#shandyfiction

The darkened red tent at the edge of the carnival, trimmed with buntings and small yellow lights caught the eye of Provenza as he took a bite of the corndog he bought from a vendor.

There was a sign right by the entrance that says "Madame Rosa, Gypsy Fortune Teller"

"Hey, Andy, why don't we take a look at the gypsy while we wait for my grandkids to come out of that Horror House."

Andy looked at him incredulously. "Even you are better than that! Since when did you believe in Fortune Tellers?!"

"Come on, it'll be fun. Better than standing here eating corndogs while waiting for those 11yr olds get driven out by the zombies in the Horror House. Let's just see what she has to say about the changes in our department now that Chief Johnson resigned."

Andy rolled his eyes.

"Fine. But you're paying."

As they entered the dimly lit tent filled with amber lights that shone like cat eyes they were greeted by a slender tawny skinned woman with a turban and an amulet around her neck, seated at a round table in the corner with a crystal ball.

" How'd you do Lieutenants!" she greeted them.

They looked at each other in surprise, wondering how she knew, then sat across the table from Madame Rosa.

"Maybe she noticed your badge," whispered Andy to Provenza.

"Your personal life is about to change, Lt. By the coming of the new leadershio comes the love so great... a love eternal... happiness beyond expectation..."

"Wait, Madame Rosa. are you talking to me? you're looking at me..but it is my friend Provenza who wants his fortune told... Hey Louie... maybe she meant you will find wife no 5," said Andy.

Provenza looked at Andy grumpily. "I'm not asking about my love life. I want to know if I'm going to be promoted as head of Major Crimes."

"How does this work? Do we pay by the hour/minute or per question?" asked Andy.

She did not answer Andy's question but instead looked at Provenza.

"You will prosper and succeed at work. People respect you and believe in your abilities... But you shall not run the office..."

Provenza was disappointed. "who, madame rosa?" asked Provenza.

"Flynn..." whispered Madam Rosa as she touched her crystal ball.

Andy and Provenza yelled in unison "What!?"

"I'm Flynn and I don't think that post will be handed to me in a silver platter," protested Andy.

Madame Rosa smiled, her long red painted nails waving in front of them after touching the ball.

"Long auburn locks... green eyes..."

"Come on, Flynn. This Gypsy is cuckoo. Since when did you have long red hair and green eyes. And you heading Major Crimes! ha baloney!"

Provenza stood up and headed out the tent.

"Wait Provenza! You havent paid her!!!" said Andy as he caught Provenza just outside the tent.

"Whether or not it was bull we have to pay her", said Andy.

Provenza rolled his eyes in frustration and headed back inside the tent followed by Andy.

They were astonished to find the tent empty of the gypsy's presence except for the table where they sat earlier. They called for her name but could not find her.

5 minutes later a salt and pepper haired middle aged woman in bohemian dress came in.

" I'm sorry. Have you been waiting long? Im Madame Rosa" she said.

Andy and Provenza were surprised.

"we spoke to younger girl with curly black hair a while ago," said Andy.

"And she gave my fortune through a crystal ball. I just came back to pay her." said Provenza.

The middle aged woman was confused.

"There is no other fortune teller here. I was out for lunch and just got back. I also do not use crystal balls... I only use tarot cards. I don't know who you saw but do you guys still want a reading?"