Stephen reading Puppeteer – My favorite part

The receptionist’s watchful eye seemed to be saying he didn’t belong. What was her problem anyway? Nick couldn’t tell. Was there something wrong with the way he was dressed? His sneakers were so vintage that they were nearly impossible to obtain, his blue jeans were of a premium brand, and the new purple button-down shirt was a gift from his girlfriend Allison. Maybe the receptionist didn’t think that the thirty thousand dollar watch around his wrist went with the rest of his attire.

He wouldn’t apologize for that though. The minute he saw the watch he knew he had to have it. Michael Fish had one just like it and he had been a big Michael Fish fan ever since he started getting into the game of tennis. The back and forth of the game was such a thrill for him. He has been to Wimbledon twice already. The last time he took Allison with him. She is not into tennis like he is, but she couldn’t pack her bags fast enough to experience a first class trip to London.

They spent a few days soaking in all the sights after the games. Allison is a force of nature. Once she got a taste of the place there was no stopping her. She wanted to do everything. In the end she pleaded with him to just visit Paris for a day, only he had to be here—today—in this meeting with Rosenthal.

When did Rosenthal become such a monkey on his back? Rosenthal didn’t seem to have any sense of the endless hours he was putting in the lab. In the past year Sandro Rosenthal was never satisfied. The unmistakable question: wasn’t this his life? Rosenthal always wanted more of a cut of the profits - more of a cut of everything. It was like Rosenthal had attached his tentacles deep within him and only now he was just starting to break free.
Just because Sandro found him when he was in pain, grant you it was the worst pain he felt in his life, doesn’t mean that now he can drain him dry.
“Mr. Clegg,” the receptionist called out, “Mr. Rosenthal will see you now.”

Nick flashed the receptionist a smile as he walked by. She seemed immune to his charms and just went right back to doing the boring, uninteresting work that receptionists do. Have at it he thought. What lies has Rosenthal been telling you about me? Nick was the talent after all. If anything he should be treated like a rock star. Nick figured that Rosenthal doesn’t believe in profit sharing. If he did then his receptionist would definitely be treating him a little more warmly.

“Nick,” Rosenthal said greeting him at the door to his office, “come in, come in and take a seat. I hope you haven’t been waiting long.”

Nick took a seat at one of the three chairs that were new to Rosenthal’s office. “I haven’t been waiting long.”

“That is good. I am glad.” Rosenthal said calmly. “Now how is that new project coming?”

“I am almost finished now.” Nick said looking down at his watch and raising it up to his right ear to listen to the clicks of the second hand.

“You have been saying that for six months now,” Rosenthal said trying not to let the tension show.

“Genius takes time.”

“You have been saying that too.”

“Well it is true.” Nick said getting up from the soft leather chair so he could pace. “You know me and Allison could be having espressos in Paris right now looking at the Eiffel tower if I didn’t agree to have this meeting with you.”

“Is that what is bothering you?” Rosenthal looked genuinely concerned “You could have just called and I could have arranged for the corporate jet to fly you and Allison wherever you would have liked to go.”

Nick stopped pacing and turned to confront Rosenthal, “That is just it - I feel like a little pig that is constantly getting fed little bits of food. I don’t want to be asking for things. I want to be in control.”

“I am not controlling you, Nick.” Rosenthal said “We are partners.”

“Partners?”

“That’s right.” Rosenthal said with a big simile. “When I got my cut last time and I cut you a check for half a billion dollars. That’s a lot of money.”

“But the patent is obviously worth more.”

Patting Nick on the back with a big beefy hand “Don’t worry about the details. Remember who believed in you from the beginning and gave you a place to stay and work.”

“I remember.”

“Now tell me about this next invention.” Rosenthal said eagerly, “You have kept me in the dark long enough.”

“Oh, it is a big one,” Nick teased “But like I said it needs some work.”

