Missions of the Retrieval Team - Kilts in a Cage

[Livingston]

Ahhh...now we start getting to the meat of the story. This could be interesting.

Now, James, where did you get that hat?

[James MacMillan]

One must remember two things: that I am bald and that I was diagnosed with low level skin cancer so that I am always forced to wear a hat when out and about........ the added part here is the blue ostrich plume.....

If anybody is interested just how striking it can look, I invite you to go ..here..

[Jock Scot]

Oh yes James,in my considered opinion the blue ostrich plume is most definitely you!

[davedove]

Scene 10


Aboard the Cruise Ship Ceilidh


“Herr Dove,” asked Coemgen, sounding very German, “is that not the same hat we were forced to wear because of those mind control drugs?”

“It does indeed look much the same,” I answered. I looked over to the Moderators and saw they were motioning me over to their table. I quickly made my way to them.

“Doesn’t that look like the same style hat from the Ritchgarl incident?” asked Panache.

“With the exception of the color of the feather, it is exactly the same,” I replied.

“Do you think the same thing is happening?”

“But how could that be?” asked David. “We neutralized the formula and sabotaged their recipe.”

“Yes, we did,” I answered. “Perhaps they discovered the change and reinstituted the drug.” I looked at the couple more closely. “I don’t see the choker that was the trigger though.”

“No, I don’t either,” said Panache, “but if he is affected, we don’t want it spreading.”

“I agree, we should intercept him and get him away from the others.”

Panache and I quickly moved towards James, who had a table on the far side of where Grant and his associates were seated. Unfortunately, he arrived there before we did and Grant confronted him.

“What is that ridiculous hat you are wearing?” Grant demanded.

“Don’t you like it?” asked James. “I think it’s incredibly stylish. Maybe you Canadians are just too far behind the fashion curve to realize that.”

“What!” bellowed Grant, “The Canadians are at the forefront of everything. If there were a new fashion, we would have it first. You will apologize for this insult at once!”

It looked as though a confrontation was imminent. Fortunately, Panache and I were close enough to intervene. We quickly grabbed James by the arms and led him away.

“Don’t worry,” said Panache. “We will handle this.”

“Where are you taking me?” asked James. “What have I done?”

“Don’t worry, James,” I answered, “everything will be okay.”

James looked first at me, then at Panache, and broke out in laughter. “Guys, guys,” he said, “It’s okay, you don’t have to do this.” He was laughing so hard that tears filled his eyes.

Panache and I stopped and released him. “Okay, James, what’s going on?” Panache asked.

“You really thought it was happening again, didn’t you?” James asked. “You thought I was being controlled again.”

“You mean you’re not. You did this on purpose.” I asked.

“Yes, it was all a joke. I wanted to see what you would do.” He was still almost doubled over in laughter.

I could tell that Jaime was trying to be serious and stern, but soon he also started to chuckle, and I knew the situation had diffused. “Okay, James, very funny. Now get rid of that hat and let’s have dinner.”

“But don’t you think it’s very stylish?” James asked, striking a very effeminate pose.

“Knock it off, James.” said Panache.

James removed the hat, but kept laughing all the way back to his seat.

Looking over at Grant, I could see that he was still fuming, but apparently Mikey was trying to calm him down. Mr. Standard was quickly pouring glasses of wine to give to Grant.

When I got back to my table, Coemgen asked, “Vhat is happening, Herr Dove? Is it the same as last time?”

“Yes, my friend,” asked Robert, “What is happening?”

“It’s all a false alarm,” I answered. “James was playing a little joke on us. Robert, I’ll tell you all about it over dinner.”

As dinner passed, I told the story of the Ritchgarl incident, with Ms. Stork and Coemgen filling in little details. The meal was fabulous, and apparently Panache had convinced the other Moderators that buying wine for everyone was within the budget, as bottles were provided at each table with their compliments.

As the meal was winding down, and people were preparing to leave the dining room, the Captain of the ship came into the room and made an announcement.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, “I do so hate to spoil your enjoyment of the cruise, but there is a situation. I need each of you to return to your cabins and pack your baggage. We will all need to evacuate the ship when we dock in Cancun tomorrow morning.”

