring. She started to back away still wearing her rhinestone hairclips. Don’t forget them… Angie started to say, but was cut off as Amanda told Claire to remove them, which she did promptly. Angie was glad she had been able to hold her tongue.

  

Cecilia was next. She approached Angie and Amanda, her long dress swishing richly as she came. She politely asked Amanda for help. Turning her back to Amanda she lifted up her long hair, Amanda remover her necklace and pin, laying them upon the growing shimmery pile. Cecilia removed her earrings and ring, happily placing them with the rest. Very pretty Angie said, admiring the dress, she lifted up the sleeve, admiring it, no bracelets, she whispered to herself, as she pulled the silky sleeve back ever so slightly.

  

Abby than approached, and quietly, obediently, unfastened her pearled necklace, and then removed her glistening matching earrings, and placed them all delicately upon the pile. Momma said to be careful with them, their Grand mama’s, she bleated sweetly, and Angie felt her heart skip several beats, suppressing an evil grin upon hearing those delicious words. Claire then helped Abby remove the pearled brooch from her satin sash.

  

Angie stood back, her heart had been pounding with cutting swords of mixed delicious pleasure and anticipation as, there on that sunlit church playground, the girls in swishy gowns, removed their valuables for “safe” keeping. She knew she now had to work fast, for there was an ever growing chance that an adult would show up from the reception and ruin Angie’s fun.

  

Angie than folded up the silk handkerchief, and in a classic bit of misdirection that would have made Gaston Monescu proud, appeared to place it inside the purse she was going to leave in the children’s safe keeping. But she actually palmed it, and slipped the bundle deep into her skirts pocket as she handed the purse over with her free hand. All three sets of eyes watching the purse, not what Angie’s other hand was doing.

  

Now go and have fun, Angie encouraged the girls as she handed the purse to Amanda. The youngsters seemed thrilled that they had an adult’s permission to keep on playing, and knowing that they would not be in danger of now being yelled at for possibly losing some of their pretty jewelry, they scurried off happily, in waves of whispery satin. Amanda stopped and gave Angie a hug before following the two sisters and their friend. The kind of hug that would have sealed the fate of any jewelry she may have still been wearing, and for which Angie did a double check for. Angie then watched Amanda run off, long gown fluttering out from behind her.

  

As the four girls rejoined the two boys, Angie slowly slinked away, melting into the woods. She allowed herself to smirk over how rewardingly gullible rich young girl’s in silky dresses ,wearing ripe for the plucking jewelry ,always proved to be.

  

Folle est l’agneau de la prune qui dans le loup avoue! She whispered to herself as she disappeared from the frolicking children’s sight.

  

She stopped suddenly as she reached a small clearing with the path leading to the rose covered arbor crossed. Not believing her eyes, as she unexpectedly saw below her fresh, opulently attired, prey.

  

A young couple was busily snogging in the garden the garden just ahead of Angie. As she looked over the pair of richly dressed pretty young things, she could not help but wonder if this couple had been in charge of watching over the children and had snuck away to be by themselves. She quickly ducked behind some bushes as the girl broke away, and with a come hither look, led her boyfriend through a rose covered arbor. Not a moment too soon, for the couple looked behind them, before crossing over the path and disappearing into the woods.

  

Angie cautiously snuck forward, and reaching the spot where they had disappeared into the woods, hears the girl giggling along with the unmistakable sounds of kissing. As the couple is otherwise occupied, Angie carefully moves into the woods. She spies the lad’s suit lying over some branches, and sees the shrubs moving underneath as the couple obviously have progressed now beyond kissing.

  

Angie spies something bright and shiny laying on the ground just in front of the shrub. She inches forward. It is the girls gown, laying spread out like a slick wet fluid purple pond , and there, in a nice neat pile, is the diamond jewelry she was wearing. Angie wonders what would have happened if some miscreant, or unscrupulous hobo were to stumble upon this scene. In her mind she reasoned that they would probably steal the jewels. So, why shouldn’t ole Angie be the one to acquire this one’s jewels also? Since she would probably be losing them anyway!

  

Angie reaches down and quietly pulls away the fluidly glossy gown, the silky material whispering along the grass as it moves. Angie keeps one ear on the couple just out of sight, the other listens for any noise on the path behind her that may betray her as she melts away back into the woods. Then, when she is a safe distance away, happily scoops up the girls small fiery diamonds. Picking up the gown she carried it back, hanging it from a limb just before leaving the path, she ran a hand along its enticing length, before leaving, snickering to herself the whole way.

  

Coup-Fourré, Angie thinks too herself as she regains the path, after carefully making sure no one else was about. Off in the distance she can just barely hear the children still at play. The purse where they innocently believed held their jewelry safe, she imagines still sitting on the bench. She thinks for a second about going back and lifting that purse, but decides not to push her luck, now that she had finally found some.

  

She once again pictured the beaming faces of the three young girls as they were being complimented on their shiny dresses by the pretty lady with the nice smile and gentle fingers as she carefully looked them over for anything missed that those nasty boys may try to take. Naively unaware that they had, in reality, been robbed of the precious gems that they had been convinced to remove for “safe keeping.”

  

Angie, for the first time, but not the last, imagined in her mind, what the children’s wide eyed astonishment would be like, they opened that sleek little purse , only to find the handkerchief had vanished! . And what the couple snogging about in the woods would make of the missing gown and jewels.