Rosenthal wasn’t pleased to say the least. “You promised me something and I assumed that it would be the next new thing and all you give me…”

Rosenthal continues to yell at Nick. Nick figures Rosenthal must have promised his investors something extra special was in the works and when Rosenthal doesn’t delivers he is likely going to be thrown into a shark tank somewhere. The thought of it made him chuckle. Nick couldn’t understand how men with so much money could whine so much. Thankfully he had his ways not to listen. He looked over to Rosenthal to see if he realized that he was no longer listening to him. Sure enough Rosenthal stopped talking when he could no longer hear his voice vibrating in his ears. And it wasn’t too long after that when Rosenthal realized he could not hear anything at all.

Even though Nick couldn’t hear Rosenthal he still seemed pretty upset. Nick was never trained to read lips, but it appears that his “partner” was trying to mouth the words, “Oh, that is very funny.” Nick tossed Rosenthal the device he was using to cancel out the sound in a hundred yard radius. The device was the size of a six-sided gambling dice with dark blue and charcoal gray sides. Rosenthal was looking for some kind of switch on the dice to turn the damn thing off and found only smooth sides. Looking over to Nick for help Nick motioned his thumb and fingers together to give Rosenthal an idea how the device was operated.

Rosenthal squeezed the device and it flashed once like a strobe light and the sound was restored.
Then the door to Rosenthal office burst open and in popped the receptionist, “Mr. Rosenthal? Mr. Clegg? What just happened?”

“Everything is just fine, Miss Schumacher. Mr. Clegg was just having his say.”

“Yes, sir.” The receptionist said catching her breath, before she walked out and closing the door behind her.

“I see you have made it a great deal smaller.” Rosenthal said examining the cube closely.

“And just as powerful.”

“But isn’t there anything else?” Rosenthal asked “Don’t play games with me, Nick.”

“I agree that I would give you something today and there you have it.” Nick said “I told you what I want. I want some credit for my work. I am not some cog in a machine. I don’t like how the company holds on to all the patents.”

“Let me broker a deal. Bring me your next invention and I will make them listen.” Rosenthal said studying the cube Nick tossed him in silent wonder. “This sound nullifier should help convince them.”
“I will take you up on your word, partner!” Nick said before departing from Rosenthal’s office.

“So what did the big man have to say?” Allison asked when Nick met up with her. She was sitting at a table in the Angelic, a local French bistro near their penthouse apartment at 7th and Washington. She had already ordered herself an iced tea and a bowl of French onion soup. Allison considered herself a connoisseur of soups and would usual order the soup over the salad.

Whenever Nick ordered the house salad Allison would go into a spiel about how the house salad typically was made up of everything in the walk-in refrigerator the restaurant was about to throw away and unlike the soup, the salad was never cooked and there was no telling what was growing in it. Nick always told her that he preferred the salad and that he liked to live dangerously and Allison would always reply that it was bound to catch up with him.
“I don’t trust the man.” Nick said taking the adjoining seat at the table that was set for two.
“That’s nothing new.” Allison chided taking a spoonful of her soup.

“No.” Nick conceded, “But there is no telling what harm this next device could do.”

“More harm than that force thingy you invented?” Allison asked

“The force shield?” Nick said “What harm could be done in protecting people - besides Rosenthal promised that it would only be used for commercial applications.”

“And you believed him?” nearly choking on her soup.

“He signed an agreement.”

“Hells spells,” Allison protested “An agreement.”

“If anything, Rosenthal, has been a man of his word – well mostly. You didn’t know me when Rosenthal discovered me. I was at a very low point in my life. There was no way of knowing where I would have ended up without Rosenthal.”

“Is that why you stay with him?” Allison asked “You would have landed on your feet. You are brilliant, Nick.”

“Go on…” Nick said with a self-assured grin.

“I am serious.” Allison said with a laugh.

“I know you are and that is what scares me at times.” Nick said sobering up. “What happens when I get the genie out of the bottle?”

“More like Pandora’s Box you mean.”

