>>5756183>>5756233>>5756309>>5756302"The Cruiser will be just fine." You say signing on the sheet and passing it back to her. She rises from her seat and opens a metal box tossing you a set of keys.
"Solid choice Rook. A lot of you come in here thinking you need to be riding around in something that can stop tank rounds or catch up to a speedster. You were late so you're getting one of the older ones but I made sure you got the one with working AC."
You nod in appreciation, "Thank you Officer Mendez." you start.
"Li." She corrects you. You can't help but furrow your brow slightly. "My Mom is from Hong Kong." she states. You nod embarrassed and look back to her as she gets settled in her seat.
"So..any tips for the new guy?" You ask.
"You got Hawthorne for TO right? Guy knows this city like I know these cars, try to learn as much as you can from him. He can tell you things no other officers on the force can but he doesn't offer it up for free, you have to show him you're worthy of learning from him. I rode with him for a while when I was a Rook and he was yet to be covered in a layer of dust." She laughs at her own joke, you feel a shiver. That laugh is covering something bitter. Before you can ponder a decision to push on it you are startled by the hoarse shout echoing in the concrete garage.
"Where is my car, Boot?" Hawthorne yells. Standing at the far end holding two shotguns but the barrels. You click the button on the keys and identify your shop. A few minutes of packing and some slight chewing out from Hawthorne about not wasting people's time later. You finally hit the street.
"Now, the sun is gonna be setting in about 3 hours, boot. That means three quarters of our shift is going to be a real pain in the ass. When the sun dips, the crazies get all riled up, mainly because the Batman is out there rattling their cages getting them all stirred up." He speaks sternly but not angry as if what he said is as unavoidable as rain or snow. An hour or so of normal conversation while driving the radio crackles to life.
"1-Adam-0, report of a 10-66 in your vicinity noted. Male individual in clown make-up loitering around "Fun Burger" on 22nd." Hawthorne scowls and looks to you.
"Are you waiting for a formal invite boot? Answer the call, I'm driving."
You nod and grab the transponder.
"This is 1-Adam-0, show us responding." You state and hook it up. Hawthorne gives a slight nod of approval.
"10-66, suspicious persons report. Most common one we get here in Gotham, the clown make-up means we go at it cautiously. I want you to take lead on this one Boot. You can't take a man's first call from him. Ain't right."
>Yes sir, I'll handle it>Are you sure that's for the best, sir? >I want you to take lead on this one, sir.>Write In 