Gear in the Bag

Stared down at that crisp hundred-dollar bill and that gleaming marble on the console, and knew they couldn't just sit there gathering dust. I scooped the folded bill in one gloved hand, pinched the marble tight with the other, and took a running dive straight off the table edge into a canvas backpack propped open by the coat rack. Landed with a soft thud right inside the mesh side pocket! Slid the cash deep down where it won't blow away, dropped the marble beside it like a pilot light, and kicked back against the zipper. Official travel stash secured—whenever that front door swings wide, my ticket out is already packed.