The Louis Vuitton Incident

The rue Montaigne is filled with rich designer stores and elegant residents. I walked down the streets imagining walking through the tall doors and into the intimidating shops. As I got back onto the Champs Elysée, my chance arrived. A couple had been watching me walk by and approached me shyly. In terrible French, they began trying to tell me something and asked if I spoke English. They had bought a Louis Vuitton wallet already and wanted another one. But because they didn’t want to declare it, they were looking for someone to buy one for them. Looking at my perplexed face, they brought out 500 euros cash and told me that I’d be doing them a huge favour. Images of gangsters in black suits and government officials clouded my mind- what was I getting into? And then I thought about walking into Louis Vuitton with 500 euros to spend. There was no way I could refuse. So off I went, walking like I owned the Paris sidewalk, and into the huge doorway of the store. A man in a suit and hat greeted me politely at the door and a woman came immediately to tell me that someone would be with me in a moment. I was then escorted through the store and was asked if there was anything in particular I wanted. I told them a wallet and pictured the one the couple had showed me. A woman behind the counter brought out the one I was supposed to buy and I said it was perfect. I was then ushered to a little waiting area near a different counter as the staff packaged and prepared the wallet. At the cash register, I was asked for my passport, which I didn’t have with me, and realized that I might have to declare this expensive purchase! Instead, I pulled out my sparkly pink leopard print wallet with 500 euros sticking out. Total class. I left with an adieu from the man at the door and stepped out onto the rue Montaigne as if I belonged. The couple were nervously looking at their watches across the street, probably sure I had slipped out the back door, and I walked over and gave them the wallet. I kept the change for a job well done. Someone had to do it…