Posted by Civilian Joseph Karlson (Police Commissioner) in Afternoon Conversations - Residential District Joe’s Barbershop - Open Thread

Posted by Civilian Michael ‘Big Mike’ McKenzie (Clan McKenzie Chief) in Afternoon Conversations - Residential District Joe’s Barbershop - Open Thread

Posted by Civilian Joseph Karlson (Police Commissioner) in Afternoon Conversations - Residential District Joe’s Barbershop - Open Thread
Posted by… suppressed (33) by the Post Ghost! 👻
There is an area between the residential and commercial districts of Oed City that the locals often refer to as The Karlson District or Johann’s Ward named after Johann Karlsson the older brother of the Colonies Police Commissioner. It is so called because many of the businesses and residential buildings are owned by either the Hekla Corporation, a company owned by Johann, or the employees of the company. Anything from entertainment like pubs, bars, restaurants or nightclubs, apartment buildings, a luxury hotel, and even a Protection Agency were a part of this district within a district. The property that wasn’t within that district owned by the company was their Import/Export offices in the industrial sector and a representative office in the spaceport. The Import/Export business was only opened recently, prompted by the Duroc family opening an embassy in hopes of scoring transport contracts with the Klingon Great House.

The Police Commissioner of the Oed City Police Force sat in a leather barber chair outside Joe’s Barbershop. Generally, he avoided this area as he didn’t like to be seen favoring his brother’s business but he’d known Joe and his wife Margaret for decades. He came there every Friday afternoon to sit in the sun and get a proper shave with a proper razor. It was also known as an unofficial way to speak with the Commissioner although most did not take this chance as if he considered them to be wasting his time they would not get another chance. The outdoors barber chair was like a true open-door office policy. Today he’d been speaking to a reporter before arriving so as Joe lathered Joseph’s face and neck “One last question Commissioner” The young Bolian reporter spoke in a fast-clipped tone, nervous that he’d accepted the request “You’ve been pushing for additional Police reforms when your collegues on other similar worlds having been pushing back from the same, why is that?” She asked.

Joseph put a large hand on Joe’s, interrupting the barber “When I first came here over a decade ago things were a mess, the force needed to be better prepared against violent and armed criminal organizations and multiple dangerous hostile enteties. Since then cooperation between Starfleet Security and the police has improved mostly because of the guidance of former Security Chief Preston Longstreet and then Lieutenant Governor Parker Xavier and their successors have continued this air of cooperation. With the formation of the CCDA and CIA we have an even better grasp on security and protection for the colony, an overly armed and reactionary police force is no longer necessary. The police are not an armed militia even though they are led by a former military general. Protection and service are our purpose. We remain vigilant about external threats but people don’t need armed police roaming their streets for no reason” The reporter nodded and put the small recording device in his pocket “Thank you for the opportunity, sir. I’ll let you be” She stood up and hurried away, Joseph waved to his friend to continue lathering the cream

Joe Bishop the owner of Joe’s Barbershop laughed as he continued “You don’t often give planned interviews outside your office old man, what gives?” He asked his rural south Maine accent still strong “She has guts, absolutely terrified of me because she’s been writing some very critical pieces on me since arriving here last year. She’s been pestering me about an interview for weeks ever since I scolded those Ferengi sleazeballs playing at journalism last month” Joseph answered as his old friend finished “She’ll be one of the stronger voices of young Oedians, good critical thinking and a talent for investigative journalism. She’ll be good a rooting out corruption in my blindspots” He continued “Besides, Neema told me to stop being stubborn” The two shared a laugh.

Joseph looked up at the sky, there were no longer artificial clouds dotting the landscape with the dome gone. His own enhanced eyesight could occasionally see the shield flicker as micro debris hit it. He’d started feeling old again for the first time since he passed his fiftieth birthday. It was nearly twenty years since he’d been put through the forced genetic alterations that had slowed down his aging and improved nearly every aspect of his physiology and having passed his 70th birthday he was starting to feel like he had reached his late forties again even though he was still as physically fit as ever. He unfocused his eyes, forcing his sight to return to what it should be, and leaned back in the chair.

