Going It Alone

It's mid afternoon when Jack reaches Paro. He is cold and hungry, and very, very tired. He ties the horse in a secluded spot just outside the settlement, and tries to gather some grass for it. Then he sets off to find Jim.

He wanders round the area for several hours without seeing anyone familiar and tries several times to locate the house Jim described, without success. He sees no one he knows, and in spite of his best efforts, founders and flounders with each attempt to talk with anyone. Now he wishes he had studied the Dzongkha language.

He's getting weak. He must eat.

But again, he has nothing to trade.

Well Jim. I know I said I wouldn't do this, but I cannot help it. If this is stealing, I must steal. Forgive me, Lord.

If I get caught I will be punished, but most likely I can eat a bit before they catch me. And that seems fair. Anyway, if I do this right, I may get enough to eat without getting caught.

With that Jack brings all his faculties to bear on the challenge before him. With the inventiveness of a practiced thief he works his way from shop to shop, handling and inspecting the merchandise, breaking little pieces off of loaves and cheeses and tsampa, flipping smaller fruit into his sleeves and pockets, and moving along, always moving along, to avoid attracting attention.

Here and there between shops he steps into an alleyway, and pops a tidbit in his mouth, but slowly he builds up his cache. He starts to feel a bit better.