All the World's A Deadly Stage Affair
Chapter 4
Later that evening, the performers left the stage noisily as they were tired and sweaty. Jo was mentally swearing at whoever's idea it was to have her assume this role. Fighting a group of Thrush goons would take less out of her, and even torture at their hands would be easier to take than these constant rehearsals.
Gregory handed out waters to each actor as they passed.
"Mr. Marcon, left this for you," he informed Jo, handing her a bottle of Perrier Sparkling Water instead as she reached for her water.
"He said it was your favorite drink. It must be nice to have someone who cares enough to see you get the best."
Rubbing the bruises that could be seen on her arms, she opened it pouring it into a paper cup, "It is, thank you. He can be very thoughtful at times," with a tone of voice that indicated she was use to Marcon deciding what she was to do.
Napoleon had expressed concern the night before that the artists might be given the drug in small doses a few days before the actual night of the play. They decided that going forward only food they had control over would be eaten or drunk while on site, so he had arranged for special water to be delivered for Jo under the guise of wanting to make her happy.
She set her drink down while changing into deep blue mini dress with sexy black nylons that Napoleon had assured her Marcon would have insisted she wear around him.
Jo swallowed a large gulp from her cup, making a face after swallowing it. She complained, "Who switched my drink?"
"Sorry Harmony, that one's mine," the dancer next to her said. "I accidentally knocked yours over."
"That is okay, I just do not care for plain water. Well time to meet Sparks, Marcon is expecting us for supper," she slipped on her black leather coat. "And he does not like to be kept waiting."
Blu approached her, "Harmony, stay for a while." He seemed to be nervous and was insistent after seeing her drink from the other dancer's glass. He knew the water she had drunk was laced with a small amount of the drug. The brothers had decided to try it out on a few of the performers so they could gage their reactions.
"Cannot keep Marcon waiting," she replied turning toward the exit.
As she started to walk, her vision started to blur, and her balance became unsteady. She noticed that a few of the others were acting strange, but before she could comprehend what exactly she was seeing, her focus began to worsen.
Illya walked in noticing her problems. He grabbed her around the waist helping her leave the building.
"What the matter?"
"Drugged. Do not feel good."
"Harmony!" he shouted as she fell against him.
"Proklyatie (damn)," he said as he lifted her into his arms.
"Put me down," she demanded slurring her words.
"Before or after I let you fall to the ground," then ignoring her, he took her out to the alleyway, laying her in the back seat of his car, before headed straight to the UNCLE headquarters, where he was met by his partner and a medical team
Once she was examined, blood drawn and fluids started, it was determined that she was not in immediate danger.
"Why the IV?" Napoleon asked.
"It should help to dilute the drugs in her system. We'll going to lock her in the room for a safety precaution as we aren't sure how she will respond to whatever drug they gave her."
Once the sense of emergency had been eliminated from situation, Napoleon started chuckling.
"What is so funny?" Illya asked. Not finding any humor in the situation, he was relieved his sister would be all right.
"The short dress and nylons. She is going to be upset that people here saw her dressed like that."
Illya started to laugh with him, "Glad it was you and not me that told her to wear them."
"Hopefully, she won't remember."
His partner's raised eyebrows confirmed what he already knew, she would remember.
The men returned later in the day to find Jo sitting on the bed without the IV. The doctor had warned them that she seemed to have no inhibitions about doing whatever she felt like at that moment. When they walked through the door, she threw herself at Napoleon almost choking him with her arms around his neck.
"Naps did you come to save me. These mean people won't let me out of here."
Removing her arms as he spoke, "They need to run a few more tests first. Why don't you rest a bit more?"
"Don't want to!" she said stamping her foot like a child.
"Bolʹshoĭ brat (big brother), you will help me get out right?" She pouted looking up at Illya.
"Did you two know I am going to be in a musical, and I get to sing and dance?"
She suddenly jumped up and began to sing Where Do I Go, from the play. Dancing around Napoleon, she attempted to take off his jacket and unbutton his shirt.
Where will they lead me,
And will I ever,
Discover why I live and die.
He grabbed her hands preventing her from unbuttoning any more than she already had done.
"Josephina, stop it!" Immediately she dropped her hands standing still in front of him.
"That's not what you said the other night when I started to take off your clothes," she sulked although she did not attempt to touch his shirt again.
He shot his partner an annoying glance as Illya grinned at him. "Don't say one word!"
"Who me?"
She turned toward Illya, dancing around the room and running her hand though his hair she sang.
Hair, hair, hair, hair, hair, hair, hair,
Flow it, show it,
Long as God can grow it
"Josephina stop it now and sit down," Illya called to her.
At his command, she immediately plopped down on the floor.
"Ouch, that hurt," she pouted rubbing her butt.
"The drug does work well. The subject takes direct orders literally and does it," Illya observed.
"Let's test your hypothesis about the drug," Napoleon said as Jo stood.
"Jo, sing a little of Good Morning Sunshine."
She began dancing around the room singing:
Gliddy gloop gloopy
Nibby nobby nooby
La la la lo lo
Sabba sibby sabba
Nooby abba dabba
Le le lo lo
dooby ooby walla
dooby abba dabba
Early morning singing song
This is how Waverly found his agents when he walked into the infirmary.
"Sir, we weren't expecting you here in Washington, DC," Napoleon said taken off guard.
"I do get out of New York, Mr. Solo. Tell me what's going on. First Mr. Kuryakin, now Miss Kuryakin is hospitalized with substances in their systems."
While Jo continued to sing and dance, Illya answered him.
