Chuck vs Jack Ponzi
Previous Chuck stories and order: 1 Chuck vs Charles, 2 Chuck vs the Love Boat, 3 Chuck vs The Rock, 4 Chuck vs Amtrak, 5 Chuck vs The Dictator, 6 Chuck vs The Name, 7 Chuck vs The Volcano, 8 Chuck vs The Ghost, 9 Chuck vs The Shooter, 10 Chuck vs The Package, 11 Chuck vs The Jade Dragon, 12 Chuck vs Jai-Alai, 13 Chuck vs The Greek, 14 Chuck vs The Suitcase, 15 Chuck vs The Pirate, 16 Chuck vs The Toy Maker, 17 Chuck vs The Sibyl, 18 Chuck vs The House, 19 Chuck vs The Heist, 20 Chuck vs The A-Bomb, 21 Chuck vs The Snowman, 22 Chuck vs The Tin Man, 23 Chuck vs The Baguette, 24 Chuck vs The Black Knight, 25 Chuck vs The Merchant of Venice, 26 Chuck vs Electric Sheep, 27 Chuck vs The Band, 28 Chuck vs The Cold, 29 Chuck vs A Horse With No Name, 30 Chuck vs A Bolt In The Blue, 31 Chuck vs Brick and Mortar, 32 Chuck vs Juri Sheshenkov, 33 Chuck vs The Couch, 34 Chuck vs The Hijack, 35 Chuck vs El Capitan, 36 Chuck vs The Wall, 37 Chuck vs The Outback, 38 Chuck vs The Evil Twin, 39 Chuck vs Golden Thumb, 40 Chuck vs Ben Franklin, 41 Chuck vs The Lady of Uruk, 42 Chuck vs The Beard, 43 Chuck vs Bunny, 44 Chuck vs The Football, 45 Chuck vs El Serpiente, 46 Chuck vs The Circus, 47 Chuck vs Broken Arrow, 48 Chuck vs The Gift Horse, 49 Chuck vs Armageddon, 50 Chuck vs The Return of The Evil Troll, 51 Chuck vs The Pirates of the Caribbean
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Jack was busy in his office laying out the arrangements for the annual Texas Hold 'em Poker tournament. It was an international poker tournament of epic proportions which was a cover for East to meet West and vice versa. It was a place where the heads of various governmental clandestine agencies could meet and share common intel under the guise of a friendly game of cards. However, this was everything but friendly where the stakes were high as well as the egos of the respective players.
"Beckman just called and she wants to know how the planning's going for this year's tournament," said Margo as she walked in knocking on the now open door.
"Normal people wait to be told to come in but considering you're not the only one of your kind that I know who does that I have to think it's something you're taught."
"If you want I can go out knock then you can tell me to come in then we can have this conversation all over again?"
"Never mind," said Jack as he rubbed his eyes and leaned back in his chair. "You can tell the generalissimo... Or would it generalissima in her case," said Jack as he looked up from his desk at Margo who responded by raising an eyebrow and gaving him a look. "Oh, never mind it doesn't matter anyway. You can tell her it's coming along. You know trying to keep this schmuck from sitting next to that schmuck because they're likely to kill each other is a pain in my backside. Maybe I should just put them together and let them have at it."
"Jack, don't think you want me to tell Beckman that. I understand what you're talking about... remember I have to provide security for these "schmucks" but this tournament is important. This is our chance to share and gather intel that we might not normal have access to or if we do we have to risk the lives of our people to get it so it's worth the effort."
"I know but trying to make sure the Ukrainian doesn't sit next to the SVR Director from Moscow or making sure the Israeli Mossad guy doesn't sit next to out new entry this year, the Iranian VAJA dude. You know life was much easier before. I just took all their money..."
"And had to keep an eye over your shoulder. Well like I said this is worth more than money and by the way I'm going to take over booking rooms until after the event for the same reasons as you just mentioned."
"Go right ahead and have at it. That's fine by me it's one less headache I have to deal with and just so we're clear. You people are responsible for removing all bodies and body parts as well as the clean up of all bodily fluids afterwards."
"Let's hope we don't have to do that," said Margo. "However, you're right a little bit of preparation prevents future stains in the carpet, but don't worry I'll have cleaners standing by. So Jack, what do I report back to Beckman?"
"You can tell her the invitations all went out on time and we've received RSVPs back from about half. Of those who haven't reponded are the Chinese and the North Koreans."
"The North Koreans never come so why did you bring them up? It would've been more noteworthy if they had."
