"Ummm," he stumbled.
"Black already said that," Sgt Smith interrupted without looking up from the paper he was reading.
"Well," Farmer mutter.
"Is there an echo in this room?" Sgt Smith perked up and looked at Farmer, amused and smirking.
"I was a salesman," Farmer blurted out, annoyed by the interruption. Realising he sounded desperate he forcefully slowed his speech. "For many years I was a salesman, and a good one, could sell ice to the Eskimos." He tried to calm himself and engage the room with an old salesman's joke. It had been heard before by all and silence filled the air.
To make matters worse Sgt Smith pipes up. "I think you mean Inuit, not Eskimo, this is 2019, get with the program recruit."
Farmer was at a loss. He had nothing exceptional to say. He spent his formative years in bars and nightclubs having a good time, not exactly remarkable, and certainly not worth discussing.
"I like going to the gym." He was like a deer in headlight.
"What did you father do?" Sgt Smith said, staring at Farmer.
Instantly Farmer knew that the Sergeant was aware of his father.
"Young Farmer here is a second generation recruit here, aren't you?" the Sergeant stood up and walked towards Farmer.
"His father is a legend within the SPD."
"Oh really?' Miss Ling enquired. "Do tell."
Farmer was hoping to keep this information to himself. Sgt Smith was having none of it.
"Farmer Senior, better known as Bob, walked these hallowed halls over 20 years ago. In the field he was smart, fearless and uncompromising." The Sergeant obviously knew Farmers father well. "He was also reckless, dangerous and stupid." Sgt Smith is now standing beside Farmer, shadowed by Farmers height.
Farmer was stunned, did those words actually come out of the Sergeants mouth?
"He died doing what he loved," Farmer snapped back.
"He died because he didn't listen, didn't pay attention. He played the game by his own rules and lost," Sgt Smith growled. He was annoyed by his own words.
Farmer was incensed but had no words. He turned to Sergeant Smith and gave him a deathly stare. The Sergeant obviously knew how he died, but not the heroic version he was led to believe. Farmer wanted to know what the Sergeant knew, but this was not the time nor place.
"Ok, I think we can move on." Miss Ling interjected. "Thanks Brendan."
Farmer returned to his seat. He was furious at the cryptic words of the Sergeant. What did he mean? What does he know? This conversation was not over.
"Now it's time for John," said Miss Ling.
Fraser stood up. Another large specimen of a man. He looked like something out of GQ magazine. He was young, vibrant and clearly in a good mood.
"Big John," Miss Ling said, amazed at his stature.
"That's what the ladies say," Fraser said cheekily. The room erupted with smirks but not laughter. The recruits did not want to test the Sergeant.
"I like Pina coladas and getting caught in the rain." Frasers stupid comment made the room laugh for the first time.
"Some idiot always says that," Sgt Smith said shaking his head. "Why did it have to be you."
"I'm just trying to lighten the mood Sarge," said Fraser with a big grin.
"Nothing wrong with lightening the mood is there Sergeant," said Miss Ling.
Sergeant Smith let out an agonisingly long groan.
"I was a police officer for several years after high school," said Fraser.
"Didn't play football?" The Sergeant sarcastically asked.
"I'm too pretty for that Sarge, wouldn't want to ruin this immaculate face," he boldly replied to Sergeant Smith. The recruits laughed at his cheeky comment.
"Let's see how pretty it is after a werewolf takes his five-inch claws to it." The laughter stopped after the Sergeants awkward comment.
Unphased, Fraser continues. "I like hunting, fishing, dirt biking, everything outdoors really."
"Oh good," Sgt Smith interrupted. "That's where the werewolves are."
Farmers annoyance with the Sergeant grew. Why is he putting everyone down? Is he trying to scare everyone off on the first day? Can't he just sit there in silence?
"Well thanks for heads up Sarge, I will be sure to keep an eye out," Fraser says emphatically. He returns to his seat.
Miss Ling is staring at Sgt Smith. The whole class can see the death stare she is giving him. The Sergeant can sense it too but refuses to meet Miss Lings eyes. He reaches for his pocket. His phone is vibrating but not ringing.
"Excuse me if you will team, I have to take this." The Sergeant heads outside to take the call.
Good, Farmer thought to himself, don't come back. The whole room was relieved at his absence.
"Don't mind him," Miss Ling said, gesturing to Sgt Smith. "He softens up over time."
"A good beating would soften him," Dell whispered into Farmers ear.
Farmer agreed.
"One more person before we move on. We will do the rest this afternoon," said Miss Ling.
