Here We Go Again – The Next Trip (6)

2 October 2008

2:30am

After dinner at Wanda’s house, Joders jumped straight back on a plane to wing her way back to the West Coast.  Over the next 24 hours she will be criss crossing North America, laying down the foundations of her plan.

No one but Joders will really know or understand the full ramifications of it all until 4 October.

Fortunately Joders has recalled just how cold it can be in autumn in the more northerly parts of North America, but nothing really prepares her for the cold as she steps out of the cab into the chilly night air.

She pays her fare and generously tips the cab driver.  Poor sap has a shitty and thankless job, driving fools around the city at all hours of the day and night but he was really friendly and really helpful.

Joders runs up the pathway to the front door of the building she wants to visit.  It is ablaze with lights.

She pushes through the heavy doors and is relieved to find that the heat is turned up nice and high inside.  Almost like tropical North Queensland.

Joders:  Phwoar!  It’s cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey!

All eyes flick to Joders and she flashes the men a bright smile which is some mean feat for someone who’s been awake and on planes for more hours than she can remember.

First Man:  Ma’am, can I help you with anything?

Joders:  Yes, as a matter of fact you can.

First Man:  What sort of crime do you wish to report ma’am?

Joders:  The name is Joders and there’s no crime…

Second Man:  You do realise that this is a Police Station?

Joders:  Fair Dinkum?  A Police Station?  I thought it was the local ice cream parlour!  Of course I bloody know it’s the Police Station.  The big sign outside sort of gave it away.

First Man:  (smirking) So, what it is we can do for you?

Joders:  I’m here to see Daners.

First & Second Man:  Who?

Joders:  (not able to believe that these people don’t know who Daners is)  You know?  Daners?  The female police officer who works the night shift?  (Straining to remember Daners’ surname).  You know, Officer McGillicutty!

Second Man:  McGillicutty is out on a call.

Joders:  That’s okay, I’ll wait.  Is there a hot drink machine in here somewhere?

Second Man:  What do you think this is?

Joders:  (sighing)  I think we’ve already established that this is the Police Station.  I’d go and see someone about your short term memory loss if I was you.

Second Man:  Do you know who I am?

Joders:  Yep, you’re Bipolar Hitler the dude in charge.  Makes no difference to me though.  I just want to know where I can get a hot cup of tea.

Second Man:  (throwing his hands up in the air in defeat)  I give up.  I’m going back to my office.

Joders:  Nice to meet you dude in charge.

First Man:  How do you take it?

Joders:  Beg yours?

First Man:  Your tea.  How do you take it?  I’ll make you a cup in the kitchen out back.

Joders:  Oh!  White, no sugar, not too hot.  Strong.  Thank you.  70s Porn Star.

70s Porn Star is half way out of the room but he stops immediately and regards Joders with surprise.

Joders:  (smiling)  Yes, I know who you are too.  I know lots of stuff.  Like how much I want that cup of tea.

70s Porn Star:  Be right back.

Left to her own devices, Joders goes to check out the 10 most wanted list.  And wonders why the dingHo isn’t on said list.  For crimes against fashion at the very least.  And for sucking the very life out of Whorelando.

Joders pushes the thought of Whorely out of her mind.  Whorely will have to wait.  She has much more important things to deal with at the moment.

Lost in her thoughts Joders doesn’t hear another officer enter the office.

New Officer:  Uh, ma’am?  Are you being taken care of?

Joders:  (still with her back to the new officer)  Yeah, 70s Porn Star is getting me a cuppa.

New Officer:  Joders?

Joders:  (looking over her shoulder)  Daners?!

Daners:  (hurrying around the front counter)  What the hell are you doing here?

Joders:  (in a strangled voice)  It’s a long story.  But if you stop hugging me so tightly I can tell you.

70s Porn Star returns with Joders cup of tea.

70s Porn Star:  (smiling)  Oh yeah, McGillicutty, Joders is here to see you.

Daners:  No shit, Sherlock?  Hey, could you get me a cup of tea too?

70s Porn Star:  Man, you’re really stretching the friendship you know?

Daners:  But you love me right?  You know how I take it.

70’s Porn Star simply shakes his head and returns to the kitchen to make another cup of tea.

While he is away, Joders explains her plan to Daners.  Daners listens intently, a smile playing on her lips.

Joders:  So, are you in?

Daners:  Wild horses couldn’t keep me away!

70s Porn Star returns and hands Daners her cup of tea.

70s Porn Star:  Keep you away from what?

Daners:  Never you mind.  Though…. could you cover my shifts for the next few days?

70s Porn Star:  Hahahahahaha, that’s….. oh, you’re serious?

Daners:  Deadly.

So, what is it about this plan that makes Daners want to leave work for 3 days?  And again, what the hell is this plan exactly?   Keep on reading.  Joders is writing as fast as her brain will think.  Which isn’t so fast some days.  Tune in for the next exciting chapter.