The Opener: Chapter 4
The Opener: Chapter 4
While the officers stared at each other, I looked around. Although only a few minutes had
passed, a lot had seemed to happen.
The rich families, who held their children close to them in fear, seemed to be getting angry at
the delay. They wanted me out of here and quick. A few minutes while they looked up my record was
too much time for them? Did they expect me to disappear?
One family in particular was folding their arms and talking quietly to themselves. On occasion,
they would take disapproving glances my way before they continued their conversations. Their little girl,
who had pigtails and looked to be around eight years old, glared my way with such ferocity that I
thought she’d come over and strike me where I stand.
The flawed innocence from her parents current actions would no doubt shape her future
impressions of the transients, misplaced and mentally ill for generations. I’m sure that’s how her parents
got their impression, which was really quite sad.
I didn’t bother looking at the other families. They would probably be having the same reaction
to my continual presense. Anymore of this scene was unnecessary for me.
If the two officers would just finish with their staring at each other, this would already be over
with. All I could do is wait. It wasn’t worth getting another ding on my record if I walked away without
their permission. Nor was it beneficial if they kept my ID and I never got it back. I needed that ID, even if
I didn’t own a car.
_ _ _
“You’re coming with us.” Officer Traveston told me. “We’ll drop you off at the county homeless
shelter, won’t we Officer Winston?”
Officer Winston thought about it. Even after she’d picked up her jaw, her hand was still on her
chin in thought. “Forget the homeless shelter. I know a place where he’d fit in better.”
The fat on Officer Traveston’s face whipped to the side as he turned to look at his partner. “Say
what?!”
“Just trust me on this one.” Officer Winston reassured her partner with a smile. She had
something up her sleeve.
I nearly melted at the smile but I knew it wiser to keep my composure. I did notice the other
part of the smile. As charming as her smile was, I had to wonder why what she was smiling about? She
hadn’t been cordial with me earlier.
“Will you come willingly or do we have to cuff you?” Officer Winston inquired. Her tone held
authority but it remained neutral in her feelings for Richard. At this point, I was probably just another
criminal.
“I can simply walk out of here if you wouldn’t mind.” I offered the officers. Even if this wasn’t
what they wished, I was leaving either way.
“That isn’t part of the options.” Officer Winston reminded me with the same indifference as
before.
“I’ll come willingly then.” I told them with a shrug. It was obvious that I wasn’t going to harm
them but apparently, they thought otherwise.
Both officers looked relieved to hear this. After all, this would relieve the officers of their civic
duty to the rich residents of Highland Ridge and they would be on their way to lunch.
“Can I have my ID back? I know I don’t drive but I’d like to have it back.” I told the officers,
stretching out my hand.
“You may.” Officer Winston replied, handing the ID to her partner.
Officer Traveston didn’t seem happy about this one bit but he kept his mouth closed. He handed
the ID back, giving me a hard look.
“Is the door unlocked?” I asked, putting the ID back in my empty wallet. I understood that
normally the police doors were locked, obviously for their safety. Besides, who in their right mind, would
want to hop into the back of a police car for a thrill ride?
Officer Traveston eyed me with daggers. Apparently, I’d offended Mr. Dough-boy. “Of course it
is, neandrathal.” A snort escaped as he laughed. “Get in before I have to cuff you.”
Now I had graduated from being a ‘transient’ to being a ‘neanderthal’? I was either being
promoted or demoted. I couldn’t change his mind now but whichever one it was, I had to wonder.
I made my way into the back seat, placing my few items in before I placed myself down. Shutting
the door, I found I was a bit apprehensive on what was going to happen next.
For the first relief, I was going to be free of the rich citizens who were afraid of me, a transient.
There was no way they’d be able to hurt me while I was in the company of the two officers.
However, I was unsure of Officer Winston’s plans for me. Although she wasn’t being as mean as
she was before, she wasn’t taking me to the homeless shelter, which was where most would take
transients in the first place. As far as I knew, this could be my last day on earth.
What made everything a bit more uneasy was something else. The entire time they’d been
‘addressing the problem ‘ with me, I had not heard any talking on the police communication. Neither
had I heard the two officers communicating with their operator the entire time.
That question that made me think the hardest was: Where they even real cops?
Officer Winston turned on the police communication. “All is clear in Highland Ridge. Heading off
to drop off the transient as we speak. Officer Winston and Traveston over.”
“Message accepted. Afterwards, keep the lunch to an hour and keep your radio on when you
get off. Chief’s orders.” The voice over the radio responded in a direct tone.
“Got it. Over and out.” Officer Winston said as she turned off the radio. She looked to Officer
Traveston with a smile. “We’ve got an hour for lunch after we drop off the transient. Try not to order
too much this time.”
Officer Traveston grunted in response, but seemed to cheer up some. He seemed to like food by
the point of his posture improving, as well as his tone of voice. “I hear that.”
