The scammers were thrilled when a frail ninety-year-old lady opened the door. But behind her, an enormous dog named Max appeared.
Mildred Watson, though ancient, was quite up-to-date. At ninety, she chatted with her grandchildren on Skype and paid her bills online because “Why waste time standing in line at the post office?”
Mildred had laid her husband to rest twelve years ago. The only living creature that kept her company was an equally old dog (in dog years, of course) named Max—the quirky name was given by Mildred’s husband.
Each morning and evening, the neighborhood folks saw Mildred taking a leisurely stroll with a cane in one hand and a leash in the other. Though, the leash was just for show—Max had never bitten anyone, despite his intimidating appearance, especially in his younger days.
Mildred was aware that elderly, lonely people often fell victim to various scams. Her grandchildren first warned her about it. Then the local police officer. She’d read about it online too. Just a few months back, a friend called her in tears, recounting how she’d been swindled out of her funeral savings.
So when Mildred heard the doorbell, she was already on guard. At her door stood two young people—a man and a woman in their mid-twenties. They claimed to be from social services.
“I didn’t call for anyone,” Mildred said with a cunning twinkle in her eye.
“Oh, we just came by,” the young man beamed. “Can you tell us, have you bought anything from the pharmacy in the last month?”
“Of course, I have,” replied Mildred. “At my age, visits to the pharmacy are as regular as trips to the grocery store! Ninety years old is no joke!” She could’ve rambled on for hours about her purchases, medications, and their effects.
But the young people didn’t seem particularly interested in that.
“You’re entitled to a government compensation! It’s a new support initiative. Let’s step inside, you can find your receipts, and we’ll sort everything out,” offered the woman.
Mildred smiled to herself. She knew this trick too well: the unwanted guests come in, one distracts the homeowner while the other ransacks the place, grabbing anything of value.
That’s exactly how it played out. The pair entered the room—the woman immediately asked Mildred to join her in the kitchen to pour a glass of water.
“Sure thing, my dear! And to keep you company, young man, Max will stay with you,” Mildred said with a smile.
Just then, Max ambled into the room—groggy but alarmed by the strangers’ presence. Despite his age, he looked formidable.
Mildred and the woman left the room. Max slowly approached the young man and stared intently into his eyes.
“If you mess with any of the owner’s things, I’ll bite your head off,” the dog seemed to say. The young man was too scared to move.
It’s no surprise that the duo suddenly remembered other urgent commitments and hurried off.
“And what about that compensation? For the medicines?” Mildred asked with a hint of irony.
“We’ll get back to you,” the woman mumbled, hastening towards the exit.
Mildred watched them with a stern look, closed the door—then patted Max. Afterward, she called the local police officer, describing the pair—let them figure out what kind of ‘social service’ that was!
