Wapsi Square Forum

Loving the atmosphere, the things unsaid, and the wind up for the pitch!

When suddenly....

The phone rang at 8:30. It was Bud, who informed me that Billens was there, and the two of them would be coming up to the cottage, with the Supervisor on duty and the Security Director.

Suzie and I got Cavin out again – this time he was a lot more compliant, walking to the dayroom without coercion. The LTD pulled up by the front door shortly thereafter, with the Supervisors' van right behind.

In through the front door came our shift supervisor Rusty Thompson, Agent Billens, Bud, and the security director Phil Dickerson.

Cavin's eyes widened when he saw Bud.

"Why, hello, Mr. Foxglove," she greeted him. The others formed a semicircle around Suzie and I – not as much a show of force, but due to numbers. "Hope you had a good night's sleep?" He didn't say anything in response. "Miss McBride, is he ready to go?"

"Uh, we do need to process him when we get back down to communications," Rusty said.

"We brought him right through, as is, last night," Lily said, joining the group. Cavin got a little agitated when she appeared; I made sure to put myself between the two of them.

"Easy, Cavin," I said. "She'll probably be the one driving, so you won't smell her." When Phil and Rusty looked at me, I added, "Sensitive nose, strong perfume."

"All right, we can let Kristin know down at communications that you're heading right through," Rusty replied. Suzie motioned to Cavin to head out to the car, with Billens and Rusty escorting them.

"I understand you were the one who came up with the idea of how to handle that fake court pickup incident this morning?" Phil said, turning to Lily.

"Well, Joe here was the one who realized it might be an attempted jailbreak," she replied. "I just made a couple of suggestions as to how to divert them. The sheriff's department and our bureau clinched the deal."

"Miss Budur was very complimentary of your expertise," he said to Lily. "Thank you again on behalf of the Department of Corrections."

"It's my job," she said. "Joe – see you 'round." I waved weakly as she headed out the door.

"You know Agent Pratt?" Phil asked as we watched her get into the car and drive off.

"Yeah, I'm friends with her daughter. I was at her wedding a few months ago."

"Well, the two of them were the only reason you're still here, so you can head home now. I have to interview Mr. Tempelhoffer, but I think we can get you a ride down, if you want?"

"No, I have to get my stuff together anyways," I said.


A few minutes later, I was out the gate, in my car and on my way home. I'd already given Sarah the heads-up as to why I was late, but I called her at work anyways to remind her that I was on my way home.

When I finally got home, I realized I was a bit too wired to head right to sleep, so I decided to slip on to my PC for a bit. I was in the middle of my morning webcomic sweep when the phone rang.

Caller ID had a 612 area code. It wasn't the 867-5309 that I already had in my cell, but I had a hunch as to who it might be.

"Hello?"

"Hi, I'm looking for Joseph Houk?" the voice on the other end inquired.

"This is him."

"Joe, it's Bud," came the response. "Just letting you know that Cavin's back at the halfway house. It appears the transplant's doing better than anticipated, because he's been halfway amicable once we got back here." I chuckled at that.

"Oh, and I talked to Tina – your coffee's on the house for the next year. Just let her or Becky know when you come in."

"I'm sure she'll know it's me as soon as I walk in," I said. "Tell the girls I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to say a proper goodbye, and to be safe."

"I'll let them know. Take care yourself," she said, hanging up.

For some strange reason, I slept like a baby that day.

--- FIN ---

*applauds* That was wonderful! Thanks for sharing your story.

Bet you wish your real life coffee would be free for a year...

Nicely done. Thoroughly enjoyable. Loved it!

Most excellent work- I especially wanted to see something NASTY happen to Templehoffer, but I will not complain.

There may be, if the planets align, an epilogue to the story.

By the way, Sarge: we are gonna have one Hades of a time trying to write Shelly's Wedding. Though I think we've already got a good working title: "An Officer And A Sphinx".

jwhouk wrote:I was there to watch Cavin until they came to pick him, Lily and Suzie up.

