Disclaimer I don't own Mort.. or Shooter.. but I made up Clara so I could go play with them both.

Mort rubbed his mouth half nervously as he looked at the blank screen of his lap top.. as if words would appear there with out the inconvenience of passing through his brain and his fingers to the keyboard.. an inconvenience that seemed to make all vestiges of inspiration swiftly change its mind and head straight back where ever it is it came from, and not even come close to leaving a hint of what it might be in his mind..

"And that last story.. was perfect. the ending was perfect.. and that's the only thing that matters.. " he said to himself.. he frowned at the blank screen as if it were its fault it was empty and let out a frustrated sigh. and stood up.. "Ok.. fine.. don't come today" he said to whatever muse might be listening.. and walked downstairs.. he looked uneasily at the phone.. he wanted to ring her.. but he already knew her answer.. she had hinted, hell blatantly told him already, but something in him couldn't let it drop. He needed that story republished and she was the one who could do that for him.. he told himself it was mainly out of fear of Shooter returning.. he wanted his story fixed.. the ending put right. he had done that.. and Shooter was silent.. as if he had never been... but if it remained unpublished.. he didn't know.. and if he were totally honest. he wanted it published.. it was good.. he wanted to have that for the story's sake..

But he knew. she didn't agree.. oh she agreed it was by fat his best writing for a long while.. pure like it used to be.. uncompromising to editors whims. she really meant. or had he just got lazy.. whatever.. she still wasn't going to work to see it re-published.. she was clear on that.. but in the midst of a new bout of writers block.. Mort had nothing else to do.. but pursue the matter... he picked up the phone and rang her office.. direct line to her. not her secretary. who would answer in efficient cold tones. telling him what he already knew.. that he had just rung Clara Bennet Literary Agents offices. and then .. after knowing it was him.. politely put him off her putting his call through...

Instead he took the inside track.. just as pointless. but he had to do it.. he heard the sigh in her voice as she answered to him.. "Hi Mort" she said.. cheerfully enough.. agents could fake anything" he wryly thought "How lovely to hear from you again"

See" his inner voice said perfect faking.. really she is cringing.. and you know it

"Hi Clara" he said

"How is that new book of yours coming.. 'Reaping time' right?"

"Yeah.. well I got the title.. still.. " he said. and smiled weakly. at her changing the subject on him.. as she asked about the book he was meant to be writing.. 'contractually obliged to write' she often liked to point out.. it was a ritual dance they both did.. her wanting one thing from him.. he wanting something different from her.. he waited a moment.. she remained silent "About that other story.." he ventured.. he could picture the expression on her face as he mentioned it , again

"Actually I am glad you ring" she took the offensive with a shock comment like that.. he paused.. it was all the opening she needed "I want to speak to you about it, actually we can kill two birds with one stone, that conference this weekend, in New York.. the one your meant to speak at, but I know your planning on forgetting about, meet me there. We'll keep the publisher happy and see what we can do about this new version of your story.. Does that suit you?"

Mort tried to take it in, he hated book signings and the conferences where authors were meant to talk about how they wrote. he never knew how he did it... it was understood. although he was meant to do all these things.. he ducked out of as many as he could.. notmally a blind eye was turned by all concerned.. especially with the tragedies of the last year.. but she had baited the hook..too well. and she knew it "I just wanted to talk.. " he meant on the phone. but she sensed blood in the water

"Great I'll book you a room at the hotel.. its a whole weekend affair.. I'll book in too.. and we can see what we can work out.. I'll send you the details.. and its the Excelsior Hotel. very nice place. it'll be like a holiday .. you looked like you needed a holiday last time I saw you Mort.. goodness knows why you stay up at that lake.. where they are SO unfriendly to you.. come to the conference. they will al love you there.. and I'll talk books with you" she said soothingly.. soothing the sting of him already being stuck on a very barbed hook she'd set for him...

Mort sighed.. "We'll talk about Secret Window.. not just this next book?" he asked weakly

"Of course Mort.. we'll talk. I promise.. and I will even send a driver down for you.. so you can take it easy all the way"

"You mean to make sure I turn up" He countered.. finding his wits a little too late

"That too Mort" she laughed.. she had a deceptively nice laugh for an agent.. he smiled despite himself

"Ok.. guess I'll see you then .. then" he said. defeat in his voice

"So its all settled" she said like the cat that had got the cream.. "I'll see you this weekend.. so now go do what pays my morgage for me.. write more books Mort"

Mort glanced up to the second story and his desk.. "I am .. trying" he replied

"Don't worry.. a weekend of being pamperewd at the publishers expense is the best known cure for writers block.. "

"And if its not?" he said.. smiling

"Well those blood suckers have paid so its a win win" she said.. her tone light

"Blood suckers?. " Mort replied "Funny thats what they call you" he said a smile in his voice

"Well they would.. they are the proverbial stones I get blood out of.. for you, darling.. so be nice.. "

"Yeah like you keep telling me.. your on ..my side" Mort said with a tone of irony

"And so I am.. you've been very good to me. me and my B.M.W. thank you" she chuckled.. "Ok are we done here baby, cos I got other calls backing up?"

"We're done.. I've been done.. so your work here is at an end"

"I'll make it up to you this weekend.. I promise, Mort.. It'll be fun" she laughed again..

"You agents .. lie SO well" Mort sighed.. but he was still smiling. funny how she always managed that.. but that was why she was his agent.. she was the best in the business.. she made losing out in a deal seem a good thing.. Course Amy hadn't liked her.. he suspected it was the skirts she wore.. Amy had always commented they allowed you to see just a little more leg than was strictly needed.. though Mort didn't know what official measurement of 'needed leg' there was.. it was that or her easy friendly tone.. she said Clara flirted with him.. but that was just cos she didn't understand the subtle power games and negotiations going on under the surface.. he didn't feel Clara ever actually flirted with him.. it was all just proffessional stuff.. the games you played in it all.. .. Games that had him smiling.. even though he had just agreed to go to one of those dreaded conferences.. Damn she was good.