"I don't know. I just thought if Rocket man could afford to send his sister to the Olympics he might do the same here. Actually, she's not bad looking."
"So is a tiger but it will tear you to pieces then eat you. That's one delegate I'm glad hasn't answered and I hope they don't come."
"But the rules of the tournament are that it's open to everyone and anyone as long as they are willing to fully participate and..."
"And this casino is considered neutral territory for the duration of the tournament. You're complaining about your backside think about what I've got to do to make sure that happens. On the one hand I'm responsible for the security and safety of the delegates while on the other hand I've got to remove bugs and security cameras that would make my job easier all in the name of their privacy."
"I guess we both have our crap we have to deal with but remember you said this was worth it," said Jack as he smiled at her. He then extended his hand to Margo across his desk.
"What? Do you want me to shake your hand? Please don't tell me you want me to hold it. What's that in your hand?"
"Just take it," he said as he handed her a flash drive. "On that is a list of the invitees and the replies we've received so far. I've also put on it a working copy of the seating chart but all this subject to change depending on any late entries. But why is Beckman asking now? We've gone for a long time without a peep from her and now it's like she's firing requests off every day?"
"From what I understood she was out of pocket for a while. She just got back in the office and is trying to get a handle on everything."
"I wouldn't say 'handle' I'd say more 'yanking on my chain' but that's just me and you don't have to quote me verbatim."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sam walked into school with Kate but as she was about to go inside she turned back for a last look at Mary standing next to the car. She knew something was going on and part of her wondered if this was her grandmother disappearing again. She hoped she was wrong or if she was she'd at least wait until Sarah and Chuck returned home but she knew that was out of her control. As she was standing there the bell rung snapping her out of her thoughts.
"What are you daydreaming about," said Kate standing next to her. "You need to hurry along or you're going to be late and you said you didn't want to do that."
"No... no, I don't," said Sam as she snapped out of it. "I've got to go," she said as she gave Kate a hug then hurried down the hallway. She heard a familiar voice coming from the office as she ran by. There were teaching in the corridor yelling at the students to walk not run but that was a waste of both breath and time.
"Good Morning Miss Nancy," said Sam as she walked into the classroom then went over to her desk. She pulled an orange out of her backpack then walked up to her teacher and handed it to her. "This is for you."
"Thank you, Sam," said Nancy as she took it. "I think through traditionally students give teachers an apple. You don't know this but I'm allergic to citrus. Thank you for the thought though."
"I wish I'd known... but I brought you the orange for the vitamin C to help you fight off your cold. I also brought tissues in case you need one as well as handwipes."
"Looks like you're prepared... you did say you wanted to be a doctor," said Nancy. Sam smiled from ear to ear because Nancy remembered what she'd told her. "I appreciate you thinking of me but like I said my problem is allergies and citrus pollen. The doctor gave me pills but I forgot them yesterday..."
"You mean he gave you an antihistamine that's what's usually prescribed for allergy attacks. You know you shouldn't have forgotten them yesterday."
"No, I shouldn't have," said Nancy smiling at the little girl scolding her and wondering if she would've known about antihistamines and what they were for at six. "Thank you again sweetheart now can you please take your seat we need to get class started. Is everyone here? Let me take roll quickly then we can check homework."
There was a low groan from the rest of the class as she started to call off the student names one by one. Buddy sat in the back looking at Sam and her backpack thinking about how he was going to get George inside. Marty looked over at Buddy then at Sam. He knew what Buddy had planned and he didn't want to upset his friend, but he knew what Buddy was going to do was wrong.
"Buddy, did you bring that spider to school? Please tell me you didn't. I got a call from Alvin this morning before coming to school telling me he's missing one. He wanted to know if we'd seen it."
"You mean tarantula not spider. They're theraphosidaes... they're different," said Buddy as he smiled back. Marty knew from the smile Buddy had brought George with him.
"Mr. Buchmiller, are you present," said Nancy. "I've been calling your name and you haven't answered. Maybe you'd like to explain to me and the rest of the class what you and your friend were talking about that has you so distracted?"
"It was nothing Ma'am," said Buddy as he glanced over at Marty with a look that told him to keep his mouth shut. "We were talking about the match on TV last night. I'm sorry it won't happen again," he said as he looked over at Sam. Teacher's pet flashed through Buddy's head.
"Well please pay attention in the future," said Nancy as she entered the attendance in her tablet that sent it straight to the office.
"Ma'am...am," said Tommy raising his hand. He started stutter but go out what he wanted. "Ca...n I mo...ve up and next to...o Sam since Maria is...n't here?" The rest of the kids started laughing.
