As Jean was attending a prestigious conference on infectious diseases in Barcelona she met up with some of her scientist friends for lunch. After a morning of lectures, they decided to sit at an outdoor café. It was a beautiful sunny day and La Rambla was crowded with people shopping and dining. It was a nice break from the morning of intense science. Jean placed her bag on the back of her chair and picked up the menu.
Coming down the street was Pablo. A less than reputable person. Pablo saw Jean’s bag on the back of her chair and saw that she was not paying attention. His eyes gleaming with excitement, he swiftly snatched the bag, believing it to contain a treasure trove of valuable loot.
Pablo had absconded with the bag without Jean noticing. So as Jean finished lunch she went to grab her bag to pay. Still talking Jean swung her arm behind her but did not feel the strap on the back of her chair. Jean looked on the ground next to her chair. Jean looked on the ground under her chair. As Jean stared at the back of her chair she finally realized her bag had been stolen.
Jean headed over to the police station to report her missing bag. Then she made a quick call to NIH to let them know she would be late in reviewing the grant they had sent her. She only had a paper copy with her and it had been in the stolen bag. Jean then headed over to the American Consulate to get her passport replaced.
Jean walked into the consulate. Looking around she sighed in dread, it was very crowded. It looked as though Jean was going to miss the entire conference’s afternoon session. But things got weird once she provided her name, Dr. Jean Bowman.
Jean was immediately shuttled into the back room. Those in the waiting room were befuddled as to why this Dr. Bowman was getting prompt attention. In the back room, the woman behind the desk, Ms Rita, started to fire questions at Jean.
Where were you?
What was in your bag?
On and on. Jean noticed Ms. Rita seemed almost to suspect Jean of being up to no good.
Finally, Ms. Rita said “The FBI called us. It seems you had information on anthrax in your bag?”
In shock, Jean said, “Yes. My bag was stolen with a grant in it.”
“Well, we were told a bioterrorist stole your bag.” replied Ms. Rita.
In walked Agent Lopez. This was the officer she spoke to when she reported the bag missing. Had he misunderstood her? Then it dawned on Jean, when she called NIH she must have triggered panic. NIH must have called the FBI and the FBI must have contacted the local authorities and the American consulate. Jean tried to remember what was in the grant. Did it contain some information that might be used by a dubious character?
Agent Lopez said they needed to finish the discussion at the local police station.
Jean was beginning to understand the chaos that had unfolded.
Meanwhile, Pablo, still unaware of the true contents of his loot, decided to inspect his stolen package. He opened it with great anticipation, expecting to find something valuable. Instead, he was met with a rather underwhelming sight.
In a comical twist of fate, Pablo’s disappointment quickly turned to confusion as he realized the police were in a turmoil over his petty theft. Rather than risking capture, he decided to right his wrong and return the stolen package to its rightful place.
Just as he arrived at the police station to return the package – so did Jean with Agent Lopez. She immediately saw her bag. “That’s my bag!”
A swarm of anxious authorities surrounded Pablo. Expecting the worst, Pablo prepared for the inevitable arrest.
Agent Lopez took the bag and looked through the contents with Jean peering over his shoulder. There were some papers, Dr. Bowman’s wallet and passport. Agent Lopez questioned Pablo about anything else in the bag, if there might be something missing.
“NO!” said Pablo and Jean in unison.
Relief washed over the crowd. Just as Jean had said on the car ride over, it was pages of a scientific document. And Pablo was a simple petty thief, not a bioterrorist. Though initially frustrated, he couldn’t help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation.
In the end, Pablo’s unwitting involvement in a scientific mix-up became a story that spread throughout Barcelona, providing endless amusement.
And so, the thief, the scientist, anthrax, and the FBI became the subjects of a comical tale that would be retold for years to come, serving as a reminder to never underestimate the power of a hilarious mix-up and the unexpected connections that can arise in the most improbable of circumstances.