From the Files of Shadows Inc.
File 01 : Escaped Gorilla
Roll Call: Anthony Baker
Derek Lone
The weather seemed perfect, it was the type one would imagine for an idyllic autumn stroll in the park – specifically, Central Park on a Sunday Afternoon. The sun was not too hot, and its rays were bright with just enough of a breeze to see the leaves swirl – picture perfect, post-card style. All these registered into Anthony Baker’s mind as he casually lazed in one of numerous park benches near the outskirts of the park.
The trees were starting to give up their near orange-hued leaves, allowing them to drop one or two at a time… and Derek was taking the time to exercise a new past-time; that being a relaxing mode of observing people move through the park’s walkways, pathways or simply through the area in a straight line – avoiding obstacles where necessary.
Tony, 6 feet, medium built, Caucasian, dark hair, clean shaven, with a slight haggard look – as he’d probably describe himself - by way of his reflection from an earlier shop window; liked this particular spot because it presented him with a view of one cross-road, thus doubling his viewing pleasure. It was not just the women – and there were more than enough head turners either jogging or walking to work; rather it was the whole gamut of life that this city had to offer.
How many just passed each other – oblivious of their shared world, or how some reacted or even socialized with each other when meeting familiar faces. This was Tony’s favorite hobby – seeing people, observing them, with the trained eye that a police detective would have… yet in this case, just absorbing the multitude of images that his mind could process. Part of this was also a mental exercise – seeing a face, wondering if, for the first time, this was a face he had not seen before – or when seemingly remembering a familiar face, he would extrapolate from his mind where and possibly when he had seen this person before – and paint a picture of what this person was wearing then, and now.
Make no mistake, though… Tony was not a person in possession of photographic memory – far from it, he’d just as easily forget where he’d put his keys if he had not gotten a key chain and attached it to his pant’s right belt loop. Nope… definitely not a memory savant - instead, Tony’s life has many memories he would rather try to forget… his recent divorce, for starters – then the picture of his daughter with tears, upon learning that he was leaving; moving from L.A. to New York – in an effort to pick up his life, after quitting the police force in the city of Angels, and being left by his wife. Life was the pits for Tony back there, the job had long hours, and his wife was distant.
At times, he’d blame himself for her indiscretion - one’s he’d discovered about, but had not pursued. On the other hand, she blamed him for his never being around. An ugly divorce battle was rearing its head up, until Tony just decided to forget about it, and let his lawyer ensure that his daughter kept his things legally – unfortunately, she was just 15 - a minor for all intents and purpose, and thus, in need of a legal guardian.
Sandra’s mom, Tony’s wife, rather; his ex-wife, Heather, tried to convince the judge that she was in the best position to handle her daughter’s finances until such a time that Sandra was of age. Tony insisted that the money be held by his counselor’s firm, to protect his daughter’s interest. Naturally, Heather did not take this sitting down, and tried collecting alimony to wipe Tony’s remaining finances.
Tony felt stifled and just needed to do things differently – and in a different environment, hence, after riding a cross-country greyhound bus for several days, Tony landed in the big apple, to make his mark, possibly putting too much stock into Sinatra’s lines about making it anywhere. With his near chiseled looks, and conservative haircut, he might have easily passed on for a TV star (some say he’d be a dead ringer to the guy who used to play the Green Hornet in those old campy shows) for and some would even think that he’d have a better chance of making it in L.A. than N.Y. – but after his marriage ending up the way it did – Hollywood land was the farthest place he’d like to find himself in.
Passing in front of a news stand, he scans a few headlines – soaking in the news, taking stock of the headlines. He’d like to read how this city’s crime scene was like last night – but that would be his old habit talking. Nope, he was not a cop now… and those days are done – instead, he’d probably be better served looking at the society page, possibly scouting around for future clientele… after all, where there’s a need for keeping secrets – there will also be a need to find secrets… and finding secrets are what Tony does best.
Meanwhile, in another part of Central Park…
Spotting a hot dog vendor outside the park, a man decides to get up, approach it and order, his trench-coat catches a little wind and flaps revealing dark slacks, a buttoned down shirt and necktie loosely hung around his collar, both dark-colored to present an almost totally black wardrobe. His head’s close-cropped hair, dark brown in color gives him a slight militaristic look, and his rugged features hint at similar regimen. Derek Lone, single, mid 30s, nears the stand and orders the all beefy frank with a semi low toned voice and a half-hearted smile; bordering on a smirk. One quick look at Lone conjures up images of "Bladerunner".
