A Policewoman’s Tale

It was already six o'clock in the afternoon. Night was gradually falling over Emerald City, a medium-sized city in central Celestria with a population of just over a million but a thriving economy. After nearly twenty years of rapid development, Emerald City had become quite prosperous.

As night fell, the dazzling neon signs lining the main streets began to flash brilliantly.

All kinds of men and women seemed to forget their fatigue as they plunged into nightlife venues of all sizes, wildly gyrating their bodies under the dazzling spotlights. The phrase "absolute prosperity breeds absolute decadence" aptly captured people's mindset these days. With material abundance came other desires. The city under the cover of night was also filled with crime. In recent years, various sex service establishments had sprung up like mushrooms after rain, and news reports about "busting prostitution rings" had become more frequent. But like any other city, there was no way to eradicate it completely. The police were always on the defensive, but passive or not, the work still had to be done. The Emerald City Police had intensified their crackdown, organizing several major operations in recent days, raiding several bars and hair salons suspected of offering sexual services—almost every single one was guilty.

Batches of prostitutes and johns were detained. Officers had been conducting interrogations for several consecutive days, hoping to catch the big fish, but with little success.

"Ma'am, please! Don't tell my dad—he'll kill me! I swear this is my first time!"

"Nonsense! First time? We've been watching that motel for days. Just in the last five days alone, you three have been there twice at night. And you still dare to lie! We've already called your home. Your parents are on their way. Only seventeen and already a regular john—I really don't know how your parents raised you!" Officer Emily Johnson said sternly. She had interrogated quite a few johns of all types these past few days.

But this underage punk in front of her still shocked her.

So young, yet he hung out like brothers with two johns in their thirties, frequently visiting sex establishments for group prostitution activities. According to the other two's confessions, this had been going on for two years.

Colleagues who executed the operation said that when they burst into the motel room, they were having a threesome with a prostitute. This kid was thrusting his penis in and out of the prostitute's mouth. When she saw the police, the prostitute panicked and nearly bit his genitals.

It was truly unbelievable.

"These nouveau riche families—the parents only know how to make money and pay no attention to their children. As a result, their son degenerates into a john without them even knowing. It's truly sad."

Emily looked at the boy in front of her, dressed like a hoodlum. Hearing that his parents were coming, he squatted on the ground looking dejected. The other two might be detained for a few days, but since the boy was still a minor, he would probably just get a warning.

Hopefully he'll learn his lesson, Emily thought.

As a female detective, Emily was deeply disgusted by the rampant prostitution activities.

Growing up in a normal environment with orthodox education, it was precisely for this reason that she chose the path of becoming a police officer. At 5 feet 5 inches tall, with a model's figure and face, without her uniform, perhaps no one could guess her profession.

Emily despised pimps and johns from the bottom of her heart. It was they who caused budding young girls to degenerate into prostitutes that everyone could have. She also couldn't imagine how more and more women were willingly engaging in this filthy trade.

After finishing the interrogations of johns and escort girls, it was past one in the morning. Emily and her colleagues returned to the office exhausted.

"Ah... so tired." John Wilson at the adjacent desk stretched comfortably and casually lit a cigarette.

"Men go bad when they have money. They really should be sentenced to seven or eight years. What's the point of detaining them for two days and then releasing them? In the end, we've worked for nothing!" Officer Olivia Smith complained while organizing case files.

Everyone at the station had been frustrated these past few days.

"Olivia, you'd better be careful when looking for a husband in the future. Good men are hard to find these days. Same goes for you, Emily," John teased the two female officers.

Emily smiled perfunctorily and continued organizing the files. At twenty-eight, she had been on the force for nearly five years and was still single. Her two previous relationships had both ended, the reason being that she was a policewoman.

"Hmph, if I can't find one, I just won't. It's better to live the single life like Emily..." Olivia shot back.

Fresh out of the police academy, she was in the bloom of youth and somewhat competitive.

"Olivia! Being single isn't all that great. Don't learn from me. I'm still waiting to attend your wedding! Don't let your boyfriend accuse me of being an instigator!"

"Haha..." Emily's words brought some laughter to the office.

Just then, Captain William Brown walked in.

"What are you talking about? So happy. Must be you teasing them again." Captain Brown pointed at John.

John smiled bitterly.

"Alright, everyone's worked hard these past few days. When you're done, go home and rest. There's more work to do tomorrow morning. Emily, come with me for a moment."

Emily followed William into his office. William took out a document from his drawer and handed it to her—it was the transfer application Emily had submitted a month ago, along with the department's response.

[Considering the actual situation of insufficient police force, and in view of Emily Johnson's outstanding performance over the past six years, the following decision has been made after deliberation: Emily Johnson's request to transfer from her current position is not approved.

Emerald City Police

April 16, 1999]

A month ago, Emily had submitted a transfer request to the department, hoping to be transferred to an administrative position. That way, the work would be easier and she would have more regular working hours. After five years as a detective, dealing with all kinds of criminals every day, frankly, she was somewhat tired. Now seeing her hope dashed, she smiled bitterly.

"I'm sorry, Emily. We're so short-staffed right now, the higher-ups are in a difficult position too. Let's put this matter aside for now. If you have any difficulties, come to me," William said apologetically.

"It's okay, Captain. I also think now isn't the right time to request a transfer. Everyone's so busy—if I left, I'd be letting everyone down. Let's talk about it later."

"Well, you really should think about yourself. I really shouldn't keep you here. How about this—leave the application with me. After we get through this busy period, I'll help you process it."

"Thank you, Captain. If there's nothing else, I'll head back now."

"Alright, you go ahead."

Emily walked out of the office.

Was she really going to sacrifice all her youth for the choice she made back then? Emily kept asking herself this question. Her colleagues' teasing and the rejected application had stirred her thoughts, giving her a chance to re-examine her original choice. 'Maybe I should have a more exciting life,' Emily thought as she walked home.

Emily suddenly stopped in her tracks and spun around. Before her eyes was only an empty street.

"Damn it, that's the second time." Ever since leaving the police station, she'd had a feeling of being followed—half based on her professional skills from years on the force, half on a woman's intuition. "Maybe it's because I've been too tired these past few days. I really should give myself a few days off!" she consoled herself and continued walking toward her residence...