The Gift
Stephanie's Storyline, Chapter 7.4
copyright comidacomida 2018
Stepping into the sheriff's office, I saw that the entryway was neat and tidy with a single reception area at the far side of the room. A single window was built into the wall with a shelf at waist height; what I assumed to be bullet proof glass covered all of it except for a small slot at the bottom and a speaker was built into the barrier at around sternum height for me, but it was right at face-height for the lady sitting behind it. She looked up as I approached. "Hello. May I help you?"
Even though I'd been thinking about what to say while I was in the car, several different options bounced around in my head. Taking a deep breath, I reached out mentally and grabbed one. Nodding to the woman, I responded with a soft sigh as I placed my hand on the counter. "My name is Stephanie Brenner, and I'm hoping to talk to someone about my brother, William Brenner... he-- he passed away last month and-- and I have some questions."
The woman nodded, and opened up a folder on her desk. Pulling out a single sheet of paper she slid it through the slot in the glass and explained it, indicating each section by pointing the tip of her pen as she went over it. "This is a 'Request for Copies of Records' form. This top portion identifies you and the purpose for the request. The second section here is regarding the type of record request... do you know the case number?"
I didn't. "No... but it's for Willi--"
She continued right on. "I can look that up for you once you have everything else complete. Now... this next section includes the date, time, and where it took place, including any individuals involved. If you put your brother's name there and anyone else related to the case that will help."
"Oh... okay."
She continued her explanation. "Now... be sure to put the date here and indicate how you would like to receive the paperwork when it is ready-- you can pick it up or we can email, fax, or send in physical form to an address of your choosing."
That statement caused me to pause, but I quickly spoke up before she could continue to the final box. "I was... hoping to get everything today."
The woman (I noticed her nametag read "C. Ring") shook her head. "I'm sorry Ms. Brenner, but record requests can only be completed so quickly and our office closes at five. If you'd like us to make this a rush request I'm sure we can accommodate having it for you some time tomorrow; our records department hasn't been very busy lately and with the incident so recent it shouldn't be too difficult to find."
"I--"
She pointed to the last section, continuing on and forestalling my insistence. "Once that is complete you can bring it back up here to me and the office here will fill out the last portion here once we are done with the research. If we can't find any details on your request then we'll provide details as to why not by checking one of these boxes here."
Looking over the section she indicated I saw that there were a large number of reasons they couldn't complete the research but none of them looked like they would apply for my request. She'd gone silent, which I took as a sign I could finally ask questions without her interrupting me. "This section on payment information here..."
I was wrong; she interrupted me by turning over the paper. "Fees and payment options are included on the back under directions for filling out the form. An $8.00 filing fee covers the first four pages and there will be a $1.00 charge for every page after. If there is any audio or video there is a $45.00 charge for a CD copy. Photographs not included in the body of reports or records are $2.50 per photo or $10.00 for a CD copy of all photos in the report. Since you're a private party there is also a $5.00 records fee."
The numbers she rattled off were enough to give me pause; I knew bureaucracy usually resulted in fees, but I would have preferred to just handle it myself, which I figured would have been a lot faster. Sighing, I surrendered to the inevitable. "Okay... so when can I pay, and how much am I supposed to pay?"
She finally surrendered the form to me, explaining "You can pay the $13.00 minimum today... plus a $10 rush fee if you'd like to pick everything up tomorrow. Once a clerk has a chance to find out what's included in the investigation file you can cover any difference when you stop by to collect the research findings."
Although she'd responded to all of my questions I still felt a little pushed-aside. I had one more point to clarify, addressing something she'd said at the beginning. "Okay... so if I fill this out you can figure out the right case number?"
Officer C. Ring nodded. "Right. Fill out what you can and I will help with finding out any details you don't have before I submit the form."
It was about all I could ask for and I took the paper and pen she offered. Glancing around the room I caught sight of a short bench against a wall and looked back to her just in time to see her slide me a clip board. I accepted that too. "Thank you."
She smiled in response and slid me a second form. "Just in case you make a mistake-- these are official forms so best not to make any cross-outs or scribbles."
I took that one too. "Thank you again."
Three of my Spirit companions followed me to the bench and I took a seat; Anapa remained by the window and the receptionist. Medved sat down on one side of me while Kyle took the other and Tom paced back and forth in the center of the room. "I cannot understand why it should have to be so difficult to gather information. These are public servants and they should be more willing to assist the public."
