That's when I noticed his parents behind him. His mother was extremely supportive and had nothing but good intentions but might be overdoing it. His father looks very uninterested and is holding up a newspaper while facing anywhere other than his son. A cruel double-edged sword, much like the one he's holding. He doesn't want to disappoint either, both meaning a lot to him for different reasons.

He stepped forward, and said "Look man, I know you're mugging me right now, but can you let me win for a bit? I'll give you my money, it's been a bad day and I don't know how much more my self-esteem I can take.

I mock a swing of my knife that he picks up on and blocks. The mother applauds, the father grunts and mutters something about his stance. He hits me gently using the flat face of the sword and I pretend to fall down and run away. He turns back towards his parents and starts walking away, and he mouths "thank you" at me before I disappear.

I didn't take anything from that encounter. The last thing he needed was insult to injury.