Commissioner Karlson

A shadow fell across the Commissioner for a moment and then a large human man with dark hair and a full but somewhat unkempt beard stood next to him. At first glance, the man appeared overweight and soft; but the trained eye would see the rippling of muscles under the mass of the man. He looked at Joe and said “I was told that this is the best place for someone to get their beard tamed. Think I might squeeze in after your done? I have a meeting with the Governor and don’t wanna walk in looking like I was marooned on a desert island for the past year.” and he chuckled and smiled a genuinely warm smile. His voice had a very slight accent; as if he had been exposed to an accent in his surroundings and was just starting to pick it up.

Michael ‘Big Mike’ McKenzie, Clan McKenzie Chief

The barber had finished putting on the cream and had pulled out a leather strap and rested the blade of a single-edged razer on it as he looked at the large man. He was of a similar height as the Commissioner although with Joseph in a seated position and covered in a white apron one could only surmise that he was a large man. Joe Bishop was in his late fifties and had the air of a former soldier despite some extra weight on his waist. He smiled at McKenzie “Of course, have a seat, son” He indicated the chair the reporter had vacated some time ago and started stropping the razor carefully.

McKenzir took a seat and leaned back, looking out at the traffic and people moving along. He seems to relax a bit and a small smile played across his lips.

Joseph had been examining the stranger as he spoke with Joe. Mentally he looked through the Governor’s schedule to try to place the man “Michael McKenzie I presume” His own voice had a fairly neutral Earth tone with only hints of his Icelandic accent remaining.

Commissioner Karlson

The man’s head turned and he smiled. “Yeah, that’s me. But it’s Mike, not Michael.” and he held a hand out to the other seated man. “And you are?” he asked.

Michael ‘Big Mike’ McKenzie

Joseph snorted at the man’s question, a sound of amusement, it had been a number of years since someone hadn’t recognized him directly “Jósef Karlson” He pronounced his name in the Icelandic way, not the way he usually introduced himself. He put out a hand to grasp McKenzies, the hand was large and fully grasped the man’s own hand. The grip was firm but almost friendly “Police Commissioner”

Commissioner Karlson

Mike’s eyes narrowed slightly and he said “Huh… can’t remember the last time I shook hands with a cop.” His tone was friendly, but some of the warmth from prior seemed to have dissipated. He let go and then leaned back. “You been on Oed long, Commissioner? Got any advice for us newcomers?” he asked as he looked back out across the street at the people coming and going.

Michael ‘Big Mike’ McKenzie

Joseph smiled at McKenzie’s reaction clearly greatly amused by it “Been here on and off just over a decade now” His eyes glancing at his Barber friend as he continued stropping the razor “Enjoy yourself, things can get hectic but there is a collection of cultures here you’ll not find elsewhere. Try not to piss off the Klingons or if you do piss them off do it in a way that’s amusing.” It wasn’t clear if that was a joke or not “And be careful, Oed is not yet at Federation standards of safe. ALso, Oedians are very protective of their lot but I think you’ll fit in.” He knew little about the large man, a simple perfunctory look through Federation records showing a punk rock history and anti-government stance. He could carve out a niche with similar people living on the Colony.

Commissioner Karlson

Mike relaxed a bit and said “My kind’a people.” and he chuckled. “My wife has experience with Klingons, and I can promise you that Clan McKenzie doesn’t do many things that aren’t at least entertaining to most folks watching.” Some of the warmth had returned to his voice and he said “So if you are the Police Commissioner, you know the Governor. What is he like? All I have been able to get is what I can from his press conferences and speeches.”

Michael ‘Big Mike’ McKenzie

Joseph took a moment to consider the question “He’s driven” He said the first word that came to mind, his explosive arrival on Oed had been proof enough of that “He cares about people especially those that have fallen through the cracks, in essence, you can consider him a good man, honest.” the older man spoke earnestly “I also suspect that he’s tougher than anyone could guess” He’d taken some time to look into the Governor’s past, speaking with people he knew were there at the same time the Governor was. “Is there anything specific that brings you and yours to Oed?” He asked out of polite curiosity.

