Now it's real

I just got off the phone with the Sheriff's office. Don't worry - I'm not in any trouble.

Well, maybe I am. Earlier in the day, I had called and said I was writing about police procedure and wanted some information about police reports and committing suspects to mental institutions. The office took my phone number and said they'd get back to me. Here's how that second call went:

"Hi. I'm writing a novel, which will involve some police procedure, and I'm wondering if I can talk to someone so that what I write will be accurate."

"Oh, that's great. You should call back tomorrow and talk to the Chief."

"Really? I don't want to put anyone out. I'm sure you guys have more important things to do."

"You call back tomorrow and the Chief will be happy to make an appointment to talk to you."

"Can I just drop by and pick up some paperwork to look at? I'll be in town this afternoon."

"We don't just hand those things out to people without knowing something about them! You call back tomorrow."

"Okay. I'll do that. Thanks."

Gulp. Am I so committed to putting real looking police reports and commitment papers into "my novel" (see - I don't believe I'm really going to write one) that I will go meet with the Chief of Police? I think I will. They've got my number (literally) so I think I better. Otherwise, who knows, they might think I'm a whackjob planning a murder.

Which I am.

Image note: "Car 54, Where Are You" a TV show that aired from 1961-63.
I got this image from the official Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade site, of all places.