Don't own Chuck
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
[Bagdad 2003]
Chaos reigned in the city as American coalition forces pushed up from the south driving Republican Guard troops out of the way. The military high command structure fragmented and the fifth largest military in the world vanished. A group of men looked to secure themselves a fortune and power in the political vacuum that would follow.
"Hurry up," yelled one man as two trucks filled with men pulled up in front of the Bagdad Museum. "Everyone knows what we want now let's move out and get it."
"Hey you can't just come in here like this and take whatever you want. This belongs to the Iraqi people," said the curator as he vainly tried to defend his house.
"This says I can," said the masked leader. He fired point blank at the old man dropping him in the middle of his museum. One group of men secured the museum guards while others damaged artifacts and looted others. The men were in and out with clockwork precision in under an hour but when they were done the Bagdad Museum had been pilfered and over two thirds of its priceless treasures were gone or damaged.
[Burbank today]
"Hurry up or we're going to be late," said Sarah. "I've already got Sam ready we're just waiting on you. What's the hold up?"
"I'm sorry I just can't seem to tie this thing this evening," said Chuck. "I don't suppose you can lend me a hand can you?"
"You've got a computer in your head and you know Kung Fu but you can't tie a bowtie. Let me see," said Sarah as she tied it for him.
"I guess I just need my wife," said Chuck as he kissed her. "I don't know what all the fuss is about anyway so we're giving back to the Iraqi government property that belongs to them."
"These were pieces that went missing after Bagdad fell to us from their national museum. We seized them off a freighter in the port of Los Angeles. General Beckman and the Secretary of State are going to be there so we have to be there. Now let's move along. You haven't told me how I look I feel enormous in this evening dress."
"You're more beautiful than the 'Lady of Uruk' and no I didn't flash nor did I make it up. You'll see her tonight in the exhibit if we get there on time."
"Geez look what time it is. We need to run and I mean right now."
They finally all got loaded in the car with Sam in her booster seat in the back and Chuck in the passenger's seat. Driving out of Echo Park Sarah took West Highland the on to West Olive Avenue.
"I don't know why I have to go," said Sam. "I should've stayed at home Cicciobello Bobo is sick and I need to take care of her. I'm going to be bored looking at all those old things."
"First of all you can't stay home by yourself and second of all this is also good for your culture. These old things as you call them were made a very long time ago in a place called Mesopotamia that doesn't exist today."
"Because all they did was play around with rocks all day I bet," mumbled Sam as she looked out the window. "I could've stayed with Alex and Morgan. I could help Alex take care of him and Cicciobello I'm a good Doctor."
"We know you are but Alex and Morgan need time to themselves alone without having to worry about watching you. You're our responsibility not theirs and this is educational."
"Is this like when the doctor tells you right before he gives you a shot this won't hurt but you know right then it will?"
"Sam I don't want to argue with you about this. You're in the car so you're going to go. You might even find out you like it."
"Highly doubtful. Where did Nana Mary go anyway? Why did she have to go? She never said goodbye… she never says goodbye."
"I got this," said Chuck. He realized where all this negativity and hostility was coming from. "That's just the way your grandmother is. I think if she thinks that if she never says goodbye it's like she never really leaves. She'll be back again and soon you'll see. Why don't you make a list of things you want to tell her you saw or did while she was gone then you can tell her when she comes back."
"Bonehead I don't know how to write… well not that good."
"I think you mean 'well, not that well'," said Chuck choosing to ignore the outburst but for Sarah that was more than she could take.
"Excuse me young lady," said Sarah as she looked at Sam in the rearview. "You don't call your father bonehead or any other bad names…"
"What a minute," said Chuck. "I know where this is coming from. You heard Uncle Casey call Morgan a Bonehead, didn't you?" Sam nodded her head. She was a little taken aback by her mother's reaction.
"What's wrong with it? Uncle Casey calls Morgan names all the time. How am I supposed to know what's bad from what's not? I'm sorry."
"It's all right Sweetie but you can't repeat everything Uncle Casey says. How to say this… Uncle Casey uses language that the rest of the free world might take as offensive."
"You mean he uses a lot of bad words like on television when they use beep" said Sam as she looked perplexed. Chuck wanted to know how San figured out the beeps were for bad words so much for parental guidance. "But didn't his Mommy tell him that was bad and not to?"
"That's a mystery," said Sarah. "But if John calls Morgan a name it's probably not good to repeat it even if it sounds funny Bonehead being a case in point. Do I call your father names?"
"No you punch me," whispered Chuck. Sarah glanced over at him with a look. "Okay not helping I understand. Sweetie, I can give you a voice recorder and you can record what you want digitally then play if back for your Nana. I've got one right here," said Chuck as he took a recorder from of the glove box then passed it back to her. Just press the red button then start talking when you're done push it again to stop recording."
"Well we're here and we're late. I see the General and Casey pacing by the door with that couple and she doesn't look too happy."
"Does she ever," said Chuck without thinking. Sam giggled in the back.
