Hours later, my cell phone rings as I walk across a busy street in the financial district. As day turns to dusk, couples begin to turn up on the streets, some walking into various restaurants.
I pull my phone out of my satchel and answer it. "Hello?"
A voice crackles on the other end. "Hey, Jerry, how are 'ya?" It's my father. He occasionally calls to check on me. I smile as I sit down on a bench.
"Hey pop. What's up?"
"I need you to grab me and your ma' some milk. You wouldn't mind, would you?"
I nod, aware that he can't see me. "Sure. I'll be at your apartment in a few minutes."
"Great. See 'ya." The line pops once or twice as he hangs up. I stand back up and nonchalantly walk into an alley. Couples walk by and look at me strangely as I check my pocket watch behind a dumpster.
The pocket watch is stolen, the vintage Swiss-made gear mechanism clicks inside as I check the watch hands. 4:57. I click the watch close and put it back in my pocket, just as somebody taps me on the shoulder. "Sir?"
I turn to see a police officer standing next to me. His look is questioning enough for him not to have to say a word. "Is there a reason why you're standing in a back alley?" I stammer. "Erm, no reason.." The officer watches me for a moment, before narrowing his eyes. "Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to accompany down to the local precinct."
I shake my head. "Not happening, officer." He yells and causes a scene as I scramble up the alley wall and jump into a fire escape. I flip him the bird as I jump onto a ladder and nimbly climb up to the roof before disappearing out of sight. I can hear him calling in a runner as I run across the rooftops to the nearest subway station.
Poll