"I was accidentally infected when a piece of broken glass covered with poison cut my hand. Miss Kuryakin drank some water that was meant for someone else. She is not poisoned, however, this drug has her taking orders without question, acting without inhibitions. The lab has taken samples of her blood and is trying to come up with an antidote."
Jo stopped dancing around and burst into giggles.
"Now what?" Napoleon wondered aloud.
Pointing at Waverly as she laughed. "You remind me of a Bactrian camel with those brushy eyebrows, did you know that?"
"Jo!" Napoleon yelled.
"That's fine Mr. Solo. Miss Kuryakin, would you please stop dancing around and return to your bed," Mr. Waverly ordered quietly.
She stood and saluted, "Yes sir, Mr. Bushy." She jumped in bed pulling the covers up, giggling again.
"Mr. Solo, please empty your gun without Miss Kuryakin seeing you do it."
"Sir?"
"I believe my orders were clear."
Napoleon complied then looked toward his boss.
"Hand it to her, please."
"Miss Kuryakin, I want you to take that gun and shoot Mr. Solo in the leg."
Jo looked at the gun for a moment, turning it around as if she had never seen one before. Although her mind was screaming something isn't right, the drug overrode her training. She was able to resist the order until Waverly told her once more to shoot.
She aimed at Napoleons leg, pulling the trigger. When nothing happened, she reexamined the gun once more turning is around in her hand, looking in the barrel.
"Give me the gun," Illya requested with his hand out.
She gave it to him.
"I think it is broke; it did not go bang when I pulled the trigger."
"Gentlemen, outside please."
…
Solo and Kuryakin, along with Waverly and his security escort arrived at the conference room in the Washington headquarters of UNCLE and there they waited for Dr. Strong to join them.
"I'm afraid we have a major problem gentleman." Dr. Strong advised them. "If a highly-conditioned agent like Miss Kuryakin is willing to shoot another UNCLE agents, especially one as close to her as Mr. Solo, then what chance do unconditioned actors have to resist the influence of this drug?"
"What is it you need to stop this threat Doctor?"
"Although we have the sample from Miss Kuryakin blood, I need a pure specimen of the drug itself."
"I believe that was part of your assignment Mr. Kuryakin," Waverly's reproach hung in the air. "Have you managed to get any further with your quest?"
"I have been able to locate the safe where the drugs are apparently kept, but each time I have attempted to gain entrance into the room, it has been occupied. Gordon Blu has been living in the room, even sleeping there. Other than the broken piece of glass and a fast look at the notes lying on the desk, I have not been able to retrieve anything."
"Then I suggest you come up with a way to get into that room and obtain a sample of the drug as quickly as possible."
"Sir, at this time don't you think it would be best to put a stop to the play. I mean we know how dangerous and controlling this drug is," Napoleon said.
"Mr. Solo, when it was suggested to the invited dignitaries that they avoid the play, each refused, stating that terrorists wouldn't control their choices. Gentlemen, we have to put a stop to this plot without it becoming known to the world. I have every faith that you will achieve this."
Entering the office, the attending physician placed his report on Waverly's desk. "Miss Kuryakin only had a sip of the water resulting in a minute amount entering her system, and she seems to be coming around. However, my concern is if she was affected this severely with the little bit that she swallowed, then I believe those in the cast who are constantly intaking the drug won't be able to resist any order they are given."
"How long before Miss Kuryakin will be clear of the drug?" Waverly asked looking down at the file.
"Another couple of hours."
"Will she suffer any other affects?" Napoleon asked.
"In her case, no. However, if someone is continuously exposed to it, I can't promise that they won't be permanently affected."
"Mr. Kuryakin you need to get into that lab and get a pure sample. Mr. Solo run interference for him. I want this concluded now."
With that, he walked out the door leaving the two men watching after him.
"Sometimes, I believe he thinks we do nothing but sit around waiting for the information to drop in our lap."
"Now Napoleon, he knows better than that. Perhaps he feels we are not always putting our best effort forward," Illya said resting his chin on his arms as he placed then on the conference table. "I think the problem is that his idea of what best effort means is different from ours."
"Well partner, I guess we need to live up to his definition then. Let's get something to eat; Jo won't be released just yet. Then we'll put our plan into action to get you into the lab and put a stop to Blu's plan."
…
As the men entered medical, they ducked as a tray hit the wall above their heads. "I am not ill and demand to be released right now," Jo snarled at the nurse who had brought in her food.
"Jo," Napoleon said softly but with meaning. "I'm sure the nurse did nothing to deserve this type of treatment."
One look at the CEA's face calmed her. "I am sorry. Could you ask the doctor to come talk to me," she asked sending a cold smile to him.
The nurse quickly abandoned them, leaving the two men to deal with the patient.
"Please tell me that I did not do the things I remember. That I did not tell Waverly that he reminded me of a Bactrian camel with those brushy eyebrows or called him brushy."
"I can't tell you that." Napoleon said with a small grin on his face.
"And I tried to undress you?"
"Afraid so. And before you ask, yes you did try to shoot me."
Jo moaned as she pulled the covers up over her head. "Just kill me now before I have to face anyone else."
The doctor walked in looking at the mess she had made. "I believe you wanted me, though I see you haven't gotten control of emotions yet."
Illya answered for her, "I believe she would like to be discharged."
"Miss Kuryakin I will discharge you with the understanding you are not left alone for the rest of the night. In your state of mind, anything could happen."
Napoleon offered a reassuring grin, "She won't be alone."
Once receiving her instructions, Josephina Kuryakin was released to her brother and Napoleon's care.
