BECAUSE OF A WOMAN

Jacob naturally disliked people who praised themselves. But whenever Sonny talked, Jacob realised that whatever his friend was saying was the truth, which he justified in his claims.

So, he was determined to learn more tricks from him; he did not want to spoil the occasion by arguing.

The two companions walked in silence back to their cart, their only home in the city.

As they approached the cart, Sonny spoke, "This is my lifestyle, Jacob, and I love and enjoy it. I survive because there are many people out there who usually like and want cheaper goods. Their only snag is that they don't know how and where to get them. But they don't mind how they are gotten so long as they are cheap. And I have many clients and contact men."

Jacob became attracted to Sonny's lifestyle. He was quite impressed by his courage and skills at shoplifting.

He made a quick decision; he decided he he had to stay with him to learn all the tricks, be as good as Sonny in shoplifting skills, and even snatch men's wallets or women's purses

The following evening, Jacob learnt another useful trick. Sonny gave him a bar of soap and asked him to keep it in his shirt pocket.

"Now, I will show you how I can take the barsoap away from you without your knowledge," Sonny said as he moved closer to him.

Then he began to walk, staggered as he walked beside Jacob. But he was only pretending. When Jacob stared at him quizically, Kutesa had in that split of a second taken back the little bar of soap from him without his knowledge.

"Where is your bar of soap now? Check!" Sonny was smiling broadly.

"I don't know!" Jacob seemed baffled as he tried searching it in his pockets, but there was nothing.

"Here it is. Can you now see? I took it even without your knowledge," Sonny said as he took it out of his own pocket and gave it back to him.

Jacob was truly amazed by his friend's skills and experience. He laughed, "Oh boy! That was marvellous; I liked it very much."

"It's the easiest of all tricks. That's how I fish out men's wallets from their pockets, whether trousers or coat pockets without them realising it." Sonny said and continued as he warned, "The rich have more money than they need, yet very selfish. But if you have to pull the wallets out of their pockets, you have got to act very fast in that split second; otherwise, you risk being caught."

"You are great and marvellous!" He praised his buddy when he realised Sonny disliked the rich.

"I have to be shrewd to survive in this game; a game of chance."

Jacob reflected on the new trick he had been taught. Then he told Sonny, "Let me see if I can do it as well."

He tried doing it. He staggered beside Sonny, who looked at him surprised, but when he tried getting his hand out of Sonny's pocket, it got stuck, and Sonny caught him.

"You're rather slow. That way, you risk being caught. It will take time before you get used to it. It requires good practice and dedication," Sonny said as he returned the barsoap to him.

But Jacob had learnt yet another rule. Rule number three: Be fast and swift whenever you do a job.

It was the hardest of the rules, but the easiest once practised regularly.

The rule made him realise that speed and accuracy were important in this particular art of pickpocketing.

That evening, they had chicken and rice for supper. As usual, it was one of Sonny's friends in restaurants who had provided the food wrapped carefully in a black paper bag.

As they ate the meal, Jacob was happy and satisfied to have such good friends who cared about his welfare in the city; at least, they ensured he ate and slept well.

And so it was that Jacob quite willingly yet unknowingly forgot all about his journey to Kenya as he joined his friend in the exciting but tricky and dangerous job of shoplifting and pickpocketing; a career he had not anticipated.