Davis's POV
It's the middle of July and an extremely warm day as I navigate through the busy streets of Hollywood Boulevard. The temperature has risen tremendously over the past three hours, making it almost unbearable to walk around without a bottle of ice-cold water. Summertime in Los Angeles is my favorite season of all due to my line of work. It's a beautiful place and literally a goldmine if you've got a great skill set like mine. Literally.
The street is packed with countless tourists at this time of the year. Adults are busy snapping photos of every single activity, usually oblivious to their surroundings and missing out on truly living the moment, and kids running around, bumping into onlooking people. Sometimes, I wonder if some of the parents would even notice if their children go missing at this place.
I join a crowd of people watching some musical band group perform. It's fair to say these performers have quite a brilliant way of getting people to empty their pockets. Who makes it easier? The curious and easily pleased tourists.
I scan the crowd, looking for my victim and that's when I spot him. An average-looking British guy about 5'7" tall, wearing a baggy-looking jeans with an oversized round-neck t-shirt. He's got on a brand-new pair of sneakers and a camon camera hanging around his neck. He's standing in front of a souvenir shop window, gazing at his reflection and frequently running his hands through his hair. I scoff.
I pull my hoodie over my head, adjust myself, and walk up to him with confidence, putting on the charismatic charm I've practiced for several years. "Hey man, you from around here?" I ask, already knowing what his response would be.
"No. I'm from London"
"Oh really? Quite a distance don't you think?"
"Yeah man, but what can I say? I love to travel" He smiles.
"Then welcome to my hood, bro." I put on my warmest smile and extend my hand. He seems hesitant, but finally gives in and shakes it.
"I'm Liam and you are?" I squint my eyes as I wait for his reply.
"Matthew." He grips my hand firmly while looking at me intensely. After a while, he eventually let go.
"Listen, Matthew, I don't normally do this, but you seem like a chill dude. Are you into crypto?"
His face lights up and I immediately know I've got him hooked.
He starts talking about how he just started investing and how he's been trying so hard but can't seem to make anything out of it. I continuously nod as if impressed to make him think I can relate to him. Then, I begin my pitch about having access to a private group with insider info about a big win coming. I show him a fake app on my phone with numbers climbing almost magically and he seems to buy it.
"I can get you in, but you know how this works bro." I make the sign of money and wink at him. He hesitates for a while, but I know the gears are turning in his head. I lower my voice and convince him once more about how it is an exclusive offer and that I'm doing him a favour.
"Fine". He finally gives in and hands me a few bucks from his wallet. Fool.
I hand him a forged receipt I'd printed the day before and extend my hand again. "You'll thank me. Just give it about 24 hours." He smiles. Poor dude.
I turn around and walk away jubilating within me. The whole crypto conversation had been a facade to distract him from realizing it when I swiped his wallet and exchanged his dollar notes with my fake ones. It's crazy how people trust so easily in a cruel world like this. I know I've got a way of making people comfortable enough to trust me, but damn... some make it too easy.
Adrenaline rushes through me as I become thrilled by how easily I find my next victim. A young lady probably in her early twenties, maybe younger, brunette with freckles all over her face. She's wearing a brown sweatpant and a pink crop top and has a phone gripped in her palms. She seems so oblivious to her environment and doesn't even see me approaching her. I notice the watch on her wrist. A Rolex. Great.
She's so deep into her scrolling that when I bump into her, she barely raises her head to regard me. "I'm sorry," I mutter as I help steady her. She brushes past me, clearly annoyed without raising her head. She walks away and doesn't look back.
I stand there for a moment, astonished. I look around and realise most people are also completely absorbed in their phones. See, that's the problem with this generation. Most of us are too addicted to our phones and wouldn't even notice if the world crumbled beneath our feet.
I shrug and pocket the watch. Sirens wail in the distance as I make my way back to my apartment. It's been a good day.
