Flying Colors

 345.

"Usually, at this point in the game, and as you know, we would start some kind of a quid pro quo negotiation," Sergeant Crouthers continues, "a tactic you masterfully used with Shoemaker, by the way, you give me this and I'll give you that, but your partner here seems to be taking a completely different approach," he says pointing with his chin through the glass at Mustang and Sheener. I nod in agreement and palm a 'quiet please' as their dialogue begins again.

"Let's play a game, could be fun," Mustang offers to an indifferent and bored looking Sheener whose slouch suggests he's and ready to call it a session. He shrugs a 'whatever'.

"What is your all-time favorite car?"

This immediately gets his attention. "You mean car that I have owned, or jacked, or just my all-time dream car?"

"Any, all, if I was a genie granting one automotive wish, what car would I deliver to your door?"

"1966 Shelby GT 500. Powder blue, five speed, two black competition stripes and a fucking Craig stereo with a 500 watt power amp and six speakers."

"Nice"

"Who is your favorite band?" The real Timothy Sheener shows up for this one, interested and engaged. "Nirvana, followed closely by Pearl Jam and then The Doors."

"Hummm," Mustang murmurs reaching for her pencil and making a few notes in her log, "Strong leading front men, Cobain, Vedder and Morrison, two of the three left us way to early."

Sheener appears to be confused by her comment, "Live fast, have fun, max out and die young."

"OK, just a couple more, what is your favorite movie?"

"Gone in 60 Seconds, Vanishing Point and Pulp Fiction, in that order."

Again Mustang makes note of his eclectic preferences, seeing, but not exchanging the obvious connection.

"Last one. What is your favorite all-time book?"

He is quiet. Mustang can already sense that it has been a while. She wonders what his reading comprehension level is. With a painful, self-incriminating and exasperated exhale he admits that he doesn't really have one.

"OK, what is the last book you read?"

"Does Playboy count? Other than that comic books and, wait, a graphic novel called Sandman by Neil somebody or other."

"Gaiman. OK, now Part Two of our game. You ready?

"I guess."

"I am going to give you a book to read. You have one week to finish it. Exactly eight days after delivery, that will be tomorrow if you agree, we'll sit and discuss it. What do you say?"

"What book?"

"It is called A Man in Full by Thomas Wolfe. I think you'll like it. The main character reminds me a lot of you."

Timothy Sheener sits with his hands still shackled to the tabletop. Even with this restricted range of motion he opens his hands in the universal gesture of 'sure, why not?'

"What have I got to lose?" He adds to the gesture.

Mustang nods in agreement, collects her notes and rises to leave.

"See you tomorrow then."

"Wait, how'd I do on the test?" Sheener asks.

"You passed with flying colors, congratulations."