(Takes place in between the events of Season 3x13 & 3x16 – Switcheroo Day)
Summary: Wanting to see each other perspectives in the workplace, Lucifer, Chloe, Dan, Maze, Ella and Jophiel decide to make a bet and switch each other's jobs for one day. However, things get out of hand for the person who takes on Maze's job as a bounty hunter. Meanwhile, Jophiel is reunited with an old friend from Ireland and Linda and Amenadiel continue to date in secret.
In the aftermath of uncovering evidence, catching a killer, getting him to confess and closing yet another case, the day had already ended and Lucifer, Chloe, Dan, Maze, Ella and Jophiel finally had a moment to take a breath.
Lucifer was sitting with Chloe at her desk and watching her finish the last of the paperwork, Dan was doing the same over at his own desk while Maze was chilling next to him, and finally, Ella and Jophiel left the lab to retrieve the last of the paperwork from Chloe and Dan before heading home and calling it a day.
Hairstyle: Mid-ponytail
Dress: White Polka-dot Jacquard dress by Karen Millen
Jacket: Floral Embroidery Pinstripe Denim Trucker Jacket by Driftwood
Footwear: Brown Harrow Boots by Rag & Bone
Earrings: Rose-Gold Mickey & Minnie Mouse mismatched outline studs from Couture Kingdom
Necklace: Mickey & Minnie interlocking White-Silver & Rose-Gold necklace from Couture Kingdom
Once she approached them at Chloe's desk, Jophiel kindly asked Chloe for the paperwork. While waiting for a moment, Lucifer couldn't help but continuously gloat over being the one who solved the case while drinking from his flask.
Lucifer: Another case solved thanks to, well… me.
Although it was Lucifer's Mojo that caused the killer to confess to all his crimes, it was also Chloe and Dan's suspect list, evidential facts and theory's, Ella's examinations on the actual evidence, Jophiel sketching the killer from a reliable witness' description, and of course, Maze for actually tracking him down and catching him. Therefore, the case was solved by a team effort. Yet, Lucifer proceed to praise himself. At least until Jophiel stepped in.
Jophiel: All you did was ask him what he desired and he willingly responded.
Lucifer: Exactly. If not for my mojo, there'd be a killer roaming the streets right now.
Chloe: Yeah, no, Lucifer. Even if he hadn't confessed, he's still be convicted because of all the evidence we got on him.
Lucifer: Agree to disagree, Detective. Besides, it lead us to the killer much faster than a "certain someone's doodling."
Jophiel: "Doodling?" I'll have you know, dear brother that being a forensics artist requires distinct precision. Especially when a witness is trying to describe a suspect to you. Not to mention, patience.
Lucifer: Exactly. What's the point of having patience when you can get direct results from my Mojo? Instead of wasting time completing the easiest task.
Jophiel: Oh, please, Lucifer, I've seen some of your drawings. The only thing you're capable of drawing are a pair of women's tits.
Lucifer: That's not true. I've been told I'm very good at drawing very graphic images of my own…
Chloe: Okay! Okay. Look, we all had an important role in this case, but either this isn't some competition on who has the most important and easiest job.
Maze: Decker's right? (Everyone looks to her in her astonished by her response) What? I'm just agreeing with her.
Chloe: Well, I… I'm just surprised you agreed with me, Maze. And thank you…
Maze: Besides, if anyone here has the most important job, it's me. I'm the one who finds and catches all the criminals for you.
Dan: Ah, excuse me, Maze, but you wouldn't have known which criminal to find if I hadn't given you his name beforehand.
Maze: Oh, so what are you saying, Dan? That you could do my job better? Because if that's the case, it'd like to see you give it try.
# In that moment, an idea popped into my head. Once everyone chilled from their constant bickering, I made an announcement.
Jophiel: Hey. Why doesn't Dan give it a try? In fact, why don't we all give it a try?'
Dan: Give what a try?
Jophiel: Let's switch places. Instead of bickering over who has the most important job, let's all try them from a different perspectives. For one full day, we'll all try each other's jobs. We'll have our very own Switcheroo Day.
