Inspector Javert had no intention of jumping into the water. It was only sixty degrees, and threatening rain. However, when he walked by the public pool, he noticed a small group of swimmers.
"They're insane," he muttered. He looked up at the brooding sky. He was about to walk away when a sudden gust of wind blew his hat from his head, over the fence and into the pool.
He watched with a mixture of horror and dismay as the hat floated for a moment and then sank. He walked, as calmly as he could manage, to the entrance. He was about to push open the door to the men's changing room, when he was stopped by a lifeguard.
"You got a pool membership?"
"I do not. I was simply retrieving my hat."
"Sorry, sir. No money, no admittance."
"Fine. How much does a membership cost?"
"Twenty dollars."
"Dollars? Where do you think we are, America?"
"Are you feeling ok, sir?"
Javert reached into his pocket and pulled out twenty francs.
"Here"
"I can't accept this."
"What do you expect me to do? I assure you, I am giving you all I've got."
"I believe that, sir, but..."
"Look," Javert said, doing his best to keep his patience, "I am just retrieving my hat. If I am not back within a few minutes, feel free to call the authorities."
"Have it you way. Be back in ten minutes."
The inspector continued into the changing room. He pulled off his over coat, pants, and shirt. Shivering in his underwear, he headed for the pool.
Another lifeguard stopped him.
"You have to shower first."
He stepped into the icy shower spray for thirty seconds and then continued to the pool. Slipping on a pair of water-wings he found on the ground, he climbed to the top of the diving board.
He crawled on his stomach to the edge. Peering over, he searched the water for his lost hat.
As he watched, a swimmer surfaced in the water, wearing his hat.
"You there!" he called, "Bring that to me!"
The swimmer paid him no mind, but climbed out of the pool, still wearing it, and disappeared into the changing room.
"Come back with that! Do you know how much I paid for it?" He tried to turn around and climb back down the ladder, but a long line of divers had formed.
"Just jump, man," complained a sun-burned teenager in goggles, "You've been standing there forever."
"Excuse me, boy," said Inspector, "But some vagrant has made off with my hat. I must retrieve it." He tried to push by the teenager and climb down the ladder.
"Oh, no you don't." The teenager stepped onto the board. The inspector took a step backwards.
"Are you contradicting me? I'll have you arrested."
The teenager sneered.
"Yeah, right. What kind of police officer wears water-wings?"
"I am warning you...."
The teenager took two steps forward until he was only an inch away from Javert.
"Jump, already!"
"I refuse. This is intolerable. Were you not taught to respect your elders?"
As an answer, the teenager took another step forward and shoved Javert backwards.
The Inspector waved his arms wildly, trying to regain his balance. It was no use. His awkward flailing caused him to bend over backwards and go flying over the edge of the diving board in a rather spectacular somersault. The impact caused a splash so large that everyone nearby was soaked through.
He bobbed to the surface, choking and spitting water. He dog-paddled to the side and with supreme effort pulled himself out of the pool. He sat down on the edge, dangling his feet in the water and ringing water out of his sideburns. He watched as the teenager gracefully dived and landed without a splash.
A child, about six years old sat next to him.
"Hey, mister?"
"Yes?"
"Can I have my water-wings back?"