Two hours later
Now, all my baggage is sorted (one small backpack containing necessities, you can't take much when flying or swimming or whatever – travelling) I can set off. I look around; now, I was told the flock are resting in Central Park, Manhattan for a few days so if I get a taxi there:
"Hey, you!" I shout to a taxi driver, "Can you take me to the Comfort Inn, in Central Park please?"
"Wait! Elaina! I'll take you!" A man comes running up to me, panting breathlessly, looks like he hadn't been to the gym lately, "Hi, I'm from the FBI." He shows me his ID, "See? Well I will take you so the money you have isn't wasted. Oh, just look at you, you couldn't tell at all that you are a shape-shifter. Anyway, I also have a hundred-dollar-boost for you from the American government. This must be shared with the flock. Are you sure about all the details?"
"Yes I am Mr...?" I reply, relieved to get a word in.
"Oh, sorry, Mr Hart, but just call me Jeremy."
"Ok, Jeremy. You know where to take me. What number do I call if it all goes horribly wrong?"
"Number? Oh, if it all goes wrong then you just leave the flock and try to survive in Manhattan. That would be a real challenge." Oh, I feel so reassured. If I didn't fulfil my mission in life, I would be left to die on the streets of Manhattan.
"One last question. How do I get to know the flock?"
"Well, we thought Iggy was, erm, your type, if you get my meaning."
"What? You want me to get off with one of them? And how do you propose I do that? Seduce him by morphing?"
"Just charm him, you should know how. I mean, you seem to have an uncanny ability to control people, not by mind control, just manipulating, or as you say, seducing."
"Ooooooooooook... I'll try."
I got in the car – a swanky model, I note, an Astin Martin – and got ready for a long ride. Alas, my efforts went to waste, we were only in the car for ten minutes. But the car made me feel posh, I am getting a few admiring looks from boy's, so I return them cheekily, that's what I always do. Ah, I see what Jeremy meant. I am good at seducing. Now I see the boy's are staring disbelievingly. Hold-your-horses and stop-the-traffic what is that? A b-e-a-utiful guy, being lead around by another hot guy. Who was holding hands with a nice-looking girl. Dammit. Wait, are they...yes! It's the flock; I can see the younger one's now. Ah well, time to turn on the charm.