"Looks like Sam's got a boyfriend," said Buddy as Marty joined in and they began teasing them along with the rest of the class. Sam turned red with anger.
"So? What's so funny? Tommy is my friend and he's a boy so what's the big deal. You see Miss Nancy this is why I need to learn to read so I can leave this stupidity behind me." Tommy just looked down at his desk.
"I'm sorry Tommy. Please come over and sit next to me and as for you, Buddy Buckmiller. Marty is your friend so does that make him your boyfriend?"
Sam's remark set the kids off laughing again. Buddy found that Sam had turned the table on him and everyone was laughing at him now. He was raging inside. He looked at the paper bag he had in his backpack then smiled knowing he'd have the last laugh or so he thought.
"Children, children that's enough. If I hear anymore remarks like those there will be notes sent home to your parents and you can explain yourself to them and the new principal. Am I clear? Open your note books and let's check your math homework."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
In a dark basement somewhere in Eastern Europe electrical sparks momentarily lit up the room. There was an acrid smell of burnt flesh and in the dim light a man could be seen strapped to a chair. He shook violently then slumped over.
"Gustav you idiot, you gave him too much juice. He's gone. Now what are we going to tell the boss when he asks if we found out where his money went?" said another man standing over the top of the man in the chair as smoke came out of his ears.
"Well, he did give us that name," said Gustav as he flipped on the light switch then walked over to inspect his handy work. "You know what? I'm hungry. Klaus, how about a run down the street to that Turkish place for a doner kebab?"
"All right, all right, but just so we're on the same page and we get our stories straight. When the boss askes who fleeced him out of his money... and you know that's the first thing he's going to ask..."
"Yeah, I know. We'll tell him Jack Burton because that was the name our extra-crispy friend gave us. I don't know why you're making such a fuss out of this. Now let's go the longer I stand around here the hungrier I'm getting. We can clean this mess up later. It's not like he's going to get up and walk away... although he does look like a big doner..."
"And if you'd been paying more attention instead of thinking about your stomach we would've gotten more information out of him. Okay, let's go but tell the guy to go easy on the onions and that hot sauce this time. It gave me heart burn last time."
"I bet it wasn't as bad as this guy's," said Gustav as they left the basement and started walking up the steps to the first floor of a dilapidated building on the outskirts of a grey city that could've been anywhere in Eastern Europe.
"I wouldn't want to be this Jack Burton person when the boss finds out about him. Life could become kind of hard for him," said Klaus as they walked to a rotisserie restaurant with an image of a doner kebab on the outside and 'Ali Baba' over the entrance.
"Just look inside here I think we just found the forty thieves," said Gustav as they walked in. They had no sooner entered when Klaus' phone started ringing. He looked at the caller ID but the number was blocked.
"Crap, I bet this is the boss. You go order for me and remember what I said about how I want mine and bring me back a beer. I'll take whatever they've got on tap," said Klaus then he answered his phone and walked back outside.
"Hey Boss I... we were about to call you," he said. Gustav gave him a thumbs-up then went over to line up to order as Klaus walked back outside.
"No, I'm not lying we were just about to call you and yes, we've got a name for you. Your bookkeeper told us Jack Burton was behind this. He was some sort of money manager and promised Abe high returns on his investment... well, your investment because it was your money he used. He wasn't going to tell you anything about the deal and planned on keeping the interest for himself. ... You want us to bring Abe to you so you can talk with him? I could but he won't be saying very much. ... Why? Well, Gustav had trouble regulating the voltage... the wiring over here is all screwy and. ... Yes, he's dead but we got most of the intel you wanted out of him. ... Yes, I'm shutting up. ... Right, I'll take care of it," said Klaus then he hung up and walked back inside and over to Gustav.
"How's the Boss," said Gustav as he slid Klaus a tray with his Kebab and beer on it. "How pissed was he when you told him we accidently fried Abe?"
"First of all, we didn't accidently fry Abe. You did and we both know it was no accident. You were playing with the knobs and you wanted to see what happened when you turned up the amps. But he took it surprisingly well. We need to finish eating then dump the remains in the sewer. After we finish here we're to catch a flight for Montenegro. The Boss says Jack Burton is there and we're to have a conversation with him about the Boss's missing money."
"A conversation?" said Gustav as he ate his kebab with yoghurt sauce was running down the corner of his mouth. "Does he mean like the conversation we had with Abe?"
