A MORE TANGLED WEB
By story is the result of a challenge as to where some of the missing Klingons had inadvertently traveled to in A TANGLED WEB 7 Chapter 2.
Written by Carycomic with Ordinaryguy2's blessing
"Once Upon A Time, On A Subway"
NEW YORK CITY, 1977
The man calling himself "Mr. Spender" lit what must have been his third cigarette in as many minutes. He looked at his wristwatch, and saw that it was nearly three o'clock in the morning.
"Funny how everything seems to work in threes. Don't it?"
Spender turned and looked at the well-dressed young black man standing behind him.
"You're late, Mr. Trick."
"Better than being the late Mr. Trick!"
"Come, again?"
"I've had a Slayer doggin' my ass, every night, for the past week. My ex-wife's great-granddaughter, no less! So, I arranged for some back-up, before coming here."
"You mean, him?"
Spender indicated the only other person on the subway platform. A fellow chain-smoker, roughly twenty-one years of age, with spiked, bleached-blonde hair. And, a wardrobe consisting of nothing more than a black vest, brown pants, and green army boots.
"He arrived just before you did. Who's he supposed to be; David Bowie, Junior?"
"Don't let the ensemble fool you. He's already got one Slayer to his credit. Back at the turn of the century!"
"Fine, fine. Whatever. Here's our train."
The duo boarded the last car, which was also the emptiest. And, as the train pulled out, Mr. Trick unlatched the brief case he was carrying. From within, he removed a beige folder almost overflowing with paper.
"What do you have for me?" asked Spender.
"You mean; besides the utmost admiration? Not much. Wolfram and Hart checked all their records. But, they have no record of any vampire or demon answering this description."
He held up the photographic blow-up of an angry-looking being with a walrus moustache; a high-ridged forehead; and a virtual mane of long brown hair.
"What about your other branches?"
"Still workin' on it. But, quite frankly? It's starting to look more and more like he's from way up there. As a matter of fact; I personally think he sort of resembles one of those old 'Star Trek' aliens. The Cling-to's, or whatever? Except, on the show, they had sort-of blue skin and curly hair."
"You watch too much television! What about the other one?"
"Well...?"
Whatever the vampiric informant had been about to say was cut off by the slamming open of the subway car door to their right. Standing there was a young black woman in a trench coat, over a black blouse and matching slacks.
"Patrick Raymond!" she shouted, pointing an accusatory wooden stake at Mr. Trick.
"Oh, shit!" chorused both men.
It was at that moment that the young woman went flying to the other end of the car. Pushed from behind by the hired bodyguard.
" Hello, 'ello, 'ello! What do we have, here?"
The Slayer, who had already jumped back to her feet, scowled at the intruder.
"You been watchin' too many old movies, slimey."
"They were all new releases when I first saw 'em, sweet meat."
Messrs. Trick and Spender used this interchange to slowly position themselves behind the bodyguard. The latter partially turned his head to address them.
"Get lost, you wankers. Now!"
They needed no further urging. In less than a minute, the English vampire and the Slayer were the only ones in the car.
"You gonna pay for buttin' in, suck-head," growled Nikki Wood.
"Then, what you waiting' for, love?" replied William the Bloody: "Let's get this party started!"
By the time the train reached its last stop of the night, William had doubled his credit.
Enjoy!---Carycomic
The name I gave Mr. Trick was a subtle reference to an ex-girlfriend of Lord Bowler's on THE ADVENTURES OF BRISCO COUNTY, JR. Her name was "Lenore Raymond," and she had married an old 9th Cavalry buddy of his.
Mr. Trick, Nikki Wood and Spike are from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
The Cigarette Smoking Man is from The X-Files