Miss: They take you and Mandy in for questioning

You and Mandy do your best to explain that you were just a little late locking up, and the alarm must have come on automatically. But the officers -- a young Black lady, Officer Tibbs, and her partner, a coffee-and-doughnut cop, Officer Bright, well, they look at your faces and they ask some questions and finally, when Officer Tibbs asks why you have your panties stuffed in your apron pockets, you and Mandy can't come up with anything.

"I'll have to ask you ladies to come down to the station with us," Officer Tibbs says. "That'll give you some time to think about telling us what really happened." Officer Bright looks surprised, but nods.

You and Mandy find yourselves in the back of a police cruiser. Not handcuffed -- you're not actually under arrest -- but certainly not how you were hoping to wind up the night.

You're a little jealous of Taylor now. You hope she remembers to lock up. It wouldn't do to have the morning shift come in and discover a girls' slumber party.

Officer Tibbs seems incredulous. "I've seen a lot of things in this job, but what I can't understand is why you ladies had your panties in your apron pockets to lock up the diner."

Officer Bright coughs. From the look on his face, he seems to have more of an imagination than his partner. Though he's older, she seems to be in charge. He turns round from the front passenger seat and looks at you and Mandy, going from face to face.

Mandy sits stiffly, embarrassed and aggrieved. She'd been planning to spend tonight doing lickety-split with Taylor, your hot-pants young shiftmate whom she'd taken under her wing, or between her legs, you'd allow.

You tell her, "Mandy honey, it'll be okay," and plant a kiss on her cheek.

"Mary," she complains.

"Honest, sugar," you tell her, "Really it will."

Officer Bright swallows and adjusts his collar.

"Tonight's a night for love," you say. You hope the spirit is with you tonight.

You pause a moment to reflect whether you should let Officer Tibbs get back to the station, or whether you should turn on the charm right now.