The Introductions

The ten recruits had found room CG460. It was part of an older building to the rear of the academy, not fitting of the vastly superior complex that housed the auditorium from which that had meandered down from. They all stood awkwardly. Small talk cut through the silence. Everyone felt out of place. Farmer stood silently ignoring all that surrounded him, he was trying to get in the zone. It was not working. Sgt Smith, in his usual march, headed toward the recruits, all of whom could not help but wonder what was coming their way. He approached the recruits and stopped outside of room CG460. He looked at the group puzzled.

"What are you all, sheep? Get in two lines" He barked.

The group hustles to form two lines. Farmer found himself in the front of the line, a place he did not want to be. Great, he thought to himself, face to face with Sgt Smith, the butterflies in his stomach intensified.

Sgt Smith paid Farmer no personal attention but looked amused at the group "that will have to do, in you go".

Sgt Smith opened the door to room CG460 and the recruits slowly walked in, each one reluctant to enter as if it would be the last door they ever walked through. The room was nothing spectacular. Your typical classroom with chairs, desks, a white board and a lectern to fill the room. The walls adorned with posters that had no fixed subject matter. They purposely hid the dilapidated walls filled with thumb tac holes and stripped paint. The room itself had a stale smell. The windows and doors locked for some time; the only air circulating was that of an old air conditioner that was well past its used by date.

"Ok recruits" Sgt Smith broke the silence. "As you can see, your names are on the tables in alphabetical order, much like it would have been when you all in kindergarten", he said sarcastically. "If you can't find your seat put your hand up and I will help you".

The ten recruits found their tables quickly, none wanted a verbal thrashing that would surely accompany being the last one to sit.

"It's not musical chairs recruit, sit down" Sgt Smith pounced on Alex Rodriguez, the last to find his seat. Rodriguez, almost sliding off his seat in haste to sit down was embarrassed. Rodriguez was shy and hated being the centre of attention. He spoke when spoken to and not before. He was taught from a young age that manners and politeness were paramount. Lessons that would do him a disservice in the ruthless academy. He did not respond to Sgt Smiths comment. He gained his composure and faced the front.

"Well, while we wait for Miss Ling I might as well get the pleasantries out of the way. As you have gathered, I am Sgt Smith. You will address me at all times as Sgt Smith, nothing else" he said. "Nothing else" iterating the point again.

"Stay on my good side and we will be friends" he stops and thinks for second. "No, scrap that, let me rephrase. Stay on my good side and I will be friendly". Sgt Smith said with confidence. The recruits all sat in silence, finding it hard to believe he could ever be friendly.

"Knock, knock, can I come in?" a sweet voice emerged from the doorway. Miss Ling, a petite woman walks in holding a large folder, weighing her down and almost dropping it with each step. She is dressed in casual civilian clothing that appeared to have never been pressed against an iron. Her hair was in a messy bun, held together by some poorly placed hair pins. If there was an opposite of Sgt Smith, Miss Ling was surely it. She approaches the desk to the front of the room and drops her folder which causes a loud banging noise.

"Oops, sorry about that". Miss Ling said, giggling softly.

The recruits are all taken back by her friendliness, a stark contrast to Sgt Smith. Farmer was happy to see Miss Ling, a ray of sunshine in a dark place, even though she had only been there for a few moments.

"You're late Miss Ling" Sgt Smith said, arms crossed, eyes fixated on her.

"Oh, hush Sergeant, you can be such a grumble bum sometimes" Miss Ling said, barely giving Sgt Smith a second thought. A sigh of relief came over the recruits. They knew she would be easier to deal with then the Sergeant.

"So, class, first things first". Sgt Smith takes the attention away from Miss Ling and walks over to the door. "When someone in a position of authority walks in a room, you stand up. It's a sign of respect. Do we understand" he queried the group. "You remain standing until told to sit. Why don't we try it together?". Now he sounded like he was talking to a kindergarten class.

Sgt Smith exits the room. Almost immediately he re-enters. The class stands up, but not Miss Ling who is seated at her desk. She has seen this routine a thousand times and ignores his entrance.

"Wow, very good team, I am impressed. Let's try it a few more times. Practice makes perfect" he said as he forced a sarcastic smile on his time worn face.

"Sit, sit, sit" he insisted. The students in unison sat in their seats.

Sgt Smith exits the room then re-enters. All the students stand up. "Excellent work team, please sit" he says happily. The recruits sit again.

Again, Sgt Smith exits the room then re-enters. The students comply with his instructions and stand up, all except Tobin.

