Stage 2-6

**Stage 2-6** is a story stage of Chapter 2: The Meet-Cute Conspiracy.

MC arrives at Loveland Police Department - the time is 1:00pm. Introducing herself as a special correspondent for City News to a nearby police officer, MC asks on Gavin's whereabouts - he is noticeably taken back by her request. Cryptically, the officer asks if MC had gotten on someone's *"bad side"* whilst also suggesting that meeting Gavin may have been a punishment from her supervisor. The officer, whispering to MC, then explains that Gavin had suddenly been transferred to the branch last week - reportedly being negligent of work ever since alongside talking to thugs on the street - with the Chief himself being hesitant to give him cases. The officer then adds, encouraged by MC's questions, that Gavin is rumoured to be the son of an officer higher in command - subsequently fuelling the department's unwillingness to interact with him.

A voice speaks - it had overheard everything, and didn't take lightly to being called a *"big shot's boy."* Officer Landsman, jumping in response to the sharp tone, is quick to deny the words and is equally as fast to shift the focus back onto MC. As MC turns towards the direction of the voice, she sees *"a tall guy wearing all denim"*, his *"strong, uptight"* demeanour present even without a proper uniform - his gaze had fixed itself onto MC, causing her to be nervous, yet his lips had formed a mischievous smile regardless. Rather strangely, he asks if MC remembers him. Soon enough, MC suddenly feels the urge to run away - pinning all of her uneasy feelings in the past few days onto this singular moment - as she recalls his face, "*a blood-soaked letter,"* andthe realisation that both of them went to same high school.

MC recalls more about Gavin: an infamous problem student, holding a reputation built upon violence - he's rumoured to have fought a P.E. teacher once, too. Just as the Police Department were reluctant to speak to him, his school life was no different. As MC remembers multiple details to herself - including an incident where Gavin had cornered a boy behind the school and again, the letter which is not yet elaborated on - Gavin suddenly asks MC if anything is wrong. Being pulled back into the moment, MC expresses her disbelief in Gavin's occupation as a police officer - believing, surely, that he does not go entirely by the book if her experience and Officer Landsman's encounter is anything to go by. Due to this, Gavin jokingly remarks that *"you probably thought I would be in jail rather than a police station, right?"* but the intended lightheartedness in his words fail to reach MC.

After MC reacts to his question, Gavin leads the way out of the station - feeling as if she has no other choice, MC follows him. Tall, and a fast walker to boot, MC has trouble keeping up with the boy - already falling behind as to knowing what exactly the initial report call or what this investigation is about. As a result, Gavin hands MC a folder whilst also adjusting his pace to match hers; a subtle act of consideration, much to her surprise. In addition, Gavin also suggests that, if needed, he'd be willing to help in MC's shows in the future - outwardly, MC thanks him, but inwardly she admits that, even though he'd *"look great on camera,*" she feels as if she lacks the courage to approach him in the first place.

## Script

*Expand for script.*

* 1 p.m. Loveland Police Department.
* **MC**: Hi, officer. I'm a special correspondent for City News. I'm looking for Officer Gavin.
* **Middle-aged Man**: Gavin? Are you sure?
* **MC**: Yes... Officer Gavin. What's wrong?
* **Middle-aged Man**: Listen sweetie, just for your own good... Did you maybe get on someone's bad side at work?
* **MC**: Ah?
* **Middle-aged Man**: Your supervisor wants you to meet Gavin. Maybe he's trying to punish you!
* The middle-aged officer looked around, then whispered to me:
* **Middle-aged Man**: Last week this Officer Gavin was suddenly transferred in. I thought he was gonna get his act together, but...
* **Middle-aged Man**: He hasn't done any real work yet! The other day, I saw him talking to some local hood on the street. \*Tsk, tsk\*
* **Middle-aged Man**: The chief doesn't dare give him any cases--
* **MC**: Re-- really? What's that all about?
* **Middle-aged Man**: Word around the office is he's the son of one of the higher ups.
* **Middle-aged Man**: (Looks around and whispers) Just think, if he's some big shot's boy... We should just stay away!
* **Middle-aged Man**: So what I suggest to you is, go back to your office and dump this assignment on someone else!
* **??**: Officer Landsman, just who were you saying is a "big shot's boy"?
* The voice made Officer Landsman jump.
* **Middle-aged Man**: Hey! Officer Gavin... Nothing! She's just looking for you, and you weren't here.
* I looked back. A tall guy wearing all denim was walking over.
* Even without the uniform, he still gives off a strong, uptight feeling.
* He fixed his eyes on me, making me feel a little afraid.
* He somewhat impishly raised the corners of his mouth in a smile.
* **Gavin**: MC, do you remember me?
* He stood still before me, and I remembered a face that was younger but also more untamed.
* And crumpled, blood-soaked letter.
* Suddenly I wanted to flee. Seems all the uneasy feelings these past few days were pointing to this moment.
* **MC**: Gavin... from school?
* Gavin. A notorious problem student back in my high school. More of a gangster than a student.
* There were a lot of rumors about him. Arrogant, callous. He even fought a PE teacher.
* In our school, nobody would dare to speak to him.
* I never took the rumors seriously, until one day I saw him corner a boy in the alley behind the school--
* To this day, these cold, steely eyes still make me shudder.
* What's more, later there was a horrible letter...
* **Gavin**: Anything wrong?
* **MC**: No, nothing. Just never thought you would be a cop one day.
* But from what the old cop said, he's not a straight-arrow officer either for sure...
* **Gavin**: Surprised? You probably thought I would be in a jail rather than a police station, right?
* He was smiling, but I felt only coldness enveloping me...

* Choice 1: Deny Instantly
* Choice 2: Nod in Acknowledgement

* **MC**: What are you talking about?! It's just such a coincidence meeting you.
* **Gavin**: You think this is a coincidence?
* **MC**: ??
* **Gavin**: Forget it. Why should we talk about that anyway? Let's go.

- **MC**: A little... After all, back in high school, you were a bit of a... celebrity.

- **Gavin**: So that's why you stood me up?

- **MC**: What? Stood up? I never stood you up!

- He looked at me with raised eyebrows, but said nothing.

- **Gavin**: Let's go.

- **MC**: To where?

- Gavin took a glance back.

- **Gavin**: To investigate.

- **MC**: Oh, okay.

- I can't say no, so I just follow along as best I can.

- Gavin is tall and he walks fast. I almost have to run to keep up.

- **MC**: C--Gavin! Where are we going? I still have no idea what this is about...

- He turned back, giving me a folder.

- **Gavin**: Once we're on the road, you can take a look at it.

- I took the folder obediently, and then I found he had slowed his pace considerably.

- Is he slowing down for me? I felt a little surprised.

- **Gavin**: If you need to shoot other shows in the future, you can come to me.

- **MC**: Thank you, Gavin.

- Gavin would be great on camera... but I'm not sure I'm brave enough to invite him on.