Craigslist, I was wrong when I declared that we would be enemies for denying me the right to have an unpaid intern. It wasn't really your fault. It was Ryan Kaczmarek's fault. He's the one who should be my enemy.

But all is forgiven. Yes, I had to make the first steps of reconciliation by attempting to sell my couch through you. But then you came through for me in the most wonderful way. Did you send me a willing buyer? Perhaps some pneumatically enhanced 20-year-old whose soft lips couldn't wait to thank me for the great deal she was getting? No, you sent me something even better. A scam artist.

From: Chris Marcus

** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY --- AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html

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Hello,
i will like to know if the above furniture is still available for sale?

I look forward to hearing from you!
Thank you again
Chris

From: Jesse
To: Chris Marcus

The couch is still available. If you would like to come see it and maybe pick it up, let me know and we can set a time.

Please be advised: this is an 8' long couch. So don't be surprised when you see it and its pretty big. How much are you prepared to offer for it?

From: Chris Marcus
To: Jesse

Hello,
Thanks for the prompt response and i will like  you to withdraw the advert from Craigslist,i don't mind adding an extra $20 for you to take  the advert down from craigslist so that i can be rest assured that am in hand of the item.I don't have time to come take a look. I  will be paying via  cashier's check,you don't need to bother your self with the shipment Ok,i will take care of that.So i will need you to provide me with the following information to facilitate the mailing of the check.
1.Your full name
2.Your mailing address
3.Your phone number.
I will have my mover come over as soon as you have  the check
Have a great day
Chris

This is why Craigslist knows me so well. When I opened that last email and saw somebody was trying to scam me, I wasn't angry. Or disappointed. Or sad. Or any of those things. I was thrilled. Exhilarated.

Internet commerce always has that dash of danger, and seeing myself as the target of a scam was like reaching the slow climb to the top of a roller coaster, and then plummeting down the other side. No real danger, but the adrenaline rush comes all the same.

Was it your over-eagerness that tipped me off to the scam, Chris? Your offer of extra money to entice me to remove the ad? The offer to pay via cashiers check when the very first email I received from you advised me to look out for scammers offering to pay via cashiers check? All of these. None of these. I don't know. I don't want to over think the moment. Its too special. Let's just savor it.

Although you could have had the decency to ask me for my social security number, too. You know, like a real gentleman.