  

Editors notes:

 

Even though Angie related this story as having occurred on the same afternoon ,the chronicler felt she was keeping something back. It was never discover what, if anything had been. The answer may lie in the events unfolded above. It may be worth re-reading the story to see if anyone can pick up on it.

 

Folle est l’agneau de la prune qui dans le loup avoue!

 

Silly is the plump lamb to whom in the wolf confesses

 

Our Thanks to Mr Gardner for pointing out the existence of Mr. Monescu’s 1826 guide

 

*************************************************************************************

 

Courtesy of Chatwick University Archives

 

One of the biggest surprises in 2017 was the announcement by United Airlines that they would restart flights between London Heathrow and their most profitable hub at Denver, Colorado.

The last time United Airlines served direct non-stop flights between London Heathrow and Denver was back in 2008 following the Bermuda II Agreement being abolished in favour of the EU-US Open Skies Agreement. The new flight operated with Boeing 777-200ERs but only lasted until 2010 when the flight cancelled owing to poor yields. If passengers who were wishing to fly to Denver from London Heathrow with a Star Alliance carrier, other options were fly with United with a connection in the United States, or fly with Lufthansa via Frankfurt.

Since 24th March 2018, United Airlines reintroduced direct flights between London Heathrow and Denver, their fourth largest hub in the state of Colorado. UA26/27 initially operated summer seasonally with daily flights utilising Boeing 787-8s. The same flight recommenced on 31st March 2019 for the S19 schedule.

For the W19 schedule, United made the decision to convert their Denver flight into a year-round operation commencing from 1st November 2019. Instead of operating daily, the flight will operate 6 times a week whilst continuing to maintain Boeing 787-8s.

In a separate piece of news, their first Boeing 787-8 is currently in the process of undergoing major refurbishment which will include the installation of United's latest Polaris Business Class and Premium Economy seats, with their first Boeing 787-9s to receive the latest cabin from November 2019.

Currently, United Airlines operates 46 Boeing 787s, which includes 12 Boeing 787-8s, 25 Boeing 787-9s and 9 Boeing 787-10s. United Airlines have 13 Boeing 787-9s and 5 Boeing 787-10s on-order.

November Two Eight Nine One Two is one of 12 Boeing 787-8s in service with United Airlines, delivered new to the carrier on 26th June 2014 and she is powered by 2 General Electric GEnx-1B engines.

Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner N28912 on final approach into Runway 27R at London Heathrow (LHR) on UA27 from Denver (DEN), Colorado.

Lispole Viaduct was once part of the infamous 32 mile Tralee to Dingle narrow gauge railway. The railway opened in 1891 and was never particularly profitable throughout it's life, closing as early as 1939 to passengers and general freight following in 1947. In it's latter years it became famous for it's once a month cattle specials from Tralee which drew railway buffs worldwide to sample by then had become one of the last bastions of exciting seat of the pants mountain railroading in western Europe. The railway finally closed and all specials ended with the upgrading of the Tralee to Dingle main road in 1953, thus rendering this famous unconventional line obsolete and irrelevant , but rich and alive forever more in the annals of railway folklore .

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Lispole viaduct features at the end..... (4.26) from the famous Huntley archives

 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWshISgLg-4

I don't usually offer tips or advice on photography or equipment because, well, I don't know anything about it. You could just as profitably ask the cat. However, I recently invested a small sum of money in a piece of kit and it has been so much bang for my buck I want to pass it on in case it might benefit anyone else. Disclosure:I have no connection with any of the manufacturers or sellers of the equipment and, alas, nobody will offer me a farthing for any sales that might result. I mean, I would take the money no questions asked but they just don't offer it. Another disclosure:it was actually more bang for my wife's buck owing to a purely temporary (but recurring, Ed) problem of liquidity on my part.

 

Some years ago I moved from Canon camera bodies to Fujifilm. At the time Canon had no professional offering in the mirrorless market. I wanted to see what all the mirrorless hype was about so I put a toe in the water with a Fuji X-E1 in 2013. I loved the Fuji colours (they've been engineering colour for just about as long as anybody), film simulations and portability. Mirrorless was wonderful for me, now I could visualise my barmy exposures in real time. Eventually I invested in a pair of XT2s and I’m still happy with them. Except for one thing:battery life.

 

In my Canon days I could shoot a whole event on one battery. However, Fuji batteries are not that big in capacity to start with and the XT2s just ran away with the juice. I tried Fuji batteries, the extended versions, third party suppliers. I tried the little rain dance around the battery before inserting it, sworn by some YouTube jujuman as key to longevity, and even riches. Nothing made much difference. The batteries always made me sad. And it only got worse after I added a Fringer adapter to my rig to let me use legacy Canon glass with the Fuji bodies. There were times when I only got six long exposure shots from a fully charged battery. No seriously, six shots. I just kept adding batteries and if I went out to shoot a sports event I would have perhaps a dozen charged batteries in my bag. Understandably, events organisers want shots to post on their event sites, send off in hope to local papers, give to sponsors see you next year eh you bet. What they don't want are worthy explanations about Fuji battery life and I nearly had a great shot of the winner fighting off a crocodile but the battery ran out.

 

I continued to obsess about batteries, searching for settings that might reduce the power consumption and reading everything I found on the subject. My wife unkindly observed that you never seem to OCD about fixing stuff or putting gas in the car or mowing the yard. One day I came across a web page called 'Powering the Fuji X-T3' by Dom Varney. This proved to be the Eureka moment in the battery problem for me. domvarney.com/2018/11/22/powering-the-fuji-x-t3/ The solution also works for XT2s.