Sgt Smith is puzzled at his failure to stand.

"Is there an issue Jerry?" he said, calling him by his nickname he had given him earlier on.

"I'm not an elevator, I'm not going up and down all day" Tobin said while looking directly at Sgt Smith. The two stared at each other. Sgt smith could hold the gaze all day, Tobin could not. He succumbs and turns to the front. The rest of the class are dumbfounded by what is transpiring but are too frightened to move. Farmer can't see the confrontation from his position in the front row, he wants to turn slightly but thinks better of it. He wants to avoid Sgt Smiths radar, unlike Tobin.

"You're right Jerry, it is silly, please forgive me, everyone sit down" Sgt Smith told the recruits politely.

Farmer remained standing, contemplating what had just happened? Why did the Sergeant give up so easily? He was confused by the situation. So much so he hadn't noticed the other recruits were seated and Sgt Smith hovering close behind him.

"Need a special invitation do we recruit?" The Sergeant whispered in Farmers ear, snapping him out of his trance and making him jump. The other recruits giggled and smirked quietly watching Farmers awkward movement. Farmer sat down bumping his elbow on the table, hard. The smirks and giggles continued to get louder.

"QUIET" Sgt Smith yells. Silence reigns over the class instantly. He walks and stands in front of Farmers desk purposely. Dread rushed through Farmers body.

"You want a band aid for the little boo boo on your elbow?" he said to Farmer in a very unsettling voice.

"No thank you, Sergeant" Farmer desperately trying to shift Sgt Smiths focus away from himself.

"Good" Sgt smith replied. Farmer gets his wish and Sgt Smiths walks away and stands behind the lectern.

"I'm sure you are all sick of looking at my ugly head, because I know I'm sick of looking at all of your" Sgt Smith casually states "so I am going to hand you over to Miss Ling. Miss Ling is NOT a sworn officer of the SPD. However, she knows more about procedures, protocols and legislation than you ever will, and that's why she is here. She is the brains and I am the brawn and beauty". The recruits didn't know whether to laugh at his joke or not. They did not.

"So, I give you Miss Ling" the introduction sounded like it should be accompanied by applause. Dell obliges but she was the only one. She is embarrassed by her decision and puts her head down in a poor attempt to hide.

"Thank you, but the applause isn't necessary. My name is Miss Ling and I will be your co-facilitator throughout your academy journey. Unfortunately, I teach all the mundane subjects such as rules, regulations and legislation. So, when you see me up front, be sure to have a coffee with you, because I will put you to sleep". A sigh of relief comes over the faces of the recruits. Miss Lings pleasant demeanour calms them, except for Farmer, who is still reeling from his brief face to face with Sgt Smith.

"I will tell you all about myself as time goes by, but first, I want to know about you all". Miss Ling said enthusiastically, far removed from the discourse of Sgt Smith.

"So, one by one I want you all to get up in front of the class and tell us a bit about yourself. It will be fun". Her chirpy demeanour did not penetrate through Farmers nervousness.

"Right, our first contestant is…" Miss Ling walks over to Blacks table and reads the name tag on his desk. "Mr Mick Black come on down" Miss Ling waves her hand showing Black to the lectern.

Blacks massive body frame dwarfs the lectern as he takes up his position standing behind it.

"Umm I'm not really sure what to say, I've never done this before" Black looks uncomfortable and out of place.

"Just a bit of background Mick, you don't have to go to in-depth, we have seven months together" Miss Ling says.

"Well, OK. I grew up in Dallas Texas, GO COWBOYS". Black shrieks and pumps his fists excitedly. Oh great, a football jock Farmer thinks to himself rolling his eyes.

"I played college football where I got my degree in Physics"-

Sgt Smith coughs uncontrollably for a moment which interrupts Black.

"Did you say physics?" Sgt Smith queries Blacks statement.

"Yes sir, top of my class if you don't mind me saying so" Black boasts.

"Mmmm carry on". Sgt Smith leans back in his chair, now paying attention to Black.

"I got a serious injury in training just before I got to turn pro, which pretty much ended my football career". His shoulders dropped and eyes became full of sadness. Some emotions you can't hide, no matter how hard you try.

"But after wallowing in self-pity for ages I pulled myself together and focused on another dream, this" Black perked up somewhat, but this is not his dream, it's a job he knows he will be good at. His dreams were shattered that day on the football field.

"What happened. If you don't mind me asking". Miss Ling enquired with genuine curiosity.

"Well basically I got tackled the wrong way and my spine was crushed in a few places. And that's it." It's a topic Black doesn't like talking about.

