John's shifts didn't seem to change only the date: fires, accidents, domestic abuse, and drug overdoses. The only bright part of his life was Sandy and the DeSoto's.

It had been a terrible shift, John was looking to go home, forget his latest shift, and meet Sandy at the diner.

Pulling up to the diner, John turned off his bike and headed into the crowded restaurant. Sandy was waiting for him in their booth.

John waved and sat down across from Sandy. He slid into the booth as the waitress came over knowing John's and Sandy's order.

John rubbed his eyes and sighed soulfully. He was thankful for his hot cup of coffee delivered by the waitress as she put their orders in.

"Bad shift?" Sandy asked.

"Yeah, but same old. I guess I'm getting used to it." John took a sip of his coffee."It's just the language barrier sucks sometimes. Thank God the police department can help. But sometimes they can't be there."

"We have these." Sandy pulled out some brochures in multiple languages. It helps sometimes when my clients can read or their children can."

John looked over the brochures and then suddenly had an idea.

"Yeah, yeah these are great. The ones we have are strictly PR bs, but these can really help." John beamed.

51

At his next shift John went into the captain's office.

"Hi Cap, " John said as he took a seat. "I was wondering why we don't have an open house, you know."

"Really? Look where we are. Do you seriously think HQ would approve it? We are the dregs of the department and the county. We're lucky we got the stuff we need. Only because we have representation at the council."

"But Cap it wouldn't be a normal one. It has to be on a weekday and not a pancake breakfast, you know have all the ethnic food and hand out some brochures. I did this one as an example. I'll get it translated so maybe things won't be so tense when we get a call." John pulled out one of his makeshift brochures and handed it to the captain.

The captain took it and looked at it intently. Just then the buzzer sounded.

"I'll get back to you Gage. Now go!"

51

"So what did the Cap say?" Roy asked as they sucked on beers.

John took a sip. "I don't know if it 's been a few months. I guess I can chalk it up to experience cause it ain't happening. I even got the final brochures nailed down. It says the same thing but there are five different languages. Marco and a few others helped to make it more palatable. But it ain't going to happen." John sighed.

"Oh well you tried Johnny. A lot of guys in your position wouldn't even do a thing." Roy got up. "Time to grill."

John spent a few hours at the DeSoto's then headed home. His shift tomorrow wouldn't be any different. Too bad the Cap wouldn't just do it. Ask for forgiveness, but everyone at the station was on thin ice and the department was itching to fire everyone. It sucked but he couldn't do anything about it and he was damned to get anyone fired. The guys had a rough break but they were good men in shitty circumstances.

51

John pulled up to the station, locked his bike and went into the station. Both the engine and squad were out.

"Hey Gage." The cap called. "Could you come into the office please."

As John headed to the office he wondered if he did anything last shift to get him into trouble.

"Take a seat." John sat down and frowned.

"Hey it's good news. HQ approved our open house. I think we should print some flyers and make sure we pass them out at calls, when necessary. Look, I don't know how many people will show up. I'm just letting you know to get your hopes up. We are the dregs of the department and our territory isn't Beverly Hills so don't expect a big turnout. Okay?" The cap said.

"Sure Cap. And thanks for fighting for it. I appreciate that." John smiled. Things were looking up.