MangoesAndTahiti

'The Traffic Department, like the rest of the Police Station, was very bleak. Clinging to the side of the walls were ten desks, each with a set of drawers and a telephone as well as an awkward looking chair. Some desks were littered with stacks of paper. Detectives were hard at work, enjoying cigarettes as they conversed and filed reports. Everybody was neatly dressed, making Phelps feel more secure and less isolated than he was downstairs. Despite his entrance, no heads were raised in the direction of Phelps, who was dreading a grand welcome of insults and snide remarks. Instead, he was introduced to the strong scent of tobacco smoke which cleared his nostrils the moment he entered.'
          	Extract from: 'The Driver's Seat'

MangoesAndTahiti

'The Traffic Department, like the rest of the Police Station, was very bleak. Clinging to the side of the walls were ten desks, each with a set of drawers and a telephone as well as an awkward looking chair. Some desks were littered with stacks of paper. Detectives were hard at work, enjoying cigarettes as they conversed and filed reports. Everybody was neatly dressed, making Phelps feel more secure and less isolated than he was downstairs. Despite his entrance, no heads were raised in the direction of Phelps, who was dreading a grand welcome of insults and snide remarks. Instead, he was introduced to the strong scent of tobacco smoke which cleared his nostrils the moment he entered.'
          Extract from: 'The Driver's Seat'