 

Dom is a proper expert in battery technology (unlike run-of-the-mill internet witch doctors and regular ol' snake oil sales folks) and on his page you will find an extensive and very thorough analysis of the Fuji battery issues. If you read carefully you'll find the Fuji approved solution to the problem.

 

In case you’re disinclined to do so I’ll summarise the solution here. Anker PowerCore Slim 10000, available at your leading online reseller for less than £20. Charge up the PowerCore and pop it onto a shirt pocket. Connect it to the Fuji USB input port with a camera battery installed and bingo, you can shoot for days on end on one battery. Apparently the Powercore is made from something and that's what Get on with it (Ed.) I have used this setup for months now. Even after four photo shoots the PowerCore level has never dipped below 3 lights out of four.

 

You may be able to achieve the same results with another external power source, and possibly with other cameras too. I have no idea about that. I only know this one works reliably for me and That's enough now (Ed.)

 

BNSF's most profitable L-CHI813 local screams back to La Crosse with the proudest looking 1922 on the point, dragging a few cars for the yard. Stoddard, WI 8/8/16

The Parker & Watts Circus held parades in cities like Ann Arbor, Michigan.

In 1939, Ann Arbor News reported on a Parker & Watts Circus parade that passed the Ann Arbor News Building.

The parade included horses, cages, and a calliope.

  

The Russell Brothers Circus was founded in 1928 by husband and wife team Claude E. Webb and Pauline (Russell) Webb. In the early 1920s Cluade Webb had operated pit shows featuring large snakes and other exotic animals. 1n 1927 Webb expanded his animal exhibit and opened "C. W. Webb's Wild Animal Show". The show played fairs and carnivals in the Iowa area.

Webb purchased an elephant and opened "Webb Brothers 2 Ring Circus" in 1928. The following year 1929, Webb expanded the show to three rings and changed the name to Russell Bros, (Pauline's maiden name was Russell).

The Webbs carefully watched over the circus operation, seeing that the show was clean, brightly painted an that all money and expenses was accounted for. This led to the circus becoming very profitable and developed a good reputation in the cities they played.

The 1937 the circus had grown to a 40 truck show, the big top canvas was a 120" round with 3 50 foot middles, the menagerie 70' with 3 30s and the sideshow tent was a 60 withe 3 30s.

The seasons of 1938 and 1939 was not a good one for circuses and the Russel Bros. was no exception.

For the next few years the show slowly regained it's grandeur. In 1943 the show played the west coast and was doing very well, in that same year the Webbs let it be known that the show was for sale. After several meetings with perspective buyers, the show was sold mid-season to former aerialist and showmen Art Concello.

n 1944 Concello opened his new circus under title of "Clyde Beatty-Russell Bros. Circus"

  

SN/NC: Anacardium Occidentale, Anacardiaceae Family

 

The cashew tree is a tropical evergreen tree that produces the cashew nut and the cashew apple. It can grow as high as 14 m (46 ft), but the dwarf cashew, growing up to 6 m (20 ft), has proved more profitable, with earlier maturity and higher yields.

The cashew nut, often simply called a cashew, is widely consumed. It is eaten on its own, used in recipes, or processed into cashew cheese or cashew butter. The shell of the cashew seed yields derivatives that can be used in many applications from lubricants to paints. The cashew apple is a light reddish to yellow fruit, whose pulp can be processed into a sweet, astringent fruit drink or distilled into liquor.

The species is originally native to northeastern Brazil. Major production of cashews occurs in Vietnam, Nigeria, India, and Ivory Coast.

 

De cashewboom is een tropische groenblijvende boom die de cashewnoot en de cashewappel voortbrengt. Hij kan wel 14 m hoog worden, maar de dwergcashew, die tot 6 m groeit, is meer winstgevend gebleken, met een eerdere rijpheid en hogere opbrengsten.

De cashewnoot, vaak simpelweg cashewnoten genoemd, wordt veel geconsumeerd. Het wordt op zichzelf gegeten, gebruikt in recepten of verwerkt tot cashewkaas of cashewboter. De schil van het cashewnotenzaad levert derivaten op die in veel toepassingen kunnen worden gebruikt, van smeermiddelen tot verven. De cashewappel is een licht roodachtige tot gele vrucht waarvan het vruchtvlees kan worden verwerkt tot een zoete, adstringerende fruitdrank of kan worden gedestilleerd tot likeur.

De soort komt oorspronkelijk uit het noordoosten van Brazilië. De belangrijkste productie van cashewnoten vindt plaats in Vietnam, Nigeria, India en Ivoorkust.

 

Es también conocido como cajú, anacardo, nuez de la india, castaña de cajú, marañón, caguil o merey es un árbol originario de la región amazónica del nordeste de Brasil y casi toda Venezuela. Muchos de sus componentes son utilizados en la elaboración de productos diversos, como por ejemplo dulces, cosméticos y medicamentos.

 

O caju é muitas vezes tido como o fruto do cajueiro quando, na verdade, trata-se de um pseudofruto.

O que entendemos popularmente como "caju" se constitui de duas partes: o fruto propriamente dito, que é a castanha; e seu pedúnculo floral, o pseudofruto, um corpo piriforme, amarelo, rosado ou vermelho.