He reaches into his pocket for some currency, as the vendor busies the creation of the proffered sandwich. Business was doing fine – as fine as any gun selling business / ‘mercenary for a cause’ for hire business would go. The first a cover for the latter, and Lone had been ‘rumored’ to be able to move merchandise easily and successfully – though he seemed to suffer from a major flaw in the underground economy business of running guns – that flaw being a conscience similar to that of the character Rick from Casablanca – a classic that Derek would not admit to watching more than once, and a character he’d likely not admit to liking as well… except maybe to a few close friends, which of course meant no one really in particular. Conscience or not, one did not survive his line of work without being slightly paranoid.
Still, it was walks in this park that would make Derek relax a bit, but it was also a reassurance by himself that should trouble ever erupt, he’d never be caught empty-handed in any situation… NEVER, as a few surprised misguided elements often learned the hard way.
Lone has made it almost a habit to check his back for shadows – any sign that someone might be paying him more than passing interest. After all, better safe than sorry. His head suddenly cranes up a bit and his facial features come alert as he hears approaching sirens – police sirens, and from the sounds of it at least three cars fast approaching.
Has something happened within the park?, he wonders, and decides to satisfy his curiosity by checking the action out. If anything, it should be a highlight to what was turning out to be a quiet day.
Baker, likewise, hears the siren and he too wonders what is happening.
The last thing he should do is add to the crowd-control problems that the local authorities would need to worry about – yet he has had training… the least he could do would be to assist the local officers by helping herd ever enthusiastic observers from possible danger. He spots the cars parked and approaches some early onlookers deciding to ask if they knew what was happening.
A jogger informs him that he’s overheard from his radio that there seemed to be an escaped gorilla from the local zoo. Before he can confirm such a ridiculous story, a van parks near the black and whites, and from it disembark SWAT members – though not in a seemingly hurried state. If anything, they seem mildly amused with their assignment.
Lone arrives and notices the ordnance – his first clue that things are not your run of the mill police or SWAT case. Dart guns? Why is SWAT using darts? Closer scrutiny reveals Tranquilizers – so his only remaining question is who or what are they planning to use the tranqs on? As the SWAT team spreads out, Lone brings out a military-issued set of binoculars and scans the intended area. Using the intended location of the SWAT members, he mentally triangulates their intended target and realizes what everyone just now are beginning to realize – it is a gorilla, having climbed a tree to keep away from the noise and people - but its not alone.
His binoculars reveal that the gorilla is not alone… in fact, wrapped around its neck are small arms. Lone realizes that the gorilla has its young with it. Baker, positioning himself near a police officer with a radio, hears a similar set of information being relayed to the SWAT team – the gorilla will not be forthcoming as it will be defending its young. Making matters worse, the young may be too weak to the tranquilizer’s potency and any potential miss to the mother, may hit the youngling. In light of this, the zoo’s management has requested that tranqs not be used… thus making the easy route of simply tranquilizing the gorilla and picking it up an unacceptable option.
Tony strikes a conversation with the officer, and realizes this – both from listening to the radio and by some inference. He slowly introduces himself, mentioning his credentials and asking if he can help in any way. The officer just tells him to stay back –as that would be the best way to help… by keeping out of their way. Derek also positions himself near the same officer in the general vicinity of the now thickening crowd – though he holds back a bit, not wanting to attract attention.
As the police try to think of a possible solution, media helicopters and vans arrive – the latter, positioning themselves close to the action – or as close as they are allowed, by the cordoning police… and the former actually closing in, getting the ire of both the officers on the scene and the gorilla. One officer quips ‘now the circus is complete’ and Derek can’t help but commiserate with the feeling.
Tony, however is deep in thought… considering options, when he suddenly snaps a finger, exclaiming, “That’s it!” He tells the officer he’ll be back. Derek, curious, asks what Tony was planning and Tony sizing Derek up as possible help, tells him of the plan and asks if he (Derek) would like to help. Derek thinks it’s a crazy idea – but one that could work, so he say “Sure… why not?”
The two run off heading away from the park. Reactions from other observers vary from “… maybe they got scared” to “strange people these Americans…” this last one coming from an Asian tourist who happens to be taking video clips with his personal camera. Baker ends up in a fruit stand and purchases a “bunch of bananas” while Lone spies the gorilla cage on top of the zoo transport (a second one, since the first one was still stuck in an accident – the apparent cause of the cage falling down a accidentally opening).
