Manehattan Law

Chase opened the glass double doors of the Manehattan Police Station. For twenty years, he's dedicated his whole life to nothing but 'to serve and protect' the civilian population. When he first joined the force, he swore to make the city safe for everypony. But after a few years, he realized just how young, stupid and naive he was back then. Crime was never going to stop. So long as it was the easiest way to get rich quick, ponies everywhere are always going to turn to it. So he decided to modify his goal to be a bit more realistic: to just do whatever he can to help.

He cantered through the maze of hallways and rooms to his own private office. The door had his name printed on it but after years of pony abuse, some of it was peeling off. The interior was much worse for wear but Chase learned not to complain. Sure it was small, cramped and dusty but it was better than sharing the whole room with ten other loud and sweaty police officers. The police department always had problems with funding. The mayor loved to pretend that the city is all under total control but everypony really knows how bad it is.

Chase hung his dirty brown coat and fedora on the old coat rack beside the door. He slumped down on his office chair and leaned back. He wasn't feeling like working today. He could tell it would be one of those boring days. The ones where nothing would happen and all he had to do the whole day was boring mountains of paperwork. He absolutely loathed working behind a desk which was one of the reasons why he declined many a promotion.

I think a little drink is vital to start the day.

Chase opened one of the drawers of his wooden desk and took out a small bottle of whiskey along with a stained shot glass. He poured some into the glass and toasting to nopony in particular, he drank the whole cup. Suddenly, there was a sharp rap on the door. Panicking, Chase closed the bottle of whiskey and threw it and the shot glass into the bottom drawer.

"Uh... door's open!" shouted Chase as he kicked the drawer shut. He wiped his mouth and wiped his hooves on his white undershirt as the door opened a crack.

A familiar face poked his head in.

"Chief! What can I do for you?!" exclaimed Chase. "Come on in. Sorry about the uh... state of this room."

The Police Chief smiled, clearly glad to see an old friend. He stepped into the room, gently closing the door behind him.

"Hey, how's my star detective?" teased the Chief. Chase rose from his chair and went around his desk to shake the Chief's hoof. They both laughed as they slapped each other on the back. The Chief had greying hair and a neat beard with a stout body. The effects of spending months behind a desk. Chase and the Chief went way back. They were good friends and respected each other.

"Doin' absolutely fine, Chief. So uh... what are you here for? Have a special case for me or something?"

"Not exactly, Chase. I need you to meet me in my office around five o'clock later in the evening."

"Uh... can I ask what for?"

"You'll find out soon enough. Anyways, I gotta rush. There's a press release I gotta get to. Catch you later."

"Hey, you still owe me that beer!"

"Hah, how about the weekend? Me and some of the old 'veterans' are meeting up for a good ol' round of drinking at the Plumed Peacock around seven at night. Be there?"

"A chance to hang out with the 'legends'? You bet your boots I'll be there!"

"Alright, see you later!"

The door of the office closed and the room fell silent once more. Chase sat back down on his rickety office chair.

Meet him in his office? For what? What's so important he couldn't tell me right then and there?

For the rest of the evening, Chase couldn't take his mind off the Chief's strange request. As he finished filling paperwork after paperwork, his mind went wild with guesses.

Am I getting fired? Why? Was it my drinking habit? Nah, the Chief wouldn't fire me for a petty matter like that. He knows that I drink a little on the job and he lets it slide cos' we go way back. Is it a special case he wants me to work on? Then why can't he just give me the case files right then and there? Could I be getting 'forcibly retired'? Maybe I'm too old for this job to be of any use to anyone anymore. Could I finally be getting replaced by another cop? One that's more tech-savvy and 'modernized'?

As the clock slowly made it's way to the 5 o'clock mark, Chase was absolutely nerve wracked. He didn't like being kept in the dark. As the clock ticked to five, Chase grabbed his coat and hat and trotted to the Chief's office. He stood outside the Chief's door. He took a few deep breaths.

This might be it. The end of the line. I knew this day would come but I didn't think it'd be this soon.

He put his hoof on the doorknob, inhaled deeply, and turned it.

"Chief? I'm here and..."

Chase stopped dead in his tracks. There was somepony else sitting on one of the chairs in front of the Chief's desk. A pegasus. He looked young and fresh.

Must be a new guy. His uniform is way too clean.

"Chase, glad you could make it!" exclaimed the Chief as he stood up from his seat behind his desk. Chase and the Chief both shook hooves before turning their attention to the newcomer. The rookie cop had stood up and offered his hoof to Chase but Chase ignored him.

"Who is this, exactly?" questioned Chase. The rookie put his hoof down, clearly feeling awkward at having been declined a hoofshake.

"This, my friend, is Sharp Edge. He's fresh out of the Academy and has a bright future ahead of him. He's got a helluva track record too. Almost scored full at his marksmanship test and no disciplinary actions taken against him. He's also proven himself as a capable team member and trustworthy policecolt. He even broke your record in the shooting course, Chase."

"Oh, I'm not that great really," said the rookie, blushing a little.

"Yeah well, good for you. Anyway Chief, what has this got to do with me?"

"Well, this promising recruit needs an able and capable role model. Someone to take him under his or her wing."

Is he saying what I think he's saying?

"Chief... are you saying that he's gonna be MY partner?"

"Well, to put it bluntly. Yes."

"Ugh... Chief. We talked about this. You know I don't do partners. Uh... no offense filly."

"None taken. If you don't want me as your partner, I think that's absolutely fine!" assured the rookie.

"Uh, rookie, can you excuse us for a moment?" said the Chief. The rookie left the room with a puzzled look. As the door closed behind him, the Chief wasted no time explaining.

"Look Chase, I think he'll be good for you. He's young and bright. He'll be able to help you."

"Help me? I'm perfectly fine with my current situation Chief! I don't think I need any 'help'."

"Chase... listen. You're different. I don't know what happened. I remember when you were at the top of your game. I remembered when you were in the headlines every single day! 'Chase Powers Takes Down Criminal Kingpin!'. 'Detective Powers Determined To Save The City!'. 'Chase Chases Away Crime!'. Now look at you. You're a wreck. You need someone to set you straight. Do this... for me. For old times' sakes."

"I can't believe this..." said Chase as he paced back and forth. "You know what. Fine. But if he screws up on my watch, he's off. Then you can find some other pony for him to be partner with."

"Thank you, Chase. I promise you he'll be a good partner. Start out small with some small-time cases and work your way up from there," smiled the Chief.

Yeah yeah, whatever.

Chase walked out of the Chief's office. He scanned the hall for the rookie.

There he is. Flirting with the Chief's secretary no less.

Chase approached him.

"So, I was thinking, Friday night... maybe we could catch dinner or something... Ow ow ow!" yelped the rookie as Chase dragged him away by the ear.

"What was that for?" asked Sharp, freeing himself from Chase's grasp.

"Listen Casanova, contrary to popular belief, we are NOT partners. Let's make that clear. You and I are not, and never will be, partners. You are my 'backup'. Which means you stay far away from me unless I call you. Which will be never. Understand?"

"Okay okay, sheesh."

"Good, and since I am superior in rank, you have to follow my orders. Now, I want you to clean up my office. I don't want to see a single speck of dust when I come back in the morning. I'm gonna go home. See you later filly." snickered Chase as he left Sharp standing there in the hallway.

With any luck, he'll be begging the Chief for a transfer.