The Plan Comes Unglued

The Plan Comes Unglued

Falkner Elgin waited impatiently. It was past time.

“What took you so long?” he whispered as Eileen Fergus appeared at his side.

“I couldn’t decide what to wear,” she whispered.

He rolled his eyes. Luckily, she couldn’t see him in the darkness of the alley.

Falkner began talking rapidly, hoping she was getting all his last-minute instructions since he couldn’t see her well enough to tell.

“Stick to the plan,” were his last words.

They parted with muttered farewells.

The next morning, he switched on the TV for the morning news.

“Police apprehended at female perp inside the Bank of Canada early this morning. She was wrapped in several sheets of paper as if trying to somehow disguise herself.”

“Blast! Whatever possessed me to take on a female partner?” Falkner exploded.

“As she tried to flee, random papers flew off her in all directions. Passersby grabbed them and gave them to pursuing officers. The unknown female managed to elude police.”

“Well, that’s something at least,” Falkner groused as he sipped his coffee.

“I guess it’s back to the drawing board. I’ll let things cool for a while, then try again to rob the Bank of Canada,” Falkner sighed.

He had just finished dressing, when there was a loud pounding on the door. Assuming it was his hapless partner, he went to it. Throwing it open without checking the peephole, he was confronted by four policemen with holsters unsnapped.

“Gentlemen, what can I do for you?” he said in a relaxed manner.

“You’re coming with us, Elgin. We know your style. That plan for robbing the BOC had your name all over it!”

“I was nowhere near the institution you’re speaking of.”

“Humor us and come along. I think we have a friend of yours in custody.”