Lesson #5/2

situation: a cab driver slams on his brakes, the car behind him slams into his trunk

Sgt.Strictner:

My name is Sgt. Strictner and I just received a 10-50 at the corner of Main and Broad. I knew this was going to be a trying afternoon. Boone Grove was a friendly small town with a somewhat colorful variety of people. This early in the afternoon meant most of the regulars would be at the Mountain Cafe, the scene of the accident. I parked my blue and white cruiser on the corner, grabbed my notepad and pen and exited the vehicle. The only details I had received on the radio was a two vehicle, rear-end accident, no reported injuries, no further details. As I walked down the sidewalk, I glanced at the onlookers gathered outside the cafe. Scratch that trying time I was going to have, I chuckled to myself, this was going to be exasperating!

I acknowledged the group, flipping open my notepad and clicking the pen. "Alright everyone, if you don't already know who I am, my name is Sgt. Arthur Strictner and if you'll be patient with me for a few minutes of your time, I need to get your names and your accounts of what you saw happen here." A few of the patrons mumbled about inconveniences and how they had places to be but no one made a move to leave. "So, who would like to go first?"

1. Cherilyn Bert (Cher}

Well Arty, I mean officer, as I smiled coyly around the gum I'd been chewing, I didn't really see much. I mean I had just walked out of Skin Deep next door with Harley, yah know 'em, the love of my life...at least this week I winked at the sarge and noticed he had no humor at the moment. He was gettin new ink added to his arm and I just got this here new nose ring. I flicked it and nope, he still ain't smiling. Yah like it? I think it goes great with my blue, black and purple hair. Mom is gonna kill me when she sees it but hell, it's my body, some body ain't it Arty? Anyways, I was still kinda feeling the pain and my eyes were closed trying to tune it out and I didn't hear nuttin, 'cept for the crunch of metal. Course if that damned couple over there hadn't been arguing and yellin at the top of their lungs, I might a heard sometin. You want my number? Just in case you need me for anything else, like a drink sometime next week? I laughed. They are having two for one specials at Bubba's next week. No? Ok then, your loss! Why don't you go ask Harley, he came out of the tattoo place before I did, maybe he can help....

2. Harley Tattling

Officer I swear it wasn't me, not this time! I was in Skin Deep with my lady Cher. I glance over at my wild gal Cher and slap the officer on the arm. She's a looker ain't she man? I mean she's got one of them body's built for sin and the back of my bike....oh you mean the accident. Nope can't say I am gonna be any help. Yeah, I came out before her but I was admiring my tattoo in the window and then I got distracted when I hear the deafening scream of Ms. Wood's kid cuz he ain't gettin his way. I don't know how they do it..if I put my mom through that sh.., I mean crap when I was young, no wonder she only had just me! Course for an only child I turned out pretty okay, huh Officer? I mean I coulda ate a little less of momma's cooking, I say as I rub my belly hangin over my belt, but no one messes with me. I flex my arm in front of the officer's face, showing a trail of tattoos, Nope, I sorry sir but by the time I heard a crashing sound, I turned around from the glass and saw just what we lookin at now. If you need me, call Cher, I'll be at her place.

3. Estelle Gooden

Officer Strictner, waving a piece of paper as I approach. Oh officer, let me tell you, you are not going to get any reliable statement of the facts to this atrocity from the likes of them, nodding myhead towards Harley and Cher. That girl has dyed her hair so many times she has probably lost most of her brain cells and you know, I lower my voice, she ain't never been right in the head, poor dear. She can't help it though, like momma like daughter I always say. Reap what you sow. And Harley, Lord forgive him! You can't believe a thing he says. I mean, really, what kind of honest, young, God-fearing man would go and cover his body in such disgust and filth. It's just a sin I tell you. What Officer? Oh me, Lord help me, I wish I could. I was inside the cafe handing out these fliers for my church, here would you like one officer, I ask, handing him one. We meet three nights a week to share Gods word and praise him every Sunday at 8:00am. Free coffee and donuts are served by the ladies after the meetings. Oh, I am sorry officer, I wasn't implying anything about the donuts, but our church receives a discount from the bakery, buy a dozen, get a dozen free. Anyway officer, it was nice chatting with you. I'll be happy to call you if I remember anything that I think may help. Try to stop by our church officer!