Cliffhanger Theater!

Phil reached the top of the pyramid. He lifted his arms up and placed his hands on the trap door. His right arm shot pain directly into his brain. His teeth clenched and his eyes closed.

“Hey Phil, are you okay?” Bob’s voice dug into his ears, driving him onward.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to do that?”

Phil’s anger was building. He’s always doing stuff like this. He loves to make me out to be the chump. The wimp. The loser. I’m sick of it. I have to do this. I need to do this. I will do this. Phil pushed upwards with all his might. The rusty trap door didnt’ budge at first, but after about ten seconds, it began to creak.

“Phli? Is it moving?”

Shut up shut up shut up. Dammit Bob, I’m going to be the tough guy for once.

CREEEAAAK

“Phil, maybe if I came up and gave you a hand?”

I have to do this. I will do this. I can do this dammit!

CREEEAAK

*SNAP*

The door flew open. Phil was elated. He had done it, but at the cost of his balance. His elation began evaporating quickly as he felt himself falling forward. Phil arched his back and twisted his body, in an attempt to compensate, as he reached for the hole in the ceiling. His fingers found the edge and he tried to pull himself up. The crate he was standing on began to tip as well. His shoulder was throbbing in its socket, and his right elbow felt like it was made of wet spaghetti. He felt the box tipping further, and he pulled with all his might towards the light.

***

Officer Laura Black walked into Captain Hale’s office. He was asleep at his desk, and he was alone.  She walked around to the back of the desk, and spotted a folder marked “Gerrard”.  She waited for a moment, listening to the loud snoring.  Slowly and carefully, she tried to pry the folder out from under his right arm.  Laura’s slow, deliberate pace was starting to pay off.  The folder was halfway out from under Hale’s arm.
She began biting her lower lip as the folder slid just a bit farther.  Her progress was about to be rewarded, until the door rattled from a fierce pounding.  Laura’s eyes darted to the door, as the knob was slowly opening.  Her arm shot from the folder to Hale’s shoulder.  Hale’s head slowly lifted.  His eyes cracked open only to see Agent Garrett and Agent Lewis strutting into his office once again.  They had both stopped in mid strut, which he found perplexing.

“Captain, who’s this?” Garrett asked.  His sunglasses were still on, so Hale couldn’t tell where he was looking.

“Beg pardon?” Hale asked with a yawn.

“Sorry sir, I saw you asleep at your desk and I was trying to wake you up.”  Laura chimed in.  Hale craned his neck to his right, then his left.

“How long have you been here?”

“A few minutes.  You’re a tough one to wake up sir.”

“Ugh.  Coffee first, then you two.  Laura, is there any word about a search of Franklin Richmond’s house.”

“I can check for you.”

“Do that.”  Hale got up slowly, straightened his tie and stumbled into the morning light towards the coffee maker.  Laura followed closely behind, quickly walking past Garrett and Lewis, who made themselves at home with their laptops and lattes.  Laura whispered to the Captain once they were safely away.

“Who are they?”

“Government types.  Don’t ask.  They’re the bee in my bonnet this weekend.”

“Right.  I’ll check into the Richmond matter.”

“Mmmm” Hale said.  His focus was now lost as he started filling his mug.

Laura turned to the left and started walking down the stairs.  She stopped between floors and pulled out a cell phone.  She scrolled through her contacts until she found the one marked “WEATHERMAN”.