Police Quest 1 Part #12 - Episode Six: Rhythm of the Day

Part 12: Episode Six: Rhythm of the Day

OK, eight minutes to change and get to the briefing.

Sonny, it seems a bit... bright out, doesn't it?

How do you mean?

Well, it should be pretty late, but it looks like the sun is still out.

Why should it be late?

Well, we went on your shift... and then to that party...

Eh. Don't worry about it. Just enjoy the sunshine while you have it, I always say.

I guess.

Wait just a second here. Those guys look awfully familiar.

Of course they do. They're my shift-mates. Hey, guys!

Sonny, I heard a rumor that Sweet Cheeks Marie has the hots for you! You'd better watch your step 'cause those hookers will put their hooks in you before you know it!

Dammit, Steve. Tell the whole locker room, why don't you?

Ha-ha. He got y... wait a minute. He was on with you for your last shift, too. What the hell is going on here?

We're usually on shift together, yeah.

Speaking of girls, that 'Hoochie Coochie' Hannah is sure one spicy dancer! She drove the guys completely crazy!

And that JUST HAPPENED. How did he go to that party, stay for the whole thing, and still get here before you?

Boy, you can sure tell there's a full moon out! You should see the nut I arrested last night for being under the influence of drugs This dude was so wired, he was nude break-dancing on loose gravel. His back looked like raw meat!

And that would be disturbing even if that weren't GODDAMNED JACK! It was his party! He was just drinking five minutes ago. Tell me you're not letting him go on duty like that.

He's fine. Does he seem drunk to you? Later, guys! I'll be there as soon as I change.

...

Everyone who was at that party is here. This doesn't make any damn sense.

Are you still going on about that party? That was last night! Sometimes we do go to work the next day, you know.

But it wasn't! Keith traded you his shift!

Right. He traded me this shift. The second shift. I should be at home right now, but what can you do?

But you left early... I...

Look, you're freaking out about nothing. Let's go talk to this guy. You always like that.

See? Hilarious!

Don't even get me STARTED on the guy who somehow never leaves the bathroom.

Sonny... When was the last time you did something during the night?

What do you mean?

I just mean during the night. Night-time. When was the last time you remember seeing the stars? I'm not talking about a distant, half-forgotten childhood memory... I mean, like, yesterday. Last week? When? Do you have a single memory?

...

You don't, do you? I don't think the night even exists in this place. 'Cause we've been up for hours and hours, and the day never ends.

That's crazy.

You're damn right it's crazy.

At least we agree on something. Now shut up, I'm late for briefing.

Being punctual to briefings might keep some of those corrective memos out of your pigeonhole, Bonds! Now, find your seat!

Yes, sir.

Well, at least Dooley's ability to be a butthole also transcends time and space.

Dooley posted:

Sgt. Dooley says, "Men, we've received information from the Day Sergeant concerning a Missing Persons report filed earlier this morning."

"It seems that a Mexican male (physical description of 5'8", 145 lbs, black hair, brown eyes) by the name of Jose Martinez, was last seen by his wife two days ago, getting into a late-model light blue Cadillac. No one has seen or heard from Martinez since."

"This person has some previous arrests involving narcotics sales," says Dooley, concluding the briefing. "Be advised that this black Cadillac may be one and the same as the one involved in the recent murder of Lonny West. We have a partial license plate number of 'L964.'"

"Dooley then proceeds to give everyone their beat assignments for the day, concluding with yours, "Sonny Bonds, your call number will be 83-32."

"Keep it safe out there, boys and girls!"

Time for the post-meeting wrap-up.

I heard about that Honey you stopped last night who tried to negotiate her way out of a ticket by exposing the upper parts of her anatomy.

Of course Steve would have heard about that one.

You should buy a new watch, Sonny. You might show up on time, for once!

Ha-ha, Jack.

That's not Jack.

It looks just like him!

So all of those Irish look the same to you, is that what you're saying?

...just talk to the next person who says one thing to you and then leaves, will you?

Boy, Judge Palmer sure ticked me off this morning by finding that sleazy dude not guilty. What a judicial jerk-ette she is!

...jerk-ette? Really? That's what you've got?

It's probably best not to use sharp language about a sitting judge.

I guess.

That was Jack, by the way.

...

The next time Dooley embarrasses you like that, you oughta tell him to go eat hub caps in the parking lot.

Yeah, you should do that. That'll be great for your career.

Boy, Sonny! Sgt. Dooley is hotter than a pistol at you!

He's hot for you, eh? That might explain some of the latent hostility...

I think I hear the sound of a counterargument coming this way.

Sonny, the next time you sign up for graveyard shift, I'd just love to be your partner.

