SWAT: Beginnings

How to properly eat Pizza

Author's Note: Did you know that Officer Dominique Luca was the most kid friendly cop in his station? So... what happened when he was sent by his boss to share his 'knowledge' with a group of second graders from a local elementary school? Read to find out!

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SQQQUEEEAAAKKK

He opened the door slowly, after spending 10 minutes going through an entire building trying to locate Blue Rhino Apple Room. How was he supposed to know Blue stood for the building, Rhino was the floor and Apple the door? He remembered thinking how clever  the teachers were to identify each building and room with words. Neat! At least the parents couldn't complain that the school wasn't trying!

Mrs. Ortiz, a beautiful long haired skinny Latina opened the door with a big smile. Her bright pink blazer and matching heels blinded his view. Luca took a peak inside and noticed the kids seating quietly at their desks, the back wall covered mostly by students art work and the teacher's desk beautifully decorated and organized. Her desk overlooked the great collection of glass windows, which covered three fourth of the wall. The view was splendid, since it revealed most of the greenery of the school garden. 

Luca greeted her briefly and stepped in. The room went dead silent, as the kids stared at him. He felt like a commodity... or an alien!  Both adults chatted quietly for several seconds, then stepped in the front of the room.

"Ok, everyone." Mrs. Ortiz said, taking a step forward, "This is Officer Dominique Luca." she said gesturing towards Luca, who stood hands behind his back. "He's here to talk to us about safety when we are out in the classroom and in school, plus how to form a great community based on respect and tolerance!" she paused and everyone applauded softly. "So, what do we say?"

"Good morning, Mr. Luca!" the group said in sync.

Luca smiled and nodded. The teacher smiled and moved to the back of the classroom. He took a deep breath and relaxed his hands. For some reason he was nervous!

"Hey kids! You can call me Luca. I'm here to..." and so he began.

His captain had given him direct instructions as to: keep it simple and to the point, but...Luca wanted to make it fun for the kids! After all, if he was going to be stuck in that school for one hour, he was going to make it worth his time!

The conference went smoothly, but... too quick! Even with tactics to integrate the kids into the topic, he was done after just 20 minutes! He couldn't find anything else to add, after Hall there's so much you can say about playpens and fields!

"So...are there any questions?" he asked with a shy smile.

The room went quiet, as the kids stared from their desks. After some dead seconds, one kid in the back raised his hand. The boy was the tallest in the class, wore thick glasses and hair to his neck.

"Ah, yes?" Luca said, enthusiastically. 

"Mister cop, can I ask you... do you do something that is cool?" He asked, shyly.

Luca took a second to think, surrounded by stares and silence, "Well, I like surfing!"

"Yeah!" now the room became alive, as the kids cheered and chatted.

"Ok" he said nodding, "how about this:" he continued, feeling the positive energy from the crowd, "let's talk about the best way to eat pizza!"

"Yaaaay!" responded the crowd excitedly.

"Now...have you ever gone to a pizza place and wondered: how is the best way to enjoy this piece of Americana? I mean, we have all been there: we order a great pie and then someone starts digging in like pigs in the mud! People, people! C'mon, now!"