Na língua tupi, acaiu (caju) significa noz que se produz.

Na tradição oral sabe-se que acayu ou aca-iu refere-se a ano, uma vez que os indígenas contavam a idade a cada floração e safra.

O pseudofruto e fruto

Cajueiro frutificando no município de Cascavel, no Ceará, um dos grandes produtores de caju no estado

O caju, o pseudofruto, é suculento e rico em vitamina C e ferro. Depois do beneficiamento do caju, preparam-se sucos, mel, doces, como cajuada, caju passas, rapadura de caju. Como seu suco fermenta rapidamente, pode ser destilado para produzir uma aguardente o cauim. Dele também são fabricadas bebidas não alcoólicas, como a cajuína.

Muito antes do descobrimento do Brasil e antes da chegada dos portugueses, o caju já era alimento básico das populações autóctones. Por exemplo: os tremembé já fermentavam o suco do caju, o mocororó, que era e é bebido na cerimônia do Torém.

Existe uma variedade enorme de pratos feitos com o caju e com a castanha de caju.

De suas fibras (resíduo/bagaço), ricas em aminoácidos e vitaminas, misturadas com temperos, é feita a "carne de caju"

 

Nó còn được gọi là điều, điều, điều, điều, điều, caguil hoặc chỉ là một loại cây có nguồn gốc từ vùng Amazon phía đông bắc Brazil và gần như toàn bộ Venezuela. Nhiều thành phần của nó được sử dụng trong sản xuất các sản phẩm khác nhau, chẳng hạn như đồ ngọt, mỹ phẩm và thuốc.

 

Es ist auch bekannt als Cashew, Cashew, Cashew, Cashew, Cashew, Caguil oder Merey. Es ist ein Baum, der im Amazonasgebiet im Nordosten Brasiliens und in fast ganz Venezuela heimisch ist. Viele seiner Komponenten werden zur Herstellung verschiedener Produkte wie Süßigkeiten, Kosmetika und Medikamente verwendet.

 

Conosciuto anche come anacardi, anacardi, anacardi, anacardi, anacardi, caguil o semplicemente, è un albero originario della regione amazzonica del nord-est del Brasile e di quasi tutto il Venezuela. Molti dei suoi componenti sono utilizzati nella produzione di vari prodotti, come dolci, cosmetici e medicinali.

 

On l'appelle également noix de cajou, noix de cajou, noix de cajou, noix de cajou, noix de cajou, caguil ou merey.C'est un arbre originaire de la région amazonienne du nord-est du Brésil et de presque tout le Venezuela. Beaucoup de ses composants sont utilisés dans la production de divers produits, tels que des bonbons, des cosmétiques et des médicaments.

 

تُعرف أيضًا باسم الكاجو أو الكاجو أو الكاجو أو الكاجو أو الكاجو أو مجرد شجرة موطنها الأصلي في منطقة الأمازون في شمال شرق البرازيل وكل فنزويلا تقريبًا. تستخدم العديد من مكوناته في إنتاج منتجات متنوعة مثل الحلويات ومستحضرات التجميل والأدوية.

A franchise needs to have profits or else what is a franchise for? Industrialization was set up from almost the getgo in the New World with the manufacture of glassware in the Jamestown Settlement so that it could be profitable for the Virginia Company of London.

 

Besides having invented and implemented the moving assembly line for mass production, skyscrapers, the elevator, the telephone, and Wonder bread, American industrialization knowhow nowadays makes super strength gorilla glass, quantum computers, artificial intelligence, intra- and interstellar spacecraft, self-driving cars, propulsion drives, cancer-curing biotech products, financial derivatives, stickies, and hamburgers (including pure vegetable ones that taste just like a beef burger).

The era of 'deregulation' of bus services spawned many a newcomer to the industry as provision on profitable routes burgeoned. Some of those it was thought would benefit and take up the challenge simply gave up and retired, whilst others expanded themselves into oblivion. The new era brough numerous 'fly-by-night' operations, many of whom weren't fit to hold a licence, but there were other commendable efforts. Many of those in the latter category were enthusiast run, people simply wanting to provide a service to others via the medium of their hobby. They put their heart and soul into doing things properly but seldom was there the financial return to make the sums add up... which I know from bitter experience.

I don't know the ins and outs of Dorset based Verwood Transport, but the small fleet always appeared well turned out in their two tone blue livery with gold lining. Here ex Glasgow Alexander bodied Leyland Atlantean HGD 863L is seen with blinds set for a journey to Christchurch (Bournemouth) in 1987. Sadly, the business no longer exists, but even if it did, it wouldn't legally be possible to provide service nowadays with the sort of vehicles an enthusiast owner would have a preference for using. Better to have no service than one provided by a bus with a step entrance eh?

Watco's WRA 002 diesel electric locomotive at Warwick, Queensland undergoing some maintenance and possible repairs. Watco is an American short line railroad operator to use US parlance. A short line in America is usually a borderline profitable or potentially profitable downgraded mainline or former branch line (s) of one of the major railway companies sold off to one of the many smaller private companies which may operate one or even a large number of usually non-connected short lines with a view to making a profit by increasing customers, offering specialised services and doing it all much cheaper. Mostly the high standards of operations expected of mainline operators are not required because they are restricted to slower speeds, less well maintained track and equipment and often lower axle loads. We generally do not have such companies operating in this way in Australia, but following privatisation and open access, some have set up here to operate over parts of the general railway system, sometimes financially borderline type services which the large companies have abandoned or even services which are Government subsidised. Watco are now operating in several states.