“You are right,” Nick acknowledged “But I am like a heroin addict. Once I invent something I cannot stop. I suppose I am a prankster at heart. I just loved to play games with my sisters. You should have seen me with a whoopee cushion. Times were that I could be satisfied with a funny noise.”

“Now you are more sophisticated?” Allison joked

“You can say that.” Nick said getting the waiters attention while he reached into his sports jacket and pulled out a headband and crowned it on his head.

“What are you up to, Nick?” Allison said.

“Just a little test.”

“Oh, don’t make a scene!” Allison protested

“Did you want to order something, Sir?” The waiter asked primly when he reached their table. With a small black notebook in hand he stood at attention ready to take Nick’s order like he had done a dozen times that afternoon.

“Don’t you have a hard cider on tap here?” Nick asked

“Indeed we do, sir.” The waiter pleasantly told him. “Crispin Cider.”

“I will have a bottle of that.”

"Very good, sir. And what else…” Then just as the waiter was about to make note of the drink order the pen and notebook inexplicably dropped out of his hands and fell to the porcelain tile floor with a thud and a rattle.
“Oops.” The waiter said reaching down for the pen and his notebook.

“I will also have the house salad.” Nick said

“House salad.” The waiter said as he wrote it down. “And is there…” Again the waiter drops his pen and notebook like they are made of water.

“Call me Mr. Clumsy today.” The waiter said.

“My girlfriend claims the house salad has the worst things in it.” Nick said with a playful grin. “Do you disagree?”

“I can assure you the garde chef takes her job very seriously and uses the best ingredients.” The waiter said.

“What’s in the house salad today?” Nick asked.

“Snails.” The waiter said as he didn’t believe what he was saying.

“Snails?” Allison said. “Aargh! You won’t find me eating that.”

"This is a French bistro after all” Nick explained

“Did I say snails?” The waiter asked. “I meant to say nails.”

“Nails?” Allison said “What are you talking about?”

“Yes, nails.” The waiter proclaimed “Very hard ones. Dirty rocks and succulent earthworms, black beetles and puppy dog tails.”

“Now I know you are putting me on.” Allison said.

“Not at all.” The waiter said.

“That sounds good to me.” Nick said.

“Would you want something else, sir?” The waiter asked.

“Nothing else for me.” Nick said taking the headband off of his head and placing it back into his sports jacket.
The waiter turned away and left shaking his head like he had a screw loose.

“Did you do that?” Allison asked

“Do what?”

“That?!”

“I am just a simply man with a few dollars in his bank account. I don’t have the power to make people do whatever I want. I am not a god, Allison.”

“More like a little devil.” Allison reasoned. “Now I can see why you are reluctant to give this over to Rosenthal”
“Right now I only trust myself with it and I don’t trust myself with it.”

“That’s reassuring.” Allison said “Are you certain that it is safe to use on people?”

“It is perfectly fine as long as you don’t direct people over rooftops or into oncoming traffic.” Nick said

"Why would you create such a device?” Allison asked “There seems no good that can come from it.”

“Because it is fun.” Nick said “Besides I believe it can be used to restore nerve damage and it might be able to make a quadriplegic walk again.”

“No.” Allison gushed.

“It’s possible.” Nick explained “But whatever good it can do I know it can do just as much bad.”

“So what are you going to do?” Allison asked

“Bananas.” Nick said

“Bananas?” Allison said completely puzzled.

“After lunch here I am going to the market for some bananas. I think better after I make myself a smoothie.” Nick said

A large muscular man in his late twenties was steaming down an aisle of the market, in the very front of the store crossing past people waiting in line at the open checkout stations. He was wearing all black; black shoes, black socks, black slacks and a black shirt.

“Isn’t it a little early to be walking around, Dracula?”

“What was that?” the man in black asked stopping in his tracks. He addressed the person who made the remark, who happened to be a man that stood a foot shorter than him in a gray business suit.

“Are you talking to me?” the man in the business suit asked.

“Is there something wrong with what I am wearing?” the man in black asked.

