"My mother always told me it was wrong to take people's things. It's stealing. She also said God always punished thieves," Jacob said, a frown on his face.
"Where's your mother? Is she at Mubende?" Sonny looked at his friend's dark eyes.
"No, she's dead!"
"Well, forget about your mother. Dead women tell no tales," Sonny spoke quickly before adding, "She can not rise from the dead and feed you, can she? Look, you have to survive on your own here. She seems to have been a pious woman, but mother is not and she taught Mr how to survive."
"But don't you believe in God?"
"Even if I don't, God helps those who help themselves," Sonny replied confidently and added, "That's why in my job, I have to consult wizards and witches to survive because you never know when bad luck comes. And that's how I have been able to survive all this time."
By this time, Jacob had a clear picture of his friend. Sonny had little faith in God and often consulted witches and wizards to survive.
It was such consultations with men and women using the powers of darkness that made him overconfident. But what could Jacob do?
His friend stood for whatever was the opposite of what he had been taught. Yet whatever he said about his survival not being dependent on his mother was true.
"Let's take a walk around as I show you some tricks and rules of the game in this cosmopolis," Sonny said as soon as they finished eating.
The two boys walked along the road and stopped at a supermarket.
Sonny suddenly laughed as he said, "My mother was a harlot but she taught me to survive in the capital, you have to be tough. I even don't know who my father was but honestly I don't care."
Jacob only listened as Sonny continued: "I was born in Mbale and dropped out of school at fouth grade; standard four as it is commonly known. There was no one to pay fees for me."
There was a pause, Jacob said nothing. Sonny went on, "So when someone tries preaching to me, it irritates me. I dislike those who claim they are religious yet they are just pretenders; hypocrites! Why can't they help those in need, people who are suffering but instead go about preaching and do nothing."
It instantly occurred to Jacob that his companion hated religion, faith, law and everything these represented; the clergy, pious men and women, the police, government and authorities.
Jacob just listened as his friend went on talking, "You'll do nothing today except just watch every step I take when I help myself to a few goods."
Jacob followed his friend closely behind; Sonny was full of confidence as he walked around and entered the supermarket. He held a twenty shillings note in his hand.
Sonny went to the shelves and picked a few items as he pretended to be examining them. From where he stood a few metres away, Jacob saw Sonny eye the attendant who had lost interest in them.
Satisfied that everything was alright, Sonny dropped the items in his pockets as he continued examining the others. Ten minutes later, they walked out after Sonny bought only a few tablets of aspirin for only a few shillings.
Jacob was quite impressed by his friend's courage and confidence and keenly paid to Sonny who spoke, "It was as easy as taking an evening bath. The trick is this: always lull the suspicions of the attendants. If you notice they seem suspicious, then you had better call off everything and wait for another day."
In his hands, Sonny held a few packets of biscuits, chocolates and bars of soap.
Jacob reflected on what his companion said then he saw it. Rule number one: Don't ever try stealing from a suspicions person.
But he was silent as he was amazed by Sonny's skills in shoplifting. He could not say anything as he was still a novice listening to his friend, Sonny, as he explained: "Once I get these items, I sell them at a cheaper price to some of our agents. I usually get various goods ranging from domestic goods to precious stones."
Sonny paused for a few seconds before going on, "I have also managed to pick some jewellery from the jewel shops. That's why your necklace looked too impressive last night to resist the urge to take it; I had to make a go at it."
The two comrades instantly burst out laughing as they remembered the incident when they almost became enemies. But now they had become good friends.
One was the expert, the other was still a novice. Jacob was the novice who was eager to learn the art of survival.
His mind went back to the necklace and his hand reached for it on his neck as he felt it safe on his body; the neck. It was hidden inside his collar and he was sure it was very safe since he had buttoned his shirt.
"Come," Sonny urged him as they walked into another shop. "I will now show you a more tactful and skilful job; so be very attentive and observant."
Jacob followed. It was a small retail shop full of merchandise. But already there were a few customers inside.
Once again, Sonny pretended to be selecting the goods until all the customers walked out of the shop after purchase of their essential needs or goods.
"How much is that small tin of canned fish?" Sonny inquired as he pointed at the item on the shelves.
"Which one is it?" The shopkeeper, a short bald man, pot bellied queried as he turned round to look at the tin the boy was pointing at.
As the shop owner turned, Jacob saw the most unbelievable thing happened and this made him smile.
Sonny's hand had in that split second reached for a packet of biscuits that lay on the open space at the counter, and then dropped it into his overcoat.
"It is three hundred shillings," said the shopkeeper as he turned to face them.
"Thanks anyway. It's too expensive; thought I could get it for only a hundred shillings but I guess it's not my lucky day. Things are quite expensive these days," Sonny told the man as he walked out, Jacob coming in his wake.
"That was great! It's the best trick I have ever seen in years," Jacob cheered his friend as he patted his friend on the shoulder saying, "You're my kind of champion; always steady and never nervous."
But even as he spoke, he knew he had been shown the second trick.
Rule number two: Always shift attention from yourself to another object or something else.
Sonny was now happy his friend was a fast learner and began to boast, "That was nothing. I will show you more tricks as time goes on. Then you'll be surprised at what we can do to men and women who are reckless. But come on now, let's go and dump these goods at our hideout."