The Scam

Early Sunday afternoon, dad and I went out for our usual weekend walk into undiscovered regions of the city. We had just crossed the massive 9 Julio, not more than 5 minutes walk from our apartment, when I felt the wet splat of what could only be bird droppings on my ear and shoulder. Immediately, the man and the woman walking behind us ran to help, gesturing to the sky and offering tissues. I was instantly suspicious. I only needed a whiff and a quick glance of the green substance splattered from my hair to my feet to realise that it was not any form of bird byproduct and that it definitely had not come from above. The couple had moved in closer and were attempting to "help us" (read rob us) by wiping us (yes dad was covered also) off. We both made evasive movements by turning in circles and told the people that we did not need their help and that we would return to our apartment to get cleaned up. Sensing that their act had been discovered the pair disappeared as fast as they had appeared and dad and I retreated, in the opposite direction, to the fountain in the middle of 9 de Julio to assess the damages. The whole thing was over in less than 30 seconds. We quickly checked our backpacks and pockets to see if anything was missing. All ipods, cameras, and wallets were there but we were covered in flecks of aquamarine slime that smelled distinctly of the dentist's office (dad was convinced in was relish).
We washed off as best we could in the fountain and decided to continue with our walk. As we repassed the scene of the crime, we looked up to see the smooth, windowless, balconyless edifice of the building and were confirmed in our opinion that whatever we were covered in it had not come from above. We walked in silence for a few minutes, each of us brooding over the events in our minds before we broke out into our usual chatter. An hour later the incident was almost entirely forgotten but the bitter, tangy odor of green slime followed us until we returned home.