“Black looks good on you.” The man in the business suit said.

“You better watch what you say or that mouth of ours is doing to get you into a lot of trouble.” The man in black warned.

“But I didn’t say anything!”

"Right?” the man in black said still a little flushed with anger.
That was close. Nick thought he would have to intervene. He didn’t account that that guy in black would be such a hothead. Nick didn’t realize how quickly his invention could turn dangerous. Maybe he was really playing with fire here. If he redesigned the device and removed the mind control aspects it would still be a viable invention in its own right and then he wouldn’t have any reservations in handing it over to Rosenthal. Rosenthal could still make hundreds of millions on the medical functions of the device and would be no wiser to the darker side of its possibilities.

A clerk with light blond hair that came down to the shoulders of her red blouse got done checking out all of her customers and Nick used his device one more time to get her attention. She turned like she had eyes in the back of her head.

“Can I help you, sir?” she asked.

“I am looking for the peanut butter.” Nick said.

“Aisle nine.” The clerk informed him

Once Nick got home he started right away making his smoothie. He sliced the pineapple into chuck size pieces into his deluxe blender that he bought at a specialty store. Then he added the berries and peanut butter and some orange juice, apple juice and just a splash of pineapple juice with a handful of crushed ice. Allison was in the other room watching a cable news station. She was watching intently and didn’t notice him putting his smoothie together until he activated the blender. The noise caused her to dash into their fashionable kitchen that they remodeled just last year.

“Nick, did you hear the news?” Allison asked once he switched off the blender.
“What news?”

“About Jaxon Castle.” Allison said. “He just said the most damning thing and it has already gone viral all over the social networks.”

Jaxson Castle was the Republican nominee who as of recently was ticking up in the polls after the President health care program has been such a disaster. Democrats across the nation have been bailing on Warrencare like rats on a sinking ship in fear of the upcoming elections. The chances of President Michael Warren getting re-elected were dim at best and Democrats running for political office didn’t want any association of him in fear that it would damage their campaigns. Nick was a supporter of the President and thought those Democratic politicians were spineless. Any new governmental program was going to have some speed bumps during its implementation. He was a diehard Democrat and wouldn’t vote for Jaxon Castle on a bet.

“This should be good.” Nick said “What did Castle do now?”

“He told some man at a rally that he wanted to have sex with his wife.” Allison said.

“He did what?” Nick asked pouring himself his smoothie into a tall glass. “I find that hard to believe.”

Allison called out, “Kitchen screen.” And the kitchen’s holographic projector materialized a screen out of thin air that panned the length of the room. “Play Jaxson Castle comment at the rally today in its entirety.” Instantaneously the screen played back the rally.

The Republican nominee was shown stepping down from the podium and shaking hands with the audience that pooled to meet him. Out of the crowd a young man offered his support to Jaxson Castle and introduced him to his wife. Upon seeing the supporter’s wife, a tall brunette woman in her twenties the Republican nominee remarked that he would sure like to pork her. The man was not sure what he was hearing so Castle said that his wife was a knock out and he wanted to know what the man wanted in order that he may have sex with her. It looked as though the man tried to laugh it off, but he appeared confused and a little upset. Meanwhile the image cuts back to the studio. Hosting the program is Emily Gertz. She has been a recent edition to the Global News Network.

This is the first time Nick has seen her at a loss of words. Her guest is a Democratic commentator. Emily Gertz turns to him for his reaction. The commentator explained that he always thought that Castle was an unpolished speaker, but had no idea that he could be this uncouth.  The Gertz asks the Democratic commentator if he thinks that Castle was joking. The commentator concludes that joke or no joke the Repulican nominee is going to take a hit in the polls.
Allison paused the video. “It looks as though Castle was forced into saying that.”

“By my device?” Nick asked with a smile. “The problem is the headband is right here.” Patting his hand over the pocket in his jacket where he stored his invention.