 

In Queensland, they are based in Warwick adjacent to Downs Steam which does certain mechanical work for them. Watco have now won the right to operate grain trains in Queensland and the Government contracts them to operate our cattle trains. The WRA class were their first locomotives, built overseas and as they have won more traffic from the likes of Aurizon (formerly Queensland Rail's freight arm), they have added more locomotives and in a strange twist, these are ex. Queensland Rail/Aurizon locomotives that were sold overseas and following their withdrawal there (mainly South Africa) they have been purchased and returned to Queensland by Watco where they are now technically used in competition with their previous owner. Watco's presence has generally been a shot in the arm for general (non-mineral) rail freight in Queensland which was dumped as unprofitable by Aurizon.*

 

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watco_Australia_WRA_Class

 

* A number of years back during the madness and pressure of privatisation of many public assets, when the concept was that public servants knew nothing about how to run the various entities that they had run for many years, often shackled by unrealistic government red tape, the Queensland Government was more or less pressured against its will to also sell assets and keep up with with the rest of Australia. Often, it was with the threat of losing vast amounts of Commonwealth grants and subsidies if the privatisation didn't occur. In this melee of madness, which has had to be reversed in a number of fields in both Australia, New Zealand and even in the birthplace of Thatcherism, the UK, the Queensland Government hived off the freight arm of Queensland Rail and the ownership of the very profitable coal network in Central Queensland. The new stock exchange listed company became known as Aurizon.

 

In the fight for more and more profit for shareholders, it abandoned most of its interest in general freight which either lost money or was only mildly profitable. In the end, they priced themselves out of intermodal traffic, cattle, sugar, grain etc laying waste to vast railway infrastructure in the state. This occurred even as they set up interstate in profitable services such as minerals and coal. Having placed all their eggs in limited baskets, the recent threat to coal and therefore profits has seen them expand interstate operations, taking over other railway companies and they are now the largest operator in Australia with a presence in all mainland states. If you get a feeling of deja vue from some of this info, it may be because you have felt the cold wisps of similar treatment from the likes of the big banks, Qantas and telcos! Less services, more profit for shareholders (and most of us are indeed often shareholders through superannuation) but.....there is a limit isn't there.

Not sure that the wine producers around the world are overly concerned about my efforts to keep them profitable but I shall carry on my crusade none the less. I am just about to enjoy a nice Cabernet Sauvignon and I'm sure it will go down a treat.

view at the ceres terminal, amsterdam harbor, reprocessed

b/w

now it's an empty space again, the cranes are gone

it was not profitable

Back from Italy, slowly catching up with the (online) world. Kind of hard not to do some place as magical as this justice...

 

Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ was filmed in this city. Among its many other claims to fame.

 

Fun playing with long exposures on the car lights round the bottom though. Note to self: must experiment more with long exposure stuff.

Only a couple of inches of glass separated young man from cold deep space abyss. He almost stuck to the illuminator and was looking at blue globe of home planet. He was lucky to born here on one of terraformed planets, but not on some piece of rock with poisoned atmosphere. Carthage was “green” earth type planet, however it wasn’t good developed as similar ones. There were only a few cities and some green fields. Farming was the main business there.

And now he was leaving home planet. There were no trees, no grass, no wind, and even no ground around. And that was uncomfortable. Wires buzzed somewhere. Some machines made quite noise. Some vibration appeared –main engine was switched on. And suddenly starship’s frame started to howl, like it was alive. A very strange feeling.

–Hey, don’t be afraid, man. The ship wouldn’t blow up, – a man with short black beard opened the door. – Just beams are creaking. That’s usual.

–Wait, what are you doing here in my cabin and who are you?

–Frank. Looks like I’m your fellow traveler.

–Uhm, I’ve got agreement with captain. I must be alone here.

–So there are more special passengers than expected. As you see there are too many people on this ship. You are lucky to get this personal cabin but not public one. That’s not good to live near that scum. But I’m a good man, – Frank tried to make nice face.

–Scum? You are calling these people scum just because they live in colonies?

–Trust me, I know that. I was born in Outer world colony. But they are mostly from New-London. It was good colony when mines worked. Now it’s heaven for drug dealers, killers, robbers and bandits. It’s easier to find a virgin in brothel than an honest man there. Anyway, what’s your name?

–Jacques, – they shook hands.

–So, is it your first flight? You look nervous.

–I often fly to moon, but I’ve never been in another star system. Only in childhood. I think you have more experience.

–Yes, I’ve been always working in space as repair engineer. I visited almost every inhabited system. Maybe. You should not worry. I took part in replacing reactor here. This is good ship, not new but reliable.

–What has happened with old reactor? As I know, they can work for a long time.

–Looks like you have some knowledge about this stuff.

–Not much. “The Ark”, ship that delivered first colonists to Carthage was broken long time ago, but it’s reactor still working on the planet.

–Yes, that’s possible, but only the core can work so long. I’m sure other reactor systems were replaced many times. So about this ship. It’s owner lost his license and he had so set up weaker reactor.

–Oh, that law about long-range transporting is real headache. My family grows grain for colonies. Not much. So big ships are useless for as for transporting, we have to hire small ones. But this law causes so many problems… It’s very hard to find someone with license.

