The Jealous Policeman
by Nick Hill

--A Dennis Franz-type lived in a 5th story apartment with a balcony. He was jilted by a woman on the 3rd floor, with a man who happened to live across the way. This man was a petty criminal. In the process of learning that he was no longer favored, the policeman became very protective of the woman, turning into an anti-stalker, in a sense. This attitude and extracurricular activity took its toll and he ended up in the hospital with a heart attack. He survived without complications but was admonished not to overdo anything; everything in moderation. Some time after his recovery, the policeman was watering his geraniums when he saw the petty criminal dancing with his former love on the balcony below him, and they began to make love right there, in a clear display of flesh, to tempt the policeman and to taunt him. They so inflamed and incensed him that he ran into his apartment for his gun, ran out onto the balcony to the sensuous strains of Herb Mancini, projecting himself aggressively out onto the balcony, and over, straight to his death without firing a shot.

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