“Is that the only one you made?” Allison asked

“Well, there are the prototypes.” Nick ventured. “But they are locked in my lab and the only one who knows about this device is you and I just showed you the device today.” Now he was getting worried. “Kitchen screen.” He called out, “Replay the Jaxson Castle rally.”

“What are you looking for?” Allison asked.
“If anyone is using my device they must be in proximity of Castle and that woman that Castle said he wanted to have sex with.”

“How close would they have to be?” Allison asked.

“Close. The prototypes didn’t have much range.” Nick explained “If someone was using one of my prototypes we should see them on the video.”

“Still frame.” Allison ordered the screen.

“Do you see something?” Nick asked.

“Enhance lower right.” Allison said and the kitchen screen took that portion of the image and increased that section until it filled the entire screen. “Isn’t that one of your prototypes?” pointing to a man a few yards away from Castle. “Zoom in and enhance.” She order the screen

“This is not possible.” Escaped Nicks lips “To win an election?”

“I’ve read the cost of running this year has gone up to six billion dollars.” Allison said.

“Well Castle is buffoon anyway.” Nick said “It shouldn’t cost six billion to defeat him.”

“So you had nothing to do with this, Nick?” Allison asked

“Me.” Nick said taken back by her question. “I might be a trickster, but stealing elections isn’t in my playbook.”

“What are you going to do?” Allison asked

“First I am going to finish my smoothie.”

“Very funny.”

“Then I am going to my lab and see what exactly is missing.”

“You think Rosenthal is behind this.”

“Is Mr. Rosenthal here?” Nick asked the receptionist.

“Mr. Rosenthal asked not to be disturbed.” The receptionist informed him “Take a seat Mr. Clegg and I will see to it that Mr. Rosenthal knows that you are here as soon as possible.”

“That’s not good enough,” Nick explained getting his headband out of his jacket.

“I happen to know that Mr. Rosenthal is on an important business call right now.”
Nick put the headband on his head.

“But nothing is more important that you, Mr. Clegg” the receptionist said.

“So he won’t mind if I walk on him right now?” Nick asked.

“Of course not.” The receptionist reassured him

Rosenthal was indeed on the phone when the receptionist barged into his office without knocking. The shock on his face was apparent.

“Get off that phone right this minute, Sandro.” The receptionist ordered Rosenthal. “Mr. Clegg needs to speak with you right now.”

“Miss Schumacher?” Rosenthal gasped “What is the meaning of this? I told you I was not to be disturbed.”

“That isn’t important.” The receptionist said “What is important is that Mr. Clegg needs to talk to you.”
Rosenthal hung up the phone and got up from his desk. “What the hell is going on?”

“You don’t pay me enough, Sandro.” The receptionist said.

“Have you lost your mind, Miss Schumacher?” Rosenthal asked

“I’m taking the rest of the day off,” The receptionist said “You can answer your own damn phones” and with that she stormed out of the office.

“What did you have to pay to make her do that?” Rosenthal asked.

“Pay?” Nick said tapping his headband. “Nothing. It must have been something you have done.”

“Hey what is that thing on your head?” Rosenthal asked

“I think you know all about it already.” Nick said “The next new thing that you couldn’t wait to have so you stole the prototypes right out of my lab.”

“I didn’t steal anything.” Rosenthal said.

“You had it coming to you, is that right?” Nick asked.

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” Rosenthal said.

“So you don’t know anything about stealing elections?” Nick asked

“Fixing elections is a crime.” Rosenthal said bluntly. “You can call me greedy all day long, but you must know that I am not a crook.”

“Maybe.” Nick reluctantly said not willing to let go of his anger.

“I have connections in the government.” Rosenthal said quickly “If things are as serious as you say I know I can make them listen.”

“And how did you come by these connects?” Nick asked.

“I might have sold them some patents,” Rosenthal admitted

“My patents?” Nick said staring Rosenthal down.

Rosenthal recoiled. “Technically those patents belong to the company.”

“Allison was right.” Nick said “She said you would never stick to our agreement that my inventions were only going to be used for commercial applications.”