Lone approaches the cage, looks around to see if anyone was looking… satisfied that no one was paying him notice, he touches the cage and it disappears. Lone then spots Baker buying the bananas, joins him to help carry them and as they starts walking back to the park, they exchange names for the first time.
As they arrive, carrying the bananas, Baker convinces the officer-in-charge to try things their way, since it is a low-risk idea that may just work and will convince the gorilla to come down, hopefully making the trick of tranquilizing the gorilla easier by injecting the tranq into the banana.
Lone sneaks away to a clearing and again checks if anyone is visibly looking his way… satisfied that he is not visible, he makes the cage rematerialize. He then returns near Baker, catching the latter part of his plan. The officer asks how he (Tony) is planning to make sure the gorilla eats the banana and is safely captured, since it will be difficult to approach without making it mad, which might accidentally make her drop her young.
Baker explains that based on his observations, the Gorilla, by now, is hungry and tired – so the banana will be enticing bait. As for how to capture it… this is when Lone steps in and explains that maybe a banana trail can be made to lead from the gorilla’s current tree, to the gorilla cage he spotted around the vicinity, pointing to… and showing where he found the cage. Convinced to try things their way, the police allow the two to approach the gorilla, as they lay out a trail from the cage to the tree.
As they trail is finally laid out, Lone notices that the gorilla is still reluctant to get down… to which Tony grabs a banana and shouts, “Hey monkey! Catch!” Lucky enough, the gorilla does catch the banana – consumes it and is thus determined to get some more. Both Lone and Baker retreat, so as not to pose a threat to the gorilla and it’s young. The gorilla does come down from the tree and proceeds to follow the trail – with everyone watching with batted breath. Even the media covering the turn of events, seem to be reporting in whispered tones, aware of the importance in not doing anything that would alarm the gorilla from its current path.
The gorilla eventually ends up in the cage, and its handlers slowly inch towards the cage’s opening to close it. Luckily, the tranquilizer is beginning to affect it, and it hardly notices as the cage is closed, and with it the problem facing the city’s police.
Everyone erupts into a celebratory mood, with high fives and even hugs being exchanged. Baker is the man of the hour, as the media approaches him while Lone keeps himself away from the media limelight. Lone realizes, however, that he likes this feeling of helping others… but he’d better get back to business, now that this situation had been solved.
File 01 : Escaped Gorilla
Roll Call: Anthony Baker
Derek Lone
The weather seemed perfect, it was the type one would imagine for an idyllic autumn stroll in the park – specifically, Central Park on a Sunday Afternoon. The sun was not too hot, and its rays were bright with just enough of a breeze to see the leaves swirl – picture perfect, post-card style. All these registered into Anthony Baker’s mind as he casually lazed in one of numerous park benches near the outskirts of the park.
The trees were starting to give up their near orange-hued leaves, allowing them to drop one or two at a time… and Derek was taking the time to exercise a new past-time; that being a relaxing mode of observing people move through the park’s walkways, pathways or simply through the area in a straight line – avoiding obstacles where necessary.
Tony, 6 feet, medium built, Caucasian, dark hair, clean shaven, with a slight haggard look – as he’d probably describe himself - by way of his reflection from an earlier shop window; liked this particular spot because it presented him with a view of one cross-road, thus doubling his viewing pleasure. It was not just the women – and there were more than enough head turners either jogging or walking to work; rather it was the whole gamut of life that this city had to offer.
How many just passed each other – oblivious of their shared world, or how some reacted or even socialized with each other when meeting familiar faces. This was Tony’s favorite hobby – seeing people, observing them, with the trained eye that a police detective would have… yet in this case, just absorbing the multitude of images that his mind could process. Part of this was also a mental exercise – seeing a face, wondering if, for the first time, this was a face he had not seen before – or when seemingly remembering a familiar face, he would extrapolate from his mind where and possibly when he had seen this person before – and paint a picture of what this person was wearing then, and now.
Make no mistake, though… Tony was not a person in possession of photographic memory – far from it, he’d just as easily forget where he’d put his keys if he had not gotten a key chain and attached it to his pant’s right belt loop. Nope… definitely not a memory savant - instead, Tony’s life has many memories he would rather try to forget… his recent divorce, for starters – then the picture of his daughter with tears, upon learning that he was leaving; moving from L.A. to New York – in an effort to pick up his life, after quitting the police force in the city of Angels, and being left by his wife. Life was the pits for Tony back there, the job had long hours, and his wife was distant.
