COUNTING DOWN THE YEARS

THE ABDUCTION

What is that feeling you get when a parrot repeats whatever you say. For me, it irks me so much. I hate it. Have you had a parrot do that to you? Well don't wish it, it's annoying! 

"What do you want with me? " Is what I  asked and the parrot outdoes itself repeating that twice. Twice with enthusiasm like living it's best life. 

The fact that I don't sound like it imitates me makes me more irritated. Why are parrots so irritating and I can't even strangle that tiny neck because of where I am and the owner then  you would go on and judge calling me bird hater. On the contrary, I actually love birds they are beautiful and magnificent. You know, the colours, beaks, sizes and all. But not so much when they repeat what you say in an annoyed croaky and not coherent manner. It's why this parrot in front of me is getting to my last nerves .

You must be wondering why I'm with a parrot I don't like so much. Well, it's quite simple really I'm at the police station in the chief of police's office. Three people stand in front of me, one the chief herself behind her chair leaning on it staring , to her left a female detective and a male one to the right, all staring down at me seated on the other side of the table feeling so stressed out. They can't detect I'm pretty shaken up by their lack of speech and mean looking faces. 

I could give them a run for their money in case anyone is hiring right now. Or maybe they don't care and here I am thinking we are best pals for all eternity. So anyways... 

If you think I'm completely innocent and would never even think of breaking any rules, you are too kind for your own good. And I think I already admitted guilt. Stress induced law breaking . I'm actually in the station because GEngTech which is the laboratory Drew and I paid a visit yesterday didn't like it too much that we showed up there. I would cry, 'oh they overreacted! ' but I remember we snuck in through the back door so we basically walked right into that one. 

Literally. But seriously, calling the cops on us! Isn't that a little too harsh? I know Drew and I are reasonable people, they should have warned us not to go there ever again and we would have obliged knowing well enough we didn't exactly think things through before. So they called the police on us, complete with blaring red and blue lights, the siren and handcuffs. In front of our very hard to please boss and competitive coworkers. Oh we are so fired and replaced! 

"Where is Drew? Since you are cutting me loose anyway why don't you let me walk out of here now. I have a job I go to which I doubt will still be there when I walk into the building but I was hoping to send an email to GEngTech Science Co. thanking them for not pressing charges on me. I know it's the last thing I will do before clearing my desk. Can I go? " I'm hopeful because I want to leave more than anything. 

"Can I go? " The parrot repeats. 

Someone hold me back or tie me to this chair or whatever because I've heard about enough of this bird and I would hurt it so bad. By kicking it in the air like a ball. I'm no Ronaldo but I sure could try and even risk flashing someone because I'm wearing a skirt but like I've already said, I would try. Ugh! 

"We are raiding the place tonight. " Says the chief looking at the others with a knowing smile. 

A knowing smile! Three law enforcers. That can't be good when they are trying or going to break some laws. 

"Illegally. " Adds the male detective seeming excited about it. 

Who are these people! 

"As thugs. " The female detective says smirking. 

Yeah, right! 

"The police robbing a lab. That headline isn't getting me my job back. " I say slightly irritated. 

And the parrot had to add salt to injury. I'm sure my face is twitching in the left side noticeably .

"Oh don't worry about your job at Repot Media because you already lost it. " The chief says casually walking around her chair to sit on it. 

"Well that's a relief, because I just love it when I'm evicted from my apartment when I can't pay rent. " I say laughing humorlessly. 

"You are part of the heist miss Annie. "The female detective tells me slowly like I should have figured that out already but for some sad reason haven't. 

"Say what now? " 

"You broke into a high tech facility. Haven't really been inside it but I know for sure they have to be very advanced with their technology. It's the what part of the name? Eng or Tech? " The male detective just had to speak, huh! 

I would say it's obvious that one but from the concentration on their faces decide to let them sweat it a bit. But after too long which is like two seconds, I want to scream and pull my hair then ask, "Are you serious? " Then bang my head on the table. Repeatedly. 

"Where is Drew? He's the guy you should be talking to. He's the IT guy. I was there just to support him. I really should go now. " I turn to the parrot sharply, "Don't even think about it. "I hiss. 

Well looks like that worked. 

"We need you both. You are both coming with us. We will be breaking and entering so wear your Sunday best. As a thug. " The chief says wiggling her eyebrows. 

"You get to experience some thug life. " The male detective muses. 

"Oh I can't wait to be on the other side of the law. " The female detective actually looks thrilled. 

Were these guys cut out to be police officers? Or did they just prefer to not be on the offensive side of law because of the consequences? 

"You really need to take a bath and a change of clothes. Yesterday's sweat doesn't stay fresh on your clothes when it's already today." The chief advises me. 

I don't like how she says things casually like that. It's all her fault I am still in yesterday's clothes anyway. I begrudgingly get up from the seat and collect my belongings from the table. 

"In case I forget about our gig tonight, don't wait up for me. Show must go on with or without me. "I say sounding hopeful like every other first time offender that is about to graduate to second. 

I'm not so sure how I feel about helping the cops doing illegal stuff. And it doesn't sit well with me. They just blink at me. So I shuffle my way out of the office. I feel a little light weighted. Not every day you get abducted by the police. You would expect they'll at least feed you, but no. They'll recruit you into an illegal mission after they've cost you your job. 

'Hey Annie, how are you doing? '

'Oh I'm good, everything is crashing right in my face. But I've never been better. I lost my job after being arrested and now I got me a gig robbing a laboratory with cops.  '

My week sure knew how to rough me up. When I thought I was making any progress, I get b***h slapped with all this. All I wanted was a promotion. I sure have got a lot but not the promotion. So how about a drink or two to calm my nerves. 

I know you don't approve day drinking but what can I say, I need a beer. Everyone needs it at some point and when you do you do. Okay, maybe. 

Only then will I get home and clean up like I've been instructed by the chief of police then rest up waiting for the heist. Who knew I would be live playing a heist in my young days. Damn, girls my age mostly worry about dieting and here I am. 

Whom to blame though, I'm not sure. But if you want it to be you I'm totally cool with that.