Commissioner Karlson

Mike closed his eyes as the chair leaned back and Joe began to go to work trying to make him look less like a hermit and more like the Clan leader he was. “Well… my wife and I represented two large clans on Earth, one Scottish and one Norwegian. When we married- and two of my cousins married my wife’s sisters- the clans merged and we realized that our traditional lands wouldn’t hold everyone for long. My wife had been in Star Fleet and then the Diplomatic Corps, so she knew of a bunch’a places that had room and welcomed new settlers. When we looked at Oed V, it seemed the right fit. We have a large pool of knowledge and talent and education; and with all the changes happening here we figured we could help… and maybe spread our arms out a bit than we could back on Earth.”

Michael ‘Big Mike’ McKenzie

Joseph looked up with mild interest “From where in Norway?” He asked

Commissioner Karlson

“Small island way off the coast. ‘Bout halfway to Scotland. Called Bømlo.” He looked at Karlson and said “You know it? You’re Icelandic, yeah? I got an ear for accents.” he added with a smile as he turned his head back to the street. “Comes from travelin’ and meetin’ folks form all over. Hell of a music scene in Iceland, too. Played a couple shows there. Always a great crowd.”

Michael ‘Big Mike’ McKenzie

Joseph nodded with recognition “I have some family in Stavanger just to the south, sailed to Bømlo the summer of ‘76” He pronounced both place names in the way one would in Norwegian, his Norwegian was conversational at best as he hadn’t had much opportunity to use it for years now “You know I lost my accent years ago then I got an office job on Earth and caught it again” He said with a laugh. Joe finally finished stropping the blade and brought it towards Joseph, using his free hand to pull his head back “I’ve always preferred the tiny venues back home to large concert halls, something more personal about listening to bands play their music for an audience of thirty than thirty-thousand”

Commissioner Karlson

“I hear ya. Done both. Big arena shows sucked.” Mike said with a chuckle. “Give me a crappy dive bar that smells like stale beer and a crowd of kids needing to blow off steam over a massive show with choreography and a light sow to rival Risa New Years any day.” He smiled slightly. “Besides, the big shows always made it harder for the less affluent fans to come. Our music was for everyone.” and he glanced at Joseph with a grin. “Well, almost everyone. Most cops I’ve met weren’t a fan of ours.” and he laughed.

Michael ‘Big Mike’ McKenzie

Joseph chuckled “Don’t start a riot or put people at risk and you’ll have no problems from me or mine. I’m a believer in community policing and public service. Spirit of the law not the word. Besides music is food for the soul no matter the source and if humanity should have learned anything these past hundred years is that the soul is as important to our health as our body and mind”

Commissioner Karlson

“Bet.” Mike said with definitive agreement. He watched the passer-bys for a long moment in silence and then said “Ok, so I got a question for ya. We’ve- my people, that is.. the clan- have purchased a crap ton of land and my brother is the Conservation Director for the colony now so we are getting the trial runs of a bunch’a terraforming pushes. That means, possibly, that we’ll end up with flora and fauna on our lands. Seamus is also the Clan Game Warden. Traditionally, that means he is responsible for enforcing our hunting and fishing rules on our land. Back home, he could issue fines, arrest poachers and trespassers, and hunt game out of season. How would that work here? Do y’all got a group that does that? Would he have to be a cop here to do that? How would you guys view that kind of position on private property?”

Michael ‘Big Mike’ McKenzie

Joseph considered and almost shook his head but the very sharp razor near his neck made him reconsider “It’s too early to say, once terraforming begins there will be a discussion as to how far the reach of the Police goes, technically we have jurisdiction across the whole planet barring Starfleet instillation but that’s more a technicality than anything else, once terraforming begins there will be a need for new laws and regulations regarding jurisdictional authorities of the city police. Right now the largest private properties are warehouses and high-rises.” He tapped a large finger on his knee “To become a police officer you need a university education from any of the Federation-accredited Police Universities, Exceptions being similar schooling such as the Starfleet Academy if they have the correct background. It’s generally just a two-year diploma in police sciences before actual training begins. I don’t know what qualifications one requires to be a game warden but you and yours could have a voice in setting this policy” He sounded intrigued by the question “I find it likely that policing outside the dome itself…” He paused and glanced at the domeless sky and smiled “Apologies, old habit. outside the city proper will be handled by a newly formed office either under or to the side of mine.”