Maze: Why?
Jophiel: Because it'll be a great learning experience. We did this sort of thing with my students back in my teaching days. They'd learn the meaning of responsibilities and gain perspective from the teachers, cleaners, cooks, and even the principles' point of view in the workplace. It was quite effective.
# Although, poor young Alex was never the same after another student accidently gave everyone food-poisoning and he was the cleaner. But they don't need to know that.
Maze: Yeah… as "interesting" as that sounds, Jo, it still sounds lame so I'm out.
Chloe: Look, Joei, I'm sure this whole switching thing was very effective when you were still a teacher but this isn't school, this is a police precinct. We can't go around taking over another person's job just for the fun of it.
Ella: Well, why not? Why shouldn't we? Everyone's paperwork is caught up, we don't have any major cases to solve and it's only for one day. From 9 to 6 tops. Plus… it sounds like it could be fun.
Jophiel: Thank you, Ella. And for those of you still unconvinced… How about we make this a little more "interesting." Like say… make a wager.
Lucifer: Ooh. What kind of "wager" do you have in mind, little sister?
Jophiel: Okay. The first person who admits to not handling the other person's job and drops out has to… has to pay for the others bar-tab at LUX for a whole month.
Maze: Free drinks for a month? I'd sign up for that. I'm in.
Lucifer: So am I. And to whomever decides to drop out first, Detective Douche, I request that you check into your bank account after I win. Some of the drinks I have at LUX aren't exactly cheap.
Dan: Alright, man, if anyone's going to be taking money out of their bank accounts, it's going to you when you can't handle real police work.
Jophiel: So, I'm guessing this means you two are in.
Lucifer & Dan: Yes!
Jophiel: Alright then. Guess that just leaves you, Chloe. Are you in?
Chloe: Guys, this is still a police precinct…
Maze: Oh, come on, Decker. Can't you just live a little and have some fun for a day?
Chloe: I'm fun. (Everyone looks to her sceptically before sighing and finally agreeing to the bet too) Okay, fine. I guess one day couldn't hurt.
Jophiel: Great. then it's settled. First thing tomorrow morning, it's Switcheroo Day! (Chloe: *Sighs*)
*The opening titles show before proceeding* (After titles, plays opening song: Gold Flow feat. Jason Dering - I'm Not Dreaming)
The next morning elsewhere, Linda and Amenadiel were over at her house and it was the morning after another passionate night of lovemaking. They were already dressed and currently having breakfast together. During which, Amenadiel noticed Linda looking troubled when she didn't bother to touch her food.
Although their newfound romance has been going great thus far, there was still the matter of discussing the elephant in the room. Maze.
Linda was secretly consumed with guilt for falling for her best friend's ex. Even though what Maze and Amenadiel had was a mere fling and she was the one who ended it, Linda still couldn't help but to feel deceitful for disobeying Maze's wishes and being romantically involved with Amenadiel. When they finally acknowledged this…
Linda: I'm sorry, Amenadiel I'm just… I'm starting to worry about Maze. I think she's been avoiding me lately. Do you think she knows about us? *Gasps* What if Joei told her?
Amenadiel: Okay, Linda, calm down. Joei said she'd keep the secret of our relationship to herself and I trust her to do so. Besides how can you be sure if Maze knows?
Linda: You're right, you're right. I'm sorry. I am basing this on a couple of random rain checks.
Amenadiel: What rain checks?
Linda: Oh, It's silly but over the last couple of weeks, I've called and asked Maze to see if she wanted hang out at one of our favourite places, so, you know, as a way of ensuring her that our relationship won't change or effect my friendship with her.
Amenaidiel: And I'm guessing it didn't go as planned.
Linda: Well, here's where things got interesting. Yesterday, when I called and asked to see if she wanted to go out for drinks, she turned me down and said she had to work late.
Amenadiel: Wait, hold on… Maze chose work over drinks? Okay, now I'm worried.