–This ship was transporting ore from Outer world. Now it’s some kind of space bus. Damn bureaucrats. Long hyperjumps are risky a bit. And reliable crew is important. But in fact this law protects large transportation corporations. In Outer worlds nobody cares about license, but there is no job for ore transporter if you are not going to haul it to the Inner ones, where license is needed.

–I know that Outer worlds buy food and sell ore. Something like that. There are mostly mining colonies and they almost don’t trade with each other.

–Oh you know nothing. There are not only mines, but many industrial worlds. They just don’t like strangers. And why they should? Federation banned all trade except ore and food. Have you heared about that? Anyway, why is it grain? It’s more profitable and easier to product biomass.

–There is good demand for normal natural food. Yes it’s harder to find customer and it’s harder to grow it. But there are some people in colonies who want to pay for real bread but not those synthetic nutritious bricks. So why not? And are you working on this ship?

–Indeed, natural food is so expensive. Almost all of it is made for rich, and colonies get nothing. So that’s a good deal to grow grain for colonies. However, it’s impossible to feed everyone only with natural food. It’s easier to make synthetic one. And it’s health anyway. Not expensive. But sometimes I really want to eat some real apple. “Green” world become so rich because colonies depend on their food supplies. And when they have some argues, greens just raise the price. Bastards… Oh no, I not working here. I had a rest on Carthage and now I’m going back to Helen colony. There are huge shipyards where I’m working now. To be honest, I’m tired of working on ships during flight. Do you imagine how dangerous is it to repair ship in deep space? If something breaks it breaks suddenly. And it causes additional damage as rule. For example power distributor burns down. Because of it reactor coolers break. Or hyperdrive becomes overloaded. Something like that. And you must repair as soon as possible. Your life depends on it. There was accident on liner. Food processor fired. Thing which makes those very tasty snot, which people call nutritious gel. So canteen burns. And ship AI doesn’t allow to depressurize bay to stop fire. And do you know why? It mixed up that snot with people. Organic sensors were calibrated poorly. And now think what will happen if reactor blow up?

–I think you will be dead anyway. So, are problems with AI take place often?

–In fact, you can survive even after explosion of reactor. There are so many protection systems that shoot it down in a moment in case of failure. So it almost can’t explode strongly. Yes there will be hard damage. The ship will stay in one piece. The only way to make real fireworks is to overload it and switch off all protection systems. No, there are almost no problems with AI. Usually it’s isolated from main system and it is used for navigation and so on. Hm, you should know something about mad AI, don’t you? That accident on “Carthage”.

  

–Yes that Ark called Carthage did hyperjump and something exploded heavily. All main crew died. And AI didn’t wake reserve crew. It started act by itself and continued travelling in order to find ideal planet for colonists. Also life support system was damaged. There was almost suitable planet nearby. But it wanted to find ideal one. So AI killed one half of people to save the others. 50 millions of lives. At the end it found this planet. But who knows what exactly happened here? It was so long time ago. Did you choose shipyards just because it’s safety there?

–I also had some problems with the law. I took part in both civil wars in some way on both sides. So sometimes someone remembers it. All in all it’s better to live in colony, than always travel in space. I’ve already seen this world. So I want to have some rest. Life on starship isn’t nice. Radiation. Awful food. Smell. Do you know how does they restore oxygen? Hydraponics can be set up only on a big ship. Biorector does it. Smart bacteria eat biowaste, carbon dioxide and heat, than produce oxygen and protein food. Oh that smell. You can feel it if air filters broke. And you can feel it even if they work properly. But if bioreactor breaks…

–So you were soldier. I didn’t think I can meet someone like you. That’s rare profession nowadays.

–No, no. I was a civil technician on military starship. And only twice I saw a battle. You know, now I hate battleships. Civil ones are so convenient, so much space. Half of bays on military ones doesn’t have air. You always must wear spacesuit. Corridors are so narrow. Almost no artificial gravity. Yes it is needed to survive in battle, but no one can make me fly on this thing anymore.

–Does it happen every time? I mean accidents. To be honest, I can’t understand how you can repair engine, for example. It’s so complicated for me.

–No. Time to time. Usually that’s some small failures, which are easy to fix. To be honest, that’s no so dangerous. There are so many protection systems, reserve systems and so on. Disasters are very rare nowadays. How do I repair reactor? With help of mounting and someone’s mother. He-he. Yes starship is very complicated. But it is designed to be repaired easily. Simple things break first. Wires can burn down. Or a tube leaks. I hope you understand the idea. By the way engine isn’t so complicated. But bioreactor does. I should say sometimes you must be afraid of people not the machines. There are mercenaries in cargo bay. Who knows what they can do. Stay out of them. Looks like you are tired of conversations. I’ll go and eat something.

 

Fishing in the Algarve region of Portugal is good. However, fishing tourists is a lot more profitable. Therefore, local fishermen in the picturesque Ponta da Piedade district, with its caves and marine tunnels, drive groups of tourists around for a nicely rounded fee...

When Manchester Corporation Tramways began operation in 1901, it discovered that a profitable side-business could be made carrying parcels on its trams. It quickly put in place a system of delivery boys based at the district offices and this business thrived, making the transition to carrying parcels on buses, and then using dedicated parcels vans based at a building in Bennett Street, Ardwick.

 

The Parcels Service even lasted into SELNEC days, based at the closed Parrs Wood bus depot, and turned a nice profit based mainly on home catalogue sales with customers such as Great Universal Stores.

