Maxim

I'd been working in the police for quite a while now and had gotten used to everything: night shifts, calls, and people who managed to cause problems even in the middle of an ordinary evening.

A few days ago, I met Maxim at the cinema. We happened to be next to each other at the premiere of "Spider-Man: New Day." He was a third-year student, and after the movie, we chatted for a bit. Maxim seemed like a calm and pleasant guy, so our meeting was memorable.

That evening I was returning home after work. It was already getting dark when I heard screams coming from a nearby alley.

• If you approach him again, you'll regret it!

I stopped and headed there straight away.

Four guys stood in the alley: two against two. One of them gave the other a sharp push, and he barely managed to stay on his feet.

And then I noticed a familiar face.

• Maxim?!

He turned towards my voice.

• You?!

But he didn't have time to finish. One of the guys stepped toward him again and pushed him. Maxim stepped back, after which his friend stepped between them.

"Calm down!" he shouted.

• Move away yourself!

The situation flared up again. The guys started pushing, and I realized that if I continued, things would get much more serious.

I quickly walked up to them, pulled out my police ID and held it up so all four of them could see it clearly.

— POLICE! Everyone move away from each other immediately!

The boys stopped instantly.

“Did you hear me?” I continued sternly. “Move away from each other. Now.”

They reluctantly parted.

Maxim looked first at my ID, then at me.

• So you really are a police officer...

• As you see.

• And I thought you just looked very confident.

I put away my ID.

• And I thought you were the calm guy I met at the movies.

Maxim grinned.

• I am calm.

I looked at him, then at the four guys.

• Of course. Especially now.

His friend laughed quietly, and Maxim shook his head.

• Okay... it's hard to explain.

• Then start explaining.