Constable Hark leaned his weight on the wall behind him. He couldn't get that downer off his mind. Was he alright? He didn't particularly seem all that great in out-running bobbies… Though to be fair, Hark was one of the fastest of his area, being one of the youngest.
The actual youngest, however was in fact, Constable Mervin, who had a much fitter life-style than Hark. That bobby was much faster, and quite agile.

And a douche.

Constable Hark let a chuckle slip out, closing his eyes in contentment. This had to be one of the quietest watches he's ever had. Which is quite unusual, considering his current shift was at Mr Cutty's butchery, who currently left to run errands. He was a good man from what Hark could tell, but he leaned a tad-bit on the creepy-side of things.

A feint, but constant banging sound came from behind him.

Constable Hark cracked open one of his eyes, he swore he had heard something. Stepping lightly toward the back wall, he leaned in. Straining his ears, he could hear what sounded like some shady deal. from memory, it sounded like it was happening in the back alleyway.

"So, what are yow looking for today?" A gravely voice questioned confidently.

"I heard there is- you know, a fake Joy?"

Constable Hark's eyes widened at the lady's voice. Why would anyone want fake joy?

"So, you'd be wantin' Sunshine then? Quite pricey." The voice stopped for a second, continuing after the short pause.

"Why are you going off your Joy?"

"Y'see I can't stand not remembering things anymore. I want to remember- so I can't take my Joy.." The woman nervously explained herself.

Something about the conversation struck the constable, his chest swelling with anxiety. Why? Why is this stressing me out, I've handled countless drug deals, not to mention homicide cases! So why this conversation?

"You want to remember?!" The shady dealer bellowed out in mock laughter at the lady's misery.

"It's not just that, I keep puking a-and getting ill a few minutes after I take my Joy." The lady spoke defensively, "I just can't take it anymore!" She had now begun to scream.

Constable Hark's vision became blurred, as tears began to roll out of his eyes. She must be bringing me down, he reasoned. He grabbed his blackberry pill bottle, dropping it when a horrible screeching began to fill his mind.

No, no. He was having another episode- he didn't want to remembe-

"Charleston, we have to talk." The hesitant sad look she gave him worried Hark. He never saw her like that before.

"What is it?" He asked cautiously.

"Just.. Take a seat- Please." Okay, this grew more worrisome by the minute. He sat down on his sofa, patting the seat beside him, inviting her. However, she took the seat directly in front of him, slouching and a glaze in her eyes.

"It's about the Joy."

"What about the Joy?" He asked unsure.

She let out a tired sigh, her gaze flicking to the boiling kettle for a moment.
"Ebony. What about the Joy?" He tried more firmly, worry leaking into his voice.

Ebony still sat there, not saying a thing, as she slowly shook her head. Constable Hark was quickly becoming impatient. The kettle making a screeching sound, signifying it was ready. He just got back from his long-gruelling shift, wanting nothing more than a good-nights rest.

"Ebony, what's going on?" He raised his voice slightly. Still no answer.

"EBONY-"

"It's not WORKING, okay?!" She shouted in distress.

Charleston just sat there, his eyes and face widening in complete horror. He quickly shook his head, quietly chanting out 'No' repeatedly.

"This- this isn't true is it?" He faced Ebony, tears welling up in his eyes. Oh god, she's bringing me down..

"It's just a joke, right?" Charleston began to sadly laugh, slowly building up into hysteria.

The kettle began to make a horrible noise, it sounded as if someone was screaming. Ebony let her sad smile drop into a complete frown, her bottom lip twitching. She shook her head, avoiding eye contact.

"I'm afraid not.." She croaked.

That did it. Constable Hark burst into tears, hysterically laughing, panic gleaming his eyes. This cannot be happening, it just can't! It's not fair.

Steps sounded from just outside of the door, snapping the Constable from his memory. The illegal deal must have already finished, as he couldn't hear anyone outside the back anymore. Charleston began to rub his eyes feverishly, trying to get rid of the tears that had successfully escaped his eyes.

Just as Constable Hark straightened himself up and dusted off any dirt, Mr Cutty opened the front door, flashing an award-winning smile- And by 'award-winning smile', he meant: Most terrifying smile of the decade award.

"Good evening, Mr Cutty." He smiled back "I take it your errands ran smoothly?"

The butcher tilted his head and quirked a single brow. "What errands?"

The red bobby looked at him, with a look of complete confusion.

"The errands you told me, you had to… Finish up?" His voice nearly squeaked towards the end. Please, if anything freaks me out more, it's when Mr Cutty doesn't remember something!

My last shift here, he forgot to tell me that he was making rat-sausages. And what a jolly sight that was.

He shivered at the memory, at no end was Charleston squeamish- hell, if he had been, he wouldn't be a Constable now, would he? No, he just didn't appreciate walking into his work place and watching a butcher grind up a whole rat. Especially if that rat was going into the meat he ate.

"Ah yes! Those.. Errands." Mr Cutty finally responded. He was now at the counter setting his shop up and cleaning a few knives to pass the time.

Constable Hark let out a long sigh, the tension in his shoulders releasing. He was finding that the calm shift was quite restful. Appreciating the rare breather, he tilted his head back and leaned against the wall once more, a placating smile bridging across his mask.

Just as he finally relaxed, the shop door opened. Letting out a quiet frustrated huff, he looked toward the door, standing up straight. His jaw went slack, as he realised who had come through the door. Not Edmund, not a usual customer, but the exact downer from before. Glasses and everything.

Constable Hark realised that the man seemed to carry himself awkwardly. He seemed nervous. The Constable, however, could recall that he was like that the last time. Maybe he's just naturally like that?

The man wouldn't look at him, as if he were ignoring that he existed. He can't have forgotten me already, he doesn't take Joy. Maybe he just doesn't recognise me from the other bobbies, or maybe I make him feel uncomfortable?

Constable Hark let the two talk, he had picked up a few suspicious pieces in their chat, but he didn't pay much attention to it, Mr Cutty usually made deals with customers, it should be fine.

In fact, it's very strange that he ran errands this morning, now that Charleston thought about it. Usually, he would get one of his 'suppliers' or 'meat-boys' to get them done. It should be fine, he repeated to himself.

But no matter how much he told himself that, there was still that odd feeling that sunk in his stomach. Ignoring it, he thought about what the two had said about Edmund. He was like a innocent sweet chil- He seemed young for his age. He was also a great friend.

The Plough boys, eh? Poor lad. Maybe he should pay him a visit after his shift? He should be at the bar. He usually is. That young lad is quite persistent as well, I wouldn't put it past him to show up at the bar even with two broken legs.

Constable Hark smiled fondly. Edmund was a great lad, very friendly.

Ed was someone anyone could trust, he honestly couldn't see Edmund becoming a downer. He was always so cheery and optimistic, especially when it came to people. Maybe he could even get him a gift? So that he doesn't focus on his broken legs.

That's a good idea, he'll pick something up for him as soon as his shift ends.