As soon as he read the article about the bank robber
Owl knew what was up, why some fool would rob the same bank
three times in one day. And then be arrested while waiting for it
to open
the next. When Coyote came sauntering by later that morning
Owl asked him in a quite casual way, asked him if he'd seen the
paper.
Coyote said why no, no he hadn't read the paper yet. Why?
And Owl looked at him, eyes round and innocent.
"Well there was this article," he began, "about a
bank robber
that got caught yesterday morning. Seems he was waiting to rob
the same bank he'd robbed three times the day before.
Why'd ya think some fool would do that? Go back, and back, and
back.
Seems dumb, don't ya think?"
Coyote listened with ears aquiver, with large eyes, with tongue
slack
and mouth awry. He licked his lips when Owl queried, looked down,
then, as he studied Owl's gaze, he said, "Seems kinda smart
to me.
Who'd expect somebody to rob the same place two times in a row
what with all the banks about with tellers so eager to please.
Why the dumb thing would be being a serial bank robber
going down the line hitting each in turn."
Coyote paused, seemed lost in thought. Owl said, "But three
times?
Three times in one day?" And Coyote said, "Of course!
Who'd expect it?"
"But the next day too?" Owl shrieked in exasperation.
"Ah, but of course," Coyote said, "I mean, the
next time
somebody hits one bank three times in one day
where do you think the cops'll be the next morning?"
Coyote beams, "Think of all those other banks!"
RD Savage
07/07/94
Published by Green's Magazine, 1995
© 1994 by RD Savage
Coyote's Progress
A River of Angels
The Assent of Owl