"Yes, but this time I'm working the knobs. Any screw up on this one and they'll be using us as a doner kebab," said Klaus as he took a bite then made a face. "I thought I told you to tell him to lay off the onions and hot sauce? This thing is loaded with onions and it's soaked in hot sauce."
"Sorry, I guess I forgot to tell him. This was my screw up so I'll go order you another one and another beer to go with it."
"No, just finish yours and wipe you mouth. Here you can have mine just get some napkins and wrap it up. We need to go we're on the clock now."
"When we land in Montenegro I know a nice Turkish place near the airport that makes wonderful kebab. I know you'll like it."
"No offense, but I think I'll try a healthier option. This time we're going to Subway. I want a gooey meatball sub with melted mozzarella in a marinara sauce and I might even make it a meal."
"To each his own," said Gustav as he finished his kebab then wrapped Klaus'. "This is for later. Do we have an address for this Jack Burton in Montenegro?"
"He's the manager of a casino there. The Boss told me the name and all we have to do is just look it up once we get in country. So, if you're done let's go," said Klaus as he downed what was left of his beer.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The team packed up in Honduras said goodbye to Stefan and Anatoly then began their flight back home. The two Generals and Roan were going to leave the following day for DC after they closed the compound and sanitized the facility. They wanted everything that showed they'd been there gone so there would be no repercussions that State or the White House could complain about.
"I'm glad we're finally in the air," said Sarah as she leaned over and kissed Chuck. "I can't wait to surprise Sam."
"Ewe yuck, you two want to wait until we get back home or are you trying to go for number three. Either way you're making me sick."
"I think you know it takes more than a kiss Casey and I'm glad to hear you refer to Burbank as home. It makes me think there still might be hope for you yet."
"Keep it in your pants Bartowski," said John as he watched Alex doting on Morgan. He started shaking his head. "Why are you waiting on him? He didn't break his leg but if he wants..."
"Dad, you can see he got hurt and needs me to take care of him," said Alex as she handed Morgan a grape soda in a glass.
"Thanks, just the way I like it, cold and purple," said Morgan as he leaned in to kiss her but Casey let out a loud grunt. "John, what's up? I got wounded in the line of duty. Do you think I could get a purple heart?"
"First of all, you're not in the military so you don't qualify for a purple heart and if you were you'd need more than a sprained ankle. You can't even run right. How'd you not see that goffer hole or were trying to see how deep the hole was? Do I need to mention that you almost got us killed because of it."
"A small technicality but it all worked out in the end. We saved the day and the bad guys were caught... well, they won't be bothering us or anyone again."
"I'm with Sarah. I'm just glad it's over and we're heading home," said Chuck trying to change the topic. But as he spoke he felt a sudden sharp pain in his side.
"Your ribs are still hurting, aren't they," said Sarah. She caught his look. "You should've let me had them do an X-ray on you."
"Yeah Chuck," said Casey. "I don't want to say anything but jumping on that grenade was a stupid thing to do. You're lucky Tatiana's vest and body took the brunt of the explosion or we'd still be trying to shove your stomach back down through your mouth."
"Gee, thanks John for that picture but you know I always knew you cared for me. Come on you can say it. I know you want to. Just three little words and you'll feel better afterwards."
"If you don't pipe down and keep it in your pants I'm going to go for a new record. Grimes, if you open your mouth that goes for you too."
"What'd I say? I wasn't even in this conversation," said Morgan as he sipped on his grape soda and stretched his leg acting as if it were hurting a lot."
"Oh, my poor Morgan," said Alex then she kissed him on the forehead ignoring Casey's grunts. "Dad, please. Have you called Mom and told her we're coming in early? I know she'll want to cook something."
"Yeah, like one of her famous roasts. Big Guy, you need to get her on the horn right now and when you're talking to her let her know that Chuck and I are hurt. You can also tell her that an extra helping of her roast would do miracles..."
"It's already a miracle I have strangled you to death so you should thank your lucky stars. And for your information I have tried to call Kate but my calls keep going to voice mail. I don't know why she hasn't picked up."
"I wouldn't worry Big Guy. There could be a lot of reasons why she isn't picking up. The battery in her phone could be dead or she forgot to switch it on. Then again, she could've found someone else. Ouch, that hurt," said Morgan after Alex punched him in the shoulder.
"Keep it up and I'll set that new record yet."
As they were talking both Sarah and Chuck's phones rang. They both checked them then looked at each other.
"I just got a text message saying the principal in Sam's school wants to see us asap."
"I got the same message. Chuck, what's going on?"