The Editor and The Policeman
by Andrew Edwards
Having enjoyed their meal, the editor and the policeman retired to the bar to enjoy their drinks in privacy. Discussion turned, as it always did, to both their core topic of conversation and the reason for their annual get-together.
"Busy year?" asked the policeman.
"As always," replied the editor. "Yours?"
"He keeps me busy," said the policeman, sipping at his whisky. "Seemed like I spent most of my night shifts on the station roof manning a searchlight this year. But we got some good catches. How's the headlines?"
"Good. Circulation is up, fifth year running. The death of newsprint hasn't affected us, thanks to Su--"
"Shh," interrupted the policemen. "Remember, no names. You know how easily he can pick them up."
The editor nodded. "Thanks to his activities this year. The newspaper has never been healthier."
Both men sat in silence for a moment. The editor drank his whisky in three gulps. "But I worry about him. Physically, you know, he can cope. Goodness... cope better than any man on the planet. He's built like a locomotive, but emotionally and mentally... who knows what kind of pressure he's under."
"Mine too," replied the policeman. "Granted, he's more vulnerable than your man, but his equipment and training give him the edge he needs. It's just, his drive to keep doing what he's doing, it all comes down to the trauma he's suffered."
"Both of them," added the editor. "You've got to wonder how much it plays on their minds. Both kids when it happened too."
"I wonder how much of it is an act, pretending to be a carefree and wild bachelor in the day, but living a secret life at night," mused the policeman.
"I can imagine," replied the editor. "At least I can keep an eye on my guy sometime, make sure he has satisfying work, is well paid, and has some kind of normal life to fall back on."
Both men paused. The policeman sipped his drink. The editor downed another.
"Do you think they know?" asked the editor.