“You can sue if you want,” Rosenthal challenged him. “The company had no choice. The government played the national security card.”

“And the government paid you handsomely.” Nick said, stating a fact and not a question.

“I was planning to give you a cut of the proceeds.”

“I am not worried about that.” Nick said rubbing the back of neck. “I am worried about my inventions being turn into weapons.”

“This is why I didn’t tell you, Nick” Rosenthal explained “I didn’t want to bother you with it.”

“These connections of yours, how can I speak with them?”

“I’ll call them right now if you want,” Rosenthal said.

“The sooner the better.” There was an icy cold edge in Nick’s voice that has never been there before. He had always been the fun guy; the guy that laughed at parties and didn’t take life so seriously.  He had been always willing to let some things go and give the benefit of the doubt to others. That was why he believed in Rosenthal all this time. Nick saw now how his trust had been misplaced and how his eagerness to please has lent him astray. He knew he had to make a stand before it was too late.

Rosenthal took a seat at his desk and activated his phone to dial a number. “I was given a special number to call in case of emergencies.” Within minutes Rosenthal was speaking with an agent of the FBI. Rosenthal switched the phone over to the speaker setting. “Agent Gomez I have Nick Clegg with me in my office and he saying that we have a crisis on our hands.”

“The Nick Clegg, the inventor?” Agent Gomez asked.
“The one and the same; he tells me someone has taken his latest invention from his lab and is using it to steal the election.”

“The Presidential election?” Agent Gomez asked. “And how is this invention going to do that?”
“It can be used to control someone’s actions for a short time.” Nick said
“Mind control?” Agent Gomez said not ready to believe this. “That is something out of science fiction.”
“We are talking about Nick Clegg here.” Rosenthal reminded the agent. “He has developed quite a bit of amazing technology.”

“But this is mind control.” Agent Gomez said, “How does something like that work?”
“Do you want a science lesson or do you want to stop whoever took the device?” Nick asked with some frustration. “There is no telling how far the people who took it will go once they have mastered the device.”
“Point taken. I won’t be able to get where you are until the end of the day, but I will have a team sent to your location within the hour.” Agent Gomez informed them.
“I cannot wait here,” Nick said “I have to get to my lab and devise a way to block the effects of my device. I am sure Rosenthal has told you where my lab is located.”

Before Nick could get started finding a weakness in his latest invention he needed to get a handle on what happened in his lab. The first thing he needed to do was take stock of the situation and analogized the scene of the crime. His initial concern was for the puppetry devices. When he discovered those prototypes were missing he blamed Rosenthal and went to confront him without first getting a good look around and see what else was taken. Nick never considered that someone other than Rosenthal was behind the theft.

Nick turned to the middle of the room where two large desks were situated. A supercomputer the size of a small refrigerator was left running there. This was the nerve center of the lab. The computer monitored the security system and Nick never would leave the lab with the computer powered down so he should have notified him of any break in. Nick walked over to it sensing that something was wrong. The computer wasn’t coming out of sleep mode when he approached it. He activated the computer manually and tried to run a diagnostic, but there was no response to his voice commands. Nowadays most people didn’t use a mouse and a keyboard to operate their computer. They used voice recognition and massive amounts of artificial intelligence. The written word dramatically changed a generation ago. Business reports nearly wrote themselves and novelists never battle out their stories along; they always had a team of creative digital dynamos picking up the loose ends and finding any factual errors. Oftentimes books went to publication with not much more than a cursory glance from the editor.  But Nick installed a mouse and keyboard because he believed in redundancies and sometimes he even wrote code using them. It was his way of connecting with the past.

Looking over the readouts on the screen he realized whoever was in his lab must have cut some wires to disable the alarm which has also shorted out the computer’s microphones and sensors.

Nick reset the system after he replaced a few components from his workshop and then the computer’s sensors came back online. With the security grid working again it had detected a breach just inside the wall near the heavy metal door protecting the lab. Nick didn’t design the security system himself, but he made sure it was top of the line. To defeat a system this sophisticated someone would need to acquire the plans and to get the plans they would need to break the security of the security company. It takes some skill to do that without raising some red flags.