"So anyway, here I am. I am single, no children and looking forward to one day being in the Vampire Squad. And that's me". He was over talking and did not want to lament any further on his past. He took initiative and sat himself down before being told.

"Thank you, Mick. I'm sure the Vampire Squad will be lucky to have you" said Miss Ling.

Farmer was impressed by what he had heard. Beneath the confident, strong, bold exterior Black portrayed, he was just like everyone else. Black had emotions and had been through some tough times which clearly had an effect on him.

"Next we have the lovely Casey Dell". Miss Ling was hoping Dells story would be more positive.

Dell is wearing a massive smile and appears to be in her element behind the lectern.

"Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii everyone" the high pitched, elongated introduction by Dell pierced the ears of all those in the room.

"I think a dog in China heard that". Sgt Smith interjected, touching his right ear gently as if Dells voice had done some serious damage. Farmer was surprised that the Sergeant was capable of such humour and almost laughed at his comment. Almost.

"Oh, sorry Sarge, I'm just very, very, very excited to be here". Dell could barely stand still. Her oversized boots kept her grounded, just.

"I have always dreamt about being a Supernatural Police Officer, ever since I was a little girl" beamed Dell.

"I retire in a few years Dell, lets skip to the most important bits" Sgt Smith announced. His continued quick wit was surprising all the recruits. Yet no one dared laugh.

"Oh, OK. I was born in the Sunshine State. All my family are still there."

"Tell us a bit about your family" a curious Miss Ling interrupted her.

Dell wasn't prepared for that question and froze. Her family life was something she longed to forget. Dells short life span had witnessed drama, tragedy and distress, something no person should have to endure, but she did, and it made her tougher person, both mentally and physically. Dell also had a secret, a secret that could not be divulged to anyone and certainly not to a room full of strangers. She was unlike anyone else in that room and she knew it.

She snapped out of her frozen state and replied, "Nothing too exciting, Dad was a truck driver and Mom looked after us kids". It wasn't technically a lie, her dad was a trucker and her mom a homemaker, but she left out the details that ashamed her and made her feel wrongly embarrassed. Any truthful discussion that involved her parents would reveal the true horror of her past. She carried on.

"After school I went to beauty college and eventually started my own beauty salon, which was very successful I must admit". Dell was clearly proud of her achievement and rightfully so. She came from nothing to be something.

"But I needed more. I wanted some excitement. For as long as I can remember the supernatural world has interested me. So, I began training, learning, studying all things supernatural. And here I, a sweet innocent girl from sunny California, stand before you, finally a recruit at the Supernatural Police Academy. Go me!" Dells cheerful disposition was infectious. Her words put a smile on all those in the room.

Even the Sergeant managed to raise half a smirk. He turned to look at her as a sign of recognition. The look turned into an analysing stare. Sgt smith looked her up and down, as if scanning every inch of her. Farmer observed this stare and thought the Sergeant was being inappropriate and gazing upon her with impure eyes. Although this made him slightly uncomfortable, Farmer soon realised this was not the case.

"You're a unique creature, aren't you Miss Dell" Sgt Smith said, in a curious tone. Farmer thought the wording of his statement a mistake, but Sgt Smith knew exactly what he had said, choosing his words very carefully.

Dells heart skipped a beat at the Sergeants comment. She slowly turned to face him. She met his gaze with uncertainty in her eyes. The word creature was strictly a synonym for supernatural beings, not humans.

"Very. Unique. Indeed." The Sergeants fractured sentence sent shivers down her spine. He was no longer staring at her. He was staring through her. Staring through the façade that she thought was impregnable.

"But it's good see a woman with dreams and ambitions. I have read your profile and have no doubt you will excel here Miss Dell" Sgt Smith said as he snapped out of his stare and gave her a nod of approval. Dell breathed a sigh of relief; she thought the Sergeant was none the wiser as to her ruse. She was, however, greatly mistaken.

"Very good Casey, you can sit down now". Miss Ling was clapping her hands out of happiness. "Who is the next victim?" she asked. As Miss Ling scans the new faces in the room, she locks eyes with a nervous looking recruit. "You?" Farmer was the next victim; his time had arrived.

He slowly plodded up to the front of the class. He wasn't sure why he was so nervous. He usually adored being the centre of attention and having all eyes on him. But not today. Trying to make a good impression was engulfing his usual showman persona, leaving a shy man standing before the waiting audience.

(Taken from 'supernaturalpd.com' please visit the site for further details about the Supernatural Police Department).