You're in the clear. Give it a go.

You're in the clear. Give it a go.

All that separates you from the cash inside is a little lock. This should be easy.

Try your lockpick.

You jangle it around for a minute or so, but it doesn't work. The shape of the cylinders is completely different.

You need a tubular lockpick for this. Something like...

Try the Editor-in-Chief's fancy pen as a lockpick.

You snake the ink tube out of the pen and push its tip into the lock. Holding the pen with one hand, you shake the lock with the other, and...

It pops open with a satisfying 'click'. The cash is yours.

Use a vendor override code. It won't be anything complicated -- it'll be simple, easy to remember, idiot-proof.

Punch in '1234'.

The machine whirrs happily, recognising its master's shibboleth, and spits out the cash into your hand.

No need to muck about here with fiddly little things. Let's just tip the sucker over!

Tip the machine.

Using all your strength, the machine's legs lift off the ground as it tilts to one side. One solid shake, and cash rattles out of the machine and onto the ground.

Shakedown successful. This is gäng pröperty now!

All that separates you from the cash inside is a little lock. Shame you don't have a lockpick.

You repeat the same procedure as before, leaving the vending machine once again at your mercy as you inconspicuously grab the cash gathered inside.

It's not been long since you broke into one of these. Best give it a bit more time before you strike again.

If you overdo this you're going to break the economy.

How can the city's economy rest on vending machines?

Who said anything about the city? You're going to break the economy of the whole universe.

If the inspectors begin to suspect something's amiss, they'll lock the machines down -- or worse, stop refilling them until they can be replaced with tamper-proof models.

Overdo this and you risk a note that reads 'kleptomaniacal tendencies' in your personnel file.