THE RACE IS ON!
With the dramatic conclusion of the primaries, the sharp report of the starting gun officially signals the beginning of the campaign for the next Commander in Chief. Not only will each and every citizen of this great nation be glued to their radios and television sets as the candidates charge out of the gate, the eyes of the entire world will be upon us, watching our enviable system of democracy at work....
~The CSA Times; May 31st~
A man on the street,
Hat pulled low, collar turned up.
Can't escape the rain.
Pushes past the crowd,
Elbows his way through the throng.
Ducks in a doorway.
Designated spot
To meet with a customer:
Have to pay to play.
He sees her coming,
Careworn face silent; shouting.
Rain can not hide it.
She sees him and stops.
Hopeful heart skipping a beat:
Will she see him soon?
"Are you Mrs. Weft?"
"Yes, I am. Are you Frank Skein?"
Nods. "Detective Skein."
"Step over here ma'am."
"I had trouble getting here,
Traffic is heavy."
"Long as you made it.
As long as you've brought the cash."
"Her face spells defeat."
"I have six hundred...."
"You know that's not what I said."
"Seven-fifty....yeah...."
Skein cocks back his hat,
Shakes his head in disbelief.
"Want to see your son?"
"Yes! For God's sake, Please!"
Tears mix with the rain; softly.
Shoulders roll forward.
"He's my only child!
What will I do without him?
You have to help me!"
"To serve and protect.
You know that's our motto, right?
Comes with a steep price."
"Can't accept six bills.
The rate for a runaway
Is seven-fifty."
Weft balls up her fists.
"Have to draw the line somewhere,
Set an example."
"But not with my son!"
She lashes out with her hands,
Strikes at his broad chest.
He catches her arms;
Holds her fast and shakes her hard.
"You're making things worse."
"Why would you do this?
What kind of cop can you be?
You're supposed to help!"
"Can't disregard fees.
You know the SDPD
Has integrity."
"Providing service
And protecting citizens
Is our job. Get it?"
"But public service
Comes at a very high price.
And we keep you safe."
She doesn't hear him.
She hates all that he stands for.
She hates the system.
Pushing her aside,
Skein steps back into the rain.
The boy must go free.
Weft falls to her knees,
Cries out in pain as he goes;
Lost faith in the world.
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