 

Eventually the business started to lose money, driven by the opening up of the parcels market and with fewer parcels sent only within the Manchester area. But for over seventy years, people in Greater Manchester benefited from a cheap and reliable home delivery service that predated Amazon and eBay by decades.

 

If you'd like to know more about the Museum of Transport Greater Manchester and its collection of vintage buses, go to www.motgm.uk.

 

© Greater Manchester Transport Society. All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction is strictly prohibited and may result in action being taken to protect the intellectual property interests of the Society.

On August 31, 2021, the legendary Rio Grande Southern Railroad was brought back to life (if only for a day). Built in 1891 by Otto Mears, the original RGS was located in Colorado’s southwest corner and ran between Durango and Ridgway via Lizard Head Pass, hauling coal, silver ore, and other goods from the mining communities of Telluride and Rico. The RGS was profitable for only a few years before a silver panic crippled its finances, but nevertheless it managed to stay in business, struggling through two world wars before running its last train in 1951. Following this, its 3-foot-gauge rails were taken up.

 

Rio Grande Southern No. 20, an 1899 Schenectady Ten-Wheeler, is one of four RGS steam locomotives still in existence. It was preserved by the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club in 1952 when the RGS was abandoned and over the years was cosmetically restored for display, first in Alamosa and later at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden. After fifty years sitting cold, No. 20 was transported to the Strasburg Rail Road in Strasburg, Penn., for a top-to-bottom restoration beginning in 2006 that took 12 long years to compete. The restoration was spearheaded by a donation from the Moedinger family of Pennsylvania, who put up $400,000 for the effort. After additional fundraising, No. 20 finally steamed again around the loop track at the Colorado Railroad Museum in 2020.

 

While a 3/4th mile loop is nice for a short train ride, Jeff Taylor and others at CRRM desired take No. 20 to a railroad where it could really stretch its legs. That opportunity came in 2021. For No. 20’s first major outing since restoration the museum took the 4-6-0 to the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad at Antonito, Colorado. Its visit coincided with the Victorian Iron Horse Roundup, held in in celebration of the C&TS’s 50th anniversary, which featured four locomotives built before 1900.

 

The trip with No. 20 on August 31 was sponsored by TRAINS Magazine, with editor Jim Wrinn and video producer Kevin Gilliam coordinating the event for photographers. The event was dubbed “Sunset on the Rio Grande Southern.”

 

Tickets for the event went fast, despite it costing nearly $900. The primary goal of “Sunset on the Rio Grande Southern” was to recreate an RGS trip that the late William Moedinger photographed in 1941, with the brakeman riding the pilot beam to watch for landslides. The first half of the consist matched the train that Moedinger photographed that day, which was featured on the cover of TRAINS in February 1942. William Moedinger’s son Linn was the person that did much of the restoration work on No. 20 during its time in Pennsylvania.

 

Denver & Rio Grande Western 2-8-2 No. 463, owned by the C&TS, was re-lettered as long-scrapped Rio Grande Southern No. 455 for the trip, and doubleheaded with No. 20. Thanks to decades of hard work by the Friend of the C&TS, the Cumbres & Toltec was able to provide a long string of authentic narrow-gauge equipment with an authentic RGS short caboose bringing up the markers. The scenery on the C&TS between Antonito and Osier is similar to the territory the RGS ran in.

 

The charter was an incredible experience and recreated scenes that hadn’t been seen since the 1940s. Was it worth the money? I’ll let you be the judge of that, but for me it certainly was. A big thanks is due Jim Wrinn and Kevin Gilliam, plus the men and women of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic for making it all possible.

 

Following the success of the DC-2, newly formed American Airlines approached the Douglas Aircraft Company in 1934 about a new design, one that would combine the speed, reliability, and profitability of the DC-2 with the comfort of the sleeping berth-equipped Curtiss Condor biplane. First envisioned as a simple enlargement of the DC-2, Douglas engineers quickly realized the new airplane would need to be significantly redesigned. The fuselage became longer and wider with rounded sides, the wings and tail surfaces were enlarged and strengthened, the nose section and landing gear were modified, and new, more powerful Wright engines were installed. Despite superficial similarity to the DC-2, the DC-3 eventually shared less than 10 percent of parts with its predecessor. The first versions of the new DC-3, called Douglas Sleeper Transports, began service with American Airlines in 1936. It would become one of the most successful aircraft in history.

 

The efficient DC-3 enabled profitability and profound growth of civil air transport in the United States and worldwide. The sleeper configuration was soon joined by day transport versions, typically carrying 21 passengers. Other versions and engine choices were introduced. By 1941, DC-3s represented 80% of the U.S. airline fleet, with similar international success. During World War II, the DC-3 design was adapted for troop carrier and cargo duty, designated the C-47. It was a major contributor to the Allied global war effort. Douglas built a total of 10,654 of the rugged and reliable planes, with about 2,500 more produced by others under license. Many are still flying today.

 

The Museum's DC-3 was built in 1940 for American Airlines, delivered as NC15591. It was acquired by Transcontinental & Western Airlines (TWA) in 1942 and operated by TWA and others under lease through 1952. During this period, it appears to have been converted to a cargo configuration. It was briefly owned by Union Steel & Wrecking in 1953, then converted back to an airliner with performance enhancements such as wing root fillets, extended range fuel tanks, and passenger oxygen outlets. The refreshed aircraft was purchased by Ozark Airlines in 1954 and reregistered as N138D in 1957. The aircraft was traded to Fairchild-Hiller in 1966, and later owned by a series of Las Vegas-based sightseeing/charter operators, last acquired by Royal West in 1980.