"Well we'll keep that remark to ourselves," said Sarah. "You better hope she doesn't start recording us," whispered Sarah. "Okay listen up if anyone asks why we're late we tell them it was because of the traffic."
"But that's a lie," said Sam.
"Technically it's not. There were other cars on the road beside us so your mother had to drive the speed limit; therefore, we're late because of the traffic. You didn't record that, did you?" Sam just giggled.
"You've done it now. Come on let's go before we really incriminate ourselves."
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The General and her aide the Major were pacing up and down outside of the museum as officials and dignitaries filed in. She was waiting for her team to arrive to go in together but they were late. The General kept looking at her watch then looked over at her Major who shrugged his shoulders. He'd already called them and they assured him they were on their way. Finally Casey pulled up in his Crown Vic seeing the look on Beckman's face he hustled across the parking lot to her.
"What happened to punctuality Colonel? Does it get lost on this coast?" said the General. "Where is everyone else? If they don't show up soon we're going in without them and they get here when they get here."
"They're on their way I know they are just give them a little more time. They were having just a little technical difficulty. Sarah was having trouble fitting into her dress and Chuck was klutzing around with his bowtie. But they were right behind me."
"Well I don't see them now. Major go on inside and do some recon for us. See who's who then report back. They'd better be here by the time the Secretary of State arrives or they're going to have some serious explaining to do.
"I can go call them if you want," said John. He just wanted to get away from the General and her foul mood. If he'd known she was going to be like this he would've pulled off on his way in and waited for Chuck and Sarah to pass him up.
"No the Major just called them and they've got their phones switched off now. That's another thing I'm going to have to talk to them about."
"General Beckman," said a voice behind them. The General and Casey turned to be greeted by a Middle Eastern man and his family. "You don't know me but my name is Jamil Al-Bayati and this is my wife Noora and my daughter Sanaa. I'm here on the behalf of my government to receive these artifacts. You see it was my father who was the unfortunate curator of the museum when they were taken."
"Yes I read the report about what happened and I'm sorry for your loss. I'm just happy that we can return these wonders to you. It was pure luck that we found them the way we did, a random customs inspection and the right customs agent. I don't want to steal the Secretary of State's thunder but we are happy that they are going home where they belong."
"Thank you we will see you inside I hope? I'm quite impressed with the layout for this ceremony. I wasn't expecting anything quite this big" said Jamil. As he was speaking his wife and daughter stayed behind him.
"Yes it is nice and we'll be in just as soon as the rest of my party arrives. They seem to be running late," said Diane. As she and Jamil were talking Sanaa pulled on Noora's dress then whispered into her ear.
"Shush child your father is speaking," whispered Noora in Arabic as she gave Sanaa a look then put her finger to her mouth to tell the child to be quiet.
"Ma'am, excuse me," said John. "What is it your daughter wants? I respect the sacrifices your family has made and if I can get something for her I will." There was a little trepidation in Al-Bayati's family and his wife said something in Arabic to her husband.
"I'm sorry if I caused any misunderstanding or embarrassment," said Casey as he could tell he'd probably made a gaffe but Jamil took his wife's hand then smiled at the Colonel.
"No, you have to excuse my wife but she doesn't speak English very well. My daughter wanted to know if there were any other children so far she's seen only adults."
"Here comes one now," said Casey as he pointed to Chuck and Sarah walking over with Sam. John pointed at his watch and Chuck responded by shrugging his shoulders.
"What can I say there was traffic," said Chuck. "We got here as quickly as we could and what's important is we're here for the Gala."
"I guess you're right. Mr. Al-Bayati let me introduce Charles and Sarah Carmichael," said the General as she made the introductions but as she was doing that Sam and Sanaa were doing their own.
"What's your name?" asked Sanaa in Arabic then she turned to her mother to help her translate. But Sam answered her.
"My name is Sam and what's your?" The girl and mother looked at each other puzzled. They were taken aback that Sam not only understood her but she also spoke Arabic.
"But you speak my language? How's that?" said Sanaa. But her mother nudged her not to be rude. "I'm sorry my name is Sanaa but Sam is a funny name for a girl."
"I never thought about it but what kind of name is Sanaa? I have a… well I'm not sure what he is anyway a friend I guess, his name is Razhib. He speaks like you and he taught me a few words. Do you want to be my friend? We can stay together this evening I was afraid I was going to be bored with all these old people."
"Me too, okay we can play together. We can go inside and I can show you around the exhibit. I can show you the ones I like and you can tell me what you think. There's also a buffet table with ice cream."
"I'm in," said Sam. Ice cream was the magic word. "Mommy can I? Please, please we'll be just inside so you can watch us. I promise I won't get into trouble."
"It seems my daughter is a linguist and I didn't know it," said Sarah. "You have to ask Mrs. Al-Bayati and if she agrees then it's okay with me."
"Okay but Sanaa I want to be able to see you both all times and if you get food from the buffet I want to see it before you eat it. I need to make sure it's not haram."
