Back in the early 70's, I had a partnership business with two guys. our place was an old brick building just off Lakeshore Drive and I-55 merger. Right where McCormick build five now sits.
Just north of the infamous "southside" it was a bad neighborhood. Not dangerous per se but dangerously close to really bad. We mostly packaged the Hickory Farms cheese gift product with about 50 employees but only for 6-7 months of the year. Otherwise we were slow, maybe 5 or 6 employees and the three partners.
My job was engineering and building new lines and automation of old ones. So, sometimes I worked late. 6:00 winter is dark outside in Chicago.
Leaving the building just after dark, I was accosted by an older man carrying the Saturday nite special 38 pistol. All Chrome and menacing. He demanded my wallet which I handed over. Took the $10 or $11 bucks I had. I have to admit, I was scared and frankly did not, or would not, look him in the face. He warned me not to turn around and left.
That was the first time.
Later, I was again working late, but this time I was driving my brand new Oldsmobile Starfire. Same guy, I could tell by his voice. Same scary gun. This time I saw his face when he took my wallet and found only a $1 bill. He puts the gun butt on my shoulder and turns me around. Saying, "You drive a fancy car like that with only a buck in your wallet?"
"That fancy car is a just dressed up Chevy Vega, and it is why I only have a buck left!"
Boy, you is more broke than me. Keep it! And he walked away.
Every once in a while, I would see that gun in my nightmare dreams. Him, I never saw again.