THE CRUISER
The officer ducks to avoid the bright lights reflecting off his rearview mirror. He is driving his unmarked right on the speed limit, cruise control set, so Mr. Misaligned Lights should pass momentarily.
As the SUV overtakes, the officer aims his Deviance Detector at it. It buzzes, beeps, then displays, in green LED: Deviancy Index – 8. Disappointed that he won’t be able to initiate a pullover, the officer taps “Details” with his thumb.
The DD speaks in a cool female voice. “2014 Honda CRV, Alabaster Silver Metallic. Registration: Mr. Terrence Longfellow. Current operator: Miss Anna Longfellow (relationship: offspring). Date of last service: 16 May (four months prior). Stereo engaged: yes. Audio: music.”
The officer scrapes the back of his hand against his mustache, then double-taps “Details”. The cool voice resumes: “Audio: music. Audio information: ‘Can’t feel my face’ by ‘The Weeknd.’ Chart peak: 1.”
The officer tsks. If he pulls over someone listening to that, he’ll never hear the end of it from the sergeant. From behind, the officer hears a deep rumble from another motorist. Dim lights come into view in the mirror. An older, beat up Toyota passes, muffler growling. The officer, excited, aims his DD. After locking on it displays in bright red: Deviancy Index – 61. He licks his teeth in anticipation and double-taps details.
“2002 Toyota Corolla, Indigo Ink Pearl. Registration: Mr. Erik Jansen. Current operator: Mr. Erik Jansen (relationship: self). Date of last service: 21 June (fifteen months prior). Stereo engaged: yes. Audio: music. Audio information: ‘Spit it out’ by ‘Aesthetic Perfection’ Chart peak: uncharted.”
Cackling quietly, the officer throws on his red and blues and accelerates.