The Optimist (Prompt 26)

A young blind man, with a stick in hand, was trying to cross one of the busiest roads in the country. No one moved to assist him.

Rick noticed the disabled man. He seemed helpless, frozen in place, unable to cross the road. Rick felt a surge of remorse and pity engulf him. Rick, himself, was in quite a bit of a rush. He had been running towards the metro station. He was late. Extremely late. He hoped his boss, Darren, was in a good mood today. Else, Rick was pretty confident he would be out of a job. 

Whatever be the case, humanity was not dead. Rick would prove it to the heartless crowd nearby who ignored the blind man, quite conveniently.

Kicking out the thought of his boss from his head, Rick approached the blind man and intertwined his free hand.

‘Hello, Sir. I am Rick. Do you wish to cross the road?’ Rick asked, politeness dripping like honey from his tongue.

The blind man nodded.

‘Here.’ Rick said softly, pressing the blind man’s hand. ‘Hold on this tightly. We will be across in a jiffy.’

Rick led the way as the light turned green, lugging the blind man along.

‘Here we are sir. Do you need me to assist you in anything else?’

‘That’s alright Rick. Thanks a lot. I’m Alan by the way. Deeply appreciate your help.’ The blind man said.

Rick patted the unfortunate young man on his shoulder and went on about his way. He reached the metro station and fished for his wallet. He couldn’t find it. He searched his blazer pocket, his pants, his bag, everywhere. He still couldn’t find it. His metro pass was in the wallet, and so was whatever money he was carrying along. 

Ohh. he was not going to be able to reach in time! Rick thought to inform Darren about it, but surprisingly, the phone was gone too.

Meanwhile, Alan, who really was Charlie, had watched Rick, till he had turned the corner and then ran as fast as his able legs could carry him in the opposite direction. He had stopped after a mile or so when he knew he was not being followed. He entered an alleyway and crouching down in one of the corners retrieved the stolen wallet and the phone. His luck had supported him today. He could live a week or two comfortable with the heist he had pulled off today.

He heard someone approaching and hastily hid the wallet and the phone. 

Charlie was amazed to see a well-dressed girl walk toward him. There was no one else around. She must have followed him from somewhere.

The girl stood a few feet away from him and stared at him.

‘I know what you did.’ She accused Charlie.

Charlie had to be careful here. He was not a juvenile anymore. If caught, he would be thrown in prison. The girl obviously found him suspicious. But she couldn’t have seen what he had done. She was bluffing.

‘What’s it to you? Mind your damn business.’ Charlie replied, and started to get up.

‘My dad’s a cop. He’s just around the corner. Want me to get him?’

Charlie froze, ‘What do you want?’

‘The money.’ The girl replied, immediately.

Charlie weighed his options.

‘Now, why would a rich girl like you, a copper’s daughter, want a beggar’s money?’

The girl shrugged. ‘I enjoy the little things.’

‘I’ve got a rebel on my hands now, haven’t I?’ Charlie taunted.

‘Enough chit-chat. Hand me the money.’ 

‘What would you say, if I were to propose a better deal?’

The girl looked thoughtful. ‘What is it then?’

‘Why not partner with me? I’ll teach you the skills of the trade. You can steal all on your own then. You’ll enjoy that more.’ Charlie proposed.

‘And protect you from the cops, eh?’

Charlie nodded. ‘An argument can be made for that.’

‘I keep seventy of all jobs.’

‘You are too ambitious. You keep eighty of all jobs you do and forty of all mine. How’s that sound? But remember, you protect us from those bloody coppers at all times.’

Charlie spat in his hand and extended it towards the girl.

The girl took it in hers and shook it firmly. ‘I’m Fiona.’

A few days later, Rick was walking home after a specially hard day of interviewing for jobs. Apparently, degrees didn’t matter anymore. All the interviewers wanted to see were references and Rick had failed to get any from Darren. 

He came across a blind girl, standing still amongst a crowd of people, pushing her to get ahead. Now, a person in Rick's position would probably have done the same. But, Rick believed in the good of people. He was an optimist. He approached the blind girl.

‘Do you need help?’ Rick asked gently.

‘Yes. Oh, Yes! Could you walk me till O’Hare’s, the restaurant?’ Her voice was wonderful.

‘Surely. It’s on the way to my house. Hold on.’ Rick said, taking her hand in his.

As they walked together, Rick couldn’t help but admire the girl’s beauty. She was extremely pretty.

‘Do you mind telling me, how is it that you lost your sight? I’m sorry if I offend, but you’re beautiful. It’s a shame, really.’ 

Fiona laughed. ‘Oh, you are sweet! A real gentleman. Umm.. actually, I was born blind.’ 

Charlie was watching the two of them, walking like star-crossed lovers. He was standing at a distance. Fiona had turned out to be a prodigy. She had not only nicked the poor man’s wallet and phone, but also his watch. He couldn’t be prouder.