The recruits are all seated at their desks. Miss Ling is attempting to use a pencil to hold her hair together but is failing miserably. The Sergeant watches her in frustration. "Out of hair ties Miss Ling?" he said sarcastically.
She looks at the Sergeant scornfully, "I'm impressed you know what a hair tie is, being follicly challenged and all."
A small smirk arises on her face. The Sergeant clamps his lips together trying not to laugh at her cheeky comment. The recruits want to laugh but wisely choose not to, fearing backlash from Sergeant Smith.
"Enough of the comedy act Miss Ling, let's get this show on the road," he said assertively.
She rolls her eyes at him. "Ok who was next in line for introductions?" she asked the group loudly.
Bryan Peppers stands up and proclaims, "That would be me Miss Ling. May I come to the front?"
The Sergeant looks at Peppers, "Wow, talk about enthusiastic. Have you had your valium today recruit?"
Peppers looks at Sergeant Smith unsure of what to say, "Sir, no Sir, I don't take valium."
The Sergeant can't help but smile at Peppers' seriousness, "Ok, well good. Come to the front soldier."
He quickly marches to the front and stands behind the lectern. Peppers is taller than average and cuts a robust figure. The bottom half a tattoo visible on his right arm. His hair is perfectly groomed, and his face is immaculately shaved. His military pedigree is obvious through his stance that is as straight as a wooden plank. Army life had taught him about protocol and procedure, something he still respects.
"Good Morning class, my name is Bryan Peppers. I was born in the Philippines but moved here when I was two years old. After school I joined the Air Force and became a pilot, and quite a good one if I do say so myself. My role was to test all the experimental planes being produced. Unfortunately, I developed an eye stigmatism which forced me out of the pilot's seat. I studied and became an aviation engineer, but it didn't give me any job satisfaction, so, I decided to leave and join the fight against all the supernatural evils in the world."
Impressed by his words, Sergeant Smith pays him a compliment, "Very good Peppers, no doubt you will excel here being an ex-military man, much like Jones."
Jones gives the Sergeant a look of disapproval, "You know I'm a woman, don't you Sergeant?" She quickly reminds him with a hint of acid in her words.
The whole class laughed at her quick response.
"Sorry Jones, ex-military person. You know what I meant," the Sergeant sheepishly replied. "What planes did you fly Peppers," he quickly asked, attempting to move away from his verbal indiscretion.
"That is classified," Peppers staunchly informed the Sergeant.
Sergeant Smith nods his head in approval of Peppers' correct military procedure to secrecy.
"Sounds like you have had an interesting career Peppers, I look forward to hearing more about it over the next seven months. Thank you, have a seat," Miss Ling instructed him.
Peppers heads to his seat and passes Robinson who shows initiative by walking to the lectern as she is next in line to speak.
"Rodreguiz, you're next," Sergeant Smith announces.
Robinson is confused and stops, she looks at Rodreguiz unsure of what to do. She turns to head back to her seat.
"You're up here now Robinson, might as well speak," the Sergeant told her.
"I just thought I was next to speak Sergeant, so I just come up-"
"You thought did you," Sergeant Smith grimaces at Robinson. "When you graduate…sorry… if you graduate, you can do all the thinking you want, until then, I will do the thinking for both of us, how does that sound?"
Robinson is taken back by his comment and stares at him, uncertain of what to say.
"Umm, yes of course Sergeant."
Farmer looks at the Sergeant and shakes his head in annoyance. Does this man ever let up? Picking on an innocent recruit who is trying to show some initiative. A pointless exercise just to exert his authority he thought.
Robinson turns to the recruits, nervous and unsettled, she has lost all train of thought.
"Umm," she mumbles, stumbling to get her words out.
Miss Ling intervenes, "Just relax Robinson. What brought you to the academy?"
"A car," she nervously replied.
The recruits laugh at her sassy retort.
"Sorry I didn't mean that Miss Ling."
Miss Ling isn't fazed by the comment, she knows the Sergeant rattled Robinsons concentration.
Robinson looks at the Sergeant momentarily and takes a big breath in and out, as if expelling his negative energy. She looks at the recruits again, this time with a big smile on her face.
"So fellow recruits, my name is Naomi Robinson, before any of you notice my slight accent, I will tell you I am South African. English is actually my second language, but I think I've perfected it," she said jokingly.
The Sergeant looks at Robinson and interrupts, "Jy praat Afrikaans," asking if she was fluent in Afrikaans.
Taken back by his comment she replies, "Ja, natuurlik," meaning yes, of course.
"Baie goed," very good the Sergeant stated.
