The Con Man Meets Me Another Time

A flat Monday had passed and I was on my way home after work (near Eddys Pizza). The day had been so boring and terribly unrewarding - but who would care?

Around multichoice, a business enclave along the Ring road route which has banks, recording studios, wine shops, telecommunications companies, insurance organizations, radio stations and the like sadly does not boast a commercial vehicle joint.

This area, you would imagine does not host only middle class businesses - the regular porridge seller, bread vendor and tabletop recharge voucher sellers are all very much represented.

As I make for the Paloma end of the stretch to catch a bus, I meet my familiar friend - the con man. I call him the strategic beggar for good reason.

The interactions follow:
Strategic beggar : Good evening boss, Please have you been standing here for long?

Me : Not quite, (didn't wait for the rest of the niceties) how exactly may I help you Mr?

Him : I have been standing here for 45 minutes....(stammers a bit and continues). I was admitted at the something something hospital for seven months and was released last month.

Since then, I visit the hospital .....Every other month. Whenever I go,I'm charged GH 36 but today I was asked to pay GH 41 and all my money is finished. ... (his visage changes - as if to shed a few tears)......

These are my tablets (I won't even bother to look because I know this trick dadaada - all too familiar with the lines)

Me : OK so how do I come in?
Him : I'm going to Nungua and don't have enough .... (stammers again) .Can you please help me with GH 1? From there I'll walk home.

Me : (faking a smile) It's very easy to pretend and stand before me like you really really need help. But I know you people, it's your latest trick . How sure am I that all you've said are true?

Him : (heaves a heavy sigh and looks away briefly)..(.Before he could say a word. ..I gave him the money) .Thank you very much Sir, God bless you.

Me : I look at him carefully and say to him; if you attempt to use this money (I don't care how many people you've told similar stories to and extorted monies from) for cigarette or any form of drug, it's onto you. You'll be judged by your conscience.

And if it's for other sinister purposes than what I know, may God deal with you as he pleases.

Him : ...... (attempts a fake smile) ....can't say a word.Looks at me again and bows his head.

Then the troski arrived and I jumped in. As we left, I saw the young man still rooted to his spot, presumably, awaiting his next "jon" to tell his beautifully crafted story.

That was the third time in one day I had encountered these guys. One of them however, I recall has met me twice at different places with different stories.

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Twitter : @kingsley_komla
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