ZACK FROM TUBAC: Hey, Cap’n Greg, I haven’t seen you sweeping Sandy Beach with your metal detector lately. What’s up?
CAP’N GREG: What’s up is a new left knee. Digging a two-foot hole only to find a beer can is not the easiest thing for me to do right now.
ZACK FROM TUBAC: Can’t you set that thing to ignore aluminum?
CAP’N GREG: If I did, I’d miss all the peso coins and other strange alloys.
ZACK FROM TUBAC: What else do you find?
CAP’N GREG: Rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, watches, even a gold toe ring once. But the most common stuff is Mexican coins. And a lot of US dimes and quarters, for some reason.
ZACK FROM TUBAC: I wouldn’t think people would lose money like that.
CAP’N GREG: I suppose they sit down, and it falls out of their pockets, or they put change on a towel, forget it’s there, get out of the water, pick up the towel and the coins are instantly buried.
ZACK FROM TUBAC: I bet you’re not gonna get rich beach combing here.
CAP’N GREG: Not rich, but years ago I used to walk the Mirador beach and find enough coins to buy a couple beers at Manny’s.
ZACK FROM TUBAC: So, would you advise people not to take valuables to the beach?
CAP’N GREG: Sure. But only until my knee is better.
ZACK FROM TUBAC: You’re a crafty character, Cap’n Greg.
CAP’N GREG: That’s a fact, Zack.
