Civic Duty

Station 51 handles a different kind of emergency on Election Day.

(By the way, postings of the chapters will likely go past Election Day. Hope to make this Election Day easier than the real thing! )

As Captain Hank Stanley drove to Station 51, he turned on classical music station KFAC. There was a light piece that he couldn't quite place.

"That was George Gershwin's 'Promenade," known as "Walking the Dog Music," because Gershwin wrote it for a scene in the musical "Shall We Dance" in which Fred Astaire walks a dog," said KFAC announcer Carl Princi when the piece finished. "A lot of people will be walking to the polls today to vote, and we'll hear from Dick Joy about that in a few minutes."

Hank chuckled. Guess the election was on everyone's mind. Well, almost everyone. He and his men had already voted by mail because of their very different civic duty today.

Hank enjoyed his time of solitude and serenity with the music - until he turned on East 223rd Street. As he approached the station, the serenity came to an end.

In front of Station 51 he saw two police cars with officers bordering a sign that said "VOTE TODAY." Across the street, many more signs were carried by people supporting their candidate or issue.

What in the world? Hank thought.

He turned into the driveway that led to the back of the station. A man in white shirtsleeves put up a hand to stop him, but a police officer came over. Fortunately, it was Vince Howard, who worked with them frequently. Vince put a hand on the other man's shoulder, nodded at him and waved Hank through.

Shaking his head, Hank drove to the back. Just as he parked and turned off the engine, he looked up to see his morning getting worse: Chief McConnike.

Oh boy, thought Hank as he got out of his car. "Good morning, Chief."

"Hank." McConnike put a hand on the captain's shoulder. "Sorry to inconvenience you and your men like this, but we've had something that came up spur of the moment."

"What's going on?" Hank asked, though he already knew the answer.

"A pipe broke at the Senior Center and flooded the whole area where people were supposed to vote," McConnike said.

Hank showed a grim smile. "And we're the backup," he said.

"Yes. It happened about three hours ago, so everyone just came over here," McConnike replied. "It was a quick setup."

"Should we move to another station, Chief?"

"No! Not at all," McConnike assured the other man. "The elections people are just taking over the office, the day room and the kitchen. One bonus: Your guys won't have to cook today."

Just? Hank thought. "Glad to hear that. But, Chief, we do have paperwork and procedures we need to go through," he said out loud.

"Oh, Hank, you can take the paperwork to the desk in the dorm for the day," McConnike responded with a laugh, patting Hank on the shoulder.

Hank nodded, then remembered the one member of Station 51 "stationed" permanently in the kitchen.

"Sir, about Henry…." he began.

McConnike laughed. "Oh, I let them know Henry keeps a permanent place on the couch."

Hank nodded again. Well, at least the hound would be taken care of. Then, he had another concern.

"Chief, what about C-Shift?" Hank asked. Hookraider must LOVE this, he thought wryly.

"They were sent home a bit early. Hookraider wasn't happy."

I'll bet. "Chief, do the elections people have –uh - facilities they can use?"

"They're bringing in portables."

Hank nodded.

"Well, Hank, I'm gonna head back to the office. Call me if there are any problems," said McConnike cheerfully.

Problems? What problems could there possibly be? thought Hank as he went inside.