The Heist

Jasper was in trouble. Robbing the bank was a terrible decision. It was one he made to prove that he was smarter and different than what people thought. But it was a tragic choice, made in the moment, but with tremendous consequences. He spent a lot of time wondering where things went wrong.

Jasper’s encounter with the homeless man at the rest stop brought some clarity to his present situation. He was a fugitive. He had an enormous amount of stolen cash. He realized his old life was effectively over; and with it, his forced and unhappy existence as a husband and 9 to 5 worker. Jasper wanted something different - and now he had it.

Jasper assumed the identity of William Drake. Living on the road seemed like a smart idea. How often to people really pay attention to the homeless men and women we see at the intersection or under the overpass? Living under the bridge, he could escape the most prying eyes and basically blend in. The other people living there didn’t ask a lot of questions, and they seemed genuinely glad to have someone new.

“So how long have you been on the road”

Asked a man later Jasper learned was named John. John was gentle and kind, but he was perpetually homeless. He had problems with drugs and alcohol. Some years were better than others, but this was turning out to be a very difficult year. John was reclining against a shopping cart next to his worn little Coleman tent.

“Not long” answered Jasper

This is a good town. The people here are friendly, at least some of them. There is a breakfast at the downtown church on Sunday mornings, but you have to wake up early. They start serving at 7am and it goes quickly. There are a lot of us here, people just don’t notice our tents in the woods or our blankets by the road.

Jasper counted on people not noticing him.

_______________________________

For the next year Jasper lived with the homeless. He prayed with them. He cried with them. And he did what he could to help to make things a little brighter under the bridge and wherever he found a need. In total, Jasper had almost $100,000 in stolen cash. He used a little of his loot every day to buy food, clothing and toiletries for his new friends and those he met on his travels. It’s amazing how far $100,000 will go when you’re just purchasing basic needs. In fact, Jasper was able to help hundreds of homeless people, and he was seen as a saint by his new community. Jasper justified helping people with his stolen money as a modern-day Robin Hood story. It was wrong on lots of levels, but he also did incredible good.

Jasper was eventually caught and sent to prison. In prison he learned who he really was. And when he was given early release for good behavior, he devoted the remainder of his life to helping others and living authentically.