Linda: I know! So, do you think she knows and now she's avoiding me because she feels so betrayed?
Amenadiel: I don't know, Linda. I mean, If Maze already knew, she would've done something rash by now. Like throwing rocks at cars or trying to stab me. You know what, maybe we're both overthinking this. Although, just in case, I'll go down to the precinct later, talk to Joei and see if she can still keep this secret to herself. You know, just to double check.
Linda: I think that would wise. In the meantime, I'm gonna call Maze again and see if she'd like to meet up for coffee later. After all, things are still normal here. Maze and I are still best friends and once you double check with Joei, it will stay that way. Right?
Unknowingly to Linda, Maze wouldn't be attending their coffee-date for two reasons. 1: She already knows about Linda and Amenadiel's relationship and is currently avoiding the both of them out of feeling enraged and betrayed. 2: She was already at the precinct, ready to partake in Switcheroo Day. Hoping it would take her mind off of finding ways to beat the crap out Amenadiel.
Speaking of, over at the precinct everyone had gathered in the conference room where Jophiel had written down everyone's specific job onto pieces of paper and placed them all into her Burgundy fedora.
The rules were simple. Each person would take turns reaching into the hat and pulling out another person's job. If they manage to pull out their own, they'll get a second chance to pick. Once that specific job is chosen for them, that very person will partake in the another's job from 9 to 6 with no takebacks.
If someone forfeits by admitting defeat or attempts to do their original work, then they'll instantly lose and be forced to pay for the others bar-tab at LUX for an entire month. However, if a major life or death situation is in play at one point throughout the day, the bet may be paused and the players can presume their original work until the matter is resolved.
Once the rules were settled, Jophiel held out her hat and offered it to whoever wanted to pick first. At first, everyone stood hesitantly. Luckily, Lucifer was the first to step forward, reached in, pulled out a piece of paper that…
Lucifer: 'Assisting Detective?' Who could ever endure such a tedious job?
Hairstyle: Let down + Black skinny + Burgundy fedora hat (Currently being used for Switcheroo Day)
Top: Dream Pocket Tank by Madison & Berkeley *Altered with matching Black sleeves*
Bottoms: Burgundy skinny jeans
Footwear: Brown Harrow Boots by Rag & Bone
Earrings: Rose-Gold Mickey & Minnie Mouse mismatched outline studs from Couture Kingdom
Necklace: White-Silver & Rose-Gold Mickey & Minnie interlocking necklace from Couture Kingdom
Jophiel: I'm sorry, Brother, but are you admitting defeat already because you can't handle Dan's job?
Lucifer: *Chuckles* I'm most certainly not, smartarse. I was just hoping for something a little more… "challenging." But, hey, if Daniel can handle it, then so can I.
Dan: I'm standing right here, man.
Overtime, everyone else was assigned their new jobs for the day. For one full day…
Lucifer will by the assisting detective (Dan's job)
Dan will by the leading detective (Chloe's job)
Chloe will the forensics scientist (Ella's job)
Ella will the civilian consultant (Lucifer's job)
Leaving Maze with Jophiel's job as the forensics artist
And finally, Jophiel will be a bounty hunter
Once everyone was given their assigned jobs, the group separated and went on to their temporarily stations. Lucifer went over to Dan's desk, Dan and Ella approached Chloe's desk while Chloe entered the lab. As for Jophiel, before Maze was about to follow Chloe into the lab, she took a moment to "express" her thoughts on Jophiel being a bounty hunter.
Maze: You're going to be a bounty hunter? *Chuckles*
Jophiel: What is so funny? (She says as she places the left over pieces of paper into the recycling bin before putting her fedora back on)
Maze: Oh, nothing. I'm just picturing you, tracking down bounties and fighting crooks and… well, that's it.
Jophiel: Yeah, and your point is?
Maze: Well… you know… you fighting and being you… dressed like that.
Jophiel: Are you saying I'm too colourful and girly to catch criminals?
