Sweet, sweet an soft candy. I'm fairly certain I also tasted salt...
"Your name is Nicholas Piberius Wilde, is that correct ?"
"Yes, it is."
"Son of an alive Vivienne Octavia Wilde and a now deceased John Lycus Wilde, is that correct ?"
New twitch on his tail. Why did he have to bring that up ? Nick felt his paws starting to get covered in sweat. Composure maintained however, everything was still fine.
"Yes, it is."
"Could you describe your life before you entered the academy ?"
"At what point do you wish for me to begin ?"
"Tell us what you believe being important."
Nick began to talk about his life. How he ran from home at twelve, deliberately omitting the reason. How he performed oddjobs with a fennec fox nicknamed Finnick, never mentionning his real name. He avoided talking about the things he did that were outright crimes, but didn't shy away from his conning and hustling. He also told them how he sent most of what he earned to his parents to help them since they spent their lives in a financial tight spot, being foxes.
He talked briefly about the death of his father, his paws were two balls of sweat in his pocket. He didn't tell them about his mother, but simply that he had continued to sent her money although he knew she didn't use it. He talked about how he met Judy, that she did hustle him into helping him, but not exactly how, and how she inspired him to try to become an officer himself.
By the time he had finished, he was struggling to maintain his cool exterior. There was nothing that he hated more than talking about his past. He was facing Bogo the entire time but he caught Friedkin by the corner of his eye gulping and scratching her eyes.
Mama bear is a big softy after all. Should have known. All bear are, after all.
For some reason, it gave him back a bit of his courage.
The buffalo and rhino had finished to scribble their notes. Bogo returned his gaze to the fox.
"Thanks Nicholas. I wish to speak about your grades a bit if you don't mind."
Nick nodded. The grades were marked on a one undred scale.
"Firearms skills, 80, that's good. First-aid/CPR, 90, but there is a note here 'unusual methods', care to explain ?"
"In the street, I had to learn to tend to my own wounds with what I had under my paws. I may or may not have stopped a bleeding wound with lighter fluid and a match."
The chief seemed satisfied by the answer.
"Emergency vehicle operations 85, Self-defense and boxing 58. Is there a reason why you're lacking in this skill ?"
"Beside my size, no. No valid one."
"Is there any invalid ones ?" It was the first question the rhino had asked. Still with his stone-cold deep voice. It had surprised Nick, although he didn't show the faintest sign of discomfort in his attitude.
So it's you I must be wary of. Thanks for the heads-up.
"I abhore physical violence. I hate to see it, I hate to use it" he delivered in his most calm voice.
The rhino and Bogo scribbled on their papers.
"Continuing" said Bogo "Domestic violence, Ethics and Integrity all above 70. Investigation, and Criminal Law above 90. Impressive."
The tone was half-interrogative. The chief had a raised eyebrow.
"Useful knowledge for a con-mammal" he half-joked.
Nick caught the glimpse of a smile on the corner of the buffalo's mouth.
"Patrol procedures and techniques, constitutionnal law above 70, Cultural Diversity 88, Health and fitness, Officer civil/criminal liability above 65."
The cape buffalo had made a pause. He did a double-take on the file.
"Mammal relations 97 ?"
The major Friedkin had a proud smile, which could only mean 'that's my cub'. The rhino had a slightly moved his left eyebrow.
I could have written the book...
Chief bogo continued.
"Use of non-lethal weapons, 75, there is a note 'depending on the weapon'. Do you wish to make a comment ?"
"I believe I already did."
Both chief Bogo and MacHorn scribbled away.
The one with which he was the most proficient was the tranq-gun. He hated the baton and didn't care for either the taser or the pepper-spray.
"Stress prevention and management 82, Hate crimes and bias crimes 78, mediation skills and conflict management 94, impressive."
Nick nodded with a smile.
"Domestic preparedness, Computers and information systems above 70."
The cape buffalo closed back the file.
"All in all you have a good dossier, your presentation was as complete as anyone could hope for, but I still have a couple questions."
Nick nodded in agreement.
"Why do you want to become a Police Officer ?"
"As you know, I've spent most of my life simply wasting it, aspiring but never having the opportunity to work toward something important. Now I have the opportunity to do good. To be good. I refuse to waste it."
