Traffic Stop Turned Serious

Evening. A patrol car idles behind a pulled-over sedan. OFFICER

Evening. Hands up where I can see them. Easy. That’s it.

DRIVER What? I— OFFICER Out of the vehicle.

Now. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be. Cuffs going on.

DRIVER Come on, man— OFFICER You were clocked

at sixty-two in a thirty-five. That’s not speeding, that’s reckless driving.

(Turns toward the passenger side.) OFFICER Passenger, your turn.

Step out slowly. Keep your hands visible. (Beat.) OFFICER