Keepin' it Real

t w o

Soon enough, a lanky secretary mercilessly dragged me into a small, cinder block interrogation room. I suppose this would be considered a good thing, as I have heard that one can die from caffeine overdose. Judging by the mounting pile of paper cups, I was on the verge of death. She placed me uncomfortably in a small, grey, metal chair and made her way to the exit.

"Someone will be with you shortly." She said this as if she had recited the line over a thousand times, which I didn't doubt, and was simply getting bored of it's sound. With that, she slammed the the large, prison-like door with a clang and left me to rot alone in terror. I had never been in a police station before, well, at least not for a crime. As I sat in that diminutive cell of doom, I had that hopeless feeling in the pit of my stomach, the kind that makes you want to throw up, then lie down on the floor and sob (not pleasant...). I carefully removed my circularly framed glasses and twiddled with them in my left hand as I do when I'm nervous. The clinking of their frames against the dull, minty green table was somewhat comforting. It was repetitive, like the ticking of a clock. The repetition reminded me a bit too much of the repetition of my life. I mean, of course, this whole getting abducted to a police station thing was new, but over all, my life was basically the same thing, day by day. Wake up alone, go to school (also alone), spend some time with Mandy (kinda alone...), watch her punch someone (still, sorta alone), then go spray some poetic work on to a building (alone). Never had I ever gotten caught for doing this. My record was clean! As long as the police didn't connect this poetic work of vandalism to my many others, I simply should get off on a warning or, at most, a small fine!

"Tiane Boland?" I jumped in my seat as I heard, quite the baritone, female voice eminate from the doorway. I quickly slapped my glasses on to my face as she entered the room.

"Uh... um... yes?" I tried my best to keep from shaking in fear.

"Well, you're quite the interesting one, aren't you?" The woman looked at me as if expecting a response, but I just stared back in fear. She was in a cop uniform, but her jacket was unzipped and her hair was pulled into a messy pony tail on the top of her head. Quite laid back, for a cop. "You know, we don't get many people spraying famous, poetic works onto the sides of buildings? Sri Chinmoy, if I am not mistaken." I nodded slightly and saw that she was holding a picture of the wall I had painted that day. On it was written, "I shall love the whole world, but I shall control only myself." I had to admit, I was quite impressed that she recognized to poet. "Well, I see that your record is clean. Though," She lowered her voice to a slight whisper. "I have seen more of your work around town." She stared intently at me across the table and I felt a hot, red glow rise up onto my face and fear bury itself into my stomach. Suddenly, she smiled and leaned back in her chair. "But, don't worry! We wont talk about that! In fact, I have reviewed your case, and have decided to let you off on a warning!" She spotted the confused look on my face and continued. "Yep, just don't do it again, keep yourself outa trouble, yaghta yaghta yaghta! You get the idea. Anyway, off with ya!"

"Uh..." I wasn't quite sure how to react to this! I had been expecting far worse! "So, that's it?"

"That is it!"

"I can... just leave?" I scratched my head.

"You are free to go!" She gestured out the door. 

"Uh... thanks, I guess." I strolled out the open, metal door, still astounded at what had just happened. As I exited the building, I felt a smirk cross my face. Oh, I couldn't wait to tell Mandy about this!