Introduction:
In the story "If I Were You" by Douglas James, Gerrard's presence of mind plays a crucial role in saving him from an intruder. Gerrard, a famous writer, finds himself in a dangerous situation when a mysterious man breaks into his house. However, his quick thinking and resourcefulness enable him to outsmart the intruder and escape unharmed.

Gerrard's Observations and Analysis:
Gerrard's presence of mind is evident from the moment he realizes that he is being watched. He notices a man standing outside his house and feels a sense of unease. Instead of panicking, Gerrard starts analyzing the situation and tries to understand the motives of the stranger.

Creating a Diversion:
When the intruder breaks into Gerrard's house, he doesn't confront him directly. Instead, Gerrard cleverly creates a diversion by pretending to be someone else. He assumes the character of the intruder's partner and engages in a conversation, distracting him from his original intentions.

Using Psychology to Gain Control:
Gerrard's presence of mind is further exemplified by his ability to manipulate the intruder's psychology. He cleverly plays on the intruder's fear and paranoia, making him doubt his own actions. By pretending to know more about the intruder than he actually does, Gerrard gains control over the situation.

Creating a Plan:
Gerrard's presence of mind allows him to quickly formulate a plan to escape. He pretends to be interested in the stolen goods, distracting the intruder and buying himself time. He then seizes the opportunity to make a run for it when the intruder momentarily lets his guard down.

Executing the Escape:
With his presence of mind intact, Gerrard manages to escape from the intruder's clutches. He uses his knowledge of the house to his advantage, navigating through the rooms with precision and agility. Gerrard's quick thinking and resourcefulness enable him to outsmart the intruder and reach safety.

Conclusion:
Gerrard's presence of mind plays a crucial role in saving him from the intruder in "If I Were You." His ability to observe, analyze, create diversions, use psychology, create a plan, and execute the escape showcases his quick thinking and resourcefulness. Gerrard's presence of mind ultimately allows him to outsmart the intruder and emerge unharmed from a dangerous situation.