Ask him to come along

"Could you?" you ask Alex sheepishly. You need someone to be there for you while you get fined, kicked out, arrested, or whatever the outcome may be.

"Lead the way," your friend responds.

The man in uniform leads you both into a door labelled "Employees Only". You go down an unfinished corridor to a small office with a few folding metal chairs, some clipboards, a whiteboard with what looks like shift hours, and very little else.

"Take a seat," the dark-skinned man requests. You and Alex both do as you're told, sitting in the very uncomfortable seats. The officer sits across from you.

"Listen," the guard looks directly into your eyes. "I know that if I look over the security footage, it'll show that you took those items without paying for them. I could have you wait in here while I search through them. It would take about half an hour, and I'd have all the evidence I need."

His face softens a bit. "I don't want to have to look through those tapes. Nor do I want to call the cops, and I'm sure you don't either." He leans forward and rests his hand on his knee. "Let's see if we can come to a deal." He looks at you expectantly.

"What did you have in mind?" you ask nervously.

"Well," he starts, fishing the bikini you shoplifted out of the Bath and Body Works bag. "How about you start by modelling this number for me?"

You feel weird about this whole situation, but you have little choice. You stand up, take the bikini from him, and ask "Is there a room I can get changed in?"

"You can use this one." He smiles at you. You wait for him to leave, but makes no move toward the door. "Go on; let's see you put it on."