Impressed by the Sergeants Afrikaans, Fraser blurts out, "You speak another language Sergeant wow, you are so talented"
"I'm not just a pretty face," said the Sergeant.
"Who said you had a pretty face?" Fraser snapped back, not thinking before he spoke.
The recruits instantly turn to Fraser, dumbfounded by what he had said, all desperate to hold in their laughter.
Miss Ling, half way through taking a sip of water almost chokes at Frasers comment and spits the water back into the bottle.
Sergeant Smith gives Fraser an angry look but does not say anything to him, he too is trying to contain his laughter. He looks at Robinson and manages to say, "Carry on please," without breaking his stone-cold persona.
"Ok. I have been here for over ten years. I got my degree in marketing, but it turned out to be a rather boring gig. I wanted some action and adventure, to get out and make something of myself. So, after some soul searching, I thought to myself, take a risk Naomi, and I did. So here I am, ready for the next 7 months and hopefully a long career after I graduate," she said proudly.
"If you graduate," the Sergeant stated while giving her a deadpan look.
Robinson looks at him, "Oh I will graduate Sergeant, have no doubt. I have been through a lot in my life, far worse than anything you or this academy can throw at me."
Her defiant words impressed him, but he wasn't going to give her any leeway in their verbal stoush.
"A strong, independent woman, how original. Talk is cheap Robinson, the next seven months will reveal just how strong you are, physically and mentally."
"I am ready Sergeant. I just ask one thing of you."
He looked at her intently, "Yes, what's that?"
"Don't go easy on me, I can do anything everyone else in this room can do, probably better," she said with an air of defiance. "So, now I've said my piece, do I have your permission to sit, Sergeant?"
He did not appreciate the attitude she was giving him, and it showed on his face. The two stared at each other for a moment until Miss Ling intervened, wanting to break the tension between them, "Yes Robinson, please sit." Robinson took her seat, proud of her bold stance toward the Sergeant.
Farmer turned back to Robinson and nodded his head in approval, impressed by her confrontation with Sergeant Smith. He looks at the Sergeant who had not taken his eyes off Robinson, still giving her a deathly gaze. Farmer had a bad feeling she may regret their verbal two and fro, as the Sergeant didn't seem the type to forgive or forget.
"Alex Rodriguez, would you please step up to the lectern," Miss Ling instructed as she waves in his direction.
Rodriguez walks to the front of the class, eyes squarely focused on the floor as he moves. A small statured man, his lack of height is barely noticeable due to his distracting muscular build. He sports shoulders and arms so large that his shirt barely contains them, and legs so thick he struggles to walk normally. A shy and assuming man, he does not like being the center of attention and is not looking forward to speaking in front of the room. He looks upon the recruits nervously and takes a deep breath. "I won't lie, I don't enjoy doing this, but here I go. Hello Everyone. My name is Alex Rodriguez. I am 31 years old. I have a wife and 2 children. I was a mechanic before joining the academy. I like going to the gym, riding motor bikes, spending time with my wife and children. I am a simple man, with simple pleasures. I look forward to the next seven months and look forward to getting to know you all. Thank you."
The recruits all smile at his brief yet informative introduction.
The Sergeant is curious about Rodriguez and asks, "Where do you see yourself after the academy recruit."
"I would like to be in the zombie squad, Sir."
"Ahh, Team Delta, why is that?"
"I've done some research, and the data shows they are constantly busy and engage with far more supernatural beings than any other unit."
The recruits are impressed with his answer, as is Miss Ling and the Sergeant.
"That's very true. The zombie crews never let up. Vampires are rarely seen during the day. Werewolves only around the full moon, but zombies, they are 24/7 creatures. Not to mention very dangerous. You a bit of a work horse Rodriguez?" asked the Sergeant.
"I like to keep busy, yes, although the other crews probably get more exciting work, I think I would get bored too quickly in any other squad," he replied.
"Don't you worry, hunting zombies is far from boring, they aren't the slow-moving creatures everyone thinks them to be. They are fast, strong, hard to kill, have no enemies and when they are in a group, very difficult to disperse and dispose of. Good work Rodriguez, a man with a plan is a man who will go places."
"Thank you, Sergeant."
"Have a seat."
Rodriguez heads to his seat, relieved his time at the front of the class is over.
Sergeant Smith stands and looks at Tobin who is next in line to speak. "Tim Jerry Tobin, I think we all know everything there is to know about you. You don't have to get up."
Tobin rolls his eyes in annoyance but doesn't argue with him. The Sergeant gives him a brief, sarcastic smile then turns to Jenny White. "Miss White, I don't think I've heard you speak yet, come on up and fill the room with your voice."
