Genre Challenge by Loz
Oct. 3rd, 2005 03:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
loz posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
ds_flashfictionTitle: An Interview with a Mountie
Rating: G
Word Count: 843 words.
Notes: The genre challenge. I submit myself to the torture of 'magazine article'. This is written in the style of articles and interviews I have read in a magazine lift-out of newspaper "The Australian".
The apartment is an open space, beige and minimalistic. I ask if this is a conscious design choice and he purses his lips as he slowly nods his head. I was a little worried to come here, this is not what you would call a reputable area of Chicago, but my editor assured me I'd have full security and who could resist an opportunity to interview the man who rescued a bus full of school children. His name is Benton Fraser, and believe it or not he is a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 'Mountie' for short. Initially we were thinking of conducting the interview at the Canadian Consulate but as his actions were performed off-duty, he felt that this would not be entirely appropriate. At the moment, however, he is wearing that distinctive bright red uniform, and his hat lies to the side. He is impossibly handsome, with bright blue eyes and neat brown hair. He seems uncomfortable in his position across from me. He licks his lower right teeth and squints his eyes slightly when I ask him a question. I do my best to ease him into the interview, confirming that he'll have full access to the transcript and will be free to withdraw his consent at any time.
A lot of people have been dying to talk to you, Benton. It's alright if I call you Benton isn't it?
You may call me whatever you wish, though my official title is Constable Fraser.
How do you feel about the sort of attention you're now receiving?
In my line of work, I often garner a degree of attention.
I guess that must be so, with the red uniform and everything, isn't that a difficulty in police work?
Actually the red uniform is largely ceremonial. I tend to wear it more frequently because my duties involve standing guard at the Consulate.
And you're wearing it at the moment…?
It seemed… well, I don't…
He falters. Ordinarily in this situation I would ask another question, or not include this in my written article, but this appears to me to be such a telling point on the nature of Benton Fraser. He is at once deliberately obvious and obviously shy. He is a paradox. He continues.
To be honest, it's the most formal clothing I possess.
I understand that you work closely with the Chicago P.D?
Yes, I do.
And you even have a partner? A Raymond Vecchio?
He nods and brings his hand up to his forehead. I wait a moment for him to offer more information but he doesn't say a thing.
How would you define your partnership?
We're friends.
And do you think that's a benefit or a curse?
When it comes to day-to-day business we have our occasional differences but we are always working in the public's best interests.
So tell me about the day in question. When you rescued those children.
It was Saturday the 24th of April. An unusually bright day. I was walking down the street, having just visited Ray…
Your partner.
Yes. I observed the school bus coming towards me travelling at least 17 miles over the accepted speed limit. I felt this could be dangerous, so I made actions to halt the bus. It was then that I realised the bus driver was incapacitated but still applying pressure to the accelerator. I successfully attained entry onto the bus and upon doing so, used the braking system to cease further movement. I then proceeded to alert the relevant officials.
Isn't it true that you spent 15 minutes running after the bus?
Yes, that seems about right.
And that you jumped onto the back, and then got up onto the roof in order to get through the top fire escape?
Hmmm.
Would it be right in saying that not 150 yards later the road stopped completely?
I believe so.
You must be extremely brave.
I wouldn't say so. I was doing my duty. Someone had to stop the bus, I was merely in the right place at the right time.
I stare at Benton Fraser. It is impossible to tell if his calmly passive expression is the truth or a mask. I choose to believe it is the truth. Benton Fraser was just doing his job, regardless of the fact he was off duty, irrespective of the actuality that he does not hold police jurisdiction in Chicago. He is the last of a dying breed of men who place duty before their own concerns, a brave yet humble individual who, for all his awkwardness, is a charming credit to an old-fashioned sense of the noble. I smile at him and he politely smiles back, now slowly turning a light shade of pink.
Well, thank you Constable Fraser, you have been a delight to interview.
Thank you kindly.
Rating: G
Word Count: 843 words.
Notes: The genre challenge. I submit myself to the torture of 'magazine article'. This is written in the style of articles and interviews I have read in a magazine lift-out of newspaper "The Australian".
The apartment is an open space, beige and minimalistic. I ask if this is a conscious design choice and he purses his lips as he slowly nods his head. I was a little worried to come here, this is not what you would call a reputable area of Chicago, but my editor assured me I'd have full security and who could resist an opportunity to interview the man who rescued a bus full of school children. His name is Benton Fraser, and believe it or not he is a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 'Mountie' for short. Initially we were thinking of conducting the interview at the Canadian Consulate but as his actions were performed off-duty, he felt that this would not be entirely appropriate. At the moment, however, he is wearing that distinctive bright red uniform, and his hat lies to the side. He is impossibly handsome, with bright blue eyes and neat brown hair. He seems uncomfortable in his position across from me. He licks his lower right teeth and squints his eyes slightly when I ask him a question. I do my best to ease him into the interview, confirming that he'll have full access to the transcript and will be free to withdraw his consent at any time.
