1. Security
Max and 99 were boarding a plane at Dulles International Airport, headed for New York City on a mission. After checking in, they went through security.
"This is always annoying!," said 99.
"Annoying, but necessary," said Max.
"True."
They took their shoes and belts off, emptied their pockets, and put their bags on the conveyor belt.
They had no problem going through the machines, but as there were collecting their stuff, there was a big problem:
"Max, I can't find my shoes!"
"I can't find mine, either!"
They tried to talk with the TSA reps, but they were busy with other passengers. Finally, a manager came over to them.
"What seems to be the problem?"
"Our shoes aren't on the conveyor belt," said 99.
He looked around, but didn't see any shoes not picked up by other passengers.
"You two had better come with me."
He led a barefoot 99 and a sockfoot Max into his office.
2. The Office
He first established their names, and looked over their boarding passes.
"OK, now, describe your shoes.
"Mine are black Oxfords," said Max.
"Mine are blue strapped sandals with heels," said 99.
He nodded and made a phone call.
"I have a Mr and Mrs Maxwell Smart, and the say their shoes weren't returned to them, after going through security. They are black Oxfords and blue sandals. . . thanks. They're checking."
"Good," said Max.
"You found them? Great, bring them into my office, please. . . Bye. They've got them."
"Wonderful, " said Max. "I feel a little weird without them on."
"Me, too," added 99.
He smiled. "I quite understand!"
A minute later, a man came in with the shoes.
"Thank you so much!," said 99.
"No problem. Have a nice plane trip."
They put them on and left.
3. The Gates
"We've still got 30 minutes before our plane starts boarding."
"Right, 99."
As they walked he grew pensive. He eventually stopped walking.
:Something wrong, Max?"
"99, take your shoes off!"
"WHAT?!"
"You heard me; take them off and pick them up, this instant!"
"If you insist!"
She did this, and so do he.
"Now, follow me!"
He ran, and she ran behind him. He went to a place where there was a window looking out at the planes. It was empty of people.
"Now, throw your shoes against that window!"
They both did this.
There were two small explosions!
"Max!" She gave him a big hug.
4. Aftermath
Fortunately, the blasts shattered the window, but didn't do too much other damage.
There was an investigation. Max and 99 called CONTROL headquarters and the Chief (a new man; Thaddeus had retired 20 years ago) and several agents came.
It came out that three TSA agents were KAOS double agents. They were arrested and led away.
"But Max," said 99, when it was all over, "how did you know?"
"It was my shoes; they felt different, when I put them back on.
"Come to think of it, mine did, too! That should have occurred to me, as well."
"Well, it's all over, 99. We can go home, now. Of course, we'll need new shoes!"
"We can get them out of our suitcases."
"Right, 99."