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 there 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 off your luggage at the hotel and, taking only your phone, room key, and money, set off to explore the city. You walked back and forth 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 how your phone, most of your money, and even your hotel key were stolen from your bag.

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

Resigned, you bought a ticket to the first station you saw and headed for the subway exit. You walked in 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 looked up and turned around. The guy next to you had just finished speaking and was hanging up.

You looked at him hopefully:

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

Joe spotted the guy right outside the hotel; it was he who stole his phone and key card. He followed him further, keeping an eye on him, trying to make it look like he was a random tourist who could help him. He went into the subway with him, 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 his attention. And it worked, because he was the one he turned to for help…