Three cops get on a the subway at 59th street. I get on with them.
So they were all dismissed.
They’re still yours, though.
Yeah. Five resisting arrest…
They are talking shop. Short but constant bursts, like a three-way drum circle. No officer dominating even thought one is clearly senior.
Second shift. I worked second shift last night. Everyone has to.
Yeah, I saw it posted on the wall.
It isn’t casual banter, to kill time. They are intent. As though this train trip is their only chance to map out a maze they are in.
That lady in [some office.] She’s the worst. She sent me to the 17th floor!
My brother-in-law told me…you gotta go to the office on 31st street.
The train stops. They all step out to let new passengers on first.
On the subway platform, in public, there is no talking. Maybe because they are on the lookout. Or maybe because, on the outside, there is no admission of how confused they are.
The philosopher Weber defined government as the group that “claims the monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force.” People debate whether or not the police exercise restraint. But no one seriously questions their right, when absolutely necessary, to use “physical force.” Which means that these three men, stealing a moment to pool knowledge and figure out what the fuck is going on…they are our government.
The cops step back in and resume immediately.
No one told me. Guess I’m just disposable.
You just figuring that out now?