Maze: It didn't say that, Jo. I thought it but didn't say it. I mean, no offense, but it's kind of hard to be intimidated by someone like you when you're currently wearing a t-shirt with flowers and the word dream on it, a BFF necklace and a pair Mickey Mouse earrings.
Jophiel: Yeah, well, first off, offense greatly taken, secondly, you've clearly never heard the phrase, 'never judge a book by it's cover.' And thirdly, regardless of what of you might think, Mazikeen, I know for a fact, I am a lot tougher than I look.
Maze: *Still chuckling* Oh, yeah, I'm sure. Although, I do admire your confidence, Jo.
Jophiel: It's true. I've studied every fighting technique, and I've taught myself how to do it all and better. Especially when I was living on the streets surrounded by creeps and weirdos. You know what, that doesn't matter. Because what does, is the look on your face when you see me bring in a bounty. (Maze continues to look at her sceptically) You still don't believe me, do you?
Maze: Nope.
Jophiel: You know what, that's fine. Then I guess you won't mind it if you and I make a little side-bet of our own.
Maze: I'm listening.
# While everyone else is betting to see who can handle the other person's job, Maze and I made a little bet of own on the side. And it involved… daggers. If I can bring in at least one bounty before the day ends, Maze has to give me her Timber Wolf Split Blade Push-Dagger. If I can't, then I have to give her my very first dagger. The only weapon I brought with me when I first came to Earth.
Determined to prove Maze wrong and win their side-bet, Jophiel went over to the DA's office in search of her first bounty. In doing so, Jophiel decided to track down an easy bounty. For example, an individual with a record for shoplifting, unpaid parking tickets or even petty theft.
Upon her arrival, Jophiel approached the front desk, introduced herself as an "associate" of Miss Mazikeen Smith and awaited the files containing information on available bounties. While waiting, Charlotte was making her way towards her office when she spotted Jophiel in the area.
Charlotte: Joei? Hey, what are you doing here?
Jophiel: Oh, me and the others are in the middle of a bet. We're switching jobs for the day and I got Maze's. Right now, I'm just waiting for any available bounties.
Charlotte: Oh. Wait, Isn't Maze a professional bounty hunter?
Jophiel: Yep. (Finally receives the list of available bounties from the front desk) Thank you. Anyway, why do you ask?
Charlotte: Oh, well… it's just… a little hard to believe. You know, because… well, I only recently met Maze and I gotten to know you a good bit and…
Jophiel: Oh, please don't tell me you think I'm too colourful and girly to handle this too.
Charlotte: *Sighs* Listen, Joei. I know I haven't been working here for very long, but I can tell, you are a sweet and independent young woman with independent thoughts.
Jophiel: But…?
Charlotte: But you have a lot of spunk, and believe it or not I would hate it if for some thug came in and took that from you.
Jophiel: Yeah, you do recall that I work in homicide and part of my job is finding cold-blooded killers, right? So, I don't think you need to worry about one pitiful thug bringing me down.
Charlotte: Yes, I see what you mean, Joei. But I've represented criminals before and I know what they're like. "Alleged" criminals.
Jophiel: I not going dignify that witty remark by saying that every time you say; "Allegedly" no buys it. Instead, I will be saying that I will be proving a lot of people wrong after today when I catch my first bounty.
Once given the files, Jophiel looked through them until she found… A certain one that somehow caught her eye. Without saying more, Jophiel had already read through the details, including where her bounty lives, likes to hang out in and set off to find him.
From what she read about him, her bounty's name was Buster McGuire. He didn't have much of a background history, but he was currently being charged with extensively unpaid parking-tickets and failed to appear in traffic-court two days ago.
