Joe

You always dreamed of traveling to another country, but your family didn't have enough money to afford such a vacation, so when you grew up and started earning your own living, you started saving money to go to China.

Just 3 years after you started saving, you had enough money to pay for the entire trip, but you didn't want to buy a package tour. You wanted to stay longer, visit more places on your own, without a guide, without crowds of other people, so you chose the season when there were statistically the fewest tourists.

Arriving there, you dropped your luggage off at the hotel and, taking only your phone, room key, and money, set out to explore the city. You wandered around for a long time, looking around, taking in the streets, shops, and buildings. Absorbed in the incredible atmosphere and views, you didn't even notice when your phone, most of your money, and even your hotel key were stolen from your bag.

Unfortunately, you noticed this too late. As you entered the metro, about to take out your phone to look up directions to your hotel, you discovered both your phone and your key card were missing. At first, you considered approaching someone and asking for their phone, but you soon realized it was pointless; no one really understood English, and there were simply no tourists around…

Resigned, you bought a ticket to the first station you saw and headed toward the subway exit. You entered and sat down in an empty seat, hanging your head. You didn't know what to do. You were thinking about this when you heard someone nearby talking on the phone in English... A ray of hope flashed through your mind, you raised your head and turned around. The guy next to you had just finished speaking and was ending the call.

You looked at him hopefully:

“Excuse me, do you speak English?” you asked him quietly, but he heard and smiled slightly at you. Perhaps he can help you?

Joe spotted the girl right outside the hotel; he was the one who stole her phone and key card. He followed her further, watching her, trying to make it look like he was a random tourist who could help her. He went into the subway with her, bought the same ticket, got on the same car, and deliberately started talking on the phone, quite loudly, by the way. It was all to get her attention. And he succeeded, because she turned to him for help…