As night overcame a small town, the once populated sidewalks had emptied. Many of the several shops decorating the area had lowered their shutters. Some had even turned off their gleaming neon welcome signs, leaving only the faint shine from the street lights to guide the path ahead. The darkness could very well hide a matter of things, any one of which could be a criminal offence. Luckily though, the watchful eye of the law could be around any corner...or, instead just spend the entire night twiddling my thumbs in the patrol car because nothing interesting was happening.
These slow nights were getting way too common. I remember when I was a kid, I saw all these badass cop shows on loop. Every week there'd be a big bust of a crime lord, followed by a shootout and then maybe an explosion, maybe! Meanwhile the most exciting crime I prevented was an older guy not paying for something at a shop. Turns out he just ended up getting confused. But then I felt bad, so I paid for his shopping! Really I didn't even prevent that crime at all now I think about it. It's what I get for expecting the real world to be exactly like my favourite shows from the nineties.
I decided to reach forward towards the radio on my dashboard. It was a bulky old piece of tech, but still made itself useful enough. I turn the dial on the side of the bulky machine. Static spits back at me, hissing like a feral cat. Sometimes the signal could be faulty, but it was more likely that not a single local report was being made for me to take.
The night was still young, or so I hoped. Beside my seat was a pretty spacious compartment, with two cup holders and a pocket for other odd bits. I'll admit, I did have a habit of dumping anything and everything into that pocket. It was kind of a junkyard of different empty wrappers, my keys and also my phone. I quickly flicked it into my hands, lighting up the screen against my eyes. It was an hour till midnight. Seemed like as good a time as any to be taking a dinner break. Not like I was in high demand right now.
After rustling around in the bottomless pit of empty wrappers in the car pocket, I managed to find my car keys. With a quick twist, the engine was purring like a tiger! I pulled away from the alleyway I'd been parked in, taking my patrol car onto the empty roads. I felt like I was cruising through a long abandoned old western town. Wouldn't have been shocked if I at any point noticed a tumbleweed drifting by in the wind.
This was the quieter part of town. Majority of the businesses around here had been pushed further out where there were more people. Just meant more business. There were a few restaurants and fast food joints in the area I became recognised at. Even the guys at the station would insist I give them recommendations for where to eat.
The majority of my favoured places to wine and dine had relocated further towards the city. Just meant the drive was a tiny bit longer. Cars would pass by more frequently the closer I got to the area of restaurants. I knew what would really hit the spot on a slow night like this: the juiciest burgers I could find! Luckily, I knew just where to find them.
I pulled the car into the drive through of a burger joint named Big Danny's. The outside of the shop had an eighties diner aesthetic, including a red and white striped canopy just above the door. This was one of my most reliable places to come for dinner. Quick and easy, zero hassle involved. Not to mention it didn't cripple my bank account either, which was always a positive.
The line of cars ahead of me trickled down quickly, allowing for me to finally place my order. I could feel my stomach growling already. The sweet smells of grilling patties practically reeled me closer. The standard order for myself was the following: two double cheese burgers, large fries and can't forget the chocolate milkshake. I could already taste the sweet reward of such a deep fried feast.
After paying, I slowly pulled forward towards the collection window. I wasn't sure how more patient I could force myself to be. I could feel the hunger jitters starting to course through my arms. My fingers tapped against the steering wheel, as I keenly eyed the ongoings of the kitchen. Somehow they seemed busier in a ten minute space of time than I had been all night. Not sure I'd be willing to trade jobs though.
