Web Exclusive: 不用跑步 - No need to run - Police in China

Beijing, China

This one's so fresh it could be the Prince of Bel Air. It hasn't even found its way into my little green book. It just had to go out straight away.
Today, on my way to school, I had my first (and hopefully last) encounter with Chinese police. There were three of them, two in uniform, one in plain clothes. “朋友 (friend)”, they hailed me. I was a bit surprised. Where did I live? I pointed, told them the street name. What house number, they demanded. I had forgotten; people don't send me (physical) letters, so I never bothered to memorise my address. I described the location next the new sports ground. What was the place, what house number, they insisted. They had formed a semi-circle around me. I had forgotten. Did I have my temporary resident's registration card on me? I was being suspected it seemed, eyes scanned me suspciously. I didn't have my card. I was told to go and fetch it, they would wait for me. I tried to object, I had a class to go to. No way, I was to go home and get it at once. They followed me, their car was parked along the road; this is where they would wait. “快一点儿 (quickly)”, one commanded from behind me. That annoyed me. I respected them as officers of the law but this was not called for. "No need to run, is there?" I hoped my sarcasm conveyed even with my limited Chinese. "No need", he responded sternly. Aw, thanks.
I left them waiting at their car. For a while the thought occured to me that they were not following, I could just go to my school by a different route. Sod the registration card. I'd be just like Dr. Kimble, Bonnie and Clyde. On the run, baby... My feet had carried me home before I had finished thinking. Damn, law abiding conscience!
They hardly looked at the damn card. "No. 5", the officer mused. Then informed me I should carry this card with me at all times, a copy was sufficient. Then his colleague, the one who wanted me to hurry, insisted on having a look, too. Maybe he didn't feel important enough yet. Then, with a pat on the shoulder, I was sent on my way feeling a bit like a terrorist.
Why all the sarcasm? I don't have a problem with people doing their job. Sometimes it's just the way they do it that gets on my nerves a bit. Are you John Wayne or is it me?