"There shouldn't be anything haram on the buffet table. The museum is usually sensitive to the dietary restrictions of its guests that attend their galas," said Chuck. "Sam you remember what Razhib can't eat? Your friend has the same restrictions so help her."
"Come on," said Sam as she took Sanaa by the hand and the two ran inside. It did Sarah no good to yell at Sam to walk.
"Let's go inside," said Sarah. "We can leave the men to wait for the dignitaries while we watch our children. Your daughter seems like a very nice girl." Sarah took Noora underwing and led her inside where they could watch their daughters.
"I'm going to have to give you wife a special thanks," said Jamil. "My wife doesn't find it easy to make friends so she tends to hover over our daughter not that she doesn't have reason to be scared. There is so much turmoil in my country… I just hope all this will end soon."
"I hope so too," said Chuck. He and Casey led Jamil inside where John made a beeline straight for the bar where he got himself a Scotch. Chuck frowned at him when he came back with three glasses.
"Thank you but I'm going to have to pass," said Jamil. John looked at Chuck strange when he passed up the offer too.
"Bunch of Nancys that just means there's more for me," said John as he downed one setting the glass on a window ledge then began to mingle as only Casey could do.
"Follow me," said Chuck as he led Jamil over to the drinks table where he got them both a peach nectar drink. "Try this I think you'll like it. I had some Persian business acquaintances turn me on to this."
"I won't hold that against it," said Jamil as he tried it. "Mumm this is good. I need to take one of these to my wife. Did you see where our wives went?"
"I think I saw them go up to the second floor," said Chuck as he pointed to the balcony above. Jamil reached for the last peach nectar.
"Oh I'm rude your wife is pregnant do you want to take this to her? I can wait for them to put out more."
"No, no you go right ahead. You're the guest after all," said Chuck. "I'll wait here. They're bringing out more and then I'll be right up to join everyone. The Secretary of State should be here anytime now so the ceremony will kick off soon."
"I can't wait the get these all crated up and on their way back home. I remember most of these from my childhood. My father was at the excavations then he gave his life trying to protect them. Let me go this is supposed to be a happy occasion."
"Jamil I lost my father too soon also so I know how you feel. Think of this as if you're finally going to be able to bring back home a part of your father. Go I'll be right up."
Chuck watched Jamil walk away then head for the steps. He looked up to see Sarah smiling back at him. He raised his glass and pointed at it she nodded so he turned to try and find a waiter to get her a glass. The waiter, who was behind the drink table, had disappeared so he went scouting to try and find him or where they were keeping the rest of the peach nectar.
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Evening gave way to night and in the back parking lot just behind the main museum was a catering truck with loud generators roaring to provide it power. However, there was more coming out of the truck than Buffalo wings, meat balls and canapes. From a hidden compartment in the back of the van one of the men dressed as a waiter started handing out Tec-9DCs with thirty round clips to the other waiters. The men took the arms then assembled outside the van waiting for their leader.
"Are we ready," said a man who walked up to them wearing a tuxedo and bowtie. "This is going to be our moment. I want two men teams each team knows what they're supposed to do." There was a general mumble of agreement. "Good. I want all the exits secured… no one in no one out."
"Commandant how are we going to keep the Americans from breaching the entrances," said one of the men. "With only two men teams it's going to be hard to hold them off.
You're going to put these on the doors," said the Commandant as he tossed them a piece of C-4 with a detonator. Once you put that on the door you activate it and whoever comes in afterwards goes boom. If there aren't any other questions let's move out and get into position.
The group had just broken up when Chuck walked out looking for a waiter. He found them all around the catering truck. No wonder there wasn't anyone inside he thought to himself.
"Hey buddy," said Chuck as he walked up to the man in the Tux. "Are you here looking for a waiter too? I'm looking for the peach nectar do you think they have it on the truck?"
"I'll check I'm one of the interpreters this evening so let me ask," said the man then he went to one of the waiters. "Take this guy on board the truck and kill him we can't have him screwing up our plans."
"Thank you," said Chuck. "I admire your Arabic. It must be a difficult language to master with all those consonants. Where did you learn it? Here or abroad?"
"Actually I come from Bagdad; I studied there before the occupation. I became an interpreter for the American forces there."
"Funny you said before the occupation and not the liberation. I guess it's just a different perspective of the same thing."
"Yes, I guess you're right I never thought about it. Well this waiter will take you on the truck and get you your nectar."
"You'd think the waiters would speak English. But what the heck, I'll be sure to look for you inside. I'd like to hear from you what it was like growing up and going to school over there."
"I think it was pretty much the same there as here."
"I hardly think so and I bet you've got some great stories to tell. I want to hear them all but first my nectar. My wife loves this stuff I wish I knew where I could find it locally. My wife would just kill for it."
"Really I think if you look in a Persian market you should be able to find it. I really need to run now. Go with the waiter and he'll take care of you."
"So shall we get this over with," said Chuck as he followed the man on board the truck.
"Follow me," said the waiter.
"So you do speak English. I was wondering there for a bit."