Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Police (10/12/06)
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TITLE: Country Cop | Previous Challenge Entry
By
10/17/06 -
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Jack Anderson walked out onto the veranda and stretched.
“First day,” he told himself.
Jack had been posted from the city to a small town, a village really, called, “Karulpie.” He was the new constable and the only policeman for several hundred kilometres.
“Better get to know my people.” He told himself and himself answered. “You never know, they might be O.K.”
“A bunch of yokels, not likely.”
After breakfast he dressed in his uniform and took a walk down the main street.
He strolled past the Post Office, the café, the TAB, the barber shop and that was it, no more street. He crossed the road and walked down the other side. The pub, The general store, the chemist and the doctor’s office.
“A regular hub of activity.” He told himself. “But they seem friendly enough.”
There were not many people up and about yet but they all waved and said, “G’day” to him.
A middle aged man who looked like a disturbed sparrow approached him. His hands appeared to have a life of their own, fluttering and waving constantly.
“Good morning.” He announced. “I am Ted Grey, the mayor of this town.”
Jack caught his hand in mid flutter and shook it heartily. “Pleased to meet yuh. My name is Jack Anderson, I am your new cop.”
Ted gave him a wiry grin, “Yeah, the uniform sorta gave you away. Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“Sure.” Jack answered.
Ted took him to the café and introduced him to the owners a large ruddy man and his equally ruddy wife both of whom greeted him warmly. Taking their coffee they sat at one of the tables.
The talk was small talk, ”where you from?” “how big is the area?” sort of talk.
Jack asked, “What happened to the last constable? This seems like a nice enough town.”
“Couldn’t take the pressure. “ Ted answered curtly.
Jack laughed, “Pressure,” He said, “Pressure, what pressure? You surely can’t have a high crime rate here?”
“No,” Ted answered seriously, “ we have a very low crime rate and that was one of his problems. I should make this clear from the start, we are a dedicated Christian community.”
“So, you telling me that there is no crime here?”
“Of course not. Of course there is, we have young people who are feeling the urgency to grow, and they sometimes get themselves into trouble. No the crime rate was not his problem , his problem was in how we handled it.”{
“I don’t understand.”
“Well, as I said, this is a dedicated Christian community. When one of our people do the wrong thing, we forgive them. We get our pastor to speak to them and he and their parents handle the problem in a Christian manner.”
“That is good.” Jack mused, “So what was the policeman’s problem with that?”
“Don’t you see, “Asked Ted, “Nobody would press charges. He was here for two years and never had a conviction. He got very frustrated so he left. Well, I must be off, lots to do, official duties and all that. It was lovely meeting you Jack. I hope that your stay will be much happier.”
“I don’t think so.” Jack told himself, and himself answered, “me too.”
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