THE NIGHT OF THE DISGUISED ASSASSIN

By Andamogirl

WWW

ACT TWO

Later, inside Loveless's bedroom

Satisfied by his appearance Artemus Gordon completed his disguise by clipping emerald earrings on the lobes of his ears. He looked at himself in the mirror of the dressing table, playing with a finger in his red curls, very satisfied. 'Ever the actor, old boy!' he thought.

Miguelito Loveless who had watched the whole transformation grinned, both fascinated and impressed. "Mr. Gordon, you really are a master of disguise. If I didn't know it's you disguised as a woman, I'd be fooled. I could invite you to dinner and then to dance."

Meeting Loveless's eyes through the mirror, Artie shook his head sending a black look to the other man. He snorted. "And I would refuse. You're not my type – you're too unpredictable, too dangerous, and too deadly." He rose and inspected his dress, frowning at the few creases he could see here and there. He glowered. "Next time, tell your minions to be careful with my dresses. It takes hours to have them properly ironed." He touched his aching and bandaged ribs feeling beneath his finger the thick material of the bullet proof vest he had turned into some kind of high collared corset in order to fit the dress and to give him maximum protection.

The door opened and James West entered the bedroom immediately followed by two armed goons. "Artie, you look gorgeous!" he said, smiling.

Pleased by the compliment, Artie grinned. "Thank you, Jim."

Miguelito Loveless nodded. "And Senator Paulson will think the same thing, I'm sure. Mr. Gordon sit down on the sofa, it's time for you to have your injection." Artie's back stiffened and he cringed slightly, but he did what he was told. "Lyle Arcularis should be here any moment." He pulled out a box from the pocket of his vest and opened it. He took the pre-filled syringe that was inside and moved it to Artemus's neck. "You need to be prepared before being hypnotized. The effect is almost immediate." Artie gritted his teeth and let out a hiss as he felt the needle pierce his skin and went limp a couple of seconds later as the injection kicked in. "Don't worry Mr. West, he's alright," Loveless continued while noticing the other agent's frown of concern. "This drug won't harm your precious partner; just annihilate his will. He won't be able to resist that way." He looked at Artemus watching in interest as the older agent's eyes glazed over. "He's dosed already."

But Jim was still concerned. Artemus could have an unpredictable bad reaction to that drug, have seizures, suffocate and die within minutes. It had happened before – without the dying part – when Artie was experimenting with drugs on himself, but fortunately he had an antidote ready and at hand in case something bad happened to him; and did his experiments when he was there, ready to inject it, he thought. Seeing Artie blink tiredly, his eyes half-lidded, he asked, "Artie, are you okay?"

But Artemus couldn't bring himself to speak, he was too drowsy, he just nodded. His gaze was dulled and his eyes blinked lazily.

Loveless, irritated, repeated, "This drug was tested before. I wouldn't take the risk of killing Mr. Gordon, at least not now, because I need him. I repeat, this drug won't harm your precious partner; just annihilate his will. He won't resist that way."

"And he'll be a like a puppet in my hands," Lyle Arcularis said when he entered the room and joined Loveless. He sent Jim a cold look of hatred. "My father died in prison because of you."

Jim crossed his arms on his chest, unfazed. "I'm sorry he died, but it's not my – our fault. After what he did his place was behind bars."

Lyle Arcularis moved toward a dazed Artemus and observed him, visibly impressed. "You told me he was a master of disguise… I totally agree with you Dr. Loveless. It's absolutely remarkable. If I didn't know that it's a man, I would take him for a woman. What about his voice? I suppose he can modulate the timbre of his voice to imitate a woman's voice?"

Miguelito Loveless smiled. "Mr. Gordon can modulate his voice to imitate any timbre, any voice, and take any accent too."

The hypnotist was stunned. "That's amazing! He could be a great actor!"

Loveless smiled. "He was an actor before the war and before he chose to work for President Grant's Secret Service, a good one I heard."

Still watching Artemus feeling drowsier with every second, Arcularis pulled up a chair and sat down very close to the other man sitting on the sofa, their knees touching, facing him. "How do you want to proceed, Doctor? Tell me."

Loveless grinned and took out a photo from the pocket of his jacket. "It's a portrait of Senator Paulson. Mr. Gordon needs to recognize the man he's going to kill."