[sharpdressedscot]

the plot thickens....


Good story!

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

Ooooh, ooooh!!! I have a little voodoo doll too, watch out!

Be well,

[James MacMillan]

- -

Bravo!!!

[Coemgen]

Oy vey!

[davedove]

Commercial Break


Grass covered hills


Several young children come running towards the audience from across the hills. As they run they keep looking behind themselves and calling out, “Come on Wompet! Come on boy!”

Following the children is a large shaggy dog, apparently having trouble keeping up with the children. As the children run out of the scene, the dog appears to give up the chase as he watches the children run away, still calling his name.

When the children are out of sight, he turns to the side and runs slowly to a small house.

The scene cuts to the kitchen inside the house and we see the dog enter through a dog door. He trots over to a cupboard and pushes the door open with his nose.

He pokes his head inside the cupboard, and then pulls out a large bag. On the bag is the label ‘X Chow’.

The dog rips open the top of the bag with his teeth and begins to eat the food inside. After taking several bites, the dog sits back. We see his eyes light up and he stands more alert.

The dog turns and leaves through the dog door.

The scene cuts back to the hills where we see the children running again. Suddenly, the same dog comes running up behind the children and quickly passes them, leaving them in a cloud of dust.

The children stop running and stare after the dog, their faces showing their astonishment.

The scene changes to show the dog sitting beside a bag of X Chow.

The announcer speaks, “X Chow, the secret of energetic dogs everywhere.”

The scene zooms in on the dogs face and he winks.

[davedove]

Scene 11


Aboard the Cruise Ship Ceilidh


Murmurs of concerned conversation filled the dining room.

“Please, ladies and gentlemen, if I may continue to speak, please?” continued the Captain.

The noise in the room quieted and the Captain continued to speak. “There is no need for immediate alarm,” he said. “However, I want to be completely open and honest with you. We received notification from the authorities just minutes ago that someone has claimed to have put a bomb on board the ship and it will be detonated if we do not evacuate the ship in Cancun. No reason for this evacuation was given, but of course we want to see to the safety of our guests.”

“When we dock,” he continued, “I ask you all to please obey the directions of the crew. We have an evacuation plan and your cooperation will ensure we can all leave the ship as quickly as possible. I am afraid you will each need to take your own baggage with you off the ship. For those with disabilities, we are arranging for a crewmember to assist you.”

“We have made arrangements,” he went on, “to transport you to local resorts for what would have been the remainder of your cruise, as well as airline transportation for you to return to your homes. As you exit the ship, port authorities will direct you to busses, which will take you to your assigned resort. For those who are part of the Kilted Kruise, we have arranged for you all to be sent to the same resort. Others groups on board will receive the same courtesy.”

“I want to thank you in advance for your cooperation,” he said, “and I want to apologize for the change in your plans. I want you to know that the safety of our guests is our first priority.”

“Now, you must excuse me,” he finished. “I must return to the bridge to finalize these plans.”

The Captain then quickly left the dining room. The room again erupted in excited conversation. I could hear several common questions arising:

“Who could have set the bomb?”

“Do you really think we’re safe?”

“What’s going to happen to us?”

I noticed Jaime looking my why trying to get my attention. When he caught it, he motioned me over to his table.

When I got to his side he asked me, “Do you think you could help out with the bomb?”

“Possibly,” I told him, “but I’m far from an expert on explosives. Even if I found the bomb, I probably couldn’t safely disarm it, unless it was amazingly simple. Ms. Raven and Ms. Hawk are the explosives experts on the team.”

“I thought as much. I am going to offer our services to the Captain, but he will probably insist that we leave with everyone else. After all, we are counted as guests, and thus his responsibility.”

“I would agree with that. Why don’t you tell everyone to return to their cabins and get ready to evacuate? I think the Captain would prefer to have everyone in their cabins instead of wondering about the ship right now.”

He agreed with me and told the plan to the other Moderators. As they got up to spread the instructions through the crowd, I returned to my table and told everyone there.

When everyone started to leave the room, Ms. Stork and I made our way to our suite to prepare for evacuation.