White heads to front and stands before the recruits. She takes in a deep breath and looks around at each of them. White is tall with a solid build. Her hair is pulled tightly in a bun. She is void of any make up or beauty products. She was born and raised on a farm and it shows, her hands are dry and rough from years of farm labor and her skin is sun damaged. Her broad shoulders are a result from hard work, not gym work, something she is very proud of.
"Well, hello ya'all. I am Jenny White. Not surprisingly everyone calls me Jen. I hail from a small country town and was raised on a farm. My daaady taught me that hard work is its own reward. My mumma told me never listen to daaady." Whites voice is soft and innocent, but her accent is a thick country drawl, cemented by her elongated pronunciation of the word daaddy..
The recruits and Miss Ling chuckle at her comment. The Sergeant also couldn't help but smirk.
"Like a lot of young people born in the country, I moved to the big smoke to try my hand at city livin'. I quickly learnt it's about rude people, busy streets and expensive shops. I worked as a secretary for a while but hated it. I'm an outdoors kinda gal and hate being stuck inside for too long. I've always been fascinated by the paranormal so I thought I would give the S.P.D. a try. And here I am." White said, clearly proud of her back story.
"And here I was thinking you couldn't speak White, I was certainly mistaken," Sergeant Smith said, surprised by her candidness.
"Us country gals don't mind a yarn Saarge."
"Apparently not White. Good to have you here. I've always found people from small rural towns to be honest, respectable and reliable, don't let me down cowgirl."
"I'll try not to Saarge."
"Out of curiosity, have you ridden a bull?"
"I have. I wont lie, only lasted 3 seconds, but it was fun."
The Sergeant smirks at her comment, "Very good White, I look forward to watching you when it comes to the physical component of the course. I have no doubt you can teach these boys a thing or two."
She gives the Sergeant a wink and a smile, "Don't worry Saarge, I won't give these boys any quarter, the woman neither."
"That's what I like to hear. Take your seat please," said Sergeant Smith in a chirpy tone.
White takes her seat and the Sergeant stands and begins to pace back and forward in front of the room.
"Well everyone. That was a lovely little meet and greet. I know over the next seven months you will learn more about each other, and no doubt learn to love and hate one another." The recruits all look around at each other, puzzled by his comment. "It's the nature of the beast. You're in tight quarters for seven months. Work together, live together, play together. Look around. This is your family, unfortunately, you don't get to choose who the members of your family are. I would suggest you all try and get along, but I already have a few of you pegged as trouble makers who will no doubt bring dissention amongst the group. And not just in this group, amongst the other recruits as well. Apart from living with the other recruits, you will also join them in different classes and activities. Cliques will be made, cool kids, nerds, jocks, and loners. Take my word for it, the academy is more like high school, everyone knows everyone else's business and gossip and rumor are rife, so don't say I didn't warn you." The Sergeant looks around at each recruit individually, he wants his precautionary words to sink in.
"Unfortunately, the Sergeant is correct," Miss Ling interjected, confirming the importance of what Sergeant Smith had told them. "Most of you will get caught in some sort of drama, whether it be self-inflicted or not. You're all adults and I won't tell you how to live your life, but just be careful."
The Sergeant, still pacing, looks at Miss Ling and nods his head in agreeance. "Oh, and don't forget, this place isn't meant to be a fun, social experiment for you all, nor is it a journey. The S.P.D. Academy is serious training ground where you be pitted against one another and the other recruits. We will test your speed, strength, agility, knowledge, perception and insight. You will be ranked according to your ability and in seven months' time, those in the top ten will get to choose their placement and what team they want to join."
The Sergeants words make for deep thought amongst the recruits. In the excitement of joining the Supernatural Police Department, the recruits did not consider the reality of academy life. As they look around at each other, all of them realize they are amongst strangers, brought together by a series of physical, cognitive and psychological examinations, where only the top echelon makes it through to the academy. These people aren't going to be his friends Farmer thought, they are going to be his competition.
The Sergeant continues, "So, if I were you, I would study hard, train harder, listen, observe and take note. Dedication and hard work go a long way at the academy. I will be watching each and everyone of one of you closely for the next seven months. There will be blood, sweat and tears, and if there isn't, you aren't trying hard enough." The Sergeant stop pacing, he stands behind the lectern and grips it tight, so tight in fact the muscles in his forearm start to bulge. He looks down, then looks up, his face is void of all emotion, but his eyes convey a look of absolute seriousness, "And if any of you want to test my nerves, my patience or my sanity… you will be in for a world of hurt."
