Chapter 10: Reflecting on the First Day of the Job

10:05 P.M.

After a crazy first day at the ZPD, I was just taking it easy as I sit down on the couch watching the news on my flat screen and just waiting for the part where they're talking about the raccoons hauled off to jail and I gotta be honest, I'm super nervous about how it's gonna turn out, but I just have Gilbert's voice playing in my brain always telling me, 'Everything's gonna turn out fine'. Although I do believe that, sometimes it's much easier to hear it from him in person rather than without him. I blinked my eyes a couple of times as a lot of things racing through my mind to sort of pick up what happened today and I just let out a very nervous mewl as I take a deep breath.

A few minutes later, I hear them talk about what had happened today and when they mentioned the raccoon thieves, I picked up the remote and turned the volume as I see the scene play out via news chopper as I see the lead raccoon running through the forest trying to lose me. I did not know how they do it, but man...it's very impressive to see.

"The chase ended here at this hill across from the Zootopia Park where the lead raccoon ran away from new police officer Vincent Panthera, who had just had his full first day at the ZPD, where he and another new officer Casey Vinzi had the lead raccoon surrounded alongside Officers Nick Wilde, Judy Hopps and McHorn; each of whom have them surrounded and the perpetrator surrendered due to a strained leg." the news reporter added.

"Our reporter Chase Lynxim caught up with the new officers and what they said about their first day at ZPD has been nothing short of unexpected surprises." one main reporter added.

When they showed me and Casey on TV, I always tend to get a little starstruck and humbled whenever I'm on it. It doesn't really look like me because it looks like a totally different person that kinda looks like me, but the realization that it's me just kinda makes me feel a little shy, even when I give interviews back in Bunga Town.

"I have to say...it's been a very fulfilling experience for me. I've only been an officer here for one day, but it's amazing to see that after 10 years of being a cop, my endurance is still intact. I'm just glad that no one else got hurt and we got to take our experiences we've learned in past precincts to the test in a new precinct, so we'll see how that goes." I said.

"And Officer Vinzi, do you feel the same way?" asked Lynxim.

Casey clears his throat and replied, "Vin just took the words right out of my mouth. Like he said, everything we trained for and everything we had accomplished in our hometowns has prepared us for this new venture we're going in. I would hope that we can be paired up as partners one day."

Just getting the highest compliment from Casey literally made me feel like I've actually accomplished something more meaningful and it's just really radical to hear and witness. From where I stood, I kinda felt a little surprised, but just hearing it from him...it's really geniune. At this point, it gives me the push I need to strive for excellence and hard work. But I have a long way to go if I'm gonna make a difference in Zootopia.

Just then, I received a text from Judy and it reads, 'Just watched the news! You're definitely handling all of this really well!'

I chuckled at that and I replied to her back, 'Thanks. Not bad for my first day at ZPD.'

I actually felt proud of myself for getting through my first day, but I know that a police officer's work is never done at all, so I know that I have to mentally prepare myself for what's coming up next for me tomorrow and I may need all the energy I can get because every energy I got now is draining.

After they aired the story about the raccoon situation, I walked back to my room and I only have on my white tank top and white briefs and just sat down to reflect on what had happened today and think about the things that could've been worse...the raccoons getting out of the city for good, hostages can be killed or an officer gets killed or injured in the process. I had almost forgotten about the dangers of what can happen when you catch a criminal on the loose, but that's why I love this job; because I get to chase bad guys and protect the people.

I curled my tail around and scrunched my nose a little bit and my panther instincts kicked in as I licked myself for a while. I know it's a little embarrassing mainly because I'm in my underwear, but it's what every big cat does when they want to clean themselves up. After a long first day, sometimes you just need to relax a little bit until the next day comes up. Just then, I hear my phone ringing and I looked up and Gilbert's face was there, ready to FaceTime and I needed a good convo with my panther boyfriend.

I pressed the button to talk and there he was waving at me and I said, "Hey, Gilbie!"

Gilbert responded with a giggle and he said, "Hello, my Vinnie! How was your first day as a cop?"

I chuckled in response to that and I said, "Very interesting, Gil. It's sure different from what I'm used to at Bunga Town."

"Vin, you should be used to this kind of adrenaline by now." Gilbert said, with a very pouty lip.

Always with the pouty lip to make a good point and I rolled my eyes at this and said, "Yeah, I should, shouldn't I?"

"Yep, just saw you on the ZTV news website. You were awesome and just so humble...and very comfortable in your element. Who was the wolf though?" asked Gilbert.