At times, he’d blame himself for her indiscretion - one’s he’d discovered about, but had not pursued. On the other hand, she blamed him for his never being around. An ugly divorce battle was rearing its head up, until Tony just decided to forget about it, and let his lawyer ensure that his daughter kept his things legally – unfortunately, she was just 15 - a minor for all intents and purpose, and thus, in need of a legal guardian.
Sandra’s mom, Tony’s wife, rather; his ex-wife, Heather, tried to convince the judge that she was in the best position to handle her daughter’s finances until such a time that Sandra was of age. Tony insisted that the money be held by his counselor’s firm, to protect his daughter’s interest. Naturally, Heather did not take this sitting down, and tried collecting alimony to wipe Tony’s remaining finances.
Tony felt stifled and just needed to do things differently – and in a different environment, hence, after riding a cross-country greyhound bus for several days, Tony landed in the big apple, to make his mark, possibly putting too much stock into Sinatra’s lines about making it anywhere. With his near chiseled looks, and conservative haircut, he might have easily passed on for a TV star (some say he’d be a dead ringer to the guy who used to play the Green Hornet in those old campy shows) for and some would even think that he’d have a better chance of making it in L.A. than N.Y. – but after his marriage ending up the way it did – Hollywood land was the farthest place he’d like to find himself in.
Passing in front of a news stand, he scans a few headlines – soaking in the news, taking stock of the headlines. He’d like to read how this city’s crime scene was like last night – but that would be his old habit talking. Nope, he was not a cop now… and those days are done – instead, he’d probably be better served looking at the society page, possibly scouting around for future clientele… after all, where there’s a need for keeping secrets – there will also be a need to find secrets… and finding secrets are what Tony does best.
Meanwhile, in another part of Central Park…
Spotting a hot dog vendor outside the park, a man decides to get up, approach it and order, his trench-coat catches a little wind and flaps revealing dark slacks, a buttoned down shirt and necktie loosely hung around his collar, both dark-colored to present an almost totally black wardrobe. His head’s close-cropped hair, dark brown in color gives him a slight militaristic look, and his rugged features hint at similar regimen. Derek Lone, single, mid 30s, nears the stand and orders the all beefy frank with a semi low toned voice and a half-hearted smile; bordering on a smirk. One quick look at Lone conjures up images of "Bladerunner".
He reaches into his pocket for some currency, as the vendor busies the creation of the proffered sandwich. Business was doing fine – as fine as any gun selling business / ‘mercenary for a cause’ for hire business would go. The first a cover for the latter, and Lone had been ‘rumored’ to be able to move merchandise easily and successfully – though he seemed to suffer from a major flaw in the underground economy business of running guns – that flaw being a conscience similar to that of the character Rick from Casablanca – a classic that Derek would not admit to watching more than once, and a character he’d likely not admit to liking as well… except maybe to a few close friends, which of course meant no one really in particular. Conscience or not, one did not survive his line of work without being slightly paranoid.
Still, it was walks in this park that would make Derek relax a bit, but it was also a reassurance by himself that should trouble ever erupt, he’d never be caught empty-handed in any situation… NEVER, as a few surprised misguided elements often learned the hard way.
Lone has made it almost a habit to check his back for shadows – any sign that someone might be paying him more than passing interest. After all, better safe than sorry. His head suddenly cranes up a bit and his facial features come alert as he hears approaching sirens – police sirens, and from the sounds of it at least three cars fast approaching.
Has something happened within the park?, he wonders, and decides to satisfy his curiosity by checking the action out. If anything, it should be a highlight to what was turning out to be a quiet day.
Baker, likewise, hears the siren and he too wonders what is happening.
The last thing he should do is add to the crowd-control problems that the local authorities would need to worry about – yet he has had training… the least he could do would be to assist the local officers by helping herd ever enthusiastic observers from possible danger. He spots the cars parked and approaches some early onlookers deciding to ask if they knew what was happening.
A jogger informs him that he’s overheard from his radio that there seemed to be an escaped gorilla from the local zoo. Before he can confirm such a ridiculous story, a van parks near the black and whites, and from it disembark SWAT members – though not in a seemingly hurried state. If anything, they seem mildly amused with their assignment.
Lone arrives and notices the ordnance – his first clue that things are not your run of the mill police or SWAT case. Dart guns? Why is SWAT using darts? Closer scrutiny reveals Tranquilizers – so his only remaining question is who or what are they planning to use the tranqs on? As the SWAT team spreads out, Lone brings out a military-issued set of binoculars and scans the intended area. Using the intended location of the SWAT members, he mentally triangulates their intended target and realizes what everyone just now are beginning to realize – it is a gorilla, having climbed a tree to keep away from the noise and people - but its not alone.
