today's progress: bring rusty pliers

He looked like Hunter, from the old TV show Hunter. Gotta be a cop.
“Constable Kubert,” he said, reaching across Aesop’s comic books and crossword puzzles to offer a business card, which Aesop took quickly.

today's progress: run and get your shovel, run and get your pick

Aesop called 9-1-1 from the battered payphone across the street and started walking. What would Lew Archer do? Archer would never find himself in such a position. Archer was barely there. What did Macdonald say about Archer? “If he turned sideways he’d disappear.” Aesop flattened himself against the brick wall. Sucked in his gut. Turned sideways. Still there.

today's progress: don't mess with my toot toot

You don’t want bad shit to happen to people you care about? Become a plumber. Learn to cook. Practice your saxophone in a thunderstorm. Whatever you do, don’t cast off your disappointment of a life-so-far and assume the identity of a vaguely existential private detective.

today's progress: each day is a struggle

“Y’know,” Aesop said to the bored barista. “Those Herzogs on the wall were all taken about 25 blocks to the west of here. You guys should really look into the heritage of the Sunrise neighbourhood. It’s pretty interesting in its own right.”
“You want room for cream?”
“Uh, sure. Thanks.”

today's progress: keep on with the force don't stop til you get enough

“‘Shit tornado’? C’mon, man, I though you used to be a writer.”
“Get off my lawn, Al.”
“That’s better.”

today's progress: can't predict the weather

"There are no anarchists on Facebook. If someone actually did that and then posted it, they’re a goof."

today's progress: a lot of crank air

“You still like it Halle Berry?” Aesop nodded at the paper cup beside his, steaming in the cool overnight air.

“You remembered. I’m touched. Your face, what the hell?”

“How many times I buy you coffee when we worked together?” Aesop shifted back, under and out of the glare of the blue neon in the window behind him.

“Ah, I always figured you just liked getting out of the building, going for a walk.”

“Maybe so. Maybe I figured I owed you.”

“You don’t owe me, Ace. We’re even. We’ve always been even.”

“We’ll see,” Aesop blowing into his cup before taking a sip.