Late ~ Dean Ross

I was late. The first day on the job and I was going to be late. The power had gone out in the night and reset the alarm clock. I tumbled down the stairs like Alice's trip through the Rabbit hole. Out of sorts and fuzzy. I stumbled through the buildings door onto the street and was momentarily blinded by the glare of the sun. I felt someone brush my left arm and murmur something. I turned right and made off down the sidewalk. The city seemed extra bright and cheery this morning. It took me ten steps to come to a complete stop and turn around. In front of my building was a homeless man holding a battered tin cup. I felt my throat clamping shut as I walked back toward him. I reached into my pocket and took out a fiver. "Sorry, I almost lost sight of the world I am here to protect." I placed the fiver in his can and turned back toward where I hoped feverishly that I still worked.

"Who are you?" I heard from behind me.

"Just a GCPD Officer helping one of those he serves." I replied with a grin. I continued to the Precinct and found a note on my never before used desk. It read "MY OFFICE NOW !!!". There could only be one person to whom "MY" referred to. I looked toward the captains office and outwardly winced when I saw that the blinds were down. That never boded well for the officer that went in there. I walked to the assistant and they nodded toward a chair to wait.

Five agonizing minutes that felt like hours before I was nodded in by the assistant. Strange that I had never heard their voice. Two men in business suits sat comfortably in chairs. The Captain, who he had expected and the other was the Commissioner himself. I felt my bowels loosen a little at the thought of getting a reprimand in front of the Commissioner. He was a legend.

The Captain began simply enough."First day and you are late. Care to explain?" I stood a little straighter as I replied. "The power in my building failed during the night and reset my clocks." I took a quick breath and continued. "I don't say that as an excuse. I should have had battery back ups or gotten an old wind up clock. I will fix that on my way home today."

The Commissioner looked at the Captain smiling. "That's one." The Captain frowned.
Just then 3 light taps at the door and it opened to reveal the Homeless man that was in front of his building. "Ah Agent Orange please give your report."

Agent Orange stepped fully into the room and closed the door. The smell of garbage quickly filled the room. "The subject left his apartment in haste immediately after he rose. He saw me and gave me five dollars then continued on his way. I followed him here and he made no detours." The man paused and then asked. "If that will be all sir I would like to shower and change."

"Dismissed and job well done." replied the commissioner. He once again turned to the Captain waggling two fingers at him. The Captains frown deepened.

As Agent Orange turned the door handle to leave, I held up my hand and said. "That is not 100% correct sirs. I initially passed this man in my hurry and only came back once I realized my error."

"You went back ... Because you didn't give money to a homeless person?" The Commissioner looked greatly confused.

"I went back because someone needed my help." I replied.

"But he is just a homeless person. Surely you getting here on time and catching crooks would be a better use of your time?"

"That's only a possibility. Helping the homeless man was a definite." I looked down fearing I had committed career suicide.

"That's enough. I have an offer for you. I am creating a special task force, outfitted with the newest Tech, we could get. I want you to be on it." Both the Captain and the commissioner were smiling now. "Congratulations!"

I could hardly speak. "thank you sir ... thank you! When does this job start? What do we do? Where do I work?"