Farmer looked outside to the Sergeant on the phone. He was smiling and looked happy. It didn't suit his demeanour, not the demeanour he had shown today. He kept moving and pacing, as if he was excited. He was very animated in his actions. The Sergeant was clearly enjoying the conversation. Maybe he was human Farmer thought. But then again, maybe not.
"Miss Jones would you give us the pleasure." Miss Ling introduced Jones.
Jones was approaching her forties. Time had not been kind to her. Her skin dry, hair course and greying. She was average height and weight. If she was in a crowd she would not stick out.
"Hello," She said in a gruff voice. "My name is Cindy Jones but most people call me C.J. You can if you want. I was in the Army for about 20 years. I had enough of roughing it out in the desert and wanted to settle down with my partner." Her straight forward manner was strangely refreshing to Farmer who was listening intently.
"The Army has pretty much been my whole life. Before that I went to school, obviously." Jones had done numerous tours of duties overseas in remote locations. Being a woman, she had to fight for the respect of the men, both literally and figuratively. She backed down to no man or woman. The Army was a challenge but that was what she loved. She wasn't content with being mediocre. She wanted to prove a point at the Academy as she did in the Army.
"I was born and raised in Alabama for what it's worth." She grinned. "I hope to start a family soon with my partner, maybe have two little ones, well not me, she can have the babies, I ain't carrying around one of those things for nine months," Jones said honestly.
The class laughed in unison. They enjoyed her welcoming speech. Her open and honest candour brought a smile to the recruits.
Sgt Smith walks back in the room. The smiles quickly disappear.
"Sorry about that everyone," Sgt Smith said, sounding truly apologetic. "What did I miss?"
"Jones was in the Army for many years and wants children," Miss Ling abruptly informed the Sergeant.
"Mmm," the Sergeant pondered. "Army good. Babies not. But good luck to you ma'am," he casually stated.
Farmer stared at the jovial Sargent. Does he have two personality? Is he Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde? Farmer tried to figure Sergeant Smith out. It was a pointless exercise.
"We are half way through Sergeant. Thought we might let the others talk after lunch?" Asked Miss Ling.
"Brilliant idea Miss Ling," beamed the Sergeant.
"We are all going to go for a little tour around the Academy team. What do you all think?" It was a rhetorical question. The class had no choice in the matter. "And we are going to meet some special people," said the Sergeant excitedly.
The recruits all stood up.
"Not you," exclaimed the Sergeant Smith. He was pointing at Tobin. "You liked to sit so much so you can stay seated."
Tobin looked bewildered. He stood, unsure of what to do. The other recruits were staring at him, waiting for him to make his move. Would he protest the Sergeants order or be a good recruit and sit? Tobin decided for the latter. He sat down, very slowly. He faced the front of the room and didn't meet any of the gazing eyes of his fellow class members, he was too embarrassed.
They all shuffled outside. "Two lines people, I'm not a sheep dog," Sgt Smith barked.
"Let's go."
The Sergeant speedily marched ahead. The recruits, in two poorly formed lines followed.
Farmer was positioned behind Robinson who had the misfortune of being at the front of the line. He knew little of her except for the fact she was about a foot shorter than he was and that she took tiny steps. Her little legs scurried to keep up with the Sergeant who appeared to be on a mission. Farmer tried to avoid treading on her heels, but he failed.
"Hey watch it. You can polish these boots if you scuff them," Robinson quickly turned and said with an attitude.
Farmer tried to think of something witty to say. "Sorry," was all he could come up with. Shaking his head as he walked, disappointed with his lack of banter.
"You will be," she replied.
Farmer intently looked down to avoid stepping on Robinsons heels again. He wasn't concerned about running into her, he was concerned about not being able to engage in cheeky conversation, a pastime he had perfected in his salesman days but had eluded him hence far at the Academy.
"Over there is the Mess Hall," Sgt Smith said, pointing in no particular direction. The soldier in him shone through, no one referred to an eating area as a Mess Hall, not unless it was permanently drilled into you.
"Over there is where the head honchos work. If you walk up those stairs, you probably won't be walking back down them," he said.
"What do you mean Sarge?" asked Robinson.
The Sergeant stopped in his tracks. The two lines of recruits hastily come to a stop.
Sgt Smith walked up to Robinson. "If you do something very naughty you get sent there to be punished. Very much like a principal's office" he said with a smirk on his face.
"I haven't been to a principal's office in a long time" Fraser said loudly from the back of the line.
"I can send you there right now if you feel like reminiscing?" Sgt Smith yelled back at Fraser.