I was surprised that Gilbert saw me on the news website and I responded, "Thanks. And that's Officer Casey Vinzi. He's a new officer like I am but from a totally different precinct. We just confronted a couple of raccoons who robbed a bank and the ringleader just couldn't give up, but when he fell down and sprained his ankle, he didn't have a chance at escaping from us, so he surrendered."

"Wow...I was so scared when I heard gunshots. I was thinking you might've died in the crossfire." Gilbert added.

"Hey, you don't get killed on the first day on the job until something really dangerous happens." I answered.

Gilbert has always been worried for my safety ever since I became a police officer back in Bunga Town and whenever he turns on the local news, he would always wait to hear what's been happening at Bunga Town, just worried that I may not come home or even see him around. And I don't blame Gilbert for feeling that way because there are always moments when you feel like every day could be your last day on earth in case something serious happens that I may die one day. Both of us know that being a police officer is a very dangerous job, but at the same time, someone's got to do it.

"And that always worries me. I just couldn't imagine my life without you. Who would I FaceTime with late at night? Comfort me in times of need? Play a little game of panther tongue exchange?" Gilbert asked.

I always know the game of panther tongue exchange real well if I go first whenever it's me and Gilbert by ourselves with no one to bother us and we always make time with each other because I never know what happens when I get called in for something crazy that maybe could wait until the next day or at least until I get my victory make out sesh with Gilbert. Being that we're far away from each other makes it really harder for us, but at the very least, we can still talk to each other about everything that's been going on.

I nodded my head in agreement and said, "Sometimes I lick myself to sort of fill in the void."

"I just licked myself this afternoon when I got home from work. Let me tell you...things at the doughut shop is insane. So many new officers overworked the crap out of us, sending in 12,000 dozen orders of doughnuts." Gilbert replied.

That got me gobsmacked to know that a new set of officers would come in and order 12,000 dozen orders of doughnuts to work Gilbert to the bone and I said, "12,000 dozen orders?"

"12,000 dozen orders. And those don't even come cheap when you have those amount of doughnuts!" Gilbert answered.

"Who orders 12,000 dozen orders of doughnuts? I couldn't even order that amount! I'm just two boxes and done." I responded.

"Yeah, it's for a new recruit ceremony where they bring in 15 new recruits to the force. B.T.P.D. are paying for the expenses for it." Gilbert added.

"Really? That's awesome! Give my good lucks to the new cops! They're gonna need it." I added, ending with a laugh.

"Yeah. Everyone at Bunga Town really misses you, but they know you're gonna make them proud as you protect and serve Zootopia." Gilbert added.

I lowered my ears a little bit because even though I'm happy to get the support, it just feels bittersweet knowing that my sister could've been there because she was my full support and a big motivator in my life. I sighed deeply and looked at Gilbert's eyes a little and Gilbert already knew what I'm going through because it never goes away. He said to me, "If this phone could let me reach out to you by my paws, I would just hug you right now. Just keep your little sister's spirit in your heart."

"I know. Everyone says she's not really gone as long as we remember her. It still hurts." I added, feeling a little glossy-eyed.

"I know it does. But remember what you came here for...to give yourself a second chance. I would hate to see you throw that opportunity away." Gilbert added.

I nodded at this and I knew that Gilbert was right. He would always keep me focused and straight, even in the most difficult episodes of my life that feels neverending and he would always put a smile on my face and he said, "You got a good point, Gil. I don't want to let you down, nor my sister, everyone at Bunga Town. Zootopia needs me. I just have show myself that I'm capabale of handling crazy situations."

"And you should. Before I let you go...I took your advice about sleeping with just a tank top and nothing else and let me tell you...it feels awesome!" Gilbert said, amazed.

"Really?" I asked.

"Yeah! I'd show you proof, but I think it's better to show it face to face...when I visit Zootopia one day." Gilbert said, smiling.

I giggled in response and said, "Very true. Well, I gotta get some rest."

"Alright, me too. Talk to you tomorrow night then!" Gilbert said, waving.

I blew a kiss at him and from the other end, Gilbert caught the kiss and placed it on his tail so he could keep it as presence and I swung my tail for him to show how much I love him and I said, "Goodnight, my Gilbert."

"Goodnight to you too, my sweet Officer Vincent." Gilbert said, with a smile.

We hung up and I put down my phone as I took off my briefs, threw it on the ground, turned off the light and just fell asleep, wondering what's gonna happen tomorrow and the conversation me and Gilbert had revved up my motivation to take whatever comes my way.