Finders Keepers

The Parisian night was frosty, as the ferris wheel came to a halt, mid cycle. Briony and her little friend George were unquestionably an odd pair. He was a child actor working on a joint French/Australian film production and she, a budding actress older in years, but smaller in stature, lacked the confidence that he and his youth exuded, was waiting for her lucky break. Meantime, living in Paris her contacts had resulted in a gig as a errands runner in the production George was currently acting in.

Earlier that evening George's flatmate had insisted he made himself scarce as he was entertaining. Harsh Briony thought, the kid was 14. Seemed a little presumptuous to expect him to take care of himself. She'd been living in Paris for the past three months bunking in with friends & getting odd English teaching jobs, whilst she brushed up on her French & pontificated rather too much about what to do with her life. At 29 she felt life was fast disappearing and as free as she was, sometimes the urge to meet someone, & bunker down with babies pulled at her heart strings. She sighed at the thought with Paris as the backdrop, the most romantic city in the world, here she was entertaining this lonely kid.

She noticed George's gaze, the wonder in his eyes & the appreciation he had, that-she well knew, of Paris. The majestic ponts across the river Siene, the beautiful Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel tower & Sacre couer, all spectacularly laid out from this height, as a temporary cure for any sadness, loneliness or regret. To enhance the magic a thin gossamer of snow began to waft down around them & George's squeals bumped her out of her reverie.

It's beautiful isn't it? She whispered. Oui yes of course but what is that? he exclaimed, pointing to a silky bag squeezed in to the corner of the booth. The wheel had begun to move again slowly as they both stared at the bundle. Briony hesitated, as the idea of unaccompanied packages brought to her mind sinister ramifications. Before she could voice this George had lunged across her and pounced on the sack. As he grasped it the fabric pulled away revealing countless American dollar bills which were unleashed in to the pod. Above, below and around them the dollars swirled and floated coming to land on the floor, the seat, their clothing & the icy glass of the pod. The snow having fallen fully & quickly had covered the pod & muffled the sound of their shreiks.

What will we do? We're rich! Who would have left that? We should turn it in to the authorities. Finders keepers!

Their words came fast, dancing under & over each others as they fell about laughing. Recognising that the ride would be over soon, their excitement turned quickly to panic as they set about gathering up the dosh & stuffing it into pockets, purses & what was left of the shabby little makeshift bag.

When the wheel finally ground to a halt they lept from the pod with the find tucked away safely. Let's move quickly suggested Briony we need to find somewhere to sit & count it & plan what we will do.

The snow was still falling but it was lighter and a little wet. The pavements were slippery, prohibitive to moving quickly. The sky was black but street lights & the lights from restaurants & bars lit their way. People out were scarce & the pair chatted with a buoyant energy known only to those who have had such a windfall, a lucky break, a once in a lifetime experience.

As Neither home was suitable to abscond to, they racked their brains for a solution. Both pairs of eyes were suddenly drawn to the familiar golden arches of a McDonalds restaurant. Set in such a plush part of Paris on the Champs Elysees, it was not so popular with the Parisians. Merely a cheap food stop for tourists. Briony had been there on the odd occasion & knew there to be an upstairs eating area which would probably be quiet & private. They could order food & take one of the upstairs booths to count the stash.

Feeling like criminals must feel if they had insight in to criminal minds at any point, they climbed stealthily up the stairs with their burgers, fries & shakes-balanced on flimsy plastic trays, relieved to see the room empty. Avoiding the most lit part of the room they selected a booth in front by the window with an easy view of the stairs.

Let's count first eat later Briony whispered much to the chagrin of the suddenly ravenous George. Let's be quick, he said. Order the bills first & then count the piles. $1$5$10$20 bills were ordered & piled. Looks like we got lucky at the poker table jested Briony. Finally it was tallied $85125. Now stash it, quipped Briony while we eat our food & try to resolve what to do next.

Half an hour later & they were no closer to a solution. Both saw themselves as honest people but now in possession of this fortune, they pontificated upon how they might use it themselves . After all who would claim it an prove it was theirs. As much as this sort of money could be great, frustration was evident. They would have to hide the money from their friends & room mates & it couldn't go in the bank without arousing suspicion. If either started buying nice things they would draw attention.