Arcularis took it. "Why do you want to kill him?"

Loveless huffed. "Because he's a nuisance. A nuisance I'm going to eliminate. I have planned something perfect. Senator Paulson is going to find our friend here, in a hypnotic sleep on his doorstep. Of course, he's going to bring that faux lovely Lady inside to take care of her, alone. That's when you intervene, Mr. Arcularis. You wake the Lady Gordon with a loud sound, that our two-legged Trojan Horse in a dress will be able to hear from the street and following your pre-instilled instructions, he'll kill the Senator. Simple and effective."

Lyle Arcularis reached out and lifted Artie's chin and smirked seeing his sleepy eyes. "You're right, it's simple and effective. As for the loud sound, I usually use a whistle, like my father, in fact, I'll use his own whistle. I'll be outside, in the street, and with my whistle I will activate Mr. Gordon." He turned toward Loveless and added, "You see Doctor, my father hypnotized him and ordered him to kill his partner, he almost did it." He looked again at Artie and touched his brow. "He has a strong will, but everyone is receptive to hypnosis, everyone can be put into a hypnotic state, but the time varies from person to person, people being more or less receptive, the technique can also vary to help the person to fall into a hypnotic state, but in the end everything is just a matter of time before someone is under hypnosis. My father told me it took him hours to find the right technique to break Mr. Gordon's resistance because he's not very responsive to hypnosis, but at the end, he succeeded." He smiled. "The drug you gave him will facilitate greatly his conditioning; he's already relaxed and submissive. But it's not enough, of course."

Finally Artemus closed his eyes, his head lolling to the side.

Loveless nodded. "I know that's why I drugged him. I don't have hours! The Senator will leave for Washington D.C. at dawn, so I need to act as soon as possible."

The hypnotist turned toward Jim and added with a hard smile, "Your partner will be like a puppet in my hands. He'll do anything I want." Looking at Loveless again he added, "Make Mr. West leave, please. I need positive vibes, not negative ones…"

Loveless gestured to his henchmen. "Lead Mr. West to my office and watch him closely." He watched the three men leave then sat on a chair, observing Agbar the Great, fascinated. "Are you going to use a watch, or a pendulum?"

The hypnotist shook his head. "No, just my voice. It's enough." Holding Artie's head in his hands, Arcularis moved closer, his nose touching Artie's and he commanded, in deep, soft tones, his voice barely above a whisper. "Open your eyes and look at me." And Artie complied, opening his eyes groggily. Plunging his gold colored eyes into the other man's own chocolate eyes, Arcularis, continued, "Good. Now listen to my a deep breath… now breathe out, good. Do it again. Good, again, good, once more. Good. Your muscles start to grow loose… your body is now completely numb and totally relaxed… (Artie's shoulders relaxed and he slumped into the sofa). Good. Let your mind go blank and empty your mind of all thoughts. Only my voice counts. Only my words count. Nothing else. Listen to the sound of my voice and obey it. Now you feel heavy, so heavy… and you close your eyes. You let yourself drift down into a deep relaxed state… You're now completely loose, limp, and relaxed, you're not sleeping but close enough. You're going to stay conscious to be able to listen to the sound of my voice."

Artemus went limp, his mouth open. He sagged and his head tipped forward.

Loveless was impressed. "Impressive," he commented.

Lyle Arcularis smiled. "Thank you." He gently gripped Artemus's shoulders and straightened him on the sofa before he ordered with a commanding voice, yet gentle, "Now you're going to open your eyes and I want you to look at me." He waited for Artie to open his unfocused eyes and then he added, "Now with the programming: Mr. Gordon you're going to focus on my voice, on my voice only." He paused. "Nothing exists but my voice. No one can command you in this state besides me." He paused again. "You will be obedient to my voice and to my voice only and you will obey all of my commands. You will live by my command, and die by my command. Do you understand? Answer me."

His face blank, Artemus nodded. "I understand," he said flatly.

Arcularis continued, "Good. I'm going to give you a series of instructions that you will follow precisely. Do you understand? Answer me."

Artie nodded. "I understand," he repeated in a lifeless, emotionless voice.