Commissioner Karlson

Mike thought about Karlson’s response for a bit in silence. “So we need a Department of Natural Resources with a law enforcement component… that sound right to you?” he asked and then added “And the laws to enforce, of course.”

Michael ‘Big Mike’ McKenzie

Joseph again had to resist the urge to nod and vocalized his agreement “Yeah that’s where I’d start, you should try to get a meeting with the Chief Justice once you’ve met with the Governor, she can give you advice on how to get the ball rolling in that department.” He thought for a moment “What sort of animals would you be importing?” He asked “I’m assuming some of it would be Norwegian sheep and perhaps pigs” He fondly recalled his youth going to the countryside during the fall to participate in réttir the annual sheep round-up.

Commissioner Karlson

Mike chuckled. “For that you’d haf’ta ask either my wife or my brother Seamus and his wife, Ragna. Ragna is also my wife’s sister. And I have a cousin married to my wife’s twin.” and he laughed once loudly. “Really, it sounds incestuous, but it’s not. McKenzie boys have centuries-old history with Edman girls.” and he laughed softly.

Michael ‘Big Mike’ McKenzie

Joseph laughed at that “I didn’t think it was, although I’m Icelandic so I shouldn’t count. Only popped over half a million residents thirty years after the first Federation Day” He half exaggerated. Joe finally finished the shave and started wiping of the remnants of the shaving cream with a towel. Joseph stroked his now smooth chin “Thanks Bish” He put a hand in his pocket and tossed a small circular piece of metal at the Barber who caught it and laughed at it “Where the hells did you find that?” He said with a laugh pocketing the coin “I have no idea, keep finding them in my sock drawers” Joseph answered with a grin as he stood up and stretched. Now standing, McKenzie could see that the Commissioner although old was still fit,a frame of muscle built over years of training. Although he was slightly shorter and not as wide as the Clanschief he still struck an imposing figure, especially considering his age. Once he’d finished his stretch he seemed to shrink, an affectiation of how he carried himself in a way to seem less imposing “I believe it’s your turn.”

Commissioner Karlson

Mike slapped his thighs and stood up . “Thanks.” and he took a seat and looked at the barber. “I just need the beard cleaned up a bit. It’s been a while since I had anybody work on it.” As he reclined back, he said to Karlson “Hey, you wouldn’t wanna have dinner with me and my family, would you? Might be a good idea to get to know us, as we just dumped several hundred people on you.” and he laughed.

Michael ‘Big Mike’ McKenzie

Joe went inside to gather equipment for a beard trim as he had only supplies for shaving outside with him. “Give us a moment” He said with an easy grin.

Joseph smiled and reached into his pocket pulling out a small piece of what looked like carved wood, it was interestingly a pipe that he put into his mouth with a practised motion “I think I would very much like that” He pulled a small leather bag from another pocket, pulled the pipe out of his mouth and began removing dried leaves and stuffing them into the pipe with the same practised move “If you haven’t yet found a place I’d be more than happy to host, my wife would be less than pleased if I didn’t offer. One of the benefits of a Cabinet position is a rather sizeable home and we have a rather oversized dining room and backyard” he replaced the bag in his hand with a small piece of metal which he used to tamp down the leaves before adding more and repeating the action “Beyond that any time is good for me” He’d quickly finished tamping the pipe and place the unlit wooden device into his mouth again.

Commissioner Karlson

Mike shrugged. “We can do that. Or you can come out to the land, if you like. See what we are doing. Dinner would a bit more… ‘rustic’… though.” and he laughed. “Seriously, though. We’d love to have ya and your wife come out. Seamus, my cousin and brother-in-law, is the Conservation Director and has done some pretty incredible stuff. We actually have grass growing and some tress planted. All in the soil, not gardens. It’s somethin’ to see.”

