Max came over to 99's apartment, one evening. They kissed, and he gave her roses.
She smiled. "Thank you, Max! I'll put them in something."
She found a long glass flower pot. She put the roses in it and added water. Then she set it down on a table.
"There's a new restaurant called the Vineyard that's recently opened. Let's eat there."
"OK. But before we leave, there's something I need to tell you. Sit down, please."
"All right."
He sat on the couch, and she set to the right of him.
"Since we're about to get married, I feel the time has come for me to tell you my real name."
"I would like that. I can't go around called you Mrs 99 Smart!"
She paused for a bit. "It is Tammy Smithfield."
"Tammy Smithfield, eh? Well, now that we've gotten that out of the way, let's go to dinner, Tammy?"
"Wait a moment, Max. That's not all."
"It's not?"
"No. There's more I need to tell you."
"All right."
"You see, my dad was American, and my mom was Hong Kong. He was a spy, and he met and married her in Hong Kong. His name was Roland Smithfield."
"Agent 127!"
"Right, Max! Anyway, when I was 18, I joined a secret group called the Shin Yang."
"Oh, yes, the Shin Yang! Er, who are the Shin Yang?"
"They were a group dedicated to the destruction of this country."
"WHAT?!"
"Yes, Max. Here let me show you something."
She took her left sandal off. She took out a handkerchief from her purse. Then she crossed her foot and rubbed a spot on the sole of the foot with the handkerchief. A star appeared, which she showed to Max.
"Is that a birthmark?"
"No, Max. It's a tattoo they gave me."
"But why would you join such a group?"
"I was young, rebellious, and stupid, Max. I worked with them for a year, doing small jobs—mostly stealing. Then one day, they ordered me to kill a politician."
"KILL A POLITICIAN?!"
"Yes, Max. This went too far. So I confided the whole story to my dad. And with his help, we rounded up the whole gang."
"Wonderful!"
"Afterward, I made amends. With Dad's help, I joined CONTROL. Iwanted to right the wrongs I did, and be the best damned agent I could be.
"So that's my secret, Max."
He thought for a bit. "Douse the Chief know about this?"
"Yes. He and Dad were close friends."
"I see. Tammy Smithfield, I could care less about your past. What matters to me is who you are now—99, my future wife, and the girl I love!"
"Oh, Max!"
They hugged and kissed."
"Now, let's go out to dinner."
"Yes, Max."
She put her sandal back on.
"How come I never noticed that tattoo before?"
"I keep it hidden with a special cream, Max."
"I see. You have a very attractive foot, Tammy—er, 99!"
She smiled. Thank you, Max!"
They left for the restaurant.