Eventually, Jophiel easily found him attending at a car show across town. And as a way of releasing her "inner bounty hunter," Jophiel walked in wearing…
Hairstyle: High half-up ponytail
No Glasses or her half of the friendship necklace
Top: Blue elbow-sleeve scoop-neck crop top
Jacket: Tanned-Brown sleeveless faux fur waistcoat
Bottoms: Burgundy button front leather mini skirt + Black tights
Footwear: Black thigh-length boots
Earrings: Gold outline triangle drop studs
Necklace: Gold chunky chain necklace
Gloves: Black fingerless biker-gloves
Make-up: Violet eye-shadow, Black eyeliner and Burgundy lipstick
Nail-polish: Black with Golden glitter leopard print
(Stylish introduction song: Mia Martina - Beast feat. Waka Flocka)
The moment she set foot in the area, Jophiel could hear the sound of men whistling in her direction. Along with the slaps from their jealous and angry girlfriends. But Jophiel remained focused on finding her bounty.
By the time she finally found him, two racing cars had just crossed the finish line. Once the vehicles came to a complete stop, a member in the audience sprinted towards the winner in a desperate attempt to receive an autograph. That anxious audience member was Buster McGuire himself.
He was an average looking man with ivory skin, Chocolate-brown hair cut into a buzz cut, a faint moustache with a stubble, appearing to be in his mid-to-late 20s, standing at 5'7, and currently wearing a Black hoodie, matching tracksuit bottoms, A White t-shirt and trainers, and a Black tweed-ed baseball cap.
As for the autograph he requested, the driver simply walked away without signing. At first, Buster assumed the driver went to retrieve his own pen instead of simply using his. That is until Buster saw the driver approaching an attractive woman and giving her his autograph.
Buster: Aw.
Jophiel: (Causally walks up from behind him) Hello, Buster.
Buster: *Girlishly screams from being startled before turning around to see…* Joei? Hey! Long time no see, you're looking snazzy as always. What brings you here?
Jophiel: Well, as of today, you are currently my bounty and I am hunting you.
Buster: Ah… what?
Jophiel: I am a bounty hunter for the day and as said before I am hunting you.
Buster: You're a bounty hunter now? Oy, there are no limits for you Angels, is there?
Jophiel: No, no there's not.
# Yeah, here's a little fun fact; Buster and I actually know each other. In fact he's also known about me being an Angel for almost eight years now. When he first found out, he took it better than I expected. Considering he fainted. But that's a story for another time. Anyway…
Jophiel: Imagine my surprise when I stumble across a file with your name on it and learnt that you haven't payed a single parking ticket in the last three months and you skipped traffic-court.
Buster: What, no. No, I didn't miss court. No, I'm supposed to be there on the 18th.
Jophiel: Firstly, it was the 16thsecondly, today is 18th and you're still not attending.
Buster: Oh. I must've misread the letter.
Jophiel: Which leads me to the question… Have you gone mad, Buster? You promised me when came to the country you'd go straight. That means, actually paying bills so you don't receive a summons from a court of law.
Buster: I was going straight. I really was, Jo. I just… might've ran into some… "money problems recently." Hence, the reason I've haven't paid for my tickets.
Jophiel: Mm-hmm, and these "money problems" you speak of… does it happen to involve you pulling some sort of scam?
Buster: No. It wasn't really a scam. I was making good money and it was definitely legitimate.
Jophiel: If that's true then why are having money problems right now?
Buster: Uh… Well, there may have been a slight… "hiccup" recently.
Jophiel: What kind of "hiccup?"
Before he had a chance to explain, a mysterious figure entered the area. He was a tall Hispanic man with Dark-brown hair and wearing a black leather jacket, a camo print t-shirt, tired black jeans, a pair of black sneakers and wearing a silver chain necklace.
He spotted Jophiel and Buster talking before making his way towards them. Luckily, Jophiel noticed the shady man approaching them right away and in response, she shyly grabbed onto Buster's arm and began walking them towards the exit.
However, to their surprise, there was another shady figure standing next to a black Toyota Corolla on the outside. He was also a tall man, but he was Causation, bald, wearing a red hoodie, Dark-Blue jeans and black boots.
Analysing the situation, Jophiel observed the two men and even from a distance, she could see that they see that they were both carrying guns and for whatever reason, they were targeting Buster!
