The other day, I was feeling unusually spontaneous. So, I made an impulse decision to buy a fake FBI Badge. I thought it looked so real – I had to have one! I figured that it was a pretty simple purchase, and I didn’t have much to worry about. But, boy was I wrong!
I found a website that seemed to be the only place to purchase these badges. The prices ranged from around $50 to almost $100. I chose a basic one that was coming from overseas; I had to purchase it with a money order. Not knowing any better, I agreed to the payment terms and waited eagerly for my order to arrive.
When the package eventually arrived, I was worried that someone would know it wasn’t the real deal. The outside was plain-looking; there was no fancy labeling or anything. Inside was my badge and some tiny print paperwork that I had to fill out. I instantly felt silly for buying this “thing”, but since I was already this deep into it. So, I completed the paperwork and proudly wore my new badge.
The first time I had it out in public, I got the strangest looks. People glanced at it for a few seconds and looked like they were trying to figure something out. I was worried I was going to get in trouble, but I was secretly proud that my badge looked so convincing. I started to embrace my new “badge of horror”, as I affectionately referred to it, as part of my identity.
Most people were actually really cool about it. I remember a few times when people asked me to show them my badge. Somehow, they were able to tell that it was a fake, but they were still impressed. I guess the craftsmanship was pretty decent, considering it only cost me around $50.
A few of my friends asked me why I bought the badge in the first place. I replied jokingly, “It was a whim. I wanted to pretend to be an FBI agent, and what better way to do that than with a fake badge!” We all had a good laugh, and I was glad that I had stepped out of my comfort zone to buy something I normally wouldn’t.
Next, I decided to take it upon myself to educate people about the ins and outs of buying a fake FBI badge. I told my friends to never trust online ordering, because you never really know what you’re getting. It’s important to research everything thoroughly before making a purchase. I warned them about the shoddy craftsman and the potentially dangerous paperwork that may be needed.
Then, I decided to look into getting a real badge. After all, I was already half way there. I started discussing the process with an actual FBI Agent. He informed me that the process was a lot more involved and extensive than I had initially thought. He suggested that I focus on getting my degree first and then come back to look into getting a real badge.
I thought about what he said and realized that the more time I put in towards getting a degree and building my skills, the more likely that I’d be to eventually get that FBI badge. I also realized that it’s better to make smart decisions and put in the hard work, instead of taking shortcuts.
I’m not sure if I’ll actually attempt to get a real FBI badge, but for now I’m content with my fake badge. It’s a reminder of spontaneous decisions, and it’s a lesson about not taking shortcuts and taking the proper time to get the job done.