Gumshoe's arm ached dreadfully the next morning as he had spent the night sleeping on it. Clicking his shoulder as he sat up Gumshoe paused a moment. His head felt heavy again and it took him a minute or two to centre himself. What on earth was in that muffin? I must get the boys onto it pronto. Gumshoe glanced at his cheap alarm clock revealing he was on time for once huh that's new I guess today must be a good day. After cleaning himself up and putting on clean clothes (his coat was always dirty so that was nothing new) Gumshoe went downstairs to collect his mail.
The high rise apartment block had a small locker like mail room with each resident given a separate compartment. Gumshoe ran his finger along the 60-70 row. 61, 62, 63 ah 64 hmm looks like I got some mail after all. Inside the compartment was several letters. 2 ads for local takeaways, an earthquake appeal and a brown envelope. Gumshoe thumbed open the envelope letter quickly setting the others aside.
Dear Mr D. Gumshoe
I am writing to inform you that your rent for this month has increased by $22.50 due to necessary maintenance to the building. This temporary increase brings your rent for this month to $222.50 which must be paid in the next 3 days.
Thank you for your co-operation
Compton Castles
Gumshoe frowned a little but then brightened. No worries pal it's only fair everyone pays their share and it doesn't matter. I'm getting my monthly pay check today so that'll cover it. Hey maybe I can even afford to go out for steak for once.
Gumshoe arrived at the precinct with a spring in his step, his head and stomach pains forgotten. He'd even forgiven the café he was going to investigate. No worries. I bet it was just a mistake, no need to ruin their day. Gumshoe toiled throughout the morning quickly getting though his backlog of work which he had been neglecting of late. In the afternoon he was told to hurry over to the prosecutor's office as Mr Edgeworth wanted to see him.
Gumshoe quickly filed away his work and hurried out of the precinct. As he drove the short way to the office a small new coffee shop caught his eye. Opening day special two cups of coffee for $1. Gumshoe pulled over thoughtfully. Mr Edgeworth has been so swamped lately he needs a little pick me up. This will make me late again but hopefully he won't take away my weekly bonus this time especially with a nice hot cup of coffee on offer. Even if he does prefer tea… well it's better than nothing right?
The line had been longer than he expected so Gumshoe for the second day in a row was forced to run up the stairs in the prosecutor's office. Travelling with Mr Edgeworth so often had put him off lifts even if they were faster. Rounding the last corner quickly Gumshoe didn't have time to look who was coming the other way.With a shout and a crash the two coffees he was carrying flew out of his hands covering himself with coffee. And the person he had run into to.
"Foolish fool with your abject foolishness you have ruined my perfect blouse with your foolish actions" Ms von Karma was standing there, her pristine blouse stained with coffee. "I'm, I'm so sorry sir I was hurrying to get to Mr Edgeworth office and I swear I didn't see you." Ms Von Karma had regained her bearings and readied her whip bring it down with each word. "You. Utter. Fool. You. Will. Pay. For. This. To. Be. Cleaned. Out. Of. Your. Pay. Check. Do. I. Make. Myself. Clear? "Yes-yes sir I'm really sorry sir. Gumshoe was cowering after the 22nd blow, his arms and chest burning with pain. Ms Von Karma was left panting with exercitation after a moment she said "You are lucky scruffy this can be hand cleaned rather than replaced. Perhaps a $70 reduction of your months pay check will remind you to be less foolish in future." With that she stalked off muttering about "foolish fools of this foolish country."
Gumshoe sank onto his bed holding his pay check in his hands. After his encounter with Ms Von Karma he had run to Mr Edgeworth's office where he had received a lecture on his lateness and how maybe he should be replaced with a more competent detective who could tell his behind from his elbow. Gumshoe left the office in disgrace told, not to return until he had become more useful than a chocolate teapot. Dejected, Gumshoe had shuffled down to the precinct to get his pay check.
Monthly Pay check for detective D. Gumshoe
Gross amount: $1470
Deductions: $ 1245
Pay after deductions: $225
$225 all he had to survive on until next month as Mr Edgeworth had taken away his weekly bonus privileges. Its ok pal you can live off that instant noodles only cost 25 cents so there will be plenty of Varity hey I can even afford extra salt. Then something caught his eye. A brown envelope. Gumshoe's heart sank to his knees. Oh the rent I'd forgotten about that. That means I'll only have $2.50 for the month. Gumshoe eyes filled with tears as he tried to keep from crying. I deserve it though pal. Mrs Von Karma's right, I am a fool. I don't even deserve to be a detective. Mr Edgeworth shouldn't have anything to do with me. Maybe I should quit. I'm a disgrace to the force.
The floodgates broke and Gumshoe began to cry not like he had since he was 7. Tears poured down his face as thoughts whizzed around his head. Useless, fool, failure, worthless. Gumshoe curled up in a ball, shuddering and exhausted. A final thought entered his mind before he fell into unconsciousness. Maybe it would be for the best if I didn't wake up tomorrow.