Tossed Away Kid - Chapter 16

This is a work of fiction.  Any similarity to anyone in real life is a coincidence.

A special thanks to the Late Ed Wooten for his editorial help.

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Sergeant O’Brien first introduced us to Officer Keith.  He was a tall skinny black man dressed in an orange polyester leisure suit.  His shirt looked like something you would wear with a tux.  He had a great big smile on his face.

“So you must be my boys - great to meet you.  You can call me Big Daddy,” stated Officer Keith.

“Do you have a pink Caddy to go with that orange suit, Big Daddy?” Mike said with a shit-eating grin on his face.

“As a matter of fact, it’s green.  It was seized a few weeks ago, and the owner no longer has a use for it.  Do you boys have any experience pleasing homosexual men?  I only want the best to work for me.”

I blushed but not Mike.  He looked him right in the eye and replied, “The only way to find out is to try me out.  But then I’d have to beat the hell out of you, Big Daddy.”

“Big Daddy, huh,” Officer Keith then tried to slap Mike with a quick right.  Mike grabbed his wrist with his left hand and grabbed “Big Daddy’s” balls with his right.  “So, Big Daddy, do I pass the test?  If I squeeze a little harder I’m sure it will give you pleasure.”  The look on Officer Keith’s face was priceless - someplace between fear and dread.

Sergeant O’Brien broke into a huge belly laugh.  Mike released a very uncomfortable Officer Keith.  “That is the first time anyone your age has gotten the better of Chuck here.  He is kind of the station clown.  That’s because he never wins as the alpha male.  I guess he figured he could finally win that role with you two but it looks like you have him by the balls, Mike.  This is your first lesson in real police work, boys.  Don’t take any shit off anyone.  In school they probably taught you that Officer Big Daddy is guilty of assault and Mike could be charged with sexual assault.  But the way I see it, Officer Big Daddy, also known around here as Chuckles, was testing your reflexes, Mike.  Not only did you defend yourself but also you brought someone a foot taller than you totally under your control.  I’m impressed.  I think you guys are going to fit right in.”

We were introduced to the rest of the vice officers and all of them seemed to share the same sense of humor.  I guess it’s a reflection of Sergeant O’Brien.  My first day and nobody is treating us like kids despite our youth. 

Sergeant O’Brien took us into a locker room and handed us each a wire (transmitter and receiver with a wireless ear plug so they can hear us and we can hear them.)  We were each given a locker and stored our stuff we had brought with us.  Then we went back to Sergeant O’Brien’s office.

“It’s still a little early, guys, so I thought I would go over a few things with you.  First of all you’ll need this, Tommy.”  He handed me a City of Chicago Police shield.  I put it in my wallet right across from my State Police ID.  “I don’t know anything about you two except that you have done well in the first part of your training.  Mike, how did you come to be with us today?”

“Now that’s a long story.  Let me sum it up by saying that I was beaten up at school by some bullies and I decided to fight back - not by myself.  My dad employed someone to help me.  We became more than friends and last winter when visiting Chicago our situation came to the attention of the Mayor.  So I guess you could say that the whole idea of having student police came from me not taking any shit and standing up to the bullies.”

“So you’re the one I read about in the paper last winter.  I thought so but I wasn’t sure.  What about you, Tommy, what’s your story?”

“It’s not nearly as long as Mike’s.  My dad beat me up and threw me away.  The rest is a dream come true.  Everywhere I turn I’ve run into kind, caring, and loving people who have protected me.  Now it’s time for me to give something back.”

“I’d like to hear both of your stories sometime.  We will have time for that later as vice work is often boring.  That’s why I don’t mind some kidding around.  You boys are both young so I’m going to assume that neither of you has any idea what you are getting into.”

“First of all, in the part of town we are going into, people make a living committing crime.  From pickpockets and muggers, to killers and organized crime - and everything in between.   Any crimes that you might observe, just let us know and we’ll deal with it.  We don’t need you to make any arrests.  We don’t want to blow your cover.  The streets have eyes.  It’s likely that you will run into other prostitutes, both male and female.  Although they are not our targets, should they expose themselves we’ll arrest them too.  If they usually work the same corner you’re on they might not be happy with you there.  You can then direct them to Officer Keith.  They might even get their pimp to try to force you to leave.  Same game plan.”

“Our job is simply to enforce the laws of the city and state.  Don’t go out of your way to entrap someone.  You’ll often see the same car come around the block three or four times before they stop.  Don’t get close enough to any car for someone to reach you.  Don’t go anywhere near a car with more than one person in the car.  There are also gay bashers around that just want to beat you up.  Never get in any car ‘cept a police car.  I don’t know what you guys know about gay guys in general but I can tell you that those that are trying to pick up a teenager can be dangerous.  I’m sure you have heard of Jeffrey Dahmer.  Back in the 70’s we dug up the basement of one guy who had almost 30 guys your age buried in his basement.  There are some real sick people running around.  Some tonight will offer you extra money to have sex with you unprotected.  They have AIDS and they know it.  Lots of guys just want to have a quick blowjob in their car.  You tell them it is $50.  If they want to do anything else, tell them it’s $100 an hour.  Like I said before, tell them they have to pay your pimp in the parking lot one block behind you.  This will scare some of them off but that’s ok.  We’ll pull them over a few blocks away by a black and white unit.  I know I’ve thrown a lot at you but after a few hours I’m sure you’ll do fine.  Any questions?”

