Christopher WunderLee - Moore's Mythopoeia

“In other words, the two are engaged in deviant sexual behavior. Do you have evidence that they have broken the Social Code concerning their sexual relationship?”

Ah, led to it finally… wants rebranding… resolutely not thinking that… admission means their jurisdiction… very crafty… he’s led the conversation very well… continue to answer…

“Nothing admissible in court, sir. I have only bits and pieces that lead me to believe that it’s of a questionable nature. I’ve never actually seen the acts in progress.”

“How is that so? I read from your reports that you have Ms. Greene on twenty-four hour surveillance.”

…side-step, back one… he’s beginning to fray, nothing from his partner… he’s waiting for me to signal… calm, collected responses… no reason to worry… she’s safe… give them something… Dodger…

“Yes, but due to holes in our network, he seems to be able to appear and disappear before we can catch them on camera. This is accomplished by an extremely distasteful behavior by both parties to have their rendezvous outdoors and in public places, or at random times when we are not capable of monitoring Ms. Greene.”

“Do you believe this is intentional, that this ‘Wolf’ is aware of your presence?”

Yes… he sees ‘no’, slight confusion by the furrow… not thought of that… lowly Section 6 agent… he’s grappling onto loose connections… anything will work… she’s safe… no reason to worry…

“Nothing has given us indication of that, sir. It appears to be only coincidence.”

“And you have not been able to ascertain the actual name of this ‘Wolf’ yet?”

“No.”

“Are you aware of the Section 9 investigation of certain random acts of anti-social behavior perpetrated by a group known as The Players?”

Yes… he sees contemplation, reads it as egotism… no idea… probably read about it just like everybody else… heard some news about it… no connection… she’s borderline anti-social… no worries…

“I’m aware of the acts, sir, but I don’t know of your investigation.”

“It seems that there is a member of this organization who also calls himself ‘the Wolf’ and although I cannot tell you too much about the specifics of our investigation, this man is considered to be rather high-up.”

Interesting… hmmmmm… contemplation of what was said… waiting for response… itch chin… it just occurs to me…

“Do you believe Ms. Greene’s wolf is the same man?”

“Do you?”

“I wouldn’t have any idea, Commander, I don’t know enough about the subject.”

“Nothing has presented itself to indicate to you that Ms. Greene may be involved with any kind of organization or have any friends that are involved with fringe politics or may be reading certain material that might shed light onto her political affiliations?”

Silly move… he’s providing connection, patriotism… duty… relying on abstractions… she’s tangible, eatable… he’s aware…

“No.”

“Are you a big reader Captain Vincent?”

…forward onto his books, they won’t say them… she’s read them all… he’s trying to skirt the issue… see if I’ll fall for it… knows about my report… Dodger’s role… nonchalant…

“Not really, I dabble a bit, but I’ve never been too interested in it. I don’t see the reason for it when there are the Requirements and books aren’t listed on them.”

“Do you meet your Requirements?”

“Every month, just like anyone else.”

“What was the last movie you saw?”

Patriotic… good citizen…

“ Alchemy , with Doug McCabe and Victoria Wexler.”

“What was it about?”

…knows the answer… he saw it twice…

“Two citizens who fail at their goals and lose everything, but later learn to work within the system and achieve great success.”

“A wonderful movie, I believe it will win several awards this fall, don’t you?”

“I liked it very much.”

…switching tactics, cooperation… we’re all on the same team, just different coaches… he’s believed me… partner will concur… no involuntary responses suggesting otherwise…

“Would you do us a favor, Captain? Would you find out for us what Ms. Greene enjoys? According to your reports, she does not see very many movies, nor does she watch the preset quota of sites or purchase music very often. So, what does she do with her time? An idle mind is a dangerous mind, as Doukhobor once said.”

“She does read, I’ve observed that, but I’ll pay special attention to the subject from now on.”

…should have thought of that nod… good… they took bait… he’s sure of me… still intent on interrogating her… not right yet…

“Agreed, please let us know if Section 9 can assist you in any way. We are at your beck and call.”

…innocent citizen’s concern… a little worried about this…

“May I ask a question, Commander?”

“Of course.”

…shall we say ‘group’, ‘organization’, he believes… completely unknowing…

“This group you spoke of, the Players, are they dangerous?”

“Although they appear to be quite benign on paper, what many officials do not realize is how these kinds of acts and ideas trickle down the chain and infect the innocent. We are handling them, I assure you.”

… relieved, understanding, agreement… they’ll leave with nothing… stand up guy that captain… real soldier of the cause… she’s safe… no plans… for now…

* * *

A lesser person may be humiliated, unsure, self-conscious. It is only a tool. Subtle reflexes of involuntary muscles studied for responses, she is a poker player, a con artist, she is certain of what she says and how she moves, she does not think about them. He will know. She is as she was as a child, only aware of the response her body makes. He is no different, the gown will block his other motives; he will forget her as an adversary.

The driver that takes her to him is her control subject; he cannot help but steal glances as she removes her coat. He will see her first like this. He will be on guard and rendered defenseless. She adjusts the lace apron. The driver smiles a micro-emotion. She stares down at her lap, where a bouquet of embroidered roses faintly covers the most elicit point. Two others, the size of quarters, make the bodice she is pouring out of slightly less obscene.

The evening had settled across the city when the car stopped in front of the hotel. He was standing by the two electric doors, his coat over one arm, his eyes reflexively searching, his stiff posture tightened, his face rigid and concerned. She orchestrates the debut as she had planned. The driver opens the back door directly behind his seat and Elisa slides out of the car, avoids fixing her dress, which clings to her body, and turns so that she tosses her hair. He had seen her as soon as she pulled up to the curb, he did not smile, he watched like a scientist, until she smiled to him and waved a bare arm in the air. He returns the smile with a faint movement of his upper lip; she is still protected by the car.

The driver steps back inside and Elisa moves away from it, her hands busy with a small black purse. He maintains his amiable grin as she appears from behind the metal cabin, the creases in his lips relax, the lower jaw descends softly, the wrinkles gathered around his eyes recede and the upper eyelid rises as two faint lines appear on his brow.

She appears amused, walking the few short paces towards him. “Do you like it? I got it for you.”

He has already failed. She has forced the truth out of him. He has drawn his cheeks together and adjusted the saliva in his mouth. He blinks quickly and his pupils roam over her. Vincent wets his lips, involuntarily. “Yes.”