Civic Duty

By Denise Rajauski
Part 2

When the pair first proposed their idea, his immediate reaction was to say no. Going around shoplifting from the various stores in the mall testing the employees to see if they were on their toes seemed to be a dicey proposition, to say the least.

"As much as I'd like to help, I don't know if doing something like that with my children along is a good idea." he said, shaking his head and turning to unlock the car.

Ms. Crowe spoke up, a cajoling tone to her voice. "But don't you see? This would be a wonderful opportunity to teach your little girl a valuable lesson."

"Opportunity?"

Joe turned back. "What sort of lesson?"

"Civic duty, Mr. Thompson. She can learn the responsibilities of good citizenship while still young. Who better than her own father, who by his accent is an immigrant to this fine country, to give the finest example?"

Now Jameson took a turn. He gestured with a magestic sweep of his hand. "The privilege of glimpsing the Statue of Liberty from the decks means that now you must do your bit," he announced grandly.

Joe had looked askance at this display. It had been on the tip of his tongue to say that he'd flown first class on one of those newfangled airplanes directly to Virginia, but then he'd stopped himself. As ridiculous as their God Bless America spiel had been, it had struck a chord with him. After all, he and Frankie were making a life here and the children would, despite any efforts they made, be Americanized.

He stroked the top of Paulina's head. The baby was an American citizen, and weren't he and Frankie just remarking the other day on the distinct Virginia twang in Kate's speech patterns? He'd looked at Ms. Crowe and Jameson for a long moment, then made his decision.

"What exactly would I have to do?"

So here he was, plotting the best way to get at the array of gold bracelets that were stored in the glass display case. Now that he'd commited himself to helping the security head and his assistant, he found himself warming to the task. Not even the exchange he'd had with Kate while walking over to the store could make him think twice about what he was about to attempt.

"Daddy," she'd said warningly as they'd hurried along, "I don't think this is a good idea."

"Daddy knows what he's doing,sweet. Don't worry."

"Mom always says to watch out when you say that."

He studied the two women behind the counter closely. That was one of the things he'd been told to do-watch the employees and how well they kept track of the customers crowding around the displays. He was to report back to Jameson, and Ms. Crowe would make a note of it on her clipboard as well as how much merchandise he'd gotten away with-if any. They were waiting for him at his car. He was to turn over the stolen jewelry to them to be returned to the store along with their report to the manager. Then he was to go on to the next shop on the list. He patted his jacket pocket. He was glad they'd given him a list of stores, and what he was supposed to steal from each. It made it easier to concentrate on the actual taking.

The counter was jammed with people, all demanding to be served at once. It was extremely chaotic. More than once Joe observed one of the clerks, who was very young and seemed a bit overwhelmed by the crush of people all talking at once, take out one of the velvet trays and leave it unattended for a few minutes while she helped someone else.

He noticed that only a couple of people were standing on the side where the costume jewelry was kept, and saw a way to accomplish his purpose. He moved over to that side and stood between two countertop racks of cheap earrings. He waited for a few moments, then called out "Miss! Miss!" as the young girl hurried past.

She skidded to a halt and pushed a lock of sweaty hair out of her eyes. "I'll be with you in a minute." she said shortly, and started to walk away.

Joe pinned her with his best angelic smile. "Oh please, love" he wheedled. "My daughter's been on her feet for hours now." He placed his hand on the top of Kate's head, which just showed above the counter. "If you could just bring me a tray of gold bracelets, I could have one all picked out by the time you were free and have them both home sooner." He patted Paulina's bottom through the sling for good measure. The clerk's eyes softened as she smiled down at Kate. "Well, all right" she said, "I'll be right back."

Joe felt a pang of guilt at using his kids to deceive her, but pushed it away.

As Jameson had said when he'd voiced reluctance to get anyone into trouble, "Oh, no. This exercise is for determining the need for better security around the holidays, not for losing anybody their job." He'd be helping the poor girl in the end, wouldn't he? The counter would get more help,and she wouldn't have to work so hard in the future.

She soon returned with one of the trays, and set it down in front of him. "You just take your time" she smiled, "and call for me, Rhonda, when you're all ready."

He grinned at her and she blushed furiously as she went back to the jostling horde.

Joe stole a glance over his shoulder. As far as he could tell, the only camera trained on his side of the counter was directly behind him. He reasoned that this would make it a snap to nick the bracelets, so long as he kept his back to it. The other camera was placed inside an opaque dome set into the ceiling. Although it was impossible to tell which direction it was facing at any given time, Joe thought that the racks of earrings afforded him some cover.

There seemed to be fifteen or twenty bracelets jumbled on the tray. He thought of concealing them about his person one at a time but dismissed the notion, fearing the salesgirl would return before he could accomplish this feat. It would have to be the entire tray at once.

He fingered the bracelets, pretending to consider them carefully while he thought. Paulina squirmed momentarily and issued a little squeak...it gave him an idea. He took the diaper bag from his shoulder, set it down on the counter, and unzipped it. Very nonchalantly, he took a receiving blanket from it and made as if he were dabbing at the baby's mouth with one corner. Then, heart pounding, he placed the blanket on the counter-directly on top of the tray. Kate stared goggle-eyed as he stuffed both blanket and bracelets back into the bag.

"Come on, sweet." Joe grabbed his daughter's hand and started towards the store entrance. He moved quickly, half-dragging the still wide-eyed Kate through the twin glass doors and out into the night.

He was panting heavily, scared to death. Lesson or no lesson in civic duty for Kate, there was no way his nerves could take another escapade like that. He could see Jameson and Ms. Crowe across the parking lot, just their heads, as they stood by his car. He'd have to tell them sorry, but his thieving days were over. They'd just have to get someone else. he was just finishing the thought when the hand clapped roughly onto his shoulder.