Prelude 1, Scene 3:
The Lady Ziva waited in the shadows of the second floor foyer. From that vantage point, they could see and hear anyone who may have approached, and there were half a dozen rooms to fade into so their conversation wouldn't be overheard.
"M'lord Gibbs, much has happened in the rooms of Ophelia," the spy reported.
Gibbs gave her a nod to continue.
"Director Polonius…" She paused to growl. "The man is a frog!"
"A toad, Lady Ziva," DiNozzo corrected. "They're nastier."
She huffed with impatience. "The worst kind! He lines his daughter to dance and jig; he first lets fly before our good prince, then she finishes the reel while he plays every angler."
An occasional fisherman, Gibbs could appreciate her play on words. DiNozzo was entirely confused. "Boss?" the lieutenant questioned.
"Director Polonius is using Ophelia as bait, or a 'jig', to capture Hamlet's affections. Like a fisherman, or angler, he lets 'fly' a little line to tempt the catch, then 'reels' it in until the fish is exhausted and gives up."
"And what is the purpose of this 'dance' he's putting on?" Ziva added.
DiNozzo shook his head. "She can make a complicated play on words but she can't distinguish between a frog and a toad?"
Gibbs ignored him. "What plans does the Director have for Ophelia?"
Ziva shook her head. "I'll find out. He has ordered her to return the prince's letters and tokens of affection and has bid her keep her distance from the prince. I think he means to test the mettle of Lord Hamlet's affections; will the tempter temper his temper?"
"Ziva, cut it out; you sound more like Abigail the Alchemist!" Tony protested, squeezing the bridge of his nose.
"Keep an eye on this, Ziva. Report to me when you hear something."
"As always, M'lord Gibbs," she said with a curtsey. She vanished into the halls like a swirl of smoke, leaving Gibbs and his lieutenant gazing after her in awe.
Getting back to business, Gibbs strode away, glancing at his timepiece. He had to check in with the other guards before he could check in on Physician Mallard. "DiNozzo, to your post. Young Laertes is in your care until I say otherwise."
"What about you, Boss?" DiNozzo inquired.
Ignoring him, Gibbs too disappeared into the labyrinth that was Elsinore.