"I'll pass".
"I'm sure you'll end up there soon enough young man".
Farmer thought Fraser was very brash in testing Sgt Smiths patience, although the Sergeant didn't seem to be fazed by the verbal altercation. His mind was on more important things.
"Let's go," the Sergeant said as he began his regimental march. He had given up his tour of the academy and headed toward the auditorium.
Farmer looks around at the vastness of the academy as he walked. Officers, recruits and civilians were scattered throughout the grounds walking to and from. He wanted to enjoy his first day at the academy, but his thoughts were overshadowed by his nerves and anxiety. Distracted, he accidently trips on Robinsons shoe again, almost forcing the massive boot off her foot.
"Sorry," he hastily apologized for the mishap.
Robinson quickly stomped her boot back on and kept walking. She didn't look back and didn't say anything, she just shook her head from side to side in annoyance. Farmer is infuriated at his clumsiness. He didn't want to make any enemies or irritate anyone, and certainly not on the first day.
The group approached the auditorium and entered, Sgt Smith still storming ahead. He walked to the back of the auditorium near some padded mats that were laid on the floor. The recruits eventually met up with him.
"Back again," the Sergeant said in a jovial tone. "Take a seat on the mats if you please, recruits".
Unsure of what seating position to take, the recruits wandered around each other before sitting randomly.
"Nope, not there" said the Sergeant "Move over here, away from the windows please". He pointed to exactly where he wanted the recruits to sit, away from the large panes of glass that filled the auditorium with beaming sunlight.
The recruits moaned in unison at having to drag themselves up and move ten feet. The Sergeant heard their annoyed groans but ignored them. They all sit and begin to wait.
Farmer looks around the auditorium. A few hours prior he was too distracted to take in the vast building. It is a multipurpose area, equipped with basketball hoops and soccer nets. An enclosed gym at one end. A large store room filled with all manner of equipment at the other. He is impressed by the building and sensed he would be spending a lot of time there.
Sgt Smith stood in front to the recruits rubbing is hands together in glee. Being happy didn't befit the Sergeant tough demeanour, he looked awkward and a little creepy.
"Listen up everyone, today is your lucky day," he said proudly.
"I have two special guests for you all to meet. They work at the academy part time and are here for a meeting so I thought I would introduce you. They also happen to very good friends of mine," Sgt Smith said boastfully.
Farmer found it hard to believe the Sergeant had friends, which made him very curious as to the mysterious guests.
"So, without further ado, allow me to introduce Natasha Klitchko and Vitali Romanov".
The Sergeant stood alone. No one nearby and no one walking toward him. The recruits are unsure if this is some sort of test or the Sergeant was messing with them. They are all confused, but no one dared ask what was happening.
After a few moments of silence, Frasers eagerness got the better of him. "Are your friends invisible Sar-."
Fraser is interrupted by two very loud sounds, like that of a whip cracking. The recruits all frightfully jumped back at hearing the noise. Sgt Smith did not flinch.
A smoky haze appeared before them, almost fully engulfing the Sergeant, yet he did not move. The cloud slowly dissipated to reveal a male and female person, one to each side of Sgt Smith.
The recruits were aghast and weren't sure what to do. They all remained seated, dumbfounded by what they had seen.
To the right of the Sergeant stood Vitali Romanov. He is tall with an average build. He has long black hair that is tied back. He is dressed in an impressive suit that is not of this era. It is in immaculate condition but was clearly made a long time ago. His skin is smooth and very pale, so pale in fact that his veins could be seen through his skin. His eyes are light blue, almost being fully white. They pierced through each recruit as he scanned over them one by one. Apart from his moving eyes he stood perfectly still. There is no compression of his chest to indicate breathing and his eyes did not blink. He was, in all sense of the word, statuesque.
Natasha Klitchko is to the left of Sgt Smith. She is also tall and sports a fit, muscular build. Her long brown hair perfectly cascades down her shoulders. She is dressed very differently to Romanov. Klitchko is clad in black leather, head to toe. A large silver belt buckle shines brightly amongst the black clothing. Her skin is smooth and had a natural light pink hue. Her eyes matched her leather suit, dark to the point of being fully black. She remained still but her head moved as she looked around the auditorium, she did not pay attention to the recruits. Like Romanov, her chest cavity is motionless, and eyes fully opened.
Farmer and the other recruits are astonished. Are there truly two supernatural beings standing before them?
Things are about to get very interesting at the Supernatural Police Academy.
(Taken from 'supernaturalpd.com' please visit the site for further details about the Supernatural Police Department).