Michael ‘Big Mike’ McKenzie

Joseph smiled a wide smile, pure delight in his eyes “Now that sounds like a proper day out” He pulled the pipe out “Ten years and I’ve only ever been outside a handful of times and that was before the dome went down and always in one of those blasted evie suits the Fleeters love” He said with a chuckle “Back in Iceland there’s a tradition that goes back to pre-first contact times, school kids will go and plant trees for the reforestation effort. Only three hundred years ago there was hardly anything you could call a forest there, now we have proper Norwegian Spruce, oaks and Jaspers and anything you can think of. Oed often reminded me of how it looked like before the forests.” He seemed to be almost whistful at the thought.

Commissioner Karlson

“Then it’s settled.” Mike said definitively. “Dinner at our place. You let me know when you guys can make it out. We are still in the process of getting everything set up, so expect a lot of temporary shelters and the like. But I think you’ll like what we’re tryin’ to do.”

Mike ‘Big Mike’ McKenzie

Bump

Joseph smiled as he patted his suit “Sounds good” He finally found what he was looking for, reached into a pocket and pulled out a small cylindrical device and held it against the pipe and pressed a button, there was a small blue light and a moment later the pipe was lit, he then pressed another button and the device extended into a half sphere and hovered out of his hand to just above his head, when he puffed out the smoke the device seemed to suck it in, only a faint earthy smell remained and no smoke went beyond twelve inches from the Commissioners head “I look forward to seeing what you’ve built so far.”

Commissioner Karlson

“Well, anything that’s up is Seamus’ doing.” Mike said. He looked out across the road at seemed to take in the people and view before him. “So tell me… this place feels different than others. It’s got an… energy… to it. A good one, no doubt. Is that the way it normally is around here?”

Mike McKenzie

bump

Joseph smiled at the question and removed the pipe from his teeth before answering “That it is, the City’s got something that makes it feel more real. It’s more pioneering and fresh, making history instead of walking it. I also think that knowing there is more risk here helps, it’ll be decades before we manage to make Oed into Paradise and even then I don’t know if it will change.”

Commissioner Karlson

“Hope not.” Mike said and smiled. “I’m diggin’ the place so far. Be a damn shame if it wound up like everywhere else.” As they sat in silence a moment, a passerby stopped and did a quick double-take and stared at Mike. “Hey, anybody ever tell you you look like Big Mike McKenzie the bass player?” Mike chuckled and said “Yeah, I get that a lot. Pretty sure that why my wife married me. She’s a huge fan ‘a his.” The man laughed and waved, Mike waved back, and the man walked on and Mike looked at Karlson and shrugged and grinned.

Michael ‘Big Mike’ McKenzie

Bump

Joseph raised an eyebrow “I’m assuming you’re famous then?” He asked with curious smile still puffing his pipe

Commissioner Karlson

Mike grinned and shrugged. “Well… let’s just say I am well known enough that when we did a show on Haladen VII, the Prime Minister’s wife asked me to sign her chest.” and he chuckled. “But that was another life.” and he leaned back in the chair as Joe came back with his tools and started to get ready. “I try not to rely on that to get me through, though. I always hated those bands that got famous and then treated everyone like they were garbage. They wouldn’t be famous if it wasn’t for the fans. I always felt like I owed them a debt… ya know?”

Michael ‘Big Mike’ McKenzie

Joseph shrugged “I’ll take your word for it, fame is somewhat different in my world” He gave an amused smile, pipe clenched between his teeth “I suppose I’ll have to look up your discography when I get home”

Commissioner Karlson

Mike chuckled and leaned back as the chair was reclined. He closed his eyes, but his smile remained. “Yeah, you do that. I’ll warn ya… punk rock ain’t for everyone.” He opened one eye and looked at Karlson, the grin growing bigger. “Especially for The Man, as the old vernacular calls you.” He closed his eye and relaxed as Joe began to tame the absolute chaos that was Big Mike’s beard.

Michael ‘Big Mike’ McKenzie, Clan Chief