 

After a career of over 63,000 flight hours, the DC-3 was purchased by The Museum of Flight in 1987. It now wears the livery of Alaska Airlines, which operated many DC-3s and C-47s after World War II.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3: 5-6

  

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

Hebrews 11: 1

   

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness " ~ 2 Timothy 3:16

 

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Testimony

  

I have many christian testimonies of God's intervention but I will share with you the latest one TODAY ! .

 

My husband had a bike accident last week , had injury on his forehead and on area surrounding the eye ,but not fatal , one important thing it missed his eye , could have been so bad , but his whole arm was on plaster cast for days due to fracture on his radius . He is off sick from work , added to that ,it makes things with me bit more tough in the house . We normally share household chores as we are both working . For one thing I don't like shopping groceries . I just make the lists and he will do one big shopping once a week .It's normal routine since the beginning even before we got married .We always have this arrangements with chores .I cook , he cooks ,but now I will do all that . I felt it was tough in the last few days .

 

Just when this accident happened he was in such agony and went to A&E ( Accident and Emergency ). I prayed to God ,like a conversation, he wouldn't have fractures . But he came out and diagnosed having fractured his radius shown from the X-ray results . His arm was put on a plaster cast soon and to be seen again soon . It was a bit tough on him especially being stuck and can't do much things .

 

Came the time today of another hospital check on his arm - the result was ,they can't see any fracture from another X-ray , buffled , they said he was misdiagnosed . He came with a soft splint in his arm for the bruise , not even a sprain ,I can't see much bruise either , he is not anymore in such pain .He 's back on his bike today . :) -- and volunteered it's his turn to cook dinner ( while I am posting this one on flickr :) He didn't know I was writing about him in my post . How good God is - you see :)

 

Praise God for the healing !

 

GOD IS SO GOOD !

  

If you love God and delight in Him and His righteous ways ,he will be right with you when you need Him .Make sure you dial the right number --- through Jesus Christ alone !

 

Because there's no name given under heaven whereby we are save and put right with God !

   

The Bible said so :

 

"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” ~Acts 4:12

 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. " John 3 : 16

 

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Walid Shoebat , a former muslim talks of Christianity and Islam eschatology , Jesus and Muhammad , muslims ,christians and Jews ,cresent moon , Israel , Anti-christ , the coming big events in the middleast etc .Very interesting - he has the points ,it sounds right when you have prior background awareness with old testamment prophecies. I just don't agree of him ignoring the Vatican / Toman Catholic church in the prophecies and its big involvement in the end time scenario /one world government -one world religion which the Vatican is promoting .Yet his discussion of Islam on another branch of eschatology hard to ignore . This isn't an indignation to our muslim brothers and sisters but as an encouragement for many to also try looking into the Bible ,have a comparatve reading with Quran - read it , heartily pray and search for truth .

 

* Prophecy 101 by Walid Shoebat

    

* Walid Shoebat : ISLAM IN BIBLE PROPHECY

   

* Walid Shoebat : End Times Today ( Quran and the Bible , Christianity and Islam , Israel and long persecution,Satan ,Angle of light , great deception , Biblical prophetic associations connected with the Quran / symbols ,Muhammad ,Revelations )

   

SIGNS OF THE TIMES :

    

* What Happens When You Ignore God's WARNINGS

  

* Paul Begley : Bank of England "Plans" for Euro Collapse

 

* Chagas Disease, an incurable infection, called the ‘new AIDS of the Americas'

 

* Quake reveals day of Jesus' crucifixion, researchers believe

    

* Saudis Suppy 90% of Jihad funding

 

* How can 1.2bn people be identified quickly?

 

* Money Flies Out of Spain, Regions Pressured

    

* The Pacific Ocean Is Dying: Special Report On Fukushima Nuclear Catastrophe

   

* Fukushima Reactor 4 poses massive global risk

  

* JERUSALEM POST: Yielding Temple Mount would be a fatal mistake

 

* Steve Quayle : Severe Warning !

  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

I'm still so busy at the moment and hardly be able to spend extented time on flickr ,so I wouldn't be visting your photo streams sooner or answer your emails. But many thanks of your visits and kind comments .Take care friends ,I'll see you later :)

Though the trio of sellswords had been quite profitable patrons of The Stone Chalice for some time, Breaton knew he could not tolerate them brandishing their weapons within the tavern. However, after failing to convey that they were no longer welcome to stay, Breaton finally resorted to beating the drunkards from his tavern with an old broom. This was not his preference, but he was comforted as one of the mercs collapsed in the street upon exiting the tavern. Breaton reasoned with himself that they were not likely to remember the whole incident.

"Geetaw" was a GTAW-74 welder droid with masculine programming that lived in Niima Outpost on the desert planet Jakku around thirty years after the Battle of Endor. As expert welding could turn a piece of salvage from unsaleable junk to a profitable find, he offered his services in Niima as a welder to scavengers in exchange for inert gas canisters, filler metals, good jokes, or a power recharge. He was equipped with a plasma arc welder torch, brown plating and a shielded faceplate.

 

Comment !

To be continued ...

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