Medved looked up from watching me write to address that question. "There's lots more public than there are servants-- they have to have SOME way to weed out the people who'd just come here to waste their time. If visitors aren't willing to fill out the forms then their requests obviously aren't that important.
Kyle's feathers puffed up. "You know... there's such thing as a request that's so important that forms shouldn't be necessary."
The Bear didn't agree. "I would assume important requests would not involve speaking to a woman through a glass window. Important requests would have a different communication line."
The Raven's head rose up further off his neck and his feathers puffed up even more. "I bet I could find something... right now... before Stef even got done with the paperwork. It wouldn't even be breaking and entering since I wouldn't have--"
Medved was thankfully paying more attention to what I was writing than what Kyle was saying; using the spare piece of paper I'd written "EVERYONE RELAX".
He conveyed that to the Raven and the Rhino. Kyle's feathers laid down and Tom took an indignant seat on the floor, flopping his bulk down without so much as a rumble from the ground. Anapa, in the meantime, was looking back to us and he spoke in Coptic.
Kyle translated as he stood warily. "We are not the only Spirits present."
Medved and Tom were up in a second, moving to create a defensive line between me and the receptionist window. Apana took a step back as a svelte, athletic-looking creature stepped through the wall. At first I thought she almost looked Human, right until she raised a segmented arm and brushed what first looked like dreadlocks out of her face only to reveal that the 'hair' was actually a collection of quill-like protrusions and the features beneath looked almost insect-like. Although I tried to hide it, I couldn't help but stare.
Her features were alien but I could somehow tell she was smiling with her sickle-like mandibles. "I greet you, Stephanie Brenner."
Tom cracked the knuckles on one hand merely by clenching his fist, leaning closer to Medved to proclaim "She knows my Nekh'dah's name."
Medved also stood guard, at the ready as he spoke over his shoulder. "Keep your distance, Lapushka... I do not know this Spirit and I do not want you in danger."
The insect cocked her hair to the side and issued a strange buzzing which, after a moment, I realized was a laugh. "I will cause no harm to the Seer."
Anapa, who was closest to the new Spirit spoke to her. She, surprisingly, responded to him back in Coptic. Kyle, who remained by my side behind the two Guardians translated. "He wanted to know what she wants, and she said that she has not seen a Seer in centuries, and is offering to help."
Realizing that I was still within sight of C. Ring my options were limited. I wrote out my question on the scrap paper and let Kyle speak for me. "How is she going to help?"
The newcomer replied "I can get any information Steph--"
Medved interrupted in a firm but calm voice. "We do not know you. You may not speak her name, stranger."
The Insect Spirit surrendered the point without missing a beat. "I can get any information the Seer requests. I am willing to fulfill this as my half of a Bargain."
Both Medved and Tom seemed calmed by the offer immediately, but Kyle wasn't. He leaned aside to me "Bargains aren't that bad, but we don't know her, Steph, and she might want something that'll cause problems for us or tire you out... we can do this ourselves."
Tom snorted, speaking at me despite still watching the new Spirit. "Nekh'dah, you should demand to speak with a superior. He was your brother and you have a right to this information."
Medved stayed on guard too, but likewise addressed me. "We can always wait. Tomorrow is only one day away."
Glancing to Kyle, I held the clipboard in his direction where I--
b) -- penned "Tell her no. You go look around instead Kyle."
c) -- inscribed "Can you Skin Ride the officer and convince her to help? Do that."
d) -- wrote "We don't need her... tell everyone I'm taking Medved's advice-- we can come back tomorrow."
e) -- quickly scribbled "What if she had something to do with William?"
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Voting is now open and will close as of Wednesday, December 12th.
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I choose E
(b) Telling her no and sending Kyle to spy doesn't feel right. Why burn bridges that might be useful, and Kyle (doing his thing) would likely provoke the other Spirits who aren't thrilled with his tactics.
(c) Again, tactics that most of the Spirits would rather avoid -- can only lead to trouble.
(d) While a final option, all avenues should be examined in the event that something better may be waiting.
(E) seems like the best approach, because it throws the discussion back to the Spirits, and perhaps a mutual decision would be reached -- like asking what Bargain the insect-lady has in mind. ;)
My choice is (E)!
Plus, insects? Eeesh. ;)
-TGU.