The hypnotist smiled. "Good." He pulled a small but powerful whistle out from his jacket pocket and blew it once. "When you will hear that whistle, it will place you in a hypnotic trance and you will follow those instructions. Do you understand? Answer me."

Artemus nodded. "I understand."

Arcularis went on, "Very well. Now listen my instructions carefully Mr. Gordon: when you hear the whistle, kill Senator Paulson. You will find a small gun hidden in your décolleté." He placed the photographic portrait of Paulson in front of Artie and added "Look at that portrait closely, that's Senator Paulson, remember his face. Once Senator Paulson is dead, after hearing gunshots you will wake up from the hypnotic trance and you will forget everything since the end of your last mission. Do you understand? Answer me."

Artemus nodded. "I understand."

Satisfied, Agbar the Great continued, "Now Mr. Gordon I'm going to plant two post-hypnosis trigger words in your mind. I want to avenge my father, so I will command you to kill your partner and then to kill yourself, after you accomplished your mission."

Loveless raised a finger. "But not before I have had time to play with Mr. Gordon. I want him to be my puppet without strings."

The hypnotist nodded. "Yes, I know." He paused and said, "When you hear the first word black from me you will fall again under my control, you will be in a hypnotic trance again, waiting for my orders, and you will do whatever I want. Do you understand? Answer me."

Artemus nodded. "I understand."

The hypnotist said, "When you hear the second word white from me you will leave the hypnotic trance and be your own self again. Do you understand? Answer me."

Artemus nodded. "I understand." He responded in a very deadpan tone.

Arcularis smiled. "Very good Mr. Gordon." He looked at Loveless who was fascinated. "Like this I will be able to control him, anytime, even after he's back here, his mission accomplished. It saves me having to repeat the hypnotic procedure."

Miguelito Loveless grinned. "Excellent! Excellent! I have plans for Mr. Gordon, but first, I'm going to ask him to kill President Grant once he's back in Washington."

The hypnotist nodded. "I can ask him to do anything Dr. Loveless."

Loveless rubbed his chin pensively. "I'm not going to kill Mr. West in the near future like I had planned to. No. he'll be more useful alive and under my orders – I mean under your orders, like his partner. When Paulson is dead, you'll hypnotize Mr. West."

Arcularis turned toward Artemus staring off into space and finally added, "Now Mr. Gordon, you're going to sleep, in a deep sleep and you'll wake only when hearing the whistle and accomplish your mission: kill Senator Paulson. Do you understand?" Artemus nodded again. "Good! Sleep now." And with that, Artemus closed his eyes, fast asleep. His body fell back against the backrest of the sofa, then slid slowly on his side until he met the cushions, his breathing even.

Loveless clapped his hands. "Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! That was magistral!"

Smiling with pleasure Arcularis bowed his head. "Thank you," he said as he stood up. He frowned, puzzled realizing something. "Is Senator Paulson protected?"

Loveless nodded. "Yes, he has ex-gunslingers in his service."

The hypnotist frowned. "Then, Mr. Gordon here will end up in prison if he's lucky or in the morgue if he's not. I'm not going to have the pleasure of killing him…"

The diminutive man shook his head. "You will." He glanced at Artemus Gordon sleeping deeply on the couch and then looked up at Arcularis and said, "I'll send my men to retrieve Mr. Gordon and bring him here, either from a cell or from the morgue – but he won't be dead, just stunned because he's wearing a bullet proof vest – he turned into a corset under his dress. He usually creates all his costumes you know; he's so talented it will be a pity to kill him, one day." He suddenly snapped his fingers. "I'd like to use a device I just invented, based on Thomas Edison's machine project – I myself do a little technological spying from time to time - to record your voice giving Mr. Gordon a special order… the order to kill President Ulysses S. Grant."

WWW

In the meantime, in the next room, in Loveless's office

Once Jim was tied to a chair the two minions exchanged a knowing smile and left him alone. Their boss was busy and he wouldn't notice their absence, they mused. They needed to have a break to drink a coffee and to piss and possibly eat something like a sandwich.

