11. My Machu Picchu

I had no game plan, no set of instructions for the circumstances. We were alone, deadlocked on sacred ground for what seemed an eternity but was likely only minutes. Dark, rumbly clouds began to gather overhead. While the guard held tight to one arm, I managed to reach with the other to a pocket where there were a few loose coins. I fished them out and extended my open palm; they were all together worth less than a dollar. He looked at the money and then looked at me. He released my arm and picked the coins from my hand. (100)