There was hardly a word spoken in the vehicle as Meekins drove to the destination of their date. Carol had just remained in her own thoughts, watching the town pass out the passenger window. She didn't want to waste her talking energy this early. Every now and then, she would glance over to Meekins, whose eyes were glued to the road ahead. She began to evaluate him by how he responded to certain road conditions and other drivers. What she found out was how easily panicked he would become, but not show it on his face, at least not in front of her.
Meekins remained focused on where he was driving to, trying to be sure he wouldn't get lost. He had scouted out a restaurant that had caught his eye well before he was even an Officer, but never had the thought or reason to go there. However, at this point of the drive, the silence was beginning to kill him. Meekins thought, trying to come up with something to say. He knew he had already complimented her looks, pathetically, but still. He felt like he would be repeating himself. Carol remained gazing out the window, almost in a dreaming state.
Meekins' thoughts began to race for something, anything, to break apart the monotony, when the turn for the restaurant came into view. He gave an audible sigh of relief, one that Carol heard and responded to. She looked to him as they took the turn up the road, then gave a half smile and an almost apologetic look in her eyes.
"Sorry for being so quiet...I'm not much of one for talking on the road."
"Oh! N-No worries, miss." Meekins replied, trying to keep her at a positive mood. "W-We can talk during our d...o-our..."
"...Dinner?" Carol asked, helping him finish.
"DINNER! Yes, dinner, miss." Meekins blushed, pulling into a parking space. Once he stepped out of his car and into the cool city air, he allowed time for his face to change back to its natural paleness. He then ran around to the other side of the car, more careful this time, and opened the door for Carol to step out.
She gave a light smile to him and took it upon herself to shut the door, preventing Meekins from snagging his tie again. As they began for the restaurant, they walked side by side, trying at both of their very bests to avoid something humiliating. Neither one offered to hold the other's hand, or even look at the other. But just refraining from the awkward tension increased it that much more.
Carol remained on Meekins' left side, the side he held the megaphone onto. She didn't mind the outfit too much, if only he didn't bring that. But it's who he is, she knew that much by now.
They reached the entrance of the restaurant, 'Worldwide Tastes'. It seemed to be the type of in-between restaurants where the food wasn't too expensive but still a worthwhile meal. The crowd was enough for there always to be business and an open table or two. As they walked in, the auromas of savory, sweet and sea foods filled the air, as well as a smooth jazz melody to mix in an almost perfect blend. Instantly, both Meekins and Carol grew an appetite and knew just what they wanted to order.
They stood in the front waiting area in a line about fifteen people long. Carol remained glancing around those who were already eating and noticed that they seemed to be sectioned off by what they were eating. The service also appeared to go faster than any other restaurant. Almost right when a person ordered, the waiter waved in a direction and seconds later, the food was there, prepared and perfect. She wondered just how this was affordable by a klutzy cop like Meekins.
"Hello, sir. Welcome to Worldwide Tastes. Table for two, I see?" The hostess greeted the customers in front of the line. From Carol's angle, it was a tall and strong built man who seemed to almost try too hard to be formal. Standing next to him was an equally formal woman, hair well made and had a severe height difference from the man she had accompanied. The tall man scratched at the back of his head as he responded.
"Uh, yeah, pal. Two, please." The man spoke. The sound and manner of the voice made Meekins jump up suddenly.
"I-...Is that?" He muttered, standing taller than usual to try and look over the line.
"Alright, sir, just let me know what you're both interested in eating tonight and I'll assign you a table." The hostess nodded politely while handing them both a menu.
"Interested in eating..." The man said while opening his menu. "Let's see...huh...most of these seem a bit expensive..."
"Oh, but I told you I can pay for it if you want me to!" His companion said, insistent on paying.
"NO! I-I mean, I have enough, honest! Get whatever you want, anything, pal!"
"It is!" Meekins exclaimed, beginning to shout over the crowd in his direction. "Sir! SIR! Detective Gumshoe, SIR!"