On the flip side suggested George, my filming would be done in two more weeks & I will return to Australia & take my share.

But you forget , responded Briony, you will have to declare that you are bringing that amount of cash in to the country & give a substantiated reason for having it.

Mon dieu! responded George his bottom lip dropping. How did such a lucky find completely flip out in to such an appalling dilemma. They looked at each other for a while. Perplexed, flummoxed.

So, declared Briony, bringing them back to reality. Here are our choices:

1. Hand it in the the police with the likelihood that no one claims it & police will keep

2. Keep it & risk inquiring questions & issues with taking the money out of the country

3. Give it away to a deserving charity or several to avoid suspicion as to how it came to us.

Aargh expressed the utterly fed up George. He was getting tired now & confused by the earlier joys now being a dilemma.

There was silence for a bit, a mopey silence, the kind that happens when you've no answers, a bleak lull.

At length Briony spoke. Police? I don't think we have a choice we have to hand it in. Otherwise I think the guilt will eat away at us. He nodded, defeated, knowing she was right.

When they finally arrived at the nearest Commissariat de Police , they were heavy of tred & heart. It was a fait accompli & no more could be done. Initially, the young policemen was seemingly disinterested but his eyes grew wide as Briony explained with assistance from George as he embellished with the gusto of a young performer.

Finally the man cocked an eyebrow & addressed them. Tres bien this is a good thing that you have done & very lucky in this case. This is because well there is no identification or markings on this find. I believe that the loser of this cachet had been careless & may not ever come to retrieve this loss. It is in the law that people who turn in lost cash that is not claimed after 28 days become the legal owners forthwith. So I can take down your details & we will contact you should no owner come forward.

Feeling revived & buoyed by weight lifted, the pair tumbled out in to the icy street & smiled at each other. Relieved the decision had been made they made for the nearest metro station & headed home. When her head hit the pillow Briony fell asleep. She dreamed of pots of gold, buried treasure & lucky four leaf clovers. Went she awoke in the morning she convinced herself that it had all been a dream & it could well have been.

A story to tell the folks back home & the grandkids but in the days to come neither George nor Briony mentioned their adventure. It seemed prudent to not have others weigh in on their decision & the outcome was out of their hands. A week or so passed & quite frankly they both forgot.

The filming wrapped & George travelled home. The days were getting longer as spring slowly approached & Briony returned to life as a part time English teacher, existing on bread wine coffee & cheese. She continued to immerse herself in the beauty of Paris & nuture her romantic dreams.

Days later Briony was promenading along the left bank thinking that she might sit down for a coffee & write in her journal. She eyed a cafe & promptly sat on an outside table under a heater & opened the little book. The page fell open to the night on the Ferris wheel January 21 2014. She chuckled to herself as she was returned to that moment & the joy of the discovery. Her memory was interrupted with the buzzing of a phone in her pocket. She pulled it out & looked at the screen.

Not recognising the number she considered sending it to voicemail but decided to pick up. Hello? A heavily accented voice responded, mademoiselle, Briony (yes) it is the chief inspector of police calling. I need to speak to you about an important cachet of money. Can you come in as soon as convenient?

Walking to the Police station she was racked with curiosity. Had the money not been claimed? If so was it hers? Would she have to track down George in Australia & give him his half? She would of course but thoughts can be inconsiderate of others sometimes. Upon arrival she was asked to take a seat & waited for what seemed like hours for the chief to call her in. Finally, she was sat across from his massive desk piled high with folders & documents and yet it was orderly enough for her to not be too distracted. His eyes were on her as he drew a breath & continued.

Mademoiselle, from where I am sitting I can see a very lucky person. It is not often we have honest people bring in found money in France we know this expression Finders Keepers & people do this. They keep not return or turn in as you have done. For your efforts you now become the recipient of a very large sum of money maybe 70000 euros for you to do what you want with. Be wise when you spend this. You are young so build something for your future & try to be happy. Of course money will not guarantee this.

The paperwork over and the money carefully stowed, Briony stepped out on to the street just as the winter sun started to set over the roof tops. A charming city, a beautiful city, my lucky place she mused and she skipped away to find a place to wait for the eiffel tower lights to sprinkle. As soon as the lights glowed she would call George!

The end