"A Warning Perhaps?" Part 2~ for Wednesday is all about April

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Link to part 1: http://section7mfu.livejournal.com/625452.html


                                         


“I will hear nothing of it Miss Dancer,” Alexander Waverly practically barked at her. “This is your assignment and no little dream you’ve had is going to change that fact.  Ridiculous my dear….you are a trained field operative now buck up and get over it.”

He’d been chewing on the mouthpiece of his pipe but finally dropped it in the crystal ashtray in front of him with a distinct ‘clink.’

The mood was rare for the Old Man, but even he could let his annoyance show through now and then and to have his top...rather his only female agent trying to bow out on a mission because of a nightmare? Well that was a bit of poppycock to him. Agents have them all the time. Why should Miss Dancer be coddled because of it?

“But blimey sir, agents have been known to be right about their instincts and perhaps that’s what’s coming through in Miss Dancer’s dream.”

The response given Mark silenced him instantly as one raised bushy eyebrow cast a look that would stop anyone in their tracks…. it was Waverly’s equivalent of the ‘stink eye.’

“Now here are your tickets to Texas, you’ll arrive at Dallas Love Field Airport and will be met by an agent from our field office there.  The passwords are included in your briefing folders along with your Southwest airlines tickets.  You will report to me upon your arrival and I will expect regular check in's on the hour.  Is this clear Miss Dancer, Mr. Slate?” Waverly harumphed.

He sent the folders around on the rotating conference table.

“Yes sir,” the agents answered contritely, in unison.

“Very well then, dismissed. And Miss Dancer, just chalk your dream off to a case of nerves...it happens to the best of us, trust me my dear.”

Waverly’s demeanor had changed just like that; going back to his softer, more fatherly tone of voice.

“Thank you sir, I will remind myself of that,” April answered before she turned and disappeared with Mark through the doors as they opened with a gentle shussssh.

“Well he put us in our place didn’t he?” Slate spoke quietly as they walked together along the muted corridors, heading towards the larger offices shared by Section II.  There they kept suitcases for any such travel situations that arose.

“Mark darling, thanks for standing up for me, but he’s right. I’m going down to wardrobe to pick up a few things. I think I’ll be needing some fancy duds for this assignment.”

“What do you mean luv?”

“Mr. Waverly said to ignore my dream..the scary part I’ll endeavor to do so, but I still see a party in our future so I’ll need something appropriate for it….you might want to bring a nice suit.

“Whatever you say,” Mark shook his head,” You have the lead on this ducks.”

The first thing April did was to make sure there were no bell bottom pants going with her, the the metal shim she dreamt about  in the pant legs was now inserted into the hem of one of her nicer skirts; that part of her dream she thought was a good idea. Perhaps changing the dream a bit might...well, she reminded herself to just ‘get over it’ as Mr. Waverly had advised her.

They arrived on time at the airport and the pair were approached by a man wearing a cowboy hat, and looking rather Roy Rogers in his getup...with just no fringe or sparkles.  As a matter of fact, many of the other men in the airport were dressed similarly in western style shirts, dungarees and cowboy boots.  The array of hats however, was astounding.

“Mark dear, you look positively out of place,” April whispered to her partner as they dallied in front of a news stand. “I think you need to put on your hat.

“Doesn’t seem quite gentlemanly to wear such a hat indoors luv.”

“Goose, you wear that awful corduroy hat of yours indoors all the time, what’s the difference?” April giggled.

“You know what? You’re absolutely right as usual,” Mark grinned as he placed his tan cowboy hat on his head.  Wearing a sports jacket, and a bolo tie around his neck, along with the requisite western style boots; he now blended in quite well.

The man they’d both noticed watching them sidestepped to within earshot of the agents.

“Looks like it’s going to be a mighty cold winter around these here parts,” he said, picking up a magazine and thumbing through it; though he wasn’t looking at it at all.

“That’s what they make sheepskin coats for Mister,” April returned the password.

“Hello Miss Dancer, Mr. Slate. I’m Agent Springfield and I’ll be escorting you while you’re here. Texas is too big a place for you Easterners to be wandering about it and besides, I’ll be masquerading as your chauffeur and you Mr. Slate I know are supposed to be some rich man looking to invest in the oil business here on behalf of you father...and Miss Dancer you’re Mister Slate’s sister for this charade.”

