The newsies didn’t go far, however. They set up camp on the grassy area near the wishing fountain just outside police headquarters. They called in or emailed their stories about the victim’s identity, the conflict between the victim’s father and the chief of police, and the chief’s history. It was a warm, pleasant evening; the press was happy with their pickings so far; they were content to chat amongst themselves in the Muni’s genial environs and await further developments. The senior people would leave when darkness fell and retire to dinner, drinks and their hotel rooms. The junior staffers would remain all night lest anyone in authority try to sneak something past the people’s watchful messengers. Shortly before dusk, the head of the public works department appeared and started taking a census of the media. Unused to answering questions, the reporters demanded to know why the man wanted their names and those of their employers. Was this some form of harassment? The man from public works said with a smile that he just wanted to know whom he should bill to have the Muni’s lawn resodded, and whom he should hold responsible if there were any other damage to public property.
