Even fools can dream
April 15th 2011 03:49
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Vyoos news
Of all the categories of criminal activity, the public is arguably most ambivalent about confidence tricksters.
Given that such people play on the honesty of others, this seems strange. But con artists also play on the greed and vanity of people, and in so doing reflect negatives of human character. It is for this reason that we can make heroes of outlaws such as Robin, Butch and Sundance.
Usually though, like most crime, the story contains no justice or adventure, and is instead a seedy tale of the heartless taking advantage of the vulnerable
Take the case this week of a South Carolina man, aged 58, who met a woman and agreed, just hours later, to marry her. She just happened to know of a celebrant who could perform the nuptials at short notice, and he was duly called and the wedding performed.
For reasons not explained by the media reports, our new husband then decided a trip to the local store was necessary. Perhaps he wanted to buy some bubbly to toast the start of a new, happier life.
He wasn't gone long, but when he returned, his "wife" had disappeared. So had the "celebrant" and his $100 fee. So had $600 cash the man had had in his home.
Con tricks can't come much lower than this. As Peter, Paul and Mary used to sing, "An older man but wiser now ... ", but no amount of experience can compensate for a brutally shattered dream.
heraldonline.com
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