Jimmy: You're insane! You drove a tank-car through a diner window! You're the one who should be arrested!
General Vance: Is that so?
Jimmy: Yes! The police are gonna be here any second! You can't hit people and crash into stores!
As if on cue, loud police sirens blared from down the block. Three white city police cars pulled up outside the shattered diner window, their red and blue lights flashing against the chrome diner sign.
Jimmy: Ha! See?! The cops are here! You're done, old man!
Two local police officers drew their handguns as they ran toward the broken glass entrance, looking panicked.
Local Police Officer 1: Police! Nobody move! Put down your weapons!
Tactical Guard 1: Stand down, Officers! You are stepping into an active Military Operations Zone!
Local Police Officer 1: I don't care who you are, drop those rifles—
General Vance walked slowly toward the front entrance, reaching into his inner suit pocket. He pulled out a dark black leather wallet, flipping it open to display a silver badge and a high-level Pentagon security clearance card.
General Vance: Read the clearance code, Officer. Then call your Chief of Police and ask him if he wants to keep his job past five o'clock today.
The local police officer looked down at the badge. His eyes expanded in absolute shock as he recognized the high-ranking seal.
Local Police Officer 1: General... Vance? Four-Star Commander Vance?
General Vance: That is correct. Hand me your handcuffs.
Local Police Officer 1: Sir? Handcuffs?
General Vance: Hand them over. Now.
The trembling officer pulled his steel handcuffs from his utility belt and handed them directly to General Vance without asking another question.
Local Police Officer 2: Officer Davis... what's going on? Who are these guys?
Local Police Officer 1: Shut up, Davis! Don't say another word!
General Vance turned back toward Jimmy, walking down the central aisle with the steel handcuffs dangling from his thick fingers.
General Vance: Turn around and put your hands behind your back, James.
Jimmy: No! You aren't a cop! You can't arrest me!
General Vance: I am a federal officer acting under national defense protocols. Turn around before I force you into the floor.
Jimmy looked over at the two local police officers, hoping for help.
Jimmy: Officer Davis! My dad is Ronald Miller! Tell this crazy guy to let me go!
Local Police Officer 1: Jimmy... shut your mouth and do what the General says. Your dad can't fix this one.
Jimmy: What?! You're just gonna let him take me?!
General Vance didn't wait any longer. He grabbed Jimmy's collar, twisting his arm behind his back with effortless military precision. Steel cuffs snapped tight around Jimmy's wrists with two sharp clicks.
Jimmy: Ow! You're breaking my wrist!
General Vance: You don't know what broken feels like yet, boy. But you're about to learn.
Medic 1: General, Miss Vance is stabilized. Her arm has a minor fracture, but she is ready for transport to the military hospital.
General Vance: Excellent. Prepare the second transport vehicle.
Lily sat up on the medical gurney, wrapped in a warm green military blanket. She looked over at Jimmy, whose face was covered in tears, red blood, and absolute regret.
Lily: Jimmy?
Jimmy: Lily... please... tell your dad to go easy on me! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!
Lily: You told me nobody wanted me here. You told me to stay on the floor.
Jimmy: I was stupid! I was just flexing for my friends!
Lily: Next time you see someone in a wheelchair, Jimmy... remember today.