Yeah, yeah, everybody wants your ass. What, you've never heard of bisexuals? Just remember to check your mail, loverboy.

Your pigeonhole posted:

You check your pigeonhole and find a sealed envelope.

Ripping it open, you read a message from an unknown informant, advising you of illegal, high-stakes gambling in the back room of the Hotel Delphoria Cocktail Lounge.

You vow to remember the information, and discard the envelope and message.

Shouldn't you tell somebody about that?

I'll put it in my report later on. I doubt we'll do anything with it right away, though. Just isn't high on the priority list right now.

Strange that someone really thought you needed to know about it.

You never know what people will want to tell you about. At least this one is actually a crime, and not something about the neighbor's Christmas lights.

So, a late-model Cadillac, huh?

Yep.

Hmm. But it's not the same color or license plate number as the stolen one from... the beforetime.

So your theory is that people who steal cars leave the old license plate on? And don't possess spray paint? I think Dooley was thinking the same thing. Did you catch how he tripped up and called it a black Caddy once during the briefing?

And that means our time is limited here. Assuming time means anything in this place.

Right. Because if he's stolen one car, he'll steal another and we'll lose our only lead.

So I guess we better get out there.

It's like you're reading my mind. I have a couple of stops to make first, though.

All set?

Actually, there's one more thing. I've been thinking about something you said.

YOU have been thinking about something I said?

Believe me, nobody is more surprised than me.

You were talking about my job. And, you know, I love my job. It really is important work, even if it doesn't seem that way to you. Writing tickets every day isn't fun, but speeding and drunk driving kill more people every year than any serial killer you care to name. It's not a flashy job and most people I talk to end up hating me, but someone needs to do it. If I do my job right, they can go on hating me for every day of their long, productive lives.

I may not totally agree, but I can see your point. And this expository rambling occurs because...?

Because I've been wondering if it's what my community needs from me right now. I feel like there's something going on here, and I've seen... pieces of it, moving around under the surface, but not the whole thing. And, you know, I'm a good cop. I could always be better, but I know my stuff. Maybe I could be doing more for Lytton than I am right now. And after I heard that story about Jack's kid... I think I need to do more, for myself too.

So what are you going to do?

I'm going to go after the Death Angel.

You won't hear any arguments from me. Even if it weren't on the box cover. I may have qualms about personal responsibility when it comes to drug use, but it's pretty obvious he's involved in a couple of out-and-out murders by this point.

You think they'll take you?

We'll see. In the meantime, I'll do the job as best I can and hope it all works out.

So I get to help you write more tickets.

I told you before, you can quit whenever you want.

No, I'm sticking with it for now. How could I miss up the chance to drive around some more?

Ah, I see we're in for some good times.

Maybe the next one will have some really awesome name like "Eddie Stabz". Guess what he'll do to you if you don't cuff him in time!

I used to know a guy named Stabz. He was surprisingly low-key.

Or it could be Aaron Burr, and he could challenge you to a duel!

And me without my powdered wig.

Or it could be Patti Passion, and she could try to sweep you up into a whirlwind affair.

That name sounds familiar... like we met once somewhere. Anyway, Helen Hots tried that one already, and...

Dispatch posted:

Vehicle is light blue, late-model Cadillac, last seen near Jefferson High. Possible drug involvement.

10-4, Dispatch. I have him and am initiating pursuit.

We are.

I am not going to try to explain you to them. But you know what this means, right?

Oh, yes. YES.

CODE THREE!

That's right. That's how we do it.

Alright. We have to be careful here. At least one driver of this vehicle is known to be armed and responsible for one shooting death. I'd prefer not be another.

He can't actually shoot me, but I'm right there with you. Uh, in spirit. So you're not just going to leap out of the car and blow him away?

No. Now let's wait for my backup.

Oh, good. I hadn't done enough waiting yet.

83-32, this is 83-31. Sonny! I'll cover you from the passenger side of your patrol car while you make contact with the suspect.

Excellent. Jack's a good man.

Jack? Well, I guess. If he isn't still drunk. Get your gun out, Sonny.

I won't need it. Jack will cover me and I'll need my hands.

Just humor me, okay? We should present a viable threat until the guy is under control.

You've got a point, and there's nothing in the rules against it. Alright. Guns it is. Hey! You! Get out of the car!

Damn, that looks cool. Wait, what happened to Jack's hair?

Trick of the light.

That doesn't even make sense! He...

The Voice of the Game posted:

Be careful! This dude's dangerous!

Hands in the air! Now!

Alright, down on the ground! Keep those hands where I can see them.

Ok, ok. I'm lying down.

I'm putting my gun away now, since I need to cuff and search him. Jack's got my back.