Why would anyone bother unless they knew what he had in his lab. The thieves were good, there is no question about that, but they could have never accessed the higher functions of the computer which were protected by several level passwords and coded locks of encryption. They must have thought they could have reverse engineered his invention once they had it without the benefit of the research and plans.

The perpetrators might have relied on security blueprints and if they had they probably wouldn’t have learned about his vault. Nick installed that myself and that wouldn’t be on any company plans. The puppetry devices were left out on his worktable, but all his other inventions were stored behind a concrete wall on the far side of the room. Various parts and cannibalize electronics and failed inventions were shelved in plastic bins in front of the vault. Nick walked pass the bins and went to the wall and placed his right hand on it. A locking mechanism independently designed by him read the biological markers on his hand and the coded chip that had been surgically implanted inside it and the wall slided open. Inside were a collection of devices that either worked to some degree and were undergoing some improvements or were finished and where were awaiting an upgrade. Nick thought there was always room for improvement. Looking around he saw that noting appeared to be missing so he exited the vault and closed the concrete door behind him and went over the computer and brought up the schematic of the puppetry device. He needed to find a way to undo his invention.

Studying the schematic for several minutes he knew he might find something if he had about thirty days, but he couldn’t sit in his lab while who knows who is running around with his prototypes. There was very little he could do to undo what he had done; only he had a workaround. He decided that he could very much safeguard people from his prototypes.

Nick went over to his worktable and got out the headband from his jacket pocket. Taking a tool from the table he readjusted the headband. That should do it he thought. Then he got out some more spare parts and material he had used to make his puppetry devices and made four new headbands piecing together parts that he manufactured using his 3D printer. This new model was sleeker model that used one-third the parts of the one he kept in his jacket pocket.

“Sir, three individuals are approaching the lab.” The lab computer said perfectly calm. Nick programed the AI with no emotion. The trendy thing was to mask your computer with a bunch of crazy feelings. Honestly the machines didn’t feel anything and oftentimes the situation wouldn’t match its reaction, like the performance of as an actor that truly didn’t know his craft.

“Hector, when they get to the door ask them if they are from the FBI.” Nick said.

“They all claim to be from the FBI.” Hector said.

“Did they show their IDs?” Nick asked.

“Indeed they did, Sir.” Hector said. “And they appear to be genuine.”

“Open the door then.” Nick said

Hector unlocked the door and quickly swung it open and one woman and two men stepped inside. The woman looked like she was in charged. She was in her early thirties and Nick thought she was very attractive in black suit and even stylish in the cut of her short dark-brown hair.

“I am special agent Bergsma” the woman said. “And this is special agent Leonard and Clark,” pointing to the other two agents. Leonard could have been a football player, completely bald and with very dark skin. Clark was even taller with wavy light brown hair and fair skin, like he avoided the sun. Agent Clark was very thin, but he looked as athletic as Agent Leonard.

“Thanks for responding so soon.” Nick said “Are you in command here, agent Bergsma?”

“I am until special agent Gomez gets here.” Agent Bergsma said.

“What has agent Gomez told you about the situation?” Nick asked.

“Special agent Gomez told me you had concerns about the upcoming Presidential election regarding one of your inventions. He told me you could explain further.” Agent Bergsma said.

“Are you aware of the remark Jaxon Castle made at the rally earlier today?” Nick asked “He told a supporter he wanted to have sex with his wife.”

“We were listening to the story on our drive over here.” Agent Leonard said.

“How does this have to do with your invention?” Agent Bergsma asked.

“The device that was taken has the power to temporarily take control the decision making functions of someone’s mind.” Nick said. “Simultaneously it latches onto the right and left frontal lobes, primarily the section of the brain known as the Broca’s area that controls speech. Then it overrides the cerebellum and takes control of their actions.”

