Rico (in english)

Mike was somewhere in his twenties. When he was at home; a little room at an attic, you could hear the trains pass by.

One night he walked home after he'd been working late. He had to cross the traintracks to get there, to do so, he always went trough the main tunnel that cars, trucks and even streetcars used as well.
Just when he was about to cross the street to reach the tunnel, he noticed three guys that walked parallel to the railroad, in the direction of that same tunnel. They looked a bit shabby, unshaven and were sloppy dressed. If everyone would keep their speed, they would probably meet somewhere in the tunnel.
It was about two at night, the streets seemed deserted, except for the 4 of them. If he'd wanted, he could easely avoid a meeting. He could walk the tunnel at the other side of the road and something in the back of his mind, told him very clearly, that that would be a smart thing to do.
Mike however, was a naïve and stubbern youngster. He even was a little angry with himself, for seeing a threat in the guys. He hated prejudism, and now he should change his route to avoid people, just becourse they looked a little shabby? Never!

He walked towards the tunnel as he planned to do, and just as he feared, they reached it at the same time.
“Good evening guys.” he said with what he hoped to be a kind but fearless voice.
One of them answerred his greeting clearly, the other two muttered something that could easely be a good night as well.
The guy that had greeted back, started walking alongside of Mike, while his mates moved in front of them. Like this, they walked almost intimitely through the tunnel.

Just a few seconds later, Mike saw the hand of the guy that walked at his side, go into the pocket of Mike's vest and come out of it, with the stainless steel Zippo-lighter that Mike was so font of.
“Hee! What are you doing man?!” he said bewildered.
“What are you talking about?” was the friendly answer he got, in broken english “Do you have a problem, that we can help you with?”
“You know what I mean man. I just saw your hand go into my pocket and take my lighter, I would like that back please.” said Mike.
“I don't know what you say,” said the guy. “you need a light?” and he offered a cheap disposeble lighter.
The moment that Mikes frustration brought up a flare, on of the other guys immediately drew a large knive and pierced the balloon of Mikes anger.

“OK,” he said. “of course you win. You are with three and armed and I am on my own, you can keep the damned lighter, but I want you to know that you took more from me than just my lighter!”
“Oh,” said the mugger with a smirk. “Tell us more please?”
So Mike told them about the alarmbells, that had been going through his mind, when he'd first seen them.
How angry he'd been with himself for his prejudism, for seeing them as preditors instead of fellow human beings.
“THAT!” he went on, “is the important thing that you stole from me. For I know, that a next time I would be in a simular situation, I probably WILL listen to my fears and hide myself, for I will be too frightened to greet them. That is what you took from me, and I am very sad about that!”

The mugger then pulled the Zippo-lighter from his pocket again, and gave it back to Mike.
“I am sorry man, we didn't really mean harm to you. Here is your lighter back. Would you like us to acompagny you home, for it is pretty dangerous out here for a nice guy like you, on this time of night.”
Mike said he would be fine and thanked them for giving back his lighter and the offer to take hime home. He wished them good night and went his way.

The guy (who seemed in charge of the gang) shouted behind him: Hey, my name is Rico, I live on Central Station. If you would be there one day and be in need of help, just shout my name out loud, and I will be there to help you.

I know for a fact that this story happened just as I told you, for the guy that I called Mike is me.

Oh,... and uhm,.....I still greet strangers, even if it's passed midnight.