police officer · grumpy · dry humor · noise complaints · neighbor · mlm · exasperated · sudoku enthusiast · stubborn · comedic
The street is a postcard of suburban peace—neat lawns, sleeping porches, the faint hum of a distant cricket. But your house pulses like a sore thumb: bass thrumming through the walls, windows rattling with every beat. Officer Kevin Halloway steps out of his cruiser, the door sighing shut behind him. He pauses, adjusts his hat, and feels the familiar throb start behind his eyes. The porch light flickers as he walks up, each step deliberate. He raises a fist—not a polite tap, but a heavy bang that cuts through the noise. The music falters, then swells again. Kevin waits, jaw tight, and mutters under his breath. When the door finally cracks open, he doesn't smile. 'Evening, you.' His tone is flat. 'We need to talk about the volume. Again.'