“Are you serious?” Agent Leonard asked

“Quite.” Nick said. “Do you want me to demonstrate?” Getting his headband out of his pocket.

“Is this safe?” Agent Bergsma asked.

“Very safe.” Nick said. “My tests show that it enhances brain function. It has the possibilities to be a medical breakthrough.” He crowned the headband on his head

“And control minds.” Agent Clark said.

“I was planning to remove that feature from the final product.” Nick said with a sigh. “Before anyone found out about it.”

“I think this whole thing is one big practical joke.” Agent Leonard said.

“A volunteer.” Nick said with a smile.

“Wait one minute.” Agent Bergsma said not sure if she should stop him.

“I am fine, Judy.” Agent Leonard said. “Obviously this thing doesn’t work and he is wasting our time.”

“I am not so sure.” Agent Bergsma said “Agent Gomez told me that Mr. Clegg was on the level.”

Just that moment agent Leonard started dancing about, spinning around and singing, “I’m a little teapot, short and stout”. He put his left hand on his hip, “Here is my handle” and stuck his right hand up, “Here is my spout.” Jumping up and down he continued singing, “When I get all steamed up, hear me shout.” Finally he bent over, “Tip me over and pour me out.”

“I don’t believe it.” Agent Clark said. “Andrew, can you hear me.” He said shaking Agent Leonard’s shoulder. “Are you in there?”
Agent Leonard didn’t pay him any mind and started dancing again. “I’m a very special pot, it’s true.” Spinning around. “Here, let me show you what I can do.”

“That is enough Mr. Clegg” Agent Bergsma said walking over to Nick, trying to get his attention.  “I believe you made your point.”
“I can change my handle and my spout.” Agent Leonard sung putting his right hand on his hip this time and pointing his left up in the air as me bent the over the other way. “Tip me over, tip me over and pour me out.”

“Are you sure, Agent Bergsma?” Nick asked. “There are two more verses.”

“Two more verses of what?” Agent Leonard asked.

“Andrew, don’t you know what just happened to you.” Agent Clark asked

“Nothing has happened to me.” Agent Leonard said. “I have just been standing here, waiting for Mr. Clegg to do something with his invention.”

“You may not remember it, Andrew, but you were dancing around singing a children’s song.” Agent Bergsma said. “This could be a nation nightmare.” She turned towards Nice. “I was told that you were working on a solution.”

“There is a bright side.” Nick said giving them his reassuring grin. “I have the most advance model. The thieves took the prototypes that are less powerful. And I have blocked any influence the prototypes have over me as long as I am wearing my headband.”

“What about us?” Agent Clark asked

“That is another bright spot.” Nick said retrieving the new headband that he recently assembled. “I know that they are not exactly Government Issue, but unless you want your strings pulled like you are a marionette you are going to have to wear them if you want to go after the people who took the prototypes.” He handed each one a headband. “I made them more durable and thinner and lighter than the model that I am wearing, but there don’t control thoughts, only block them.”

“Luckily we know where to start looking for them.” Agent Bergsma said. “If they want the Republican Nominee to look the fool they need to follow him on the campaign trail.” She looked over to Nick. “What is the range of the prototypes?”

“Twenty-five to thirty yards.” Nick said “But to be effective you are going to have to be close enough to see and hear who you are influencing.”

“Jaxon Castle is making an appearance in New York City tomorrow.” Agent Leonard said “We should be there if we are going to stop these guys.”
“I’m coming with you.” Nick said

“I don’t know about that, Mr. Clegg.” Agent Bergsma said

“I am the only who knows how these devices work.” Nick Said “And it is because of me that they are out there. I am responsible.”

“You can come, but only as an advisor.” Agent Bergsma said. “You are not to try to apprehend these suspects. They can be dangerous. We don’t know their endgame.”

“I need to get a couple of things.” Nick said.

“Okay, go home and pack a small bag.” Agent Bergsma said.

Stephen reading Puppeteer – My favorite part