Today was the 50th anniversary of the place, having been the headquarters for the town's police corps. for almost as long (they "officially" moved in on opening day, but they couldn't enter immediately due some unforeseen problems. The actual entry to the place happened 3 years later). And they were determined to celebrate
Everyone in the town got invitations. Everyone was invited. And who wouldn't come? The headquarters was the center of the town; it was their pride and joy, along with their policemen, and they all were happy to celebrate a momentous accomplishment together.
However, not everyone was so cordially invited...
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50th Anniversary party
The partying went on through most of the day and night, with all the families and everyone enjoying the day to their heart's content. They held contests of all kinds (and some people swore they saw people chug more beer than anyone thought they'd see in their lives), they danced, they sang, they dined on the lavish buffet prepared by the greatest chefs in the city, they ate the most delicious cake from the city's best cakemakers and decorators, and they just thoroughly enjoyed every single moment of it.
When the chief of police finally came to the podium near the stage area to talk, it took him quite a while to calm the crowd long enough to actually say anything. He afforded himself small chuckles as he waited for the waves of sound to finally subside.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" He begins. "It is a momentous day, for me, for my men, and for this town. For those of us who grew up fifty years ago, and those of us who are growing up now." He waves his hand in a circle, gesturing around the building. "Tonight, we celebrate the 50th year of this wondrous building, one that has housed one of the finest police corps I've ever seen!"
The last line was met with uproarous cheers, mostly from the chief's own men, who all saluted him as he gave them a nod.
"This building is the pinnacle of our town, our testament to who we are and what we are. A bulding that will stand for years to come!" Another roar of cheers and applause.
"I cannot overstate how proud I am to stand up here tonight to acknowledge this feat," he shakes his head, wiping a tear out of his eye and giving a small chuckle. "Nor did I imagine I would be the one standing here today. Remember that incident in the North Side, Stan? Nearly bit off more than I could chew!" This earned some laughter, with the aforementioned Stan raising a glass-holding hand and shouting, "I remember that!"
"It has been a pleasure to spend this night with you all," he begins to finish. "And it's been a pleasure to be here. God bless you all!"
As he steps down from the podium, another thundering round of applause rises in his place, one that certainly would've woken up everyone in the town if they hadn't been awake and crowded around the building.
And so they partyed through the night, young to old, the chief himself to the stay-at-hom mom. Many would assure you that they had a grand old time.
The night after - Police Headquarters
After the building finally got cleaned up from the partying from the other day and everyone went home, the chief called in some of his trusted friends from out of town to enjoy a private party with just him and the boys, which they glady accepted.
They all arrived at various times in the night, from various parts of the city. Each was meet at the front doors with open arms and ready smiles, eager to begin their own personal anniversary party.
But, little did they know that among his friends there was darkness, betrayers of his trust and friendship.
And in the days to come, the bonds of trust between them all was about to be tested.