His binoculars reveal that the gorilla is not alone… in fact, wrapped around its neck are small arms. Lone realizes that the gorilla has its young with it. Baker, positioning himself near a police officer with a radio, hears a similar set of information being relayed to the SWAT team – the gorilla will not be forthcoming as it will be defending its young. Making matters worse, the young may be too weak to the tranquilizer’s potency and any potential miss to the mother, may hit the youngling. In light of this, the zoo’s management has requested that tranqs not be used… thus making the easy route of simply tranquilizing the gorilla and picking it up an unacceptable option.
Tony strikes a conversation with the officer, and realizes this – both from listening to the radio and by some inference. He slowly introduces himself, mentioning his credentials and asking if he can help in any way. The officer just tells him to stay back –as that would be the best way to help… by keeping out of their way. Derek also positions himself near the same officer in the general vicinity of the now thickening crowd – though he holds back a bit, not wanting to attract attention.
As the police try to think of a possible solution, media helicopters and vans arrive – the latter, positioning themselves close to the action – or as close as they are allowed, by the cordoning police… and the former actually closing in, getting the ire of both the officers on the scene and the gorilla. One officer quips ‘now the circus is complete’ and Derek can’t help but commiserate with the feeling.
Tony, however is deep in thought… considering options, when he suddenly snaps a finger, exclaiming, “That’s it!” He tells the officer he’ll be back. Derek, curious, asks what Tony was planning and Tony sizing Derek up as possible help, tells him of the plan and asks if he (Derek) would like to help. Derek thinks it’s a crazy idea – but one that could work, so he say “Sure… why not?”
The two run off heading away from the park. Reactions from other observers vary from “… maybe they got scared” to “strange people these Americans…” this last one coming from an Asian tourist who happens to be taking video clips with his personal camera. Baker ends up in a fruit stand and purchases a “bunch of bananas” while Lone spies the gorilla cage on top of the zoo transport (a second one, since the first one was still stuck in an accident – the apparent cause of the cage falling down a accidentally opening).
Lone approaches the cage, looks around to see if anyone was looking… satisfied that no one was paying him notice, he touches the cage and it disappears. Lone then spots Baker buying the bananas, joins him to help carry them and as they starts walking back to the park, they exchange names for the first time.
As they arrive, carrying the bananas, Baker convinces the officer-in-charge to try things their way, since it is a low-risk idea that may just work and will convince the gorilla to come down, hopefully making the trick of tranquilizing the gorilla easier by injecting the tranq into the banana.
Lone sneaks away to a clearing and again checks if anyone is visibly looking his way… satisfied that he is not visible, he makes the cage rematerialize. He then returns near Baker, catching the latter part of his plan. The officer asks how he (Tony) is planning to make sure the gorilla eats the banana and is safely captured, since it will be difficult to approach without making it mad, which might accidentally make her drop her young.
Baker explains that based on his observations, the Gorilla, by now, is hungry and tired – so the banana will be enticing bait. As for how to capture it… this is when Lone steps in and explains that maybe a banana trail can be made to lead from the gorilla’s current tree, to the gorilla cage he spotted around the vicinity, pointing to… and showing where he found the cage. Convinced to try things their way, the police allow the two to approach the gorilla, as they lay out a trail from the cage to the tree.
As they trail is finally laid out, Lone notices that the gorilla is still reluctant to get down… to which Tony grabs a banana and shouts, “Hey monkey! Catch!” Lucky enough, the gorilla does catch the banana – consumes it and is thus determined to get some more. Both Lone and Baker retreat, so as not to pose a threat to the gorilla and it’s young. The gorilla does come down from the tree and proceeds to follow the trail – with everyone watching with batted breath. Even the media covering the turn of events, seem to be reporting in whispered tones, aware of the importance in not doing anything that would alarm the gorilla from its current path.
The gorilla eventually ends up in the cage, and its handlers slowly inch towards the cage’s opening to close it. Luckily, the tranquilizer is beginning to affect it, and it hardly notices as the cage is closed, and with it the problem facing the city’s police.
Everyone erupts into a celebratory mood, with high fives and even hugs being exchanged. Baker is the man of the hour, as the media approaches him while Lone keeps himself away from the media limelight. Lone realizes, however, that he likes this feeling of helping others… but he’d better get back to business, now that this situation had been solved.
Comments