Jim Brightest woke up the next morning at seven, and went for a walk. He didn’t buy tea or a scone or that yerba mate deliciousness he had discovered at Philz Coffee. Every red cent was precious, but the smell of the air was still a morning necessity. Fortunately, it didn’t cost him anything to walk around the city.
Back at home, he fried two eggs for sandwiches. He put two strips of bacon in a pan to wake up Devonte, and began to clear the table of plates and papers. On top of one was a business card. He lifted it up, to see if Devonte would want it, and saw a tiny police officer’s badge. The text read OFFICER S REGINALD PIERCE. BADGE 5514. OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT. He put the card down on the table.
Devonte clattered into the room, massaging sleep out of his face like a boxing cornerman. He poured himself a glass of tap ("Delicious Hetch Hetchy Water: Too Good To Waste") water and sat down at the table. “Good morning, sunshine. What’s for breakfast?”
Jim didn’t answer. He was looking at Officer Pierce’s business card. He picked it up again. “Well, I never thought I’d say this.”
“What, Jim? You made veggie bacon?”
“Maybe I should become a police officer.”
“Surely you can’t be serious.”
“I am. And don’t call me Shirley.”
“You’re actually fucking with me.”
“Remember that sign when we rolled into the city? Oakland Police now hiring, Good salary and benefits?”
“No, actually. And how well could they pay? It’s still Oakland.”
“I dunno, but I don’t have anything else to look for at this point. I need a check to pay the bills, and I need it fast. Honestly, WE need a check to pay the bills.”
“No. No. No. I couldn’t do it. You can’t do it.”
“How much would it take? What if they pay training? Get a couple of checks, look for another job, wash out on purpose, get hired somewhere else. You know never to tell me I can’t.”
“They can’t pay more than 35 thousand. That’s where the Oak River Police start, and Oak River is much wealthier than Oakland.”
“Let’s call. If they pay 65 and pay during training, you’ll do it with me?”
“You’re taking unfair advantage of my desperation. I’m not gonna argue this with you.”
“We have a twelve month lease. I’m calling.”
“Be my guest. Tell you what. If they pay 75, with full vision and dental, and they pay full salary during training, I’ll do it. There’s no fucking way.”
Jim Brightest picked up his phone. He googled the Oakland police. He called the number. He pushed zero for an operator. He got put on hold. The music was “Bad Boys.” He put it on speakerphone and was singing along by the time the operator picked up. “Officer Ko, 5523, Oakland Police.”
Jim quickly took his phone off speaker and said, “Hello, Officer Ko. My name is Jim Brightest. I’m interested in your new hiring drive. Can I ask you some questions about that?”
Jim smiled, and asked, “So I have a buddy who might be interested in joining with me. Is that ok?”
“Ah, it is? Wonderful. And could you tell me, before I apply, do you offer dental and vision insurance?”
“You do? Fantastic! Is the training period paid? I’d have a hard time leaving my current job,” and here his smile at Devonte was as broad as the Pacific and as genuine as a Penguin in Reykjavik. “The training is paid? Great!”
“Now I have one more question before I ask you where to get the application. What’s the starting salary?”
“Yes, I do have a college degree. Yes, a Bachelor’s. I’m sorry, my friend is here, I’m going to put you on speakerphone. Could you tell me that again?”
Officer Ko, bored or annoyed, said “With a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning, the starting salary for a police officer is $75,413 before taxes, shift bonuses, and other adjustments.”
Jim said, “Thank you Officer Ko. I’ll be filling out the online application today. I hope to join up with you as soon as possible.”
Devonte sat in silence, eating his sandwich and contemplating a future in Law Enforcement.
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