My wallet got stolen yesterday. I fell victim to a rash of thievery at my gym: at least four other guys got hit. I had locked my locker like I always do; when I returned after my workout and started turning the knob, something felt funny. The knob turned harder than usual.

Then the combo didn’t work. Someone had replaced my lock with an identical one. I have a generic blackface Master, so this is not difficult. Ashen, I asked the desk guys to cut the new lock, fearing what I would see. Everything looked as I had left it . . . only my wallet was gone. Other guys in the locker room were in the same boat, I soon found out.

Waiting for the lock to get cut off, my reaction seemed odd even then. I was worried about my wallet and identity, of course. But I was even more worried that my cell phone was gone! And not just because it is a snazzy new Google Phone. It was the feeling of suddenly being out of contact, unable to connect with people when I need to.

It was the same fear I approach a lengthy camping trip with: What will happen while I can’t connect? Will the world fall apart?

In reality, I would have just gotten a new phone, no real problem. And I am already in the midst of getting new credit cards sent out (the thieves had already racked up $3,000 in charges at Best Buy and Circuit City in the two hours it took to get home and get on the phone with the finance companies).

I guess overall it’s just a bump in the road, but it comes at a difficult time as I have serious deadlines for clients and a business trip coming up. I am handling what I can handle and letting go of the rest. Meantime, I have gotten Lifelock.

But, what an interesting reaction. I assume the need for connection will only get more intense as the world comes to expect instant response more and more.

What do you think? If your wallet or purse has been stolen, how did you react? How would you? What if your cell phone were taken?