There was something I learned a long time ago in my two-and-a-half years of experience as a Boy Scout: Be Prepared.
No matter what you do, and no matter where you go: Be Prepared.
A little Boy-Scoutery would have done a pair of would-be carjackers a lot of good this week in Florida, who learned a little too late that being able to drive a vehicle with a manual transmission could be a useful skill if you want to try to steal a higher-end car.
Set the stage: Randolf Bean, 51-year-old Floridian, was waiting on his wife to get off of work, patiently sitting in his bright yellow Corvette.
All of a sudden, two men rush at the ‘Vette brandishing a pistol and insisting that a hostile takeover of Bean’s keys and vehicle take place.
Bean, being a sensible man, steps out and hands the keys over to the jackers, who hop in and prepare to make their getaway.
After several failed attempts to crank the car – while Bean himself is telling them that they need to push the clutch in to be able to start a standard transmission – one of the thieves reportedly shouted, “It’s a stick,” switched to Plan B, demanded Bean’s wallet, phone, and house keys, and went their way with their lessened loot.
Bean, remaining aloof of his stake in the situation, was thankful to the carjackers for not turning violent when their scheme didn’t go their way. In his opinion, the outcome also turned out best for the boys.
“This is a high performance car compared to other cars, “said Bean. “So if they had gotten it, they might have hurt themselves in it.”   

Printed in the February 7, 2013 edition