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Vain City had the reputation of being the country's capital of all things bad. Corruption, bribery, indiscipline, drug trafficking, gang violence, you name it. Vain City was a haven for criminals, and Mustafa had just been posted to the city as its new police commissioner. He himself had a reputation for being a scrupulous police officer who had no tolerance for anything that shared a name with crime. Apart from busting many criminal masterminds, he had disgraced and locked up many corrupted high ranking government officials across the country. As expected, the passionate crime-fighter did not have a lot of admirers in the force because he had also exposed a few dirty officers who were in bed with criminal masterminds.

As the orderly navigated the land rover through the slow traffic of Vain City. Disgust lay on the face of the Commissioner as he watched how the people of the city conducted their daily activities in the most unruly manner he had ever seen. Drivers moved out of their lanes to beat the traffic. The commissioner could even swear that he was seeing one or two seeming drug peddlers ambling amid the gridlock, trading their wares to passengers in vehicles.

"Ibrahim, can you imagine these people, no respect for the traffic signs at all. Look, they even push drugs in broad daylight!" he said to his orderly.

The young sergeant, always cautioning himself from talking too much while with his superior, nodded in disapproval, "oga, I'm shocked myself."

"Ah, no. No, no, no! This is gross indiscipline and it must be curbed," the Commissioner said, also nodding his head in disapproval. He picked up his peaked cap sitting beside him and wore it on his head, "these people will know that a new commissioner is in town."

About eight minutes later, they arrived at the city's police headquarters. The commissioner could not believe his eyes. What seemed like the entire host of police officer in the city was standing right there, outside the police station which was flooded with balloons, welcome signs and all sorts of decoration drapes. A round of applause and cheer rose from the crowd of officers as the commissioner stepped out of his vehicle.

Bashir, the most senior police officer in Vain City walked briskly towards the commissioner and saluted, "honourable commissioner, you're welcome to Vain City, sir!"

Mustafa scrutinized him in an unbelievable manner. He had an awkward smile on his face but that was not what bothered the commissioner. Instead, it was that his uniform was somewhat shabby and his breath reeked of alcohol.

"What's all this, Superintendent Bashir?" the commissioner asked, having looked at the name tag of the shabbily dressed officer and the rank portrayed on his uniform.

"It's a little welcome party for you, sir. We are so glad to -"

"Well, superintendent, this is totally unprofessional and highly unnecessary," the commissioner said, interrupting his new subordinate.

"You're a police officer. You have been tasked with a responsibility which is securing the city, not playing usher or organising welcome parties,"

Mustafa continued, "You're here making merry while your city is in disarray. Not good enough!"

The smile Bashir had on his face before had now disappeared, not as a result of contrition but subtle annoyance. He felt embarrassed and insulted. Who the hell was this pompous new guy playing Mr Perfect Cop, anyway?

"I'm very sorry, sir," he said, with the last shred of humility left in him.

The commissioner moved away from him and began to address the rest of the officers, "Vain City finest, I know you've all gathered here in good faith to welcome me and I thank you for that but it would have been a better welcome had I met you all at your specific points of duty," he paused for a moment, looking around, as if to mark the faces of all the officers and then continued, "We're cops, and putting this crime-infested city in order is our foremost priority. I've been assigned here by the president to see to that, and I hope you will all cooperate with me as I do so. Thank you."

The officers gave another round of applause as the commissioner walked over to his car.

"Sir, won't you see your new office?" Bashir said, running after his new boss.

"Not now, Bashir. First, I have to pay a visit to the mayor at the city hall," Mustafa said, getting into the backseat of his Land Rover while Ibrahim held the door for him. "In the meantime, put things in order for a press conference tomorrow."

"Alright, sir. I shall do so," Bashir said.

"And please, adjust your collar."

"Yes sir," Bashir saluted as the commissioner's car drove out of the premises. He gestured at his own orderly and whispered to him, "This new commissioner is a killjoy. Inform Mr Bodey that he'll be a tough nut to crack."

To be continued