While the officers stared at each other, I looked around. Although only a few minutes had
passed, a lot had seemed to happen.
The rich families, who held their children close to them in fear, seemed to be getting angry at
the delay. They wanted me out of here and quick. A few minutes while they looked up my record was
too much time for them? Did they expect me to disappear?
One family in particular was folding their arms and talking quietly to themselves. On occasion,
they would take disapproving glances my way before they continued their conversations. Their little girl,
who had pigtails and looked to be around eight years old, glared my way with such ferocity that I
thought she’d come over and strike me where I stand.
The flawed innocence from her parents current actions would no doubt shape her future
impressions of the transients, misplaced and mentally ill for generations. I’m sure that’s how her parents
got their impression, which was really quite sad.
I didn’t bother looking at the other families. They would probably be having the same reaction
to my continual presense. Anymore of this scene was unnecessary for me.
If the two officers would just finish with their staring at each other, this would already be over
with. All I could do is wait. It wasn’t worth getting another ding on my record if I walked away without
their permission. Nor was it beneficial if they kept my ID and I never got it back. I needed that ID, even if
I didn’t own a car.
_ _ _
“You’re coming with us.” Officer Traveston told me. “We’ll drop you off at the county homeless
shelter, won’t we Officer Winston?”
Officer Winston thought about it. Even after she’d picked up her jaw, her hand was still on her
chin in thought. “Forget the homeless shelter. I know a place where he’d fit in better.”
The fat on Officer Traveston’s face whipped to the side as he turned to look at his partner. “Say
what?!”
“Just trust me on this one.” Officer Winston reassured her partner with a smile. She had
something up her sleeve.
I nearly melted at the smile but I knew it wiser to keep my composure. I did notice the other
part of the smile. As charming as her smile was, I had to wonder why what she was smiling about? She
hadn’t been cordial with me earlier.
“Will you come willingly or do we have to cuff you?” Officer Winston inquired. Her tone held
authority but it remained neutral in her feelings for Richard. At this point, I was probably just another
criminal.
“I can simply walk out of here if you wouldn’t mind.” I offered the officers. Even if this wasn’t
what they wished, I was leaving either way.
“That isn’t part of the options.” Officer Winston reminded me with the same indifference as
before.
“I’ll come willingly then.” I told them with a shrug. It was obvious that I wasn’t going to harm
them but apparently, they thought otherwise.
Both officers looked relieved to hear this. After all, this would relieve the officers of their civic
duty to the rich residents of Highland Ridge and they would be on their way to lunch.
“Can I have my ID back? I know I don’t drive but I’d like to have it back.” I told the officers,
stretching out my hand.
“You may.” Officer Winston replied, handing the ID to her partner.
Officer Traveston didn’t seem happy about this one bit but he kept his mouth closed. He handed
the ID back, giving me a hard look.
“Is the door unlocked?” I asked, putting the ID back in my empty wallet. I understood that
normally the police doors were locked, obviously for their safety. Besides, who in their right mind, would
want to hop into the back of a police car for a thrill ride?
Officer Traveston eyed me with daggers. Apparently, I’d offended Mr. Dough-boy. “Of course it
is, neandrathal.” A snort escaped as he laughed. “Get in before I have to cuff you.”
Now I had graduated from being a ‘transient’ to being a ‘neanderthal’? I was either being
promoted or demoted. I couldn’t change his mind now but whichever one it was, I had to wonder.
I made my way into the back seat, placing my few items in before I placed myself down. Shutting
the door, I found I was a bit apprehensive on what was going to happen next.
For the first relief, I was going to be free of the rich citizens who were afraid of me, a transient.
There was no way they’d be able to hurt me while I was in the company of the two officers.
However, I was unsure of Officer Winston’s plans for me. Although she wasn’t being as mean as
she was before, she wasn’t taking me to the homeless shelter, which was where most would take
transients in the first place. As far as I knew, this could be my last day on earth.
What made everything a bit more uneasy was something else. The entire time they’d been
‘addressing the problem ‘ with me, I had not heard any talking on the police communication. Neither
had I heard the two officers communicating with their operator the entire time.
That question that made me think the hardest was: Where they even real cops?
Officer Winston turned on the police communication. “All is clear in Highland Ridge. Heading off
to drop off the transient as we speak. Officer Winston and Traveston over.”
“Message accepted. Afterwards, keep the lunch to an hour and keep your radio on when you
get off. Chief’s orders.” The voice over the radio responded in a direct tone.
“Got it. Over and out.” Officer Winston said as she turned off the radio. She looked to Officer
Traveston with a smile. “We’ve got an hour for lunch after we drop off the transient. Try not to order
too much this time.”
Officer Traveston grunted in response, but seemed to cheer up some. He seemed to like food by
the point of his posture improving, as well as his tone of voice. “I hear that.”