Shivers ran down the spines of all ten recruits by his stern, deathly statement. Even Miss Ling, usually ignorant of the Sergeants dialogue, couldn't help but shudder.
"Do you all understand?" Sergeant Smith asked in an eerily threatening manner.
The recruits all nod slowly in acknowledgment, but this is does not satisfy the Sergeant.
"I will ask again. Use your words children. Do you understand?"
They reply, "Yes" in unison, again this does not satisfy Sergeant Smith, who looks frustrated with them.
"YES, SERGEANT," he yells aggressively.
"YES, SERGEANT," the recruits all yell back as one.
"Good. Finally," he said shaking his head. "Anyway, let's move on." An awkward smile arises on his face, totally opposite to the severe look he wore moments before. "I am going to hand you over to Miss Ling to see the day out. I have got other things to attend to so I will be leaving. You will afford Miss Ling the same respect you afford me, and if you don't, there will be trouble." Sergeant Smith looks directly at Fraser. Fraser looks around innocently, confused as to why the Sergeant is staring at him so intently. "Yes, I'm looking at you…clown," he said with his eyes still fully locked onto Fraser who drops his head and sinks into his seat out of embarrassment.
Sergeant Smith actions his hand toward Miss Ling, grabs his paper work then exits the room.
Miss Ling stands in front of the recruits and addresses them, "He is quite the character our Sergeant Smith. You will learn to love him. He will grill you, torment you, and haunt your dreams, but in seven months' time you will be the finest recruits graduating, this I promise you."
She walks over to a box on her desk and takes out a large, thick text book and holds it up to the recruits. The title reads 'SUPERNATURAL POLICE DEPARTMENT: PROTOCOLS, REGULATIONS AND LEGISLATION'. She picks up the box and places it on Blacks desks. "Here comes the fun. Take one and pass it along."
The box gets passed around and each recruit takes a text book. Farmer picks his up and is surprised at how heavy it is. He flicks through it. Page after page of writing involving the legal requirements of the Supernatural Police Department. He breezes over the pages, hoping to come across something fun and exciting, like sword fighting, vampire hunting or zombie decapitation, but he finds nothing of the sort. Just a mass of typed words and white space. He looks at Dell who is also scanning through the text book. She looks bewildered by its size and content. "Maybe it's a secret weapon?" she said to Farmer as she makes whacking motion with the text book.
"Use it on the Sergeant," he replied cheekily. The two laugh quietly at his comment.
"Oh, I almost forgot, the keys to your rooms, how silly of me. Couldn't imagine you would want to sleep in the classroom," Miss Ling exclaimed casually, as if it would only be a minor inconvenience if she had forgot to give the recruits their room keys.
She takes a handful of small envelopes from her desk draw and passes them to Black.
"Your names are on the envelopes, so take yours and pass it on. When you leave here, go the dorms, your bags should be waiting out front. Go find your rooms, get yourself sorted and go check out your lodgings. However," Miss Ling stops and contemplates for a moment, as if trying to find the right words to say, "I should remind you, this in the S.P.D. Academy, not Buckingham Palace. Don't expect gold plated toilet seats and 70-inch plasmas. Think more along the lines of…well you will see." Miss Ling gives the recruits a fake smile then everts her eyes, not wanting to see the look on the recruits faces.
Dell nudges Farmers elbow and says to him, "I was looking forward to sitting on gold plated toilet seat."
"I know, right, I was looking forward to watching a 70-inch plasma," he replied sarcastically.
"Alright my little cherubs, I am off for the day. When you are sorted please be on your way. I will see you 8.00am first thing tomorrow morning. A whole day set aside for witchcraft and wizardry laws. Its very exciting. Fair well," Miss Ling said in a genuinely happy tone. She leaves the room with the recruits still going through their text books and sorting out their room keys.
Fraser watches her walk away and jokingly address the recruits, "Did she say exciting while referring to a whole day study witchcraft laws? Its not to late to pull out now is it?"
"I have a terrible feeling we are going to be doing a lot of reading and studying my friend," Jones promptly informed Fraser.
Fraser looks dejected by her comment, "What about sword fight, shooting bow and arrows, and I want to wrestle that yeti," he said excitedly.
"The only thing you be wrestling for a while big boy is that massive text book," Jones replied, again disappointing Farmer with her truthful response.
"Well I have my gear, I am off," Tobin announced to the class then exits the room.
"Wow, he is going to the barrel of laughs for the next seven months," declared the usually reserved White.
