Agent 99 went to agent 58's apartment and knocked. 58 opened it. She wore a t-shirt and black pants, and her bare feet were very dirty.
"The wind on the hill blows strong," said 99.
"It brings cold to the city below," answered 58.
"But their hearts are still warm."
"Come on in, 99." She came in, and 58 closed the door. "How's Max?"
"I just heard from him. He's fine. He'll be coming home later today."
"Great!"
On the floor of 58's living room was a white cloth. It had brown patterns on it. To the said was a large plastic tub filled with clay. To its side was another plastic tub filled with dirty water. There was also a wood chair with two dirty towels on it.
58 went to a table drawer. She took a key out of her pocket and opened it. Then she took out a small plastic canister, which she gave to 99.
"Thanks."
Before leaving, 99 looked at the sheet on the floor. "Nice."
"Thank you. Say, how would you like to help me out with it?"
"Uh, no thanks. The times Max has helped you, he ended up with painted clothes!"
She smiled. "I assure you, that won't happen this time!"
"Well. . . what do you want me to do?"
"This work is called Runes. The material I'm using is clay. And rather than using brushes, I am painting it with my feet."
99 smiled. "I was wondering why they're so dirty!"
58 also smiled. "I've used them to paint other works, as well. By the way, I'll give you a percentage of the money I make on it."
"Well. . . all right, I'll do it."
"Excellent!"
99 took her shoes and socks off, then rolled her pants legs up.
"Now, step into the clay. It'll feel a little weird, at first."
She did this—and smiled. "It feels kinda like being a kid again, and playing in the mud!"
"My thoughts exactly!"
For the next several minutes, she had 99 trace lines and patterns on the cloth. Sometimes, 99 would put a fresh supply of clay on her feet. And toward the end, 58 also put her feet in the clay and added her own touched to the work.
Afterwards, 58 looked at the result.
"A masterpiece! Thanks, 99."
"No problem. It was fun!"
At that moment, a man came into the room.
99 smiled. "Max!"
She ran over and hugged and kissed him. 58 also hugged him.
"How'd you know I was here, Max," 99 asked.
"The chief told me."
"How was your mission," asked 58.
"A complete success."
"Wonderful."
Then Max looked down. "99, your feet are very dirty!"
"We'd better clean them off, 99," said 58.
99 smiled. "Right."
They took turns bathing their feet in the water, then drying them with the towels. While they did this 58 told him what they were just doing.
He looked at the cloth. "One of your best works, Brigitte."
"Thanks, Max!"
"Let's have dinner, 99."
"Good idea, Max."
She put her shoes back on. They said goodbye to 58, then left.