"Hmm..." His companion thought while looking at the menu. "Well I did want to come here for the Worldwide Sausage Sampler. It's enough for both of us so we can split the price. Is that alright with you?"
"Perfect!" He exclaimed with a chuckle and handed the menu back to the hostess. "One Worldwide Sausage Sampler, pal."
"Good choice, a house favorite!" The hostess smiled sweetly and handed him a sheet of paper. "Here's your table number, you'll find it in the center section to the right. Enjoy your meal!"
The duo smiled back and began off for their table.
"DETECTIVE! GUMSHOE! SIR!"
The megaphone around Meekins' shoulder shrieked out, causing the line and most of the seated customers to jump and block their ears. All for the exception of him and Carol, who was standing next to him, a sign of increasing irritation passed over her face. Her eyebrow twitched ever so lightly as she slowly turned to him.
"It...had better...be him..." She glowered, the left of her lip beginning to twitch as well. A look like this made the color in Meekins' face completely drain. He had never seen her quite as angry and could even feel a dark tension about her suddenly. He looked down apologetically, when the couple approached them.
"WHAT WAS THAT FOR, PAL?" The man, indeed Detective Gumshoe, growled at him. Meekins held his head down, trying to get through just how sorry he was.
"HEY! That wasn't necessary, Officer! All you needed to do was walk up to us!" Gumshoe's companion shouted, hands on hips and eyes glaring behind small glasses. Meekins began twiddling his thumbs, avoiding the glance of all who were mad at him.
"Man...what a jerk...we're just here to have a peaceful dinner...what's up with him? Why is there a cop here? Mommy, is someone under arrest?" The crowds words echoed as all their stares fell upon Meekins.
"...I...I'M SORRY! FORGIVE ME EVERYONE!"
After finally cooling down with his megaphone [meaning after Carol confiscated it for the rest of the night], the four of them decided to share a table to better converse. Gumshoe felt more at ease when they each had their share of the Sampler, meaning he could pay less than he thought before.
"I can't help but thank you both for letting us share a table with you." Carol stated politely. "You must be good friends with Mike I see."
"Anytime, pal!" Gumshoe chuckled, just glad he got off of a large bill. "And yeah, we've known each other as friends and co-workers for a while now. Name's Dick Gumshoe. I'm a detective at the precinct you're in training for."
"Oh!" The woman sitting next to Gumshoe jumped, halfway eaten through a European Sausage. "You're the new officer in training? I should have known, since you're here with Officer Meekins." She laughed slightly, then thrusted a hand to her forehead, saluting proudly. "Officer Maggey Byrde. I've been on the precinct for some time now, so if you need any assistance, just look for me alright?" Maggey smiled, turning back to the Sampler.
"I think I can handle myself alright, but I'll take you up on that if I ever do need anything." Carol replied a kindly as she could, with a hidden context that she knew how to do her job and didn't need anyone else's help.
"Detective Gumshoe, sir?" Meekins began to ask, almost reluctant to eat just yet. "Are you sure you can afford to pay for us all, sir?"
Almost as if he was shot in the chest, Gumshoe's body slouched and his face went pale.
"Y-You're not paying for your half, pal?" He whimpered.
"OH! Sorry, sir! I wasn't thinking, sir!" Meekins doubled back and saluted by instinct. Gumshoe eased back once again, when Maggey looked up to him.
"Gumshoe, if you want me to pay for my share, just please let me know."
"Absolutely NOT! I told you I can cover for both of us!" Gumshoe retorted, already beginnig to pull out his wallet. Carol grinned lightly at the sight of this, knowing his intention was under more than just a friendly dinner in his eyes. He was acting too polite and insistent on him paying for her, but on Meekins just suggesting he paid for all of them almost gave him a heart attack.
No one at the table expected that night to be a double-date, or even one that ended as a successful and enjoyable evening all around. However, the night was definitely not going to end just because they each wound up paying their fair share. It wouldn't end just because they wish each other a good night at the exit. In fact, it was a night that has just begun and would not end for a long time. For as they began to exit the restaurant, a shrill sound of echoing and overlapping screams emitted within its walls, followed by two gunshots.