The recruits exit the class room and head to the dormitories. With the Sergeant absent there is no need for file and order and they wander slowly like a herd of cattle. The first day of classes over, they now must organize their living arrangements. As they approach the dorms, they see the other new recruits all gathered around. Standing in front of the group is Sergeant Luke Zimmer. A portly, bald man with thick glasses, he looks unimpressed with his arms crossed and toes tapping. The recruits from squad 488 gather with the others.
"Glad you could join us 488," Sergeant Zimmer shouted, clearly annoyed by their late arrival, "Well now we are all here, we can get this show started. I am Sergeant Zimmer, I will be your intake coordinator for the next seven months. I am meant to be like a guardian angel and help you with any issues you may have or problems that may arise. But you are all adults, so act like adults, that's all I will say about that."
Farmer looks at Robinson, who is standing on her tip toes to try and see Sergeant Zimmer over the crowd, "You're not missing much short stuff, he isn't exactly a male model."
Robinson looks up at Farmer, smiles, then elbows him hard in the ribs. She gets back on her tip toes in a pointless attempt to look over the crowd.
"Recruits, listen very clearly, to my RIGHT, that's your LEFT is the girl's dorms. And to my LEFT, that's your RIGHT, is the boy's dorms. If you're a girl, go left, if you're a boy, go right. Simple. Do we have any questions about that?" Sergeant Zimmers ridiculous instructions had most of the recruits rolling their eyes. He continues, "So, grab your bags that are behind me, and grab YOUR bag, no one elses, and go find your rooms. Your room key has a number on it, that number correlates to the room you will be staying in. Does anyone have any questions?"
There was silence amongst the 50 recruits until Fraser put his hand up, "Excuse me Sergeant, I'm a boy, where do I go again?"
The recruits all chuckle at his mischievous remark. Sergeant Zimmer however, does not. "You can go to the Inspectors office and tell him you struggle taking direction, upon which he will direct you out the front gates. What do you think about that recruit?" Sergeant Zimmer's response shuts down Fraser who does not reply. "That's what I thought. The rec hall opens at 1800 hours for dinner. First in, best feed." Without saying goodbye, he storms off to let the recruits sort out their bags.
Tobin, annoyed by Frasers remark pipes up, "Fraser, are you going to make a smart comment every chance you get? Because really, there's no need for it, and it makes our group look stupid. You're an adult, act like it."
Fraser turns to Tobin, "I can try, but no promises."
Tobin shakes his head at Fraser and mumbles something under his breath. Fraser ignores the inaudible comment.
In front of the group is a mess of bags and suitcases, separated in two piles. The other recruits move forward to find their belongings. Most of group 488 stay back and wait for the pack to dissolve, all except Tobin who rushes in leaving his classmates behind.
"He is like a rabid wolverine," said Jones, referring to Tobin who is pushing his way to the front of the crowd to get his bag.
After a few moments the crowd has dispersed leaving a few bags remaining.
"Well team, let's do this. How about we meet in the rec hall at 1700 hours. Get a good table, have a little pow wow and get to know each other better," Jones suggested.
"Seven o'clock," White quizzed Jones, "Sergeant Zimmer said it opens at six, we'll miss the food."
All the recruits look at White. "What?" she questions their staring.
"1700 hours is five o'clock, not seven o'clock" Peppers politely informs her.
"Oh, right, 24-hour time, I had better get adjusted to that, ha-ha."
The recruits respectfully ignore her indiscretion, knowing she has not used 24-hour time before.
"Ok, five o'clock it is," Robinson said, ensuring the time is made clear.
As they go to pick up their belongings, Dell moves alongside Farmer, nudging Robinson aside. "I know you're a big guy, but if you get frightened or scared tonight being alone just give me a buzz and I will come and look after you. Don't be ashamed, your first night without mommy is going to be tough."
Farmer looks down at Dell who has a big smile on her face, "Are you going to annoy me for the next seven months?" he asked in a serious tone.
"You know it big boy," she replied while punching his arm softly.
"Oh, good," he said in a clearly unimpressed manner.
Dell bends down to pick up her bag which is nearly half her size. Farmer sees the size of the bag and laughs, "Wow Dell, A big bag full of beauty products and still ugly!" he said, ensuring it was loud enough for everyone to hear. Dell gives Farmer a smarmy look but has no come back. "See you at 5 Dell," he added while giving her a ridiculous wave goodbye.
Farmer picks up his suitcase and heads into the dorms, Robinson is watching him walk away. "See you at five Farmer," she said as she waves at him.
Farmer doesn't turn around, he simple raises his hand and says, "Sounds good."
With all the other recruits gone, Robinson is left alone with her bag and slightly miffed that Farmer didn't give her a proper goodbye, "Rude," she said while shaking her head. She picks up her bag and heads to her room.