Disclaimer: Law and Order and the characters of it are the creations of Dick Wolf and NBC not me.
OFFICE OF
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT D.A JACK McCOY
FRIDAY AUGUST 15 – 5:45 P.M
Jack McCoy was packing what would be one of the last boxes holding his belongings that had been spread throughout the office he was now leaving behind. For the first time in 12 years the room seemed empty. Even when he moved into the office 12 years before it had been full since Ben Stone left so abruptly. It took McCoy three days to empty the office of Stone's belongings because of his workload. Now the walls and table surfaces were all but empty. All except the credenza behind the desk under the window. He hefted a box to the top of the credenza and began filling it. In the box went a stack of law volumes he frequently used, a couple of framed pictures, a few piles of notepads, and finally the small wooden sailboat that was in the very center. Jack picked up a roll of packing tape and sealed the last box and took a glance around the room. He knew he would miss the office and all the things he did there. But he also knew it was the right time to go. He didn't want to be one of those people who got to old and had to be forced out. He knew it was time for a slower paced life. Jack's glance around the room was interrupted by a knock at the door.
Jack was brought out of his trance by the knock at the door. He turned to face the door and said, "Come in." The door opened and in walked District Attorney Arthur Branch. Branch made a quick glance around the room and said, "I see you finished packing." "Yeah, I finished a few minutes ago, Jack responded. Arthur moved further into the room and sat on the brown leather sofa. McCoy moved from around the desk and joined Arthur on the sofa. "So when do you start at NYU," Arthur inquired. "When the fall term starts in September. Not surprisingly, the dean assigned me to teach criminal law," Jack responded. "What are you going to do until then," Arthur asked next. "Take some time and relax. I've rented a beach house down in Wilmington, North Carolina for a week to start with" Jack said. "I'm glad you've decided to avail yourself of southern hospitality," Arthur said, "but you don't seem like the beach type." "I was in my youth," Jack said, "Unfortunately that was lost when I joined this office. Maybe I can recapture some of it." "You sure I can't convince you to change your mind," Arthur asked. "Sorry, but it's time," Jack responded. Arthur then lifted up a bottle of scotch and two tumblers he had been holding and said, "In that case, we'll toast to your new job, handing Jack one of the tumblers. Arthur opened the liquor bottle and filled both glasses with the amber liquid. Arthur raised his glass and said, "Here's to hoping you have good luck at NYU." "Thanks Arthur," Jack replied raising his glass to Arthur's. The two finished their scotch and Arthur said, "I'll get some guys to take those boxes for you." "Thanks Arthur," Jack responded. Arthur left the room and Jack walked to the window behind the desk. He realized that he had been to busy over the past 12 years to enjoy the view the office offered. But it was too late for regrets. Jack picked up his jacket and walked out of the room for the last time.