Jim West was left alone in the room, with the telegraph. "An occasion to seize, Jim," he said to himself. He easily got rid of the ropes tying him to the chair – he and Artie had trained for days in the Wanderer to be able to do that, he remembered and hurried to send a telegram to Colonel Richmond in Washington:

Senator Paulson in Hot Springs, Rockies, in grave danger – stop – Artemus Gordon has been hypnotized with instructions to kill him – stop – he's disguised as a red-headed woman – stop – he will be left on the Senator's doorstep in a hypnotic sleep – stop – do not intervene yet – stop – Loveless will probably be watching – stop – let the Senator bring Artie inside his home – stop – find a way to neutralize Artemus – stop – he will wake when hearing a whistle and will shoot at the Senator – stop - arrest the man in the street with the whistle – stop - send troops to the farthest building of the spa – stop – there is an elevator behind a door leading to Dr. Loveless's hideout – stop – I am prisoner here – stop – James West – stop.

He received confirmation two minutes later followed by: Jeremy Pike in Hot Springs – stop – will received his instructions soon – will take care of Artemus – stop – good luck - stop – Richmond – stop.

Jim was very surprised. "Jeremy's here? What a coincidence!" He narrowed his eyes suspiciously. That wasn't a coincidence, he mused. Grant was so worried about Artie getting himself in new trouble that he probably had ordered Richmond to send Jeremy here as a back-up, just in case things turn bad." He gave a short laugh. "Grant is going to give you a desk job in Washington to be sure you're safe, Artie…" Then he sighed in relief. Jeremy was a good agent and a friend and would handle the whole situation well.

Satisfied, he did his best to put the ropes back in place and waited for Loveless's henchmen to come back. When they did, he feigned pulling hard on the ropes and they fell on the floor.

The tallest of the goons pointed his gun at Jim. "Okay, stand up, move to the wall and put your hands on it, and don't move, or I'll kill you!"

Jim complied, hiding a smile while thinking: Artie won't kill the Senator. Troops will swarm the place soon and with luck Loveless will be arrested along with Arcularis Jr. and all the minions. Once freed I'll find Artie and bring him back to the Wanderer.

WWW

Later

Loveless opened the curtains covering the window of his carriage and looked outside, into the street. He noticed a man standing beside a lamp post. He recognized Arcularis. Then he watched Senator Paulson framed between his bodyguards head toward his house… and suddenly stop, seeing a * lovely red-haired woman * slumped on his doorstep.

The diminutive man smiled broadly, very pleased, everything was going according to his plan, he thought. He almost clapped his hands in glee as he watched the tallest bodyguard hoist Artemus Gordon in his arms and carry him inside, followed by a very worried Senator. The other bodyguard closed the door behind them. "Ah! It's perfect, Voltaire!" he said to the giant sat in front of him.

The bodyguard carried Artemus into the study and laid him down on the sofa. Jeremy Pike waiting there took place beside his friend. "Hello Artemus," he said smiling in admiration. "You look gorgeous in that coat and dress… " He took off Artie's black coat and fur collar and started looking for the other man's gun.

Paulson was amazed. "Are you sure that…. This woman is a man?" he asked. "Because she really looks like a beautiful red-haired woman."

Pike nodded, "If Artemus was awake, he would appreciate the compliment, Senator." He pulled Artie's dress and petticoat up to his knees, revealing long legs, garter belts and black semi-opaque stockings. No holster and gun there, he noticed. He pulled them back into place. "Artemus Gordon is one of the two best agents of the Secret Service, Sir, and the other one, James West should be here shortly." He patted the sleeves and found nothing there either. "Artemus is a master of disguise, Senator; he can impersonate anyone – women included." He finally snaked one hand inside Artemus décolleté and chuckled. "I'm sorry do have to do that miss… but I'm only doing my duty. " He found a Derringer there. "Got you!" He pulled it out from the false breasts and quickly replaced it with another one. "That gun is loaded with blank cartridges Senator," he said. "There's no risk for you. But remember, when Artemus shoots you, you must fall to the ground and stop moving, playing dead. He has to believe he killed you."

Paulson nodded. "I will. And your friend will wake?"

Jeremy nodded too. "Yes, he'll be himself again, his mission accomplished. That is what usually happens to those who are programmed to do something. Now I have to leave before Artemus hears the whistle putting him into a hypnotic trance."

Pike left the room but stayed behind the door, his ear resting against the wooden panel. A loud whistle was suddenly heard and then, two gunshots resounded.

