Disclaimer: These characters are the sole property of Janet Evanovich. I make no profit from this.
My own writers prompt on JE FF - write a half-shot about an accidental fire alarm in the Rangeman Building.
Fire Alarm by Debra8652
Ranger's POV
My military training has prepared me for every possible contingency. Maybe. Then I met Babe and her Known Associates. I fully expect the Army to order me to reimburse them for my training.
This is a busy time of year for Rangeman - thieves trying to break into private homes and businesses to steal presents or merchandise. We also had an outbreak of a respiratory virus, which further reduced my staff. But life goes on, it's Babe's day off and she wants to go to Macy's to do some holiday shopping. Lester is on surveillance, Tank is on patrol, and Bobby is busy tending to sick Rangemen. I need to send someone with Babe but I am the Core Team member on the control room floor today and can't go. While I can't accompany Babe, I do not regret avoiding holiday shopping at a mall.
Due to some unknown force in a galaxy far away, Diesel senses that Babe needs help and pops in. This could work out. Or not. Babe, Tank, and I are all comfortable having Diesel accompany Babe to Quakerbridge Mall but Diesel feels that he needs to audition to convince the rest of Steph's Merry Men that he can protect her. This will not end well.
Diesel starts by asking me if we have a metal trash can with waste paper in it. As we only have Rubbermaid trash cans, my answer is no. He indicates that he can set waste paper on fire by snapping his fingers. I respond, "Please don't." He snaps his fingers and a metal trash can appears with waste paper in it. He snaps his fingers again and the trash can contents catch on fire. Binkie is coming out of the breakroom and grabs the fire extinguisher to put out the fire just as the sprinklers and alarms go off. I contact the Trenton Fire Department and tell them it's a false alarm as well as making an announcement over the building intercom. It doesn't appear that the sprinklers caused any water damage.
When things settle down, I see Steph and Diesel on the garage cameras. They are entering her SUV and pulling out of the underground garage. They are Quakerbridge Mall's problem now.
A/N Just a half-shot writers prompt that occurred to me. Your reviews are appreciated.