“When do we start?”  Asks Mike.

“Just before dark, we’re going to get something to eat first.  We usually hit a local deli or hot dog joint before going to our location.  Tomorrow you don’t need to be here until 6:00.  Any other questions?”

“Are we going to get some bullets for our guns?” I asked.

“Yes, we’ll do that now.  We’ll also give each of you two extra clips.  I know you have both had many hours of gun safety so I’m not going to harp on it.  Any other questions?”

I looked at Mike and we both shook our heads no.  We went down to the property room and signed for bullets.  We were told that we had to return the same number or the proper paperwork explaining the missing bullets.

We gathered up with the rest of the vice squad and went to a local deli.  The food was great.  I guess that puts to rest the stories about police only eating donuts and drinking coffee while on duty.

We got to the location that Sergeant O’Brien said was just a few blocks off the main drag where all the gay bars are.  It was a bit cooler outside with a breeze coming off the lake but still a hot night.  Dark clouds were off to the west and it looked like a thunderstorm was on its way.

The corner we set up on didn’t look real inviting.  The buildings looked to be about 100 years old and all but one bar and a liquor store were boarded up.  All were 4 stories tall and the upper floors seemed to be empty.  If the whole block was put to the wrecking ball no one would ever miss it.

Two of the vice officers took up positions in the buildings around us.  Officer ‘Big Daddy’ parked his Caddy in the parking lot one block away and sat on the hood.  Four other officers took up positions in two unmarked cars near the parking lot.  Two black and white units took up positions at key points a few blocks away.  Sergeant had his own car and was on the move, checking our positions and doing radio checks. 

The only way I know how to describe how I felt is sheer panic.  I was sweating like crazy.  My heartbeat was racing and I felt a bit lightheaded.  Nothing in training can really prepare you for the unknown.  I guess going through boot camp is not the same as war.  I looked at Mike and I guess he looked the same as me.  I really didn’t want to express my fears, as I knew the other officers would hear everything I said.  I didn’t have to wait long stewing on my thoughts.

“You see that blue Ford, Tommy?” stated Mike.

“The one coming up the street towards us?  What about it?”

“It’s the second time I’ve seen it.”

“Nice big smile now, boys!” came Sergeant O’Brien over the radio.  

The car pulled to the curb just a few feet away from us and the window rolled down.  There were two old guys in the car.

“We’re having a private party tonight and are looking for a couple of guys like you to join us for some fun,” stated the guy in the passenger seat.  He looked to be about 60 to me.

“What do you have in mind?”  I asked.

“Just some bedroom fun for an hour or so.  We have a room near here.  We’re willing to make it worth your time.”

“We don’t come cheap,” Mike said with a great big smile.  “You can plan on $100 dollars an hour each, paid in advance to our pimp.  He won’t let us go with anyone unless he gets his money first.  He’s in the parking lot over there sitting on the green Caddy.”

The geezers smiled and told us they’d be right back and drove over to the parking lot.  A few minutes later two black and white police cars pulled into the parking lot along with a wrecker.  We saw the men arrested and the car towed away. 

It was just getting dark when a flash of lightning lit up the sky.  I felt a few raindrops when Sergeant O’Brien drove up.  We got in his car and he drove over to the parking lot that Officer Keith was parked.

“This storm is not supposed to last long.  We’ll wait it out here.”

“How do you two feel after being involved in your first vice arrest?”

“I think I can handle it.  I was really nervous at first but I guess it beats stocking shelves at my dad’s store,” Mike answered.

“How about you, Tommy?”

“I was nervous too but I think I can handle it.  Can I ask you a question, Sergeant?”

“Sure, Tommy.”

“Do vice officers try to entrap and bust people just for being gay?”

“No, we don’t.  Thirty years ago we used to.  We would raid a gay bar and take everyone in the bar to jail.  We don’t do that any more.  But we do arrest gay guys for soliciting sex in public parks and bathrooms.  We don’t go into gay bars and do the same thing.  To be fair we would have to arrest straight people for the same thing.  We wouldn’t have room in the Cook County jail if you arrested everyone looking to pick someone up in a bar, both gay and straight.  We don’t much care what people do in the privacy of their own house as long as they are consenting adults.”

“I don’t know whether or not you have heard this story before or not but some 15 years ago in Milwaukee a disturbance was called in and a black and white unit was dispatched.  The officers found a nude boy who looked like he been involved in some physical sex play.  And had managed to get away.  What did the officers do?  They returned him to the guy he had just gotten away from.  It was the last time the boy was ever seen alive.  He was only 14 years old and he was handed over to Jeffrey Dahmer.  The police didn’t even bother to ask the boy how old he was.”

“How can something like that happen?” I asked.

