Lesson 5 - Assignment 2

The Suit

Oh, oh. This kid looks like he just got out of the Academy. "The name's Carl Jones, Officer. Have a seat."

"I'm Officer Jankowski. Did you happen to see what just happened here?"

"I saw everything that happened. I'm just sitting here finishing my lunch when that punk you just put in your patrol car came running around the corner carrying a purse. You'd think he'd at least have the sense to hide it under his jacket."

"So that's the man in the squad car that you saw with the purse?"

"Absolutely. He ran right in front of me, bumped my table and made me slop my coffee on my tie, the little creep. I could've stuck my foot out and tripped him but these are brand new shoes. Then I saw Joe, there, take off after him with his butcher knife. Hey Joe, can you get somebody to get rid of these dirty dishes? These people are so slack around here. Hey, Honey, thank you. Now maybe the Officer here will have room to write. I'm sick and tired of these snot-nosed kids thinking they can just take what they want...and get away with it. You need me to testify, you just let me know. Here's my card. I work at the brokerage firm across the street. I've got to go or I'm going to be late getting back."

"Well, thank you, Mr. Jones. I'm sure someone will be calling you. You/ve been a big help."

"I hope he doesn't get off like the rest of them with a 'you been a bad boy' and a pat on the back. And don't shake your head, Officer. You know that happens all the time. Hmmm, I didn't see them before but I'll bet that young couple over there will tell you the same thing I did. Have a good day, Officer."

Female half of the lovebirds

"Don't look now, Sweetie, but here he comes. Hug me up some more and put away that whiskey bottle 'fore he sees it, you idiot. And sit up straight. I'll try to get rid o' him as fast as I kin. Hello, Officer, I'm Sheila and this here is my boyfriend."

"Hello, Folks. Can you tell me anything about what just happened here?"

"I seen it all, Officer. That boy you got in that squad car didn't do nothin' but come joggin' round the corner."

"What do you mean, he didn't do anything?"

"Well, we was just sittin' down to order somethin' to drink, you see, it bein' hot and all and my boyfriend here bein' a little under the weather, if you know what I mean. I no more than got settled when I saw that ole homeless woman over there pushin' that shoppin' cart steal that purse. When she saw me lookin' at her and that young kid come runnin' round the corner, she slammed it into his hands so hard he had nothin' else to do but hang onto it. Then that crazy man in the white apron come runnin' out wavin' a knife around. I guess he thought the kid was robbin' her. That's a joke. That's why the kid took off runnin'. That cook or whatever he is, he's big. He didn't see what I did. Look, I toll you. She gettin' away. Go get her."

Homeless Hattie

"Now look what you made me do! My stuff is spilled all over. What you want with me, anyway? I ain't done nothin'. Let go a me."

"Take it easy now. I'm Officer Jankowski. I don't want to hurt you. What's your name?"

"My name's Hattie. What's it to you?"

"You have a last name, Hattie?"

"Uh, Smith, Hattie Smith."

"Okay, Hattie Smith. Why are you in such a hurry to leave? Did you see anything unusual happen here a few minutes ago?"

"You tryin' to pin somethin' on me? I didn't do nothin' but be standin' here mindin' my own business. I seen them little lovebirds you's jus' talkin' to come walkin' round the corner They's the ones that did it. They stole that purse, slick as anything. Then when they saw me lookin' at 'em and that young boy come joggin' round the corner, they threw it at him and they danced over to that table and set down. Why he jus' naturly caught it, wouldn't you? Then when he saw that man comin' after him with a knife....well, what would you do, Mr. Policeman?"

"Hattie, are you sure you're telling me the truth? Where'd you get all the stuff in this cart?"

"It's all mine, fair and square. See this hat? Fits me perfect, don't it? Look, Mr. Policeman, they're
leavin'. They know they're guilty as sin."

"Hey, come back here. Hattie, you stay put. I mean it."

"Sure, Mr. Policeman....in a pig's eye."


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