Burglars must learn to cope with surprises if they are to find some level of satisfaction in their profession. To illustrate the point, let’s consider the story of Mike and Sean, the Clancy brothers. Their specialty is breaking and entering homes while the owners are away on vacation. That’s how these guys avoid any chance of confrontation.

Late one Thursday afternoon they pry open a patio door and enter the Hester residence in a very fashionable neighborhood. First they check for, and then disarm, the security alarm system. Sean goes to the second floor looking for valuables while Mike cases the first floor.

In less than 10 minutes the boys have three pillow cases filled with valuables they can fence. Just as they prepare to leave, Sean spots a container on the mantle over the fireplace. A label on the container is marked, "Charlie."

Curious, the brothers peek inside, only to find a white powdery substance. "Got to be our lucky day," says Sean.

The boys arrange the powder in thin lines on the glass covered coffee table. They begin snorting the lines of what they believe to be cocaine. "Really bad stuff," comments Mike as he kicks over the coffee table. Disappointed, they leave the house.

Meanwhile, a nosey next-door neighbor who saw the boys pry open the patio door has already called the police. The Clancys are arrested as they load their loot into the trunk of their car.

The Hesters return from vacation a week later. Police give them a full report. Later, a detective goes back to the jail where Mike and Sean are locked up under high bond.

"Remember that ‘Charlie’ you guys snorted?" the detective asks.

The boys nod, "yes."

The detective adds: "That wasn’t cocaine, as I’m sure you already know. ‘Charlie’ was the family dog that died in 1997. You guys snorted his ashes."