The Lookout (El Alcon)

On Saturday afternoon, we were making our way to visit a relative's house when we spotted a green camouflage humvee filled with Mexican soldiers.  Its common to see soldiers in the area because they have a post nearby and they normally come into town to buy food and other necessities.  Some stood while others sat in the vehicle's bed as they watched each others back.  I was reminded of a war movie when the lookout stood watch while the other soldier slept, each facing away from each other.  

You could see that they were prepared for war.  They were fully armored with kevlar helmets, bullet proof vests, high powered weapons, and expressionless, serious faces.  For a split second, I felt as if I had made eye contact with one of them and I immediately started to think; "Does he think I'm one of them?"  I had stopped for a cold treat to keep cool from the humidity.

We approached our destination and immediately right after, we spotted a black four door car with heavily tinted windows.  The driver was backing into the dentist office in front of us, the car and the driver facing us.  We all went about our business.  We talked, we laughed.  We were having normal conversation.  I felt a little uneasy, trying really hard not to look toward the car's way.  It was obvious that the person in the car was sent to keep a close watch on the soldiers and other potentially threatening activity that might disrupt local drug operations.  As we joked, my mind started to drift away.  I started to think about what would happen if the soldiers and the lookout started to gun each other right in front of us.  

After about half an hour, he left as nonchalantly as he had come.  We continued our conversation.