xXx
Prof. Professor sat nervously in the meeting room, alone, the two chairs across from him conspicuous in their emptiness. Changed Daily entered, sighing at Victor's absence, shaking his head the same way he'd been shaking it for the past three weeks.
"This is highly irregular," he complained before clicking on his name code generator. "Wonderful. I'm Winky Poindexter today. Isn't that just the cherry atop the misery sundae?"
Prof. Professor couldn't find it in himself to laugh. "I'm worried about Victor, Winky. He's been operating outside of standard procedures ever since Anita's, er, accident. I've been hearing worrisome things from our undercover agents."
"Such as?"
"The wanton and careless destruction of Dr. Doctor's bases, even ones not in use. Extremely rough handling of her minions, use of force beyond what is necessary ..."
Winky held up his hand. "Yes, yes. I've heard this story before. It happens to agents who lose their partners, especially when it's one you are particularly close to." He glanced at the portrait of Lucy Woo adorning his mantle. "You lose your temper more easily, kick a few bums a little more than they need to be kicked and ..."
"I heard he's maimed one of them," Prof. Professor interjected quietly. "As well as refusing surrenders nor recognizing them as unarmed. This isn't just roughhousing - I think the boy has lost a good portion of his senses."
Winky paled. "Oh. Yes, that might be out of the ordinary behavior."
"We need to reign him in, Winky," the Professor said, hopping out of his chair. "Remember the last agent who started taking matters into their own hands and where that lead us. The best of intentions and the road they pave, let us not forget."
Winky sagged a little, rubbing his suddenly aching forehead. "I suppose we can assign him somewhere less ... accessible."
"The remoter the better," the Professor suggested. He clicked on his computer, bringing up an atlas of the world. "North Pole?"
"Let's not go overboard. We can save that as a last resort. Here ... South America. Peru has some nice unexplored areas. We can send him fishing there." Winky sighed. "I honestly don't like doing this. It seems a bit unfair. Victor has always been a good agent."
"It's your job to make sure he stays one. It's for his own good, at least until Anita ... " the Professor paused. "Recovers. Or, you know, doesn't."
Changed Daily glared at him. "Stop saying that. She might recover. I've seen stranger things in my time here. We can't penalize Victor for his ... concern."
"Is that what they're calling it nowadays?" The Professor shrugged. "We can beat around the strudel all we want, Winky, but you know as well as I do that Victor is in love with Anita. I warned you against pairing them but what's done is done and U.Z.Z. policy clearly states ..."
"You don't need to quote U.Z.Z. policy to me," Changed Daily replied sharply. "Victor will be sent south, Anita will be cared for in the meantime and you can keep your sage wisdom to yourself." He brushed some invisible lint away from his jacket with short, angry gestures. "I like you, Professor. Please allow me to continue to do so."
"No problem. Now ... speaking of strudel, the canteen is having a special on desserts. Shall we head down?"
xXx
tbc ....
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