The Better Angel

Looking down at Larry and Martin, who are groaning and seeing stars at the bottom of your stairs, you feel something unexpected: sympathy. They’re just people who made bad choices, and they’re really, really bad at being criminals.

“Hey, are you guys okay down there?” you call out. “That looked like it hurt. I’ve got some ice packs if you need them.”

Larry looks up in disbelief. “Are you… are you offering to help us? After we tried to rob your house?”

“Well, the robbery didn’t really work out, and you both look pretty beat up. Mom always says you should help people who are hurt, even if they were trying to do something stupid.”