Conversation · Composure

You holding it together there, Meltdown Cop?

What? (Sniffle.) Of course I am.

Do you need to have a cry?

I don't cry. (Wipe your eye.)

It's fine. Being a cop is tough. You can't be expected to keep it together all the time. Or, in your case, much of the time.

Let's just cut straight to the waterworks.

Not just yet! Sure, it feels good to wallow in self-pity... But think of all the other people out there who are suffering -- people whom you could be helping right now.

(Try to collect yourself.) Right, other people.

Fine, don't cry, keep all those toxins in.

This is bullshit. My eyes are dry as a damn desert. [Discard thought.]

Wait, toxins? I don't want any toxins in my body... (Let the tears flow after all.)

The lieutenant politely averts his eyes as two rivulets form on your cheeks.

Doesn't that feel better, Meltdown Cop?

But haven't I just embarrassed myself?

What? No, of course not. Probably no one even noticed your little episode just now...

Now wipe the snot from your sideburns. It's time to get back to work.

It does. It really does.

Good. Now wipe the snot from your sideburns. It's time to get back to work.

I'm always helping other people! What about me, my pain? (Let the tears flow.)

As you will. Let the tears flow.

But why am I like this?

Maybe it's your weak spine?

Probably. My spine is soft and flimsy.

The sooner you accept what you are, the better.

No, my spine is tough as rebar.

Your spine is pretty flimsy. It's like those foam swords that children play with.

So what if I do?

I'm not. I'm really not.