Episode Ten

After Constable Dave and Constable Justin were satisfied that Pigpen’s medications had kicked in and that he had regained his composure, they stepped outside Gail’s house and witnessed a large number of people running down the street. Many of them stopped where their police car was parked. When they saw the two young police constables walk towards their car, they crowded the two law enforcement personnel causing Justin to address the crowd around the police car,

“Hey people, what’s the problem? What are all you people doing around our patrol car?”

A middle-aged female wearing a New York Jets jersey spoke up first, “I guess you guys haven’t heard yet, but there’s an enormous alligator terrorizing Main Street about five blocks away as we speak.”

Officer Dave looked at his partner, moved closer to him and whispered in his ear, “If there wasn’t such a crowd here, I would say that we are dealing with a mental health issue.”

A tall, thin man wearing a dark blue pinstripe suit stepped a couple of feet out of the crowd and started to address the police constable,

“I know that you guys think that we’re all crazy, but the lady is telling the truth. About fifteen minutes ago a huge, reptilian creature pushed his way out of a sewer manhole cover. The animal resembles some kind of enormous prehistoric alligator. It’s got to be at least as long as a city bus and the beast is not in a good mood today.”

“He’s right,” a male teenager with a serious case of acne answered. The young man continued, “This freak of nature has already devoured a large dog for its lunch. I would guess that humans are going to be the next thing on the menu for him.”

The two police constables assured the people surrounding the police cruiser that they would check out the alligator situation immediately. As soon as Constable Dave and Constable Justin got into their patrol car they heard Bob Prichard, their dispatcher, on their police radio.

“Dave and Justin. Are you guys ready for your next assignment?” Bob asked.

“I think I know what our next assignment is going to be,” Justin said as he fastened his seatbelt.

“How would you know that?” Bob asked, sounding a bit perplexed.

|”We were just informed by a crowd of people that there is an enormous alligator on the loose about five to six blocks from where our car is parked,” Justin answered.

“I suppose you want us to capture it, Bob?” Justin asked.

“I don’t know how you intend to capture this creature,” dispatcher Bob replied. “Some callers said that they estimate that this alligator is about the size of a city bus.”

“Maybe you should call City Transit, Bob. Ask for two bus drivers, one on each side of the alligator. Tell then to put the pedal to the metal and drive right into the beast,” Dave said.

“Very funny, Dave, but it’s not in the transit drivers job description,” Bob replied, sounding a bit exasperated.

“Don’t listen to Dave. He’s got his departments mixed up. We should be contacting Animal Control,” Justin said.

“Actually, that’s not a bad idea, but before I do that you two guys need to be the first responders,”Bob Prichard replied.

“Your main job will be making sure that all the citizens on the street are a safe distance from the animal. Backup should be arriving shortly.”

“Okay Bob. We’re on our way,” Constable Justin said.