Pike opened the door and rushed toward his friend. He took his gun from his hand and said, "It's alright Artemus, it's alright."

Artemus looked at Jeremy, completely disoriented. "Jeremy? What are you doing here?" He looked around him with surprise. "And what is this place? What am I doing here?"

Senator Paulson pulled himself upright. "I'm Senator Henry Paulson. You're in my house, Mr. Gordon. You're safe now."

Confused Artie frowned. "What the hell is going on here?" he finally noticed that he was wearing one of his most beautiful dresses. He touched his wig and still very confused, looking at Jeremy he asked, "Why am I disguised as a woman?

WWW

Outside, in the street, Lyle Arcularis smiled with pleasure and started crossing the street moving to Loveless's carriage. Paulson was dead, but his smile vanished as three soldiers jumped on him, tackling him to the pavement.

Loveless's victory grin vanished from his lips as he saw a dozen of soldiers head in his direction. He opened the box placed under the seat and pulled out two gas bombs. "Always come out prepared for the worst," he said throwing them amongst the soldiers. They immediately exploded and a thick yellow knock out gas enveloped the troopers. Using his cane he hit the top of his carriage. "Let's get out of here!" he commanded, frowning in both anger and frustration. His plan had probably failed somehow, he mused. "But how?" he sighed. "I hope that the Senator is dead!" he said to Voltaire. He gritted his teeth. "Another plan ruined! I will make you pay, Misters West and Gordon!"

Loveless's carriage had just turned the corner of the street when Jim West dismounted and hurried inside Paulson's house.

Hearing voices he entered the study shortly after and he grinned seeing Artemus sitting on the sofa conversing with Jeremy. The Senator was standing beside a window, looking into the street. "Artie! You alright?" He pulled Artie upright and hugged him. He parted from him a few seconds later and patted his best friend's shoulder. "I'm so happy to see you again. You okay?"

Artemus shook his head. "No, I'm still pretty confused and I don't remember anything after the end of our last mission. Jeremy told me what he knows and it's very sparse, but it would seem that you Jim, you know the whole thing. Where have you been?"

Jim sighed. "I was held prisoner in Loveless's hideout at the spa, but a detachment of cavalry swarmed the place, captured Loveless's men and freed me," he explained. I'll tell you everything once we're in the Wanderer, Artie, you need rest. Jeremy you're going back to Washington with us of course."

Pike nodded. "Yes, Colonel Richmond ordered me to keep an eye on you until we reach Washington. Then President Grant will see you in his office upon arrival."

Artie groaned and sank onto the sofa. He buried his tired features in his hands. "Oh boy! Grant's is going to chain me to a desk in the Secret Service headquarters in Washington D.C."

Jim nodded. "And he'll demote me and send me in a remote bureau somewhere in a middle of a desert. He asked me to mother-hen you, to take care of you. I didn't."

Sighing Artemus rubbed his forehead feeling a migraine coming. "No, you couldn't. It's not your fault Jim, he'll understand. I'm going to need a new leave." He took the glass of whisky handed him. "Thank you Jeremy, I really need a stiff drink." Then he gulped the amber liquid.

Jim looked at Jeremy and asked the other agent, "Richmond ordered you to come here as a back-up, just in case something bad happened, right?"

Pike nodded. "Yes, he received a direct order from the President."

Two soldiers preceding a Lieutenant entered the room. They saluted and the officer, looking very embarrassed said, "Dr. Loveless and Mr. Arcularis escaped, Sir," he said to Jim West.

Jim frowned. "How?"

The officer sighed feeling powerless. "Dr. Loveless used knock out gas bombs on my men, they couldn't do anything. As for Mr. Arcularis he… he told my men to go to sleep and they collapsed to the ground, sleeping. He stole a gun. I'm sorry Sir."

Artie moaned, his migraine worsening. He screwed his eyes shut and then shot them open again. "Let's go back to the train," he said. He stood up and swayed. Jim caught his elbow holding him.

Pike smiled. "Go back to the Wanderer, I'll join you later. I'm going to send a telegram to Colonel Richmond and take care of other things here."

Jim nodded. "Thank you Jeremy. Come on Artie, let's go back home."

Tbc.