Alexandra forged past the station lobby and spotted someone entering the office’s double doors. Taking a running leap, she dove through the glass doors milliseconds before they whacked right into her face, doing a front roll before taking a quick breather. She snuck a look at her watch. Only one second late. Still in her squatting position, she tiptoed past Sarge’s office. Now, if only she could make it to her cubicle before-

" ALEX! STOP RIGHT THERE!”

Alexandra cringed. Oh no.

Taking a deep breath, she stood up and turned around, only to whack right into Sarge’s chest.

“ Well?” he demanded. “ What time is it now? And no, don’t tell me it’s Tiger Time, you used that up yesterday, the day before and the day before that.”

Alexandra fidgeted with the edge of her navy blue uniform. “ Erm… traffic jam?” she muttered lamely.

“ Excuses! That’s it! It’s the fifth time you’ve been late this year! That’s it! I’m putting you in the Lost and Found department.”

Alexandra puffed up like an indignant pufferfish. This was most certainly unfair! All the other people were late every other day, and it was not only for a couple of seconds. Commander Sarge was being bias because Alex was the only girl in the traditionally male-only elite branch of the Violent City Police- the Special Operations Team (SOT). And well, she had botched up in a job where she was supposed to round up a bunch of rioting citizens and put them in the clink but instead actually listened to the entire sob story of how they got cheated out of their hard-earned money and wept for an entire five minutes while the rioting citizens snuck away.

“ Commander Sarge, I believe that I deserve another ch-,” Alex broke off, interrupted by a SOT officer who charged into the office, panting.

“ E..emergency…riot broke out… heavy casualties… Main Street… two officers already down…”

“ Alright. Get ready the team,” Sarge barked, and turned to Alex. “ We’ll talk later. You have one last chance. Go go go!”

So she went.

The SOT arrived on the riot scene promptly, and in great style. Alex and the SOT officer who had informed Sarge of the riot army-crawled to the nearest dustbin and peeked out at the rioting crowd. Conveniently, the rest of the SOT was not available. Seeing how the last riot turned out ( the entire Patrol department got trampled), it was no wonder. Violent City did not get its name for nothing.

Here goes nothing, Alex thought to herself and prepared to walk right up to the crowd. Eugene ( the SOT officer who informed Sarge and, well, you know the rest) tugged on her pants.

“ What are you doing?” he asked urgently.
“ Going to negotiate with the people,” Alex set herself to determined mode.
“ What? Haven’t you forgotten the last time you did it?”

Alex bit her lips. She did not need any reminders, not now anyway. Regardless, she set off at a brisk pace. Eugene followed close behind, tissue paper and gun in hand, and watched wide-eyed as Alex clambered onto the car nearest the riot, legs apart and arms akimbo. “ Hello? Can I have your attention please?” she cried out. No response whatsoever. She took a deep breath and bellowed, “ SILENCE! YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE!”

There was absolute silence. Alex smiled smugly. The commando bellow always worked. “ Now, can anyone tell me what’s going on?” she called out. Everyone did. “ Okay, stop! STOP! You, tell me what’s happening,” she pointed at a particularly handsome guy. NO harm having a bit of fun on the job.

“ We’re not happy about the five-day week! It’s too stressful for parents and students!”
“ Yeah!” Someone shouted, and the whole protest began again.
“ Okay! Listen, the five-day week is actually for your own good! It gives you more time on weekends, and that’s when the best cartoons are, don’t you think?” said Alex, and as Alex talked and talked, her audience got more and more sold.

“ I’m starting to think that this whole five-day week is cool after all,” one student murmured to another. Both Alex and Eugene heard that, and both had different reactions. Alex felt heartened, and talked more and more confidently. Eugene, on the other hand, finally realized the fact that his tissue would go unused after all. Finally, it got to the point where Eugene had to tiptoe and shake Alex’s shoulder so she finally realized that everyone was already gone.

Back at the station….

“ I did a great job, eh, Sarge?” Alex grinned.
“ Yah, whatever,” Sarge grunted and disappeared into his office.
“ Yes!” Alex cheered and pumped her fist in the air. What a happy ending! That is, until the next morning…

Alex crawled in on all fours, hoping fervently that she could make it safely to her cubicle. Two more metres, and closing in… One more… but-

“ ALEX! GET IN HERE NOW!”

Here we go again…


Written By Evelyn 

written by MitZukin Mrvica