So she kept her grip on his arm, guided him towards the large crowd of people. Hoping the two men wouldn't spot them. It proved to be effective when the two men couldn't locate them. Completely unaware, that Jophiel and Buster had already slipped through the crowd and made their way towards the car-park.
Without letting go, Jophiel continued to guide Buster through the crowd until they finally reached his car. A white 1998 Toyota supra with green flames. Although, despite it's impressive paint job, the Toyota was old and run down. Before actually starting the car…
Jophiel: Are you putting on rubber gloves?
Buster: It's just to ensure I don't get shocked. Again.
Jophiel: Just drive!
Once he finally started the car, Buster drove them away from the stalkers. Giving them a head-start to find a location to lay-low. They soon found it in a wide and empty alleyway. Upon reaching safety, Jophiel took this moment to ask…
Jophiel: Alright, Buster, what's going on? Who were those people? And please don't me this all relates to your recent "money problems."
Buster: Okay. I won't.
Jophiel: Buster!
Buster: Alight, alright, I'll talk.
And so, Buster began telling Jophiel the full story. It all started a few months ago when he got a job delivering pastries for a local cupcake shop.
# Sounds sweet and harmless, huh? But here's where you're wrong because this is coming from Buster McGuire. He may be a good old friend of mine but he's also be a massive scoundrel. Here's a very good example.
In between his deliverers, Buster has been secretly making an extra profit by selling and delivering cupcakes and other pastries to groups of stoners with a bad case of the munchies. However, during his route in Watts, after making another delivery, Buster accidently bumped into a stoner's dealer. Who also happened to be a member of an illegal narcotics gang.
One thing led to another, and Buster found himself unintentionally bragging about his little "side-business" to the dealer and as of now, Buster is now being blackmailed in order to keep his job. If Buster couldn't afford to pay the dealer money, the dealer would tell on him to his boss and Buster would be fired.
However recently, Buster has been losing more and more money to the point where he can longer to pay his debt and is now being hunted!
Jophiel: Buster, if you are being blackmailed and encountered a man who is involved with an illegal drug-operation, then why didn't you call the police?
Buster: I'm foreigner with a criminal record. Who'd ever take my side?
Jophiel: Okay, then why didn't you just call me?
Buster: I didn't know if you were in the country.
Jophiel: I sent you an e-mail that said I was staying here indefinitely.
Buster: No you didn't?
Jophiel: Yes, I did. It should be on your phone.
Buster: Oh, really? (Takes out his phone, opens his e-mail and sees…) Oh. You did.
Jophiel: Yes. A year ago! Now, come on. Lets head over to the precinct where you'll be safe.
Buster: What?! You're still going to bring me in?
Jophiel: You are my bounty, Buster McGuire. And it is my job, for the day, to bring you in because you have one too many parking violations. So start the car so we can get going.
Buster: Alright, alright. But before you do, I'd like to make you an offer. And yes, it involves the drug operation.
Jophiel: Buster…
Buster: Now just hear me out. I'm offering you a deal. You help me take these lads down and then afterwards, I'll turn myself in. That way everyone wins. Cause let's face it, those shady fellos are only coming after me for money I don't have. What do you say, Jo? Do we have a deal?
# As said before, Buster is a scoundrel and of course, my currant bounty, but for whatever reason, he is still my friend and right now his life is danger. So he needs my help And against my better judgement, I agreed to help him.
To start, they needed to know where Buster first met the dealer. That way, they could learn more about him and it'll lead them to the source. Thankfully, Buster remembered where he met the dealer and who he delivered the drugs to. An individual named Mathew Davis.
Jophiel: Alright then. Let's go and visit this Mathew Davis and see what he knows. But beforehand, I need to make a quick "pit-stop."
For those of you curious about his character, Buster Maguire is actually based on two characters from my favourite Irish sitcoms. Buster Brady from Mrs Brown's Boys and Father Dougal Maguire from Father Ted. Both dim-witted, but also funny and beloved characters. If you've haven't seen them well, I highly recommend it.
Anyway, hope you've liked this chapter because there's still more to come soon.