>>5801909>>5801910>>5801911>>5801914>>5801923"Discomfort is part of the job, sir. Let's stick with Wayne." You tell him rising to your feet, feeling better now that your proximity to Wayne is a little further than before.
"You sure? No shame in taking the smart play."
"This is just a weight Hawthorne. I carry it now and it'll make me stronger. Right?"
Hawthorne puts his hands on his hips and looks down.
"I'm too good." He says quietly.
"Are you not a fan of Wayne or something? He fry your brain too?'
Hawthorne takes a pause before answering.
"I just don't like em."
"You just dont like him?"
"Too rich."
"Too rich..." you repeat, pondering it.
"Anyone ever tell you, you'd make a better echo than a cop? I don't like him cause he's too rich alright. That kind of money, you don't get it honestly. He sure as hell never worked a 9 to 5." Hawthorne keeps his volume decently low.
"Wow Hawthorne, hating the capitalist for his money. You'd fit right in with the Anarkists, have you considered undercover?"
"I'll put you under, you goddamn rookie." He retorts, a laugh still slipping into his speech. You both give each other a nod and head to your desks to prepare for the event and to finish your paperwork.
Finishing off the last bits of work you shuffle to the locker room to suit up. You see Bank's locker door still open, he must have been in a rush, you do him a solid and close it before grabbing your own gear. Your duty belt, vest, pistol, and all the fixings. You pick your least wrinkled and most recently laundered shirt and pants and get dressed up. Heading out to the main floor you see a few other Officers eyeing you up. This event tonight is your big moment.
"Finally dressed, I see." You hear Hawthorne's deep voice from behind. You turn and see him in a much different outfit to yours. Black leather coat, closed with classic strappings and pistol holster.
"Wait, you get a special outfit?" You ask him
"Mhm." He confirms with a smug smile. "You'll get to wear one like it one day if you ever make it to Sergeant." He chuckles and places a cap snug on his head, the badge in the front polished.
"Time to hit the road, Rookie. We have paparazzi waiting." He slaps your back and you both head to the motorpool.
The drive is silent, aside from some classic rock Hawthorne plays at a low volume, you spend the time going through your meditation. You want to ensure Shivers is fully cooled down and ready to work at the opening. As you both pull up you can already see hordes of people lined up to get inside, cameras flash and snap, and many officers already on site shout and wave at crowds to try and get them to form orderly lines. Hawthorne flips on the lights and blows the horn a few times after one too many guests get in front of the shop...
