Within a short period of time, I found myself standing watch, as the Hobo acquired our new clothes. At first, I had objected to obtaining new clothing in such a fashion, but it was quickly pointed out to me that we didn’t really have any choice in the manner, given both of our financial difficulties. So here I stood as look out, since I still at that point hadn’t acquired the art of sticky fingers. Feeling the guilt of what we were doing, I said a quick prayer to the saint of thieves.

Oh, Saint Nicholas, I come before you with heavy heart. I find myself in an impossible position. My new found friend and I are taking what we need through unlawful means. Though I know it’s wrong and I wish there was another way. I fear we have no other way…” I didn’t get any further, for at the moment, the hobo came around the corner with a shopping bag over his paw.

“Come on, let’s find someplace to get changed.”

 A short time later, I walked out of a public bathroom, donning a suit and tie with a handkerchief tucked in my left breast pocket.

“So where do we go from here”

“Where going to take the subway to Moscow, where we’ll meet up with my colleagues.”

“Are we going to jump this one too?”

“Of course not,” the Hobo laughed. “We need to act like civilized cats, afterall. We’ll pay this time.”

“With what?”

“With rubles of course,” The Hobo whispered, as he graciously skimmed passed a pedestrian, who was coming the opposite way.  Courtesy of the gentleman that just passed us.”