[ "They're watching me"1 ]

"They're watching me"1

"Sir, please step out of the vehicle"2

"No seriously, they're watching me. If I make any sudden movements, they'll shoot me, or you" Jessie’s eyes darted around nervously.3

The policeman standing by his car did a bit of a sidelong glance. You could feel his strong urge to turn around and check his back, but he kept himself in control and stood stock still, strong gaze directed at Jessie.4

"Sir, I am very serious. I need you to get out of the vehicle and NOW" The police officers voice rose and a vicious look swished across his face.5

Jessie didn't falter; he undid his seat belt and crouched down low in his chair.6

"B...b...” He stammered. "But really they are after me and they will kill me if I don't follow their exact orders. Jessie, they said. You take this there to that man and than you bring that home that he'll give you and than you can go. But if you don't take it straight there and come straight back, you will be dead. We are watching you and have watchers all over the city. 7

This is what they told me officer and right now precious time is ticking away. I really have to go"8

The police officer watched Jessie with curiosity, he could tell that something was up, but he certainly didn't believe Jessie’s story. Believing Jessie to be slightly mentally impaired he eased off a bit and decided to take a more caring approach, one he did find hard to adapt to, but required nonetheless.9

"Ok Sir, I do understand what you're saying and you must feel very frightened and confused right now, but if you could just step out of the car for one moment, I'm sure they won't be watching and I’ll be able to help you"10

"NOT WATCHING, NOT WATCHING" Jessie screeched, covering his hands with his ears and glancing around like a crazed loon, grabbing the police officer by his shirt and pulling him close. With spittle shooting out of his mouth he says in a very quiet voice "They're always watching, every move, every breath I take, they're watching..Watching. Watching me, watching me all the time" 11

With this he releases his clutch on the police officer and scrapes his fingers through his hair. He looks almost frantic now and he gazes purposefully at the clock. 12

The officer notices and asks "Have you got to be there by a certain time. What will happen if you're not back in time?"13

Inwardly Jessie does a big smile; he can see that this stupid officer is falling for his ploy. Jessie knows his type too well. His father was also a police officer, big, brutish and stupid. No wonder that Jessie's father left his mother for some young piece of meat, too stupid to realize the damage he was doing to his wife and children. Anyways back to the task at hand..Always time to 'reminisce' about his father later.14

"Look" Jessie leans out of the car and gets real close, knowing that he's putting himself at risk of the police officer smelling his breath. "They said they know where my mum lives and my dad. They're very bad people and I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I've been stuck now for two months doing deliveries for these people and I’m seriously going to cop it if I don't get this delivered soon"15

Just as Jessie said that, a sharp wind knocked over a nearby pole with metal sheet roofing and its loud bang was slightly reminiscent of a gun shot. Absolutely freaked the police officer made a crazy dash to his car and got straight on his radio16

"Shooting" he gasped. "Unknown suspects shooting at me"17

Jessie, after recovering from his shock, realized that he had been blessed by a totally freak coincidence. Slamming his foot on the break he took off, not stopping until he had reached the safety of his home. 18

The police officer, too frightened, dazed and confused sat there, slunk down in his car, eyes darting about furiously, until 10 or more police cars arrived and scoured the whole area to find nothing. When one slightly intelligent police officer came upon the pole and metal sheeting he put two and two together and everyone headed back to headquarters, with one police officer a very bright shade of red. Fuelled by anger and shame he vowed to one day find that guy and really teach him a thing or two.19

A few weeks later, Jesse sat on his front porch reading a book. He had posted a room for rent sign and was expecting people regularly to show them around the house. Just as he turned a page he saw a police car pull up. Instantly alarmed and nervous that they had tracked his car and were here to charge him for his prank, he sat bolt upright and rushed over to the officer. 20

"Um..hi...aah how can I help you?" Jessie’s heart was beating at an incredibly fast rate as he recognized the all too familiar face of the officer he had duped a few weeks ago. To his relief the officer didn't seem to register any recognition and simply said21

"I'm here to check out the room for rent"22