I'm in New York, and it's the end of my first day working at the zoo. I'm going home, down a dark trail in the woods. The metro station is to the right, and slightly uphill, but I have to pee, and there is a bathroom downhill a few hundred feet on the trail to the left. I set down my stuff and start to take a detour that way, but then I change my mind; it's all drizzly and raining, so I can just stop by a bush on the way.

I go back to pick up my pack, where I am approached by someone who demands all my money, as if in a stickup, but I don't remember a weapon. Nonetheless I comply, digging all my money out of every pocket and surrendering it to him. I give him ones and fives from one pocket, and several 20's from another. He seems pleased about that.

Then I ask him if I can have $5 back for the subway, so I can get home, and he says that's fine and gives me back a $5 bill.

Steve arrives from the trail, apparently to see this mugger, to buy an ice axe from him. I'm a little offended by this, as though he stole the axe from me, but Steve doesn't realize it is stolen.

He pulls out the ice axe, and passes it to each of us for a look. It's curved and bright orange. I examine the tip carefully, trying to determine if it's an ice-climbing axe, or just a regular snow axe.