Officer (firmly):
License and registration, please.
Driver (calmly):
Sure, officer. But can I ask—what exactly did I do wrong?
Officer:
You were swerving back there. Looked like reckless driving.
Driver (raising an eyebrow, still calm):
I understand your concern, but I have a dashcam. I reviewed the footage before you walked up—I stayed within the lines the whole time.
(Officer pauses. His confidence drops slightly. He wasn’t expecting that.)
Officer:
Well… I’ll still need to verify your documents.
Driver (handing them over):
No problem. Everything’s valid. You’re welcome to take a look at the footage too, if you’d like.
(The officer hesitates, flipping through the license and registration. He avoids eye contact now.)
Officer:
Look, I might’ve… misjudged the angle from my position. These things happen. Just doing my job.
Driver (softly, but direct):
I respect the job. But that judgment could’ve cost me more than time. You know that, right?
(The officer looks up. He’s visibly uncomfortable now, the weight of the moment sinking in.)
Officer (quietly):
Yeah. You’re right.
(Slight pause)
I appreciate how you handled this. Most don’t stay this calm.
Driver:
Sometimes calm is the only power you’ve got.
(Slight smile)
Have a safe day, officer.
(The officer nods, closes his clipboard, and steps back slowly.)
Officer:
You too. Drive safe.
