Raccon Police Station locker room.

7:24 pm 09/23/98

Only two people were in the otherwise normally packed locker room of the RPD. This was unusual, but there had recently been a personnel shortage with the flu epidemic that had hit the force. More than half the force were off sick, or spent their shifts in sniffle induced sneezing fits, fevers and in some cases severe itchiness. As such while overtime hadn't been made compulsory as of yet, it was only a matter of time before Chief Irons acted. What was even worse was that reported crimes of the cannibal culture were increasing and even more worrying, they were spreading into the city limits. Yesterdays reports had placed them just on the outskirts of town, near the town hospital, and park district. People were worried, and the riots earlier today at the football stadium had stretched the force to breaking point. The press were having a field day.

The pressure to respond to the publics worry had sparked this standoff in the locker room. Kevin Ryman was a young small stocky, brown haired, chocolate eyed officer who wanted to have fun and wanted the night off, disregarding the current staff shortage.

On the other hand Sergeant Raymond Douglas was a tall imposing figure with dirty ash blond hair and cold blue eyes that took everything in. He was well built for a man of his forties and was a stickler for authority. He was known to pull rank on anybody to achieve the desired result, whenever possible.

"Ryman!" called a gravely, harsh voice aimed at Ryman who had just started to get changed into his normal clothes. Ryman stopped changing for a moment.

"What is it Ray?" he asked quickly and aggressively, hoping to get rid of the sergeant

"I need your help," replied Ray, "I was hoping that you could help me with a-"

"No," said Kevin "Look Ray, I'd love to help you know? But I have other more important things to do tonight." He emphasised the word 'important' hoping it would stave off Rays annoying perpetual badgering, and resumed changing.

It was a false hope, Ray knew exactly what Kevin had meant by 'important' and had decided emotional blackmail was the way of guilt tripping Kevin into helping him.

"You mean you'd rather get drunk than help out doing some overtime and helping us out. Look Ryman," Rays face frowning, his eyes pleading "You know me; I wouldn't ask you unless it really was a problem. But we are seriously understaffed today. I mean look in here, we're the only two people this isn't what it's normally like you know?"

Kevin glanced up and for the first time noticed that the room was too quiet to be anything but normal, he again paused getting changed to reflect on the situation. Ray had spotted the chink in Ryman's defensive block pressed in his advantage, like a falcon spotting a rabbit.

"Besides Ryman, you know what alcohol does to you, it damages the brain for crying out loud and wreaks havoc with your liver, and do you want to die when you're …." He continued in an impassioned tone, his gravely voice failing to drone into Kevin's head, as it was a lecture that was all too familiar.

Thirty five. Kevin thought to himself. Yeah, Yeah, Ray. I know. I hate you when you do this. You won't shut up until I do as you say. You always lecture me on the effects of getting ratted, and what it does to you. Can't say that its not so impressive coming from a reformed alcoholic, but I wouldn't dare say that to your face. You don't deserve that, though the thought has crossed my mind once or twice.

Come to think of it though, I know I'm not going to get that vacation time I've been wanting, with the force as stretched as it is, any leave requests going to get cancelled by that fat bastard Irons .

Kevin's face tightened as he made his mind up, I'm going to regret this somehow he thought.

"All right, All right! " Shouted Kevin putting his hands up in surrender. This gesture cut across Ray's lecture "I'll do it. But I want it down as over time. Got it?"

Ray flashed a rare grin at Kevin.

"Meet me in the car parking lot in five minutes Ryman, I'll clock you in ok? "

Ray then caught Kevin's eye. Whenever Kevin had a smartass comment his eyes had a mischievous glint about them. Right now they were sparkling.

"And, I'll fill you in our secret mission while we're making our way there all right?" laughed Ray " Not until then, it'll spoil the surprise. Be a good boy and hurry up." Ray turned and left Kevin to get changed.

"Damn you're no fun!" muttered Kevin as Ray closed the door.