I'm walking home from the market with a bag of nectarines and plums slung over my shoulder. A skinny guy walks past me with knees that have no business on a skinny guy. His feet splay out in an upside down "Y', announcing their burden to all who will listen. The skinny guy is going fast, casting furtive glances this way and that.

"Hey you!" I yell.

He looks around.

"Where'd you get those knees?"

He casts another furtive glance back at me, and beyond, and then takes off at a run. Skinny ankles are flung out hither and thither, their support of his body a mystery. Clearly he has stolen these knees from a much heavier man.

The responsible citizen would have chased him down, but the fruit over my shoulder is ripe and susceptible to bruising. "Next time, thief! I'll get you next time!" I yell.