Ok. I'll let you know if I see him make any sudden moves.

On your feet.

Searching the suspect posted:

You search the suspect and find only pocket change.

Plus, a loaded, Smith & Weston .45-caliber, semi-automatic handgun.

The suspect pipes up, "Honest, Officer. I only carry that for self-defense on the freeways!!

"Quiet down," you order him. "Hey, Jack," you yell to your backup, "how's about booking this evidence?"

"Ok," Jack replies.

Son, I am arresting you for grand theft, auto, and for the murder of one Lonny West. You have certain rights of which...

I know my rights, you jackass!

Just to be safe, let's read you them anyway, shall we? You have the right to remain silent. What you say may be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to represent you before questioning, if you wish.

This is harassment. You'll hear from my attorney!

I sincerely hope so. Into the car.

Good job, Sonny! I'll call Dispatch and put out a Code-4.

Now, let's see what's going on with this mystery Cadillac.

I bet there's gold in there! Or at least drugs. Let's say drugs.

Try the glove compartment, Sonny.

Right.

He-llo.

Hey, it's the man of a thousand faces. Or at least two. What sounds familiar about the name Hoffman?

I'm not sure, but it's ringing a bell for me, too. Let's take a look at this book.

So L.W. is Lonny West...

And J.M. is Jose Martinez. I guess his story isn't going to have a happy ending, either.

Do you see the gambling and blackjack stuff? Maybe that tip you got earlier wasn't totally random after all.

A suspicious door posted:

Say! The doorjamb of the suspect's vehicle is black instead of light blue!

A closer examination of the doorjamb reveals the vehicle's VIN plate. A quick rub with your thumb uncovers its number: C03456218!

Let's call that number in.

Confirming the obvious posted:

"Dispatch, this is 83-32," you radio. "Run VIN C03456218 through the computer."

Shortly, Dispatch returns with...

"Suspect vehicle is confirmed 10851! Lytton PD holds a signed stolen report on this vehicle."

"Vehicle information, 1983 black Cadillac deVille."

"Registered owner, Malcolm Washington, 234 W Center St, Lytton, CA."

Busted.

Let's see if we have more goodies in the trunk.

I hope it's not a body.

Nope. Just a big ole' pile of drugs.

Told you. Although gold would have been cooler.

DRUGS posted:

You open the trunk and discover a clear plastic bag containing a white powdery substance resembling cocaine and another clear plastic bag containing a green leafy substance resembling marijuana.

As you start to examine the evidence, you hear Jack's voice behind you, "Just leave that stuff in the trunk, Sonny. I'll impound it along with the car."

"Ok, Jack," you say, "See you back at the station."

If anything happens to my car I'll have my lawyer on you so fast, he'll...

Keep it down back there, Slimeball!

Adventure! Excitement! Towing! posted:

Jack comes on the radio...

Dispatch, this is 83-31 confirming Code-4 on felony stop, one in custody. 83-32 proceeding to jail. Request tow truck to location.

Dispatch responds, "Affirmative, 83-31. Code-4, tow truck en route."

This man is lucky he's going back in my car and not Jack's.

Hey... Hoffman. Wasn't that the name of Marie's weird john?

...

OK, this man is REALLY lucky I go by the book.

Hey, I won't say anything.

...no. No, that isn't how we do things.

If you say so.

Hey, you back there. We're here. Let's get you out.

I guess this is your big bust for the day, huh, Pig?

You bet. I'm all a-flutter. Careful on those stairs.

Bye-bye, gun! We'll miss you!

Our favorite place to be posted:

"My goodness gracious!" says the jailer. "Here stands Bonds again on behalf of the people."

"This is one bad dude," says the jailer. "What are you booking him for, Sherlock?"

Is he a bad enough dude to deal drugs to the president?

Shut up. Let's see. Grand theft auto, possession of controlled substances, sale of controlled substances, illegal gambling... what AM I missing?

Patronizing prostitutes?

I already told you to shut up. Oh, right, MURDER. How's that?

Let's just say "crime".

Book him, Sonny posted:

The jailer responds, "Ok, crime will do. Fill out the booking slip and give me his property!"

"What's your name?" the jailer asks your prisoner."

"The name's, uh, Marvin Hoffman, you scum bag!" he responds. "And that's all you're gettin' outta me!"

Deep down you know this sleeze bag is not the man he claims he is. You book him as "Marvin Hoffman" anyway, hoping his numerous felony charges will keep him in the slammer long enough for you to ascertain his true identity.

You hand the jailer the booking slip and the suspect's property.

"Ok, Bonds," the jailer says, "you can remove his 'cuffs and place Mr. So-Called "Marvin Hoffman" into cell number one."