Zoe was rushing home for lunch two weeks later and enjoying the freedom her bike provided her. She was also really looking forward to having the leftover stuffed bell peppers Aunt Anne had given her the day before.

The scanner hadn’t been selling well so far, but Zoe had made 2500 credits off it so far, which she paid to Capone. Tony had even told her that she was a couple months ahead on her payments since they only wanted her to pay 2000 a month currently and she had paid 6000 total so far. Zoe could have used the extra credits for other things or just save it, but she had decided it was better to pay her debt off as quickly as possible.

Zoe didn’t notice the way traffic fell away from her since she normally just paid attention to what was ahead of her trusting in the GT4’s safety system to warn her of approaching vehicles. There weren’t any drones overhead, so all seemed right with the world.

“Son of a…” Zoe started to curse as a message blasted across her vision demanding that she pull over. Zoe checked her rear and side camera feeds and noticed the flashing lights of a police cruiser behind her. Zoe had failed to notice the orange police scanner messages when they scrolled on the scanner’s ticker. She had just gotten so used to the different colors scrolling over the last few days the orange had just failed to attract her attention. Zoe pulled over to the curb and shutdown her bike. “I’m going to have to do something different so communications concerning the user attracts more attention.”

Zoe watched the cop get out of his cruiser through her rearview and left side cameras. She was surprised to see that the cop was a female orc. Zoe scanned her. The cop was named Kerri O’Malley and stood 5’9” while weighing what some considered a perfect 180lbs for the woman’s height and muscularity. Zoe felt some jealousy stir as she watched the muscular woman approach her bike.

“License and registration,” O’Malley said. “And take your helmet off.”

“Of course,” Zoe replied sending the woman her information and taking off the helmet.

“Do you know how fast you were going?” the cop asked.

“Not really, but I know I was speeding,” Zoe answered.

“You were doing 70 in a 35-mph zone as well as being careless and reckless. Where were you going in such a hurry?” O’Malley inquired. “No data delivery is that important.”

“I was going home to eat lunch. I have some stuff bell peppers my aunt had made me,” Zoe admitted. She was mortified to admit that.

The cop snorted. “I like a good home cooked meal myself, but that’s no excuse to drive the way you were. You couriers are a bigger menace on the roads than bike messengers used to be.”

“You can’t be that old,” Zoe said without thinking. The cop glared at her as Zoe realized what she had said. She quickly apologized, “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean that in a bad way.”

“I’m only 26,” O’Malley replied. “We do have records and veterans love to talk.”

“Of course,” Zoe agreed.

“I’m ticketing you for speeding. The judge would probably throw anything else out since the court system loves using you guys,” O’Malley huffed. She grinned. “Your insurance will go up, you’ll have a fine to pay, and points will be added to your license. Plus, we’ll keep an eye out for you and your bike. Get enough points and we’ll take your license.”

“I’ll be more careful,” Zoe said wide eyed.

“Here’s your copy of the ticket,” the cop said sending Zoe a file. “Have a good day.”

“I think my day’s just been ruined,” Zoe muttered as O’Malley walked back to her car. A minute later and the cop drove away. Zoe started up her GT4 and started home at a slower pace.

*

“Why are you late?” Cee asked once Zoe stopped her bike beside her houseboat.

“Got a speeding ticket,” Zoe answered. The others laughed.

“Your scanner not working?” TK asked.

“It’s working just fine. I’ve just gotten used to the color-coded ticker and didn’t notice the orange messages. I’m going to make some changes, so it gets attention better,” Zoe replied as she dismounted her bike and left her helmet on it. She noticed Terr, Newt, and Vee already at the roof deck picnic table. “Couldn’t wait for me, huh?”

“Nope!” the three chorused before digging into their meals.

Zoe walked to her door and unlocked it while disengaging the security system. She removed her boots before taking off her jacket and tossing it on the back of the couch. Chloe followed suit and headed to the bathroom.

“Boots TK!” Zoe snapped.

“They’re clean,” TK replied.

“Take them off or get out,” Zoe said.

“I hate this rule,” TK growled as he bent over to take off his boots.

“You’re a cat beastkin, you should appreciate wanting to keep things clean,” Cee said returning from the bathroom.

“Very funny,” TK replied heading to the bathroom.

“Want a stuff bell pepper?” Zoe asked Chloe.

“Non. I’ve brought a salad,” Cee replied. “I’ll take some of your peppermint tea though.”

“Help yourself,” Zoe said as she put her bell peppers in the oven to warm up.

“Want me to make you a glass of tea too?” Chloe asked.

“Yes please.”

“Alright. Vee has my salad, so I’ll take these up.

TK emerged from the bathroom and walked to the door to put on his boots. “Sorry Zoe. I just really hate having to take my shoes or boots off unless I’m home.”

“It’s ok and I apologize for snapping at you. I still expect you to respect my house rules though.”

“Fair enough,” TK said before walking out.

Zoe joined the others a few minutes later. The couriers ate and joked for half an hour.

“Alright Zoe. It’s time you get out of the house again,” Newt said as they were cleaning up.

“You guys are welcome to hang out here,” Zoe said.

“Nope. You need to get out some more,” Vee replied.

“There’s a party tonight on the upper eastside at the old Catbird Playground,” Terr said. “You’re coming with us.”

“It’ll be a bunch of couriers and our friends,” TK added.

“Henri and I will be there as well,” Chloe said. “Well, Henri will be joining us once he finishes meeting with Bowery, the EcoFoods executive.”

“That guy wants us to deliver more invitations?” Zoe asked.

“Not sure,” Cee replied. “Henri will fill us in and no Zoe, you won’t get all of the runs yourself this time.”

“Fine,” Zoe said mock pouting. “I didn’t really want all the runs anyway.”

“Just most of them,” Newt said making Zoe and the others laugh. Zoe shrugged.

“Meet us at the playground at 7pm,” Cee said. “You can park in the 611 East 83rd St parking garage and walk over.”

“Going will also let you meet more couriers to sell the police scanner to,” Vee said before grinning at Zoe. “Just dress warmly. It’s supposed to be hot tonight.”

“Alright. I’ll go,” Zoe replied.