Ultimatum

"Look, you stuck up, lazy slouch," said Officer Watkins. "Tomorrow you were just supposed to pick up trash in the park, but if you don't get both of these toilets done in the next hour, tomorrow you'll go to the dog park to pick up dog shit then go to the police stables and clean up after the police horses. Got it?"

"Yeah, yes, ma'am," said Vanessa. She stank, her clothes were wet and ruined, and she was fighting the urge to vomit. She redoubled her effort and started cleaning harder. Officer Watkins left and came back with a mop and bucket.

"Got this from the utility closet. Time's a wasting. You're not the only wretch I've got to keep an eye one. I'm going for a smoke."

Vanessa cursed under her breath as she started to scrub the toilets. She had to stop and retch several times, but got them cleaner than they had been. She then mopped the floor.

Officer Watkins came in and looked around. "Good enough. Now do the men's room. I haven't seen it, but you can imagine...well, let's just say men aren't as neat as women."

Watkins and Vanessa left the women's restroom, and Vanessa pushed the mop bucket towards the men's room. Even before entering, she could smell stale urine and mildew. She stopped and retched again. "Hurry up. You have twenty-five minutes," said Officer Watkins.

Vanessa pushed the mop bucket into the men's room.