Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Police (10/12/06)
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TITLE: Routine Stop | Previous Challenge Entry
By Larry Elliott
10/19/06 -
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Me? My name is Jerohd- I’m a cop. Well, I am today.
My job? To serve and protect. To observe people- people like you- and when they bend the rules I try to set them straight.
Right now my attention is on the guy in front of me. Charlie Ellis.
Whoa, there he goes again. Well I have work to do.
I will catch you later.
***
‘Wee-ooo wee-ooo wee-ooo’
“Uh-oh.” Charlie pulled over and slowed to a stop. Blue lights strobed through the Camaro’s rear window. Charlie rewound the last few minutes, but could not think of any reason… a sharp tap made him jump. He rolled the window down slowly.
“Good evening, officer.” Charlie played his faux smile.
“Do you have any idea why I stopped you?” The officer asked. Blue glare bounced off his mirrored aviators.
“No, I… not really.”
“Well, let’s start with weaving all over the place- first to the right then the left then back to the right.”
“But I don’t remember…”
“How about all those U-turns?”
“Huh, when?”
“Take for example the last time you went out of town on an extended business trip.”
“Yeah, so?”
“Going out with the guys, the late night movies in your room…”
“How did you find out about that?”
“Explain the hand signal you used when the little gray haired lady cut you off this morning. Then there’s the mud you’ve been slinging at your brothers and sisters of different churches. Your Friday night bowling league is more a gossip club. Do you have any idea how many people you could have hurt, Mr. Ellis? No, of course you don’t. You would not hurt anyone intentionally, would you Charlie?”
“No, I wouldn’t.” Charlie agreed shaking his head side to side.
“You are not a bad person, Charlie. But I can assure you this- if you do not stop your current routine you are headed for a serious crash and burn.”
“Wow, ok. This is a lot to think about. By the way, how do you know my name?”
“I have been following you for quite a while.”
“So… how quite?”
“Fourteen years, three months, six days, four hours, twelve minutes and thirty-three seconds.”
“Fourteen… three…?” Charlie pondered this for a moment. “That’s the day I accepted Christ!”
“Bingo.”
“Don't tell me you’re an…?”
“An angel, yes. I am Jerohd of the Virtue Squad, your guardian angel- or one of them.”
“One of them?”
“Most Christians only need one. Then there are those... special situations- like yours.”
“Oh.”
“Charlie, you are a good guy at heart- but you could use some coaching. At times you tend to go too fast then just drift along. Sometimes you slam on the brakes and refuse to move at all. You should seriously consider all you do and say. When is the last time you reviewed your operations manual?”
“My what?”
“You do carry one?”
“Oh you mean the Bi... uh it’s in the pouch, behind the passenger seat. I have to admit it has been a while. I mean to, it’s just that… well I stay so busy- new job and all. You know.”
“Yeah I know. Listen, I’m going to let you off with a warning, and some advice. Read the instruction book, daily if possible. Use the hot line. Use it anytime you have questions or when you need encouragement, if you should never find yourself alone and stranded along the way. It is there for your benefit- twenty-four seven roadside assistance.”
“Thanks, I will.”
“This road of life is full of potholes, some big ones are just ahead, so be careful. And remember, I’m not the only one watching you.”
“Thanks.”
“Have a good day.”
“Uh, yeah.”
Charlie drove off in a daze and cruised through a stop sign, barely missing a delivery truck.
***
Well, another crisis averted. I shouldn’t need to check on Charlie for the time being. He will be ok- for now.
What about you? Have you made any wrong turns lately? When did you last open your handbook?
Well what are you waiting for?
Remember, someone will be watching.
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“An angel, yes. I am Jerohd of the Virtue Squad, your guardian angel- or one of them.”
“One of them?”
“Most Christians only need one. Then there are those... special situations- like yours.”
“Oh.”