I must admit: when I saw "Cavin" and "Suzie" in that close proximity, for a moment I wondered about Hobbes.

Warrl wrote:

jwhouk wrote:I was there to watch Cavin until they came to pick him, Lily and Suzie up.

I must admit: when I saw "Cavin" and "Suzie" in that close proximity, for a moment I wondered about Hobbes.

Sure enjoyed that one. Watterson, we miss ye!

I have it on good authority that it's pronounced "Kay-VIN."

jwhouk wrote:There may be, if the planets align, an epilogue to the story.

By the way, Sarge: we are gonna have one Hades of a time trying to write Shelly's Wedding. Though I think we've already got a good working title: "An Officer And A Sphinx".

Not that big of a trick, Joe- but first, I need to finish up another episode with Al, as I have intentions of revealing 'family secretes' that will have play in the wedding itself. Besides, writing more than one plotline at a time makes for weak writing, as I have discovered. Do me a favor, and find me a Catholic parish near 'Wapsi World'... Nicodemus would certainly not be allowed to perform a service there but it will be part of the story.

Well done. Your writing isn't Wapsi specific, what I mean is it's 'more real than that'.

Huh, I just wanted to post "Good Job" but I'm not expressing it to my own satisfaction...

Not quite up on my Catholic dioceses, but I'll see what's in the area. Keep in mind that most of Minnesota is made up of Lutheran stock, doanchaknow.

EDIT: Try St. Stephens, 2211 Clinton Avenue. It's two blocks over from the Minneapolis Art Museum.

EPILOGUE

"Mister Fearless! How are you today?"

"I'll be a lot better after my usual, Tina."

"Coming right up! Your running tab has me thinking about expanding the shop!"

"They paid you in advance, I take it?"

"Yep. Flat rate per month, and if it goes over, I bill it out and they tack it on to next month's payment."

"It really does help to have friends in high places, doesn't it?"

"Ah, Bud's been a regular for a long time now. If she could, she'd hand out my coffee like it was water."

"It's much better than water, that's for certain. Al and Greg aren't around today?"

"They already got their coffee and went off. I think they said something about marital aids."

"Huh. I don't think I'll get those two. Hey, 'Thin Mint Grasshopper Pie'? Is Becky expanding her culinary horizons to include Girl Scout cookies?"

"Oh, those? That's all on Sunshine. She got a gross of Thin Mints in her last order, and she offered a case to the shop. Becky's been coming up with yummy concoctions with them."

"You don't like Thin Mints?"

"Nah, I'm more of a Tagalong girl. Here you go, one Café American with French Vanilla and extra Stevia!"

"Ah, nectar of the gods. Or something like that. No offense to your relatives, of course."

"That's okay. Miss Shelly's not quite at that level. And Sunshine – well, she's just Sunshine."

"Someone call?"

"Monica! Long time no see. Hey, Georgette."

"You've become a regular here since that last incident with Cavin, I see."

"Bud made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Hey, Tina? Put the girls' drinks on me today. I'm feeling a bit generous."

"Sure thing. One Lemon Press with Zest and a French Press straight!"

"Watch it, Monica, I think this sweet talking friend of yours is trying to flirt with me."

"Oh, hush. You know he's just a sweetie."

"And you're making me blush, kiddo. I do have to be back home in a bit, so can't chat long. Oh – there is one thing: how's Calista doing?"

"Much better. The improvement in Cavin's situation seems to have given her a new outlook on life. I think she's even looking into getting into theater at Gryphon."

"I'm sure she'll be a natural. See you two later."

"Take care!"

Calista in theater... we might see a whole new dimension to 'Prima Donna'...

Sgt. Howard wrote:Calista in theater... we might see a whole new dimension to 'Prima Donna'...

Well, at least that would give a break to the costume department's budget...

And make it easier for Devyn.