“Police are people too.  They make mistakes.  Sometimes they just don’t care.  There were numerous charges that could have been imposed.  And if a search of the Dahmer apartment had happened at that time perhaps more lives could have been saved.  Serial murderers don’t stick out.  They look just like normal people.  The officer thought they would just let the two lovebirds have their fun.  Needless to say there was a rather large settlement with the parents of the child killed.  You will learn in the next few weeks something about being streetwise.  The best police are able to read people.  They can tell when someone is drunk or on drugs just by looking at them - or watching them drive.  But even the best at this can be fooled.”

“I remember when I was a young kid all of 19 I was in the Marines and stationed in San Diego.  It was my birthday and my friend bought us a 6 pack and went to a park to drink it.  The legal drinking age was 21 so I was breaking two laws.  Minor in possession and drinking in public.  A police officer happened by and we made an attempt to hide our beer.  He asked to see our ID and then informed us of the fact that we were breaking the law.  He also noticed that it was my birthday and that neither one of us was drunk, just enjoying a few beers.  He handed us our ID’s back and said that he didn’t know why he was being such a nice guy but he was letting us off.  He didn’t even take our remaining beer.  The point I’m trying to make is something I’m sure they didn’t teach you in training, guys.  There is a time to look the other way and a time not to.  I’ve given you an example of both.  Officially we get paid to enforce the law and it’s up to a prosecutor to decide who to take to court and who not to.  But unofficially sometimes a warning can be very effective.  Anyone who has been driving for a long period of time has generally been let off a traffic violation with just a warning.  I can’t tell you when to let someone off the hook.  It’s something you just have to learn.  I can however give you an example of a rookie officer who was a bit overzealous.”

“It was a few years ago.  He saw a car parked on the side of the street with three guys sitting in the car.  He pulled over.  He found a white guy, black guy, and a Mexican guy in the car.  They said that they were waiting for a friend of theirs.  The officer couldn’t understand what they were doing together.  Seems he had a problem with people of different races being friends and assumed that they were up to no good.  He got permission from the driver to search the car.  He found 4 marijuana seeds in the glove box and arrested the driver.  The next day after a night in jail the driver was released with no charges placed against him.  In the meantime his car was impounded, and he got fired from his job.  This is not justice.  Well, the rain is breaking up so let’s get you back to work.”

Sergeant O’Brien drove back around to our ‘curb’ and we thanked him for telling us his stories.  He said he would have plenty more for us as we got to know each other better and worked more together.

It wasn’t long before another car pulled up.  This time just a driver.  He rolled down his window and held up a $20 and said that’s how much he’ll pay to give one of us a blowjob.  I guess he thought we were cute.  We told him that wasn’t enough and he just drove off.  We heard Sergeant O’Brien say that they pulled him over and arrested him just a few blocks away.  I saw a guy across the street about Mike’s age watching us.

Another car pulled up and called me over.

“I’m looking for someone to spend the night with me.  How much for a all nighter?”

“You’ll have to arrange it with my main man Big Daddy in the parking lot over there.  He’ll give you a price,” I replied.

“Are you a cop?”

“Do I look old enough to be a police officer?”

“You don’t look old enough to be up this late.”

“Well, there you go.  Just go see Big Daddy and we’ll see if it’s my bed time.”

“Great, I’ll be right back.”

I could see the lust in this guy’s eyes.  He was undressing me with his eyes and it was obvious that he liked what he saw.  He did go over to the parking lot and was soon in custody.  Sergeant said over the radio that he liked how I handled that.

The guy we saw across the street disappeared.  After that it died down to nothing.

“I think that guy made us, Tommy.”

“What do you mean, Mike?”

“He figured out we were cops and went and told everyone he could find to stay away from this corner.”

“I agree with you guys,” said Sergeant O’Brien over the radio.  “Let’s move to a new location.” 

We moved about 10 blocks away with Big Daddy around the corner in another parking lot.  Sergeant O’Brien said it wasn’t as good a spot but we did make one more arrest before we decided to call it quits for the night.  We rode back to the station in Sergeant O’Brien’s car and he told us what a great job we did.  He said that tomorrow night we would be doing the ‘buy cigarettes and alcohol thing’ so we could dress normally.

We got back to the station and took off the wires.  We were told to keep our weapons loaded just in case we got in any trouble traveling home.  I’m glad we didn’t have to use them.  Then we had to do about a half-hour of paperwork.  This mostly involved just signing off on paperwork done by the other officers.  If we had made the arrest ourselves we would have had tons more paperwork to do.  The other officers were able to complete most of the paperwork while we were working the street.  By the time we got to the train station it was 3 AM.  I didn’t have to be back until 6 PM tomorrow so I figured that I had at least 14 hours to spend with Danny even if I was asleep 8 hours of it.

The train ride back home was uneventful.  There were several people who looked a little drunk but everyone left us alone.  We got to the train station and Mike dropped me off at Danny’s house.  He waited until I was inside before pulling away.  He said he’d pick me up at 4:30 PM tomorrow to go into work.  I went into Danny’s room and took off everything except my shorts and crawled in behind him.  He moved some, allowing me to spoon him from behind.  In no time sleep overcame me while holding on to my lover.

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To be continued…