“Correct, but what’s your first name..and please call me April and him Mark.” Together the three headed for the luggage carousel to pick up their suitcases.

“Oh my name is Virgil, but everybody just calls me Rick...after my middle name Richard.”

“Okay Rick, lead on. That’s a right catchy name mate,” Mark interjected after picking you their two bags.”We need to check in with Mr. Waverly.”

Outside waiting curbside in a VIP parking space was a beige cadillac, looking quite immense and shiney. Mounted on the front grill was a set of horns, looking impressive but odd.

“What’s with the antlers?” April asked.

“Oh they’re there for effect. Texas long-horns to be precise. Lot’s of wealthy ranchers have them on their cars.

Once inside, April quickly settled in and contacted Waverly. It was just a check in and nothing more.  When that was finished they were on their way.

“You’ll be staying at Mr. Sirus Wayne’s ranch. He and the Missus are out of town so we have the run of the place to ourselves. This car belongs to him as a matter of fact.”

“That’s rather convenient,” April said. “Does he know or or we just invading his place?”

He’s very rich and offers housing for agents to stay at his spread when they come into town….though it’s not that often.  His son is in Section III stationed out in Los Angeles.  As part of your cover you can use Mr. Wayne’s name as your host while visiting here. We can say he’s a friend of your father’s so you don’t really know him. That way any personal questions about him are taken care of.”

“You’ve thought of everything haven’t you Rick,”April smiled.

“I’m supposed to help you play your parts Ma’am, as per Mr. Waverly.”

“Now Mr. Wayne’s ranch is right next door to the Henderson place...though when I say that, it means they just share a property line.  They’re actually quite a distance apart as ranches here tend to have a lot of acreage.”

As they drove on mile after mile, Slate remarked that Springfield wasn’t kidding. He finally asked when they’d arrive on the Wayne property.

“Son we’ve been on it for nearly an hour now.”

They finally reached the house, a rather large southern style mansion set on a well appointed and landscaped property. Lots of trees and flowers. It was a virtual oasis in the middle of a rough country.

How far is the Henderson place?

“About another forty-five minutes north of here...close by Texas standards I suppose.”

Rick helped them inside with their bags and after they were settled he handed April and Mark two large white envelope with embossed letters in gold on the outside.

“Big Bill Henderson is having a barbeque this afternoon and you are officially invited, that’s your way inside the house. From there, you two know what to do I reckon.”

April cast a nervous glance at her partner.

“It’ll be fine luv, trust me,” Mark winked at her.

(Conclusion on the next 'Wednesday is all about April'~ July 2nd)

Comments

[lindafishes8.livejournal.com]

You do a mean Waverly! April needed a little straightening out though. And Mark in a cowboy get-up? Glad he's out of that AWFUL hat. Can't see what's ahead for those two. You keep us waiting on pins and needles!

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

I admit, I do like writing Waverly and sometime I like to just break out from the usual jargon the character uses. The hat and Mark...yeah just had to make a remark about that bloody awful corduroy hat. Sorry to keep you on pins and needles. Conclusion is only one chapter away.

thanks for keeping up with the story and commenting. Strange how people said they like the April stories in one of the polls but few people comment. Well as long as they enjoy the stories, that's what counts.

[(Anonymous)]

I very much like the stories even though I don't have an account and haven't commented on them. Must admit though that I used to really like the corduroy hat.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

You should just open an account, whoever you are. They're free. I'll admit, at times he did look cute in that hat...it was part of his 'persona'. Thanks for taking the time to comment. And very glad you like the stories!

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

April's coping well; very competently taking heed of her dream, and going on. Good partnering, Mark!

Good job on Waverly. And I do like the idea of Mark in cowboy get up.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

April may be frightened but she's still an UNCLE agent. Having Mark by her side and his reassurance helps for sure. I enjoy writing Waverly and sometimes he has to take the role of the 'heavy' with his people. They have a hard and dangerous job to do and he can't let them fall victim to their fears, othewise it could get them killed.

thanks so much for reading and commenting! Glad you're liking the story. One more chapter left, I think.