Back to the Calendar story! I know I have a couple of others just hanging there. But honestly, I am a little depressed. We only have a couple of more eps and they are just killing me with Grace and Wayne. So, I present a little diversionary fluff for your enjoyment. I honestly don't watch this show; it's on opposite American Idol. But, I have watched enough of it to feel comfortable playing here.
DISCLAIMER: Because if they were mine, they would be doing so much more than dancing!
May- Dancing with the Cops.
Hightower was having her weekly meetings with the unit leaders. Usually, she kept them brief and to the point. This week, she actually seemed a little uncomfortable.
"One last item, it seems people are not as aware of the CBI as we would like. Those that are, have a negative feeling about us."
Gonzalves of the anti-terror unit said what they were all thinking. "We're cops. Shouldn't they be a little negative about us? No disrespect ma'am, but who want to think the cops are warm and fuzzy?"
Hightower gave a half smile at the questions. Privately, she agreed. But her job was to be the public face of policy and procedure. She was given this job with the understanding that the CBI needed to look better. That came from the Governor's office. She understood that was a political directive as much as anything. When you hit a certain level in police work, it became about balancing policing and politics.
"We want them to have an image of strong, agents, who are a part of the community. It's believed investigations will go better if we are seen as involved. We need to be invested in the community and more humanized."
Lisbon and the other unit leaders began to look uncomfortable. That kind of build up meant they were about to unleash a whopper.
"We are being asked to participate in 3 charities that the Governor and AG have determined will best do this. As a unit, you will be drawn to volunteer for one of these events. The first is Habitat for Humanity. The second is the Special Olympics and the third is the big fundraiser for the Children's Hospital. They are calling it, "Dancing with the Cops".
At the first two events, most of the unit leaders nodded. Those were the kind of things you could get people out to help on, no problem. You went and did something that made sense, built a house, helped a kid in an athletic event. They got that. A charity fundraiser? Just the idea made them all shudder a bit. When they found out the name, that shudder grew larger and the faces all dropped.
"There are red, white and blue chips in this bag. The red ones will build a house in 3 weeks. The white ones will help at the state wide Special Olympics to be held here in 2 weeks. The blue ones, and there is only one unit doing this, will be reporting to a dance studio tomorrow to begin ballroom dancing lessons for the event in 4 weeks. They will be representing the CBI against the Sacramento PD, the Sherriff's Department and the Sacramento office of CHiPs. So that unit must really give a good accounting of themselves. They are representing us all. Gonzalves, you go first."
He pulled out a red chip and smiled. Building a house would be easy. Each unit head pulled out a chip and smiled no one had gotten the dreaded blue chip yet. Lisbon smiled bravely as she pulled out the lone blue chip. Everyone else breathed a sigh of relief. Lisbon suddenly wished Jane had been there with her. He would have been able to figure out to avoid that chip, she was sure.
"Seriously?"
That Cho even said anything betrayed his agitation at the news. Lisbon waited for the rest to chime in. They didn't disappoint.
"Dancing? Ballroom Dancing? Like those fruits on TV?"
"Rigsby! Emmet Smith is on that show. It might be fun. But who are we dancing with, boss?" Trust Grace to want to know all the details so she could start planning.
"I think it will be fun to watch" Jane actually sat up on his sofa for this announcement.
"There is no watching for you Jane. You are considered a member of this unit, so you are in as well. I already checked. Apparently, the Governor and AG are eager to see your skills. There is no escape clause here. We are all stuck together. Tomorrow, bring a bag with comfortable workout clothes with you. We will all go to the Eleganza Dance Academy together."
Rigsby looked horrified still, Van Pelt looked intrigued and God only knows what Cho ever thought. But they went back to their work, each one's imagination working overtime. Jane uncurled himself from his sofa and followed Lisbon into her office.
"Jane, don't even start. We drew the short straw on this one. Let's just do our best and get through it. "
"On the contrary, I think this will be fun. My question is regarding Math. We have 3 men and only 2 women. How is that being resolved?"
Lisbon stopped looking over the file in surprise. That hadn't even occurred to her.
"Honestly, I have no idea. I guess either Van Pelt or I will have to dance twice. I don't know."
Jane left the office and noted Cho sending out multiple text messages. That was unusual in itself. Cho rarely wasted time sending a text when he could have one of his 6 word conversations with someone. This was worth watching.
Eleganza Academy of Dance was the second floor above a row of stores. It had fringed drapes on the windows, a row of mirrors along the wall, and even a mirrored ball hanging from the ceiling. It smelled faintly of sweat, perfume, and floor varnish. Lisbon walked in first, determined to lead, even if she was not sure on this. Grace was right behind her and breathed in the smell with a smile. Jane noted the little chairs in the corner, and the air of desperate gaiety. Cho quietly noted it all. Rigsby looked as if he was being led to the guillotine.
Suddenly a flourish of music played and a tiny, round woman twirled into the room. Her cherry red dress was festooned with feathers and she had a plume to match in her improbably dyed jet black hair. She danced in and stopped in a deep curtsey just as the music stopped. Her timing was impeccable. Jane grinned and applauded, knowing this woman would expect it.
She arose from the curtsey and smiled broadly. On a woman half her age, the makeup would have been dramatic and exciting. In daylight hours on her, it looked, well, theatrical would have been the kindest terms. She had dark eyes that snapped and twinkled as she took in the group staring at her. Thank God they were good looking at least. The ones from the Sheriff's department all looked like men except for that one unfortunate fellow. This groups she do wonders…oh no. 3 men and 2 women?
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen or do I call you all Agents? I never knew law enforcement was so confusing!"
At least that's what they think she said. Her accent was difficult to place. It sounded more like
"Gooooood Efening Laddies and Genlemen, or do I cal you all aghentz? "
There was a split second of silence as they all tried to translate. Jane recovered first, of course.
"Good Evening. I am Patrick Jane and not an agent, so perhaps you could call us all by our first names. This is Teresa Lisbon, Grace Van Pelt, Kimball Cho and Wayne Rigsby. We are here at your service." With a twinkle to his eye, he bowed over her hand. Her reaction was predictable in its smile.
"Oh Patrick, I can see you will be naughty. I am Madame Corinna Del La Mer. Now all of you line up and let me look at you in your street clothes, then you may change in to looser clothes while you are learning. I see we have more men than women, how lovely"
As they lined up, her smile grew broader. Not only were they all very good looking, they were obviously in good shape and moved with a certain grace and balance. Good.
She pulled Jane and Lisbon together to make one couple. They made a nice pairing. Clearly the only who would look good dancing with the lovely red-head was the tall terrified looking one. That left the nicely muscled oriental man. Maybe she could get one of her dancers to fill in.
Waving them to get dressed, she was surprised to be approached by Kimball.
"Ma'am? If I might have a word privately?"
She was a little disappointed. Corinna had expected the plea to be released from the tall one. As each group had come through for training, there was always one who came up with a vivid excuse why he, (because it was always a man) who could or should not dance. None had gotten out of it. She might look like a silly little dancer, but she knew darn well what great exposure for her business this would be. If one wiggled out, they all would. No, Corinna was not letting anyone out. She was stunned by his request.
"Really? Truly? You honestly…? Well, you will have to show me. I am guessing that your fellow agents do not know? Fine then. For appearances, you will join this group and stay behind after to show me privately. I will make my determination from there. Fair enough?"
Cho nodded and headed off to change.
Anyone want to guess Cho's secret? This will probably be at least a 2 parter for this month…maybe 3.
I will dedicate the next part to the person who correctly guesses! And yes, that means you will have to guess in a review! Subtle, huh?