Max and 99 went into one of the CONTROL labs. They wore white leotards and sandals.
They were met by Dr. Steele. She also wore the leotards.
"Hi, Max, 99."
They both said hi.
"We saw you at the Rockettes show, last week. You were wonderful, honey!"
She smiled. "Thank you, 99. OK, how do your leotards fit?" They both said they fit fine. "Now, what we are wearing is a special variety of clothes. They are stain resistant?"
"Stain resistant?," 99 and Max said together.
"Yes. And I want the two of you to help me test them. Come this way, please."
She led them to another part of the lab. There was a large round plastic pool on the floor. It contained brown clay.
A hose was nearby. Dr. Steele turned it on and poured water into the pool, to wet down the clay. Then she took her sandals off and got into it! She settled herself and rubbed clumps of clay over her.
"Now, join me," she said.
Max and 99 were reluctant, at first! Seeing this, she smiled. "C'mon, it's not so bad, once you do it!"
Encouraged by this, they took their sandals off and joined her.
"That's better! Now, spread the mud all over your clothes."
They did this.
"I've heard that mud baths are good for the skin," said Max.
"They are, actually. OK, we can get out, now. Follow me, and stay on the carpet."
They got out, looking like three walking mud pies! A mud-stained carpet led to showers. She turned one on and got it.
As the clay washed off, her leotards became white, once again-as if she was never in the mud!
"That's incredible!," said Max.
"I can't believe I'm seeing this!," said 99.
"Now, you two shower off."
They did this. 99's leotards became pure white, while Max's took on a dull brown color.
"Hey, my clothes aren't so clean."
"That's because your are a regular fabric, Max. I wanted to compare them."
"Oh, I see."
"This will revolutionize the garment industry!," said 99.
"Yes. But not right now. This fabric costs about $100 per inch to produce, at the moment."
"So, you could sell a suit made from it for $5,000," said Max.
"I'm hoping the costs will go down, as it gets mass produced. OK, let's dry off, now."
She turned the water off, and they dried themselves with towels that were there. Then they went to the main lab.
"I might need you guys to test this fabric, again."
"We'll be ready," said Max.
He and 99 put their sandals back on. However, Dr. Steele got back into the pool, and settled herself in the clay!
"Dr. Steele!," said a shocked 99.
She smiled. "I quite enjoy mud baths, actually. Like Max said, they're good for the skin."
99 and Max also smiled. They left the lab.