A lot of people have been dying to talk to you, Benton. It's alright if I call you Benton isn't it?
You may call me whatever you wish, though my official title is Constable Fraser.
How do you feel about the sort of attention you're now receiving?
In my line of work, I often garner a degree of attention.
I guess that must be so, with the red uniform and everything, isn't that a difficulty in police work?
Actually the red uniform is largely ceremonial. I tend to wear it more frequently because my duties involve standing guard at the Consulate.
And you're wearing it at the moment…?
It seemed… well, I don't…
He falters. Ordinarily in this situation I would ask another question, or not include this in my written article, but this appears to me to be such a telling point on the nature of Benton Fraser. He is at once deliberately obvious and obviously shy. He is a paradox. He continues.
To be honest, it's the most formal clothing I possess.
I understand that you work closely with the Chicago P.D?
Yes, I do.
And you even have a partner? A Raymond Vecchio?
He nods and brings his hand up to his forehead. I wait a moment for him to offer more information but he doesn't say a thing.
How would you define your partnership?
We're friends.
And do you think that's a benefit or a curse?
When it comes to day-to-day business we have our occasional differences but we are always working in the public's best interests.
So tell me about the day in question. When you rescued those children.
It was Saturday the 24th of April. An unusually bright day. I was walking down the street, having just visited Ray…
Your partner.
Yes. I observed the school bus coming towards me travelling at least 17 miles over the accepted speed limit. I felt this could be dangerous, so I made actions to halt the bus. It was then that I realised the bus driver was incapacitated but still applying pressure to the accelerator. I successfully attained entry onto the bus and upon doing so, used the braking system to cease further movement. I then proceeded to alert the relevant officials.
Isn't it true that you spent 15 minutes running after the bus?
Yes, that seems about right.
And that you jumped onto the back, and then got up onto the roof in order to get through the top fire escape?
Hmmm.
Would it be right in saying that not 150 yards later the road stopped completely?
I believe so.
You must be extremely brave.
I wouldn't say so. I was doing my duty. Someone had to stop the bus, I was merely in the right place at the right time.
I stare at Benton Fraser. It is impossible to tell if his calmly passive expression is the truth or a mask. I choose to believe it is the truth. Benton Fraser was just doing his job, regardless of the fact he was off duty, irrespective of the actuality that he does not hold police jurisdiction in Chicago. He is the last of a dying breed of men who place duty before their own concerns, a brave yet humble individual who, for all his awkwardness, is a charming credit to an old-fashioned sense of the noble. I smile at him and he politely smiles back, now slowly turning a light shade of pink.
Well, thank you Constable Fraser, you have been a delight to interview.
Thank you kindly.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 09:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 10:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 07:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 10:51 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 10:54 am (UTC)Thank you :D.
no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 01:21 pm (UTC)I bet we'd all like to interview Benton Fraser.....
I did like this one.
no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 01:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 01:33 pm (UTC)Chased after the bus for 15 minutes? Not our Benny. Never.
no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 01:57 pm (UTC)Thank you :D
no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 06:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 09:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 07:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 09:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 07:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 09:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 07:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 09:11 pm (UTC)I tried to do 'academic paper' but that just wasn't working.
no subject
Date: 2005-10-04 03:45 am (UTC)::thinks::
Why I want to be a cop when I grow up, by Ray Kowalski, age 12.
or maybe
"Maintain the Right": Implications for Modern Police Work, by Benton Fraser, First-Year Trainee, the RCMP Academy, Regina.
Just two... ;)
no subject
Date: 2005-10-04 03:57 am (UTC)Ehh, I was going for a meta "Character Development of Ray Kowalski" written by Benton Fraser type thing, but it was too post modern for me. ;)
no subject
Date: 2005-10-04 03:53 pm (UTC)(which reminds me of a favorite Fraser quote: "In Canada we have a passing familiarity with confusion." ::grin::)
no subject
Date: 2005-10-04 12:21 am (UTC)He couldn't possibly tell her - by going home and screwing each other's brains out. ;)
This is a gem of a little story. The "deliberately obvious and obviously shy" is perhaps the single best description of Fraser I have ever read. Ever.
Limlaith
no subject
Date: 2005-10-04 12:25 am (UTC)I'm currently occasionally working on a completely different dS story, but I will certainly consider your idea. It's intriguing.
Nicely done
Date: 2005-10-06 02:43 am (UTC)Re: Nicely done
Date: 2005-10-06 02:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-02 07:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-02 07:53 am (UTC)