So it's the year end of 2021! Got that over with!! Now what? Don't know, I'll just take it as it comes.
What I do know is that I was able to take a hike today and had a nice quiet time just walking on a leaf covered trail. Then my heart stopped and all forward motion ceased. There in front of me, laying on dry crinkle leaves was a one dollar Bill! Have you ever seen those movies where someone finds a whole lot of cash and they keep it thinking no one will know they have it. But it's drug cartel money and for the next two hours the finder thinks he can keep it and the drug people are after him to get it back. Yeah I've seen those movies and now I was in a dilemma. It does not usually work out well for the finder! Should I pick the dollar up and run or ignore the dollar and enjoy my day? You see the way the Bill is folded? like the shape of an arrow pointing to the right. Is it leading me to a bigger stash or is someone watching me and this is a test to question my honesty and moral fiber? Glancing to the right I cough into my elbow so it's not obvious I'm searching for the mother lode of cash money. I see nothing that looks out of the ordinary, George nor Ben nor Abraham nor no one else is peeking back at me. There is no duffel bag nor backpack carelessly tossed beside the trail or across the crick. I pull a big yellow bandana out of my back right pocket and wipe the scared sweat off my forehead. I remove my glasses and wipe my eyes and down the front of my neck than I slip my glasses back on and casually rub the back of my neck. This is all for show while straining to find a trail camera strapped around the trunk of a tree focused on the dollar bill. I see no camera to the right. I see no camera to the left. My senses are on high alert and I've become paranoid that I'm being watched by an unseen and unworldly creature of the night. It is daylight, no one is near me, I'm not in danger. Have I convinced myself all is good? No I have not! The BILL is not moving but it may have a wire attached to it waiting to move and trigger a response for this unseen creature.
I really want to put this one dollar bill in my pocket and go my way.
If I get down on my knees and push down on the leaves surrounding this BILL I may find the wire. Would really have a difficult time standing up, not a good idea. This plan will work, I'm not wearing socks and my shoe is loose enough that I just slip my foot in or out so I will slip off my hiking shoe and feel around with my right foot. All is good, am able to remove the foot with out falling over. Timidly I touch the leaves. Circle around the dollar about two feet away and slowly move toward it tapping the leaves listening for a banjo twang sound. I hear a breeze moving the leaves still clinging to the dormant trees. I hear the rustle of the leaves brushing against the dead twigs as they meander with the crick flow. I hear my heart pounding in my chest and blood pumping in my ears. My foot crunches leaves but no wire is felt and no twang is heard. Using my big toe I burrow a clear path around the BILL and am certain no trip wire exists.
Time to make a decision. Time to make a move.
No other vehicle was parked at the trailhead when I arrived and I've seen no one since I've been been debating the pros and cons of removing the BILL from the trail. I'm thinking I might could get away with taking this cash money. A person is not watching me, so I might could get by with it. I wipe my bare foot on my shod foot making sure all leaves, twigs and dirt are wiped off. Carefully slip the hiking shoe back on so that I can move fast if I need to when I snatch up the BILL. Yes, I've made the choice to take the cash with me and just hope that it is clean. It's a bend squat move and quickly picked up with my left hand leaving a dry dollar bill feel as I jam the BILL into my front left pants pocket. Guilty, I feel guilty looking around to see if someone did see me take this money which clearly is not mine to take! Now I have to walk nonchalantly back to my truck. I sure hope I don't meet another hiker, guilt is spread all around me.
Secretly I'm able to get to the truck and hurriedly open the door and get inside. Click, I lock the doors with a single push of a button. I am safe. I'm in my truck, everything in my truck belongs to me, no cartel has claim to this money, it's all mine to spend as I wish. Starting to feel good about myself and thinking I may get away with what I've done. It's been a good day and a good hike!
What if the Government is tracking the serial number? What if it's their BILL?
I'm not spending it!
In the woods
Turtle
