A Heist Is Imminent!

Because Hong Kong is generally a safe city, the armed protection business is limited to the odd bank and the armoured car companies that supply them with cash.

Unlike places such as, say, the Philippines, where you're apt to find a pistol-toting rent-a-cop checking bags at the door of McDonald's for weapons of mass destruction, or at least a grenade, the Big Lychee doesn't require such overt and useless measures.

Imagine my surprise then, when I passed the Louis Vuitton store in The Landmark in Central, outside which stood a rather forlorn-looking man (and they all look that way) with a single-barrelled shotgun.

There was no big sale event, no unruly crowds; in fact, the store was devoid of traffic. Yet none of the expensive watch and jewellery shops that abound in that area had a guard outside packing heat. Any criminal mastermind worth his salt would go for the glitzy stuff before hitting the ugly-assed handbag and luggage shop.

And how difficult would it be to take down that poor slob at the door anyway? Most of those guys are so bored they'd never see you coming. Half of them like to rest with one hand over the barrel, relying on the safety to keep them intact.

So who does Louis Vuitton think they're fooling? Are we supposed to be impressed? Yes, we get it, your handbags are expensive. They have to be.

Who do you think is paying for the security guard?

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