This is the city, Los Angeles, California.

Some people drive to work. Some people take the bus. Others walk, but not that many. A few.

That's where I come in. I carry a badge!

Short, but not that informative.

I am tired of inventing new, good intros. From now on, short only. If they are boring and/or lackluster, oh well!

Sure.

Calm down, Joe.

Officer Bill Gannon and I were working the daywatch out of the homicide division.

We had just finished a tomato on whole wheat and had wiped our mouthes when we got a call from the Captain.

(Joe on the phone)

Yes.

Yes.

Nooooo! Yes.

Yes

(expectantly agitated)

What is he saying? What is he saying?

(covering the phone mouthpiece)

Bill, now don't you think I'll tell you when I finish?!

(goes back to the phone call)

Yes.

What? Yes.

Ok. Bye.

(hangs up phone)

Well?

The Captain wants us to start eating breakfast at our respective homes. Not sandwiches, and not here at work.

BOTH MEN ARE SHOWN SHAKING THEIR HEADS "YES". SECONDS LATER THEY BOTH STAND UP AND WALK OVER TO THE DAYWATCH "IN" BASKET AND PULL THE CASE ON THE TOP OF THE STACK.

TO HIMSELF, JOE READS ABOUT THE CASE.

Well, what does it say?

This one says some old lady was offed by a drunk driver - her own son! Complicating issues seem to be that her son was also her insurance agent and she had a huge life policy.

Sound too much like a possible conflict of interest? Could get nasty.

BOTH MEN ARE SHOWN SHAKING THEIR HEADS "NO".

FRIDAY PULLS THE NEXT CASE FROM THE TOP OF THE STACK.

(looking blankly at Bill)

This one concerns an old man killed by a rogue German sheppard.

This one OK with you, Bill?

I guess.

You know, I was just thinking about that sandwich we just finished eating. If we had gotten the egg salad on white, we could have saved a dime or two.

Whaaaaat?

A dime is a dime, Joe.

Let's go.

THE OFFICERS ARE ABOUT READY TO LEAVE WHEN THE PHONE RINGS AGAIN. JOE PICKS IT UP.

Hello?

Yes.

Ok. Bye.

What?

Yes

Goodbye, sir.

What was that all about?

Well, the Captain already knew we chose the dog case over the drunk driver one.

How? ...

I don't know. Maybe he has cameras. Anyway, he wants a word with us. Now!

Now?

Uh oh!

(shrugging his shoulders, smiling)

Might was well go up and see what he wants.

JOE AND BILL TAKE THE ELEVATOR TO THE 10TH FLOOR.

JOE AND BILL WALK TO THE CAPTAIN'S OFFICE AND OPEN THE DOOR.

Captain?

Friday, Gannon. Please take a seat.

(glum look)

Captain, what's this about? We were about to leave to investigate.

Gentlemen, I needed to talk to both of you about the choices you are making lately. Particularly today. Taking that dog case was the last straw.

Sir, why was the dog case, as you called it, even in the stack if you thought it was lame?

Yeah. Why?

THE CAPTAIN AND FRIDAY TURN TO LOOK AT GANNON.

Well ...

You two birds turned down the case I had hoped you would work today: the drunk driver insurance guy who ran over his mother.

We quickly determined it was a nonstarter.

How so? I mean, how in the world did you turn down a son-mother murder case?

Seemed like it could get messy. You know.

Yeah. I know. I am putting you two lame, chicken detectives on unpaid leave.

Whaaat?

I said, I am putting you two lame, chicken detectives on unpaid leave.

I heard you the first time! How about, I QUIT!

JOE LOOKS AT BILL TO JOIN HIM.

Looks like your chicken partner is even too chicken to quit with you!

Heh heh. I have a steep mortgage. By the way, how long will the "unpaid" part last, Captain? Sir?