"It says in your dossier that you applied for Precinct One, even though you cannot be called the best among the trainees of your promotion and this precinct only accept the best."
"What is the question sir ?"
"Why did you apply to only this one ?" The Rhino had asked the question.
"Two reasons. First : Precinct One is the most prestigious precinct, operating on all districts, coordinating between all agents. Second : I already know people there." The rhino scribbled something, but the buffalo simply observed Nick.
"And why do you think Precinct One should take you int instead of another aspiring officer."
"I know the ins and outs of the criminal world. I'm the closest thing the Precinct One could have to a legal eye on the inside. To put it simply, I know everyone."
It was his ace in the hole and he just played it. He just offered his criminal network to Bogo on a silver plater. But that was also admitting he did still have connections with criminals.
He knew both those questions were coming and he had prepared for it. Now, he just had to wait for them to release him and wait for the deliberations with other trainees.
The rhino began speaking. Nick felt every word like a lead weight dropped on his shoulder.
"What if I told you that Mayor Swinton expressly asked for you to get into Precinct One. That no matter the deliberation of this jury you would be transferred to it."
The rhino had made a slight pause. Nick throat felt dry. He thought that he really didn't want to know the question that would follow the statement. He had to use every last drop of his willpower to not flinch, to not drop his confident expression. He felt his tail twitch.
"What would be your thoughts on the matter, mister Wilde ?" Asked the rhino.
This, he did not foresee. His throat was still dry. His brain was fired up by the adrenalin. What if it was true ? Sure he would get into Precinct One, but what if his colleagues learnt that he got here by patronage. What would they think ? What would Judy think ? She worked her ass off to be Valedictorian, and even if the mayor at the time put a bit of pressure so that she could get the place she deserved, she actually did deserve it. Could he live with himself if him achieving his dream of becoming something that he was proud of, was simply the result of another petty hustle ? He couldn't, all would have had been for nothing. What would Judy say in his place ? No, it was the wrong way to think about it.
What would he say ?
"Mister Wilde ?" Came the voice of chief Bogo.
Nick blinked, getting back into his body.
"Do you need me to repeat the question ?"
"No sir. I got this."
Nick dropped the composure, dropped the act. It was simply another gamble. He looked at his paws before him, turned to the ceiling. For once he was in an open and honest posture.
"Here is the thing. It would be unfair. To the other aspiring officer who could be better suited to the post than me. That could have worked more, that could deserve it more. It would be unfair to the other officers in the precinct, to impose them an unsuitable officer, to make them work with someone that could be less suited than another officer. Basically it could be a huge liability, and it would be especially unacceptable and irresponsible from the mayor to do so and putting at risk other officers just to pursue some obscure political agenda."
He took back his breathe, ready to continue. None of the interviewer were writing, they were simply listening to him. Since they didn't interrupt, Nick took it as his cue to continue.
"But all this is futile compared to what the real problem is. Placing an unsuitable officer in Precinct One would put a risk upon the citizens of the city. Citizens who I, as an aspiring officer, will soon vow to protect and serve. And betraying the trust, and putting at risk the civilians... It is, I think, something that can be in no case acceptable."
The faces of Bogo and MacHorn were as expressive as stone. Friedkin's face was a mixture of surprise nervousness.
"Thanks mister Wilde. You can leave now."
Nick felt his entire body move toward the door, like getting through an ocean of icey water. Next thing his back was leaning agains the wall on the other side of the door.
I botched it. I botched it. Fuck. Moron. Never lose your cool. Never let them know. I botched it. You absolutely moronnic asshat of a fox. You just gave them your benediction to not accept you into the precinct. To not accept you into the ZPD. AND IT WAS FUCKING RECORDED.
As he got through the hallway, he took out his phone. He was about to turn it on. He wanted to talk to Judy, apologize, say that they weren't going to work together after all.
But he didn't.
Fuck this. I should go pack my stuff like the others. Hope they won't send me to Savannah Central. I will never be able to get used to the heat.
It was now noon, but Nick wasn't hungry, he felt a big stone on his stomach and it was here to stay.
Yep, candy and salt. You never have enough of it... ;D
I'll post something tommorrow, I'd feel guitly to leave you hanging like that.
