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The next few hours at the Buy More were excruciating for Chuck. They needed to hang out just a little while longer until they could go check out the ride at the park. In the meantime he was stuck listening to Morgan caring on a conversation with Jeff and Lester, or Dumb and Dumber. The topic of conversation had eventually made its way back to Chuck and what had happened at the Large Mart. Chuck did not participate, and no one really expected him to. After all, it had appeared that his girlfriend had pretty much dumped him for a rich programmer not even two hours prior. Apparently even with this crew that bought you a little bit of space.
"I guess there is a new Geek God. I mean Chuck is awesome but I think he has been topped in this one." Lester started. Jeff was quick to add, "All hail Isidore," though he was interrupted when Anna smacked him on the back of his head and began to scold him, "You people will never cease to amaze me. Instead of trying to come to our fearless leader's aid you are further beating poor Chuckles down."
"What do you suggest?" Morgan asked, sounding a little hopeless. "The guy is devastated. I don't know if there is anything we can do. As much as it hurts me to say this, Sarah means the world to him…but if you have any ideas I am all ears." Morgan quickly followed up, "but please, no placing hits on anyone okay."
"Well even though I do believe we could call a guy, just to take out a knee cap or two, I do have another idea how we can help chuckles." Anna had a devious smile on her face now.
Chuck and Casey left from the Buy More, telling big Mike that they had received a nerd herd emergency call. They arrived at the park by 4 o'clock in the afternoon. The plan being, go in check things out, a Flash here a Flash there…you know the basic routine (of course these were Chuck's words).
Chuck was curious as to how exactly they were going to just go strolling into the park, which had surprisingly good security. As they came driving up to a side entrance a man in a blue suit and sunglasses stepped up to Casey's SUV, looked both ways, and opened two large doors for them to drive through. Traveling with an NSA agent came with some perks.
Chuck glanced at a smiling Casey who responded, "We are the NSA, we have keys to all doors."
At First Chuck merely smirked and then a thought came to him, "Do you think we can come back sometime with Ellie and Awesome? I bet we wouldn't have to wait in line once." Chuck smiled at Casey, who simply replied with a grunt and a shake of his head.
"My information states that the ride is next to the jungle cruise. Let's get going" Casey was in a hurry. He had not told Chuck about Sarah's date that night. That was not going to be a fun conversation. He would let Walker take care of that one. They just needed to be back at his place before too long. If only they could have gotten out of the Buy More a little earlier.
The ride was pretty cool with all the latest technological advancements you could imagine. Chuck was quite impressed. He started to explain the different advancements and why they were so great, but was quick to shut up when case made it very clear that he was not interested. "Keep talking and I will shoot you myself."
The only area that they had any trouble checking out was at the bottom of the last big drop. This is where the riders would splash down into the water for the big finish. There was a make shift wall, that appeared to be made out of some sort of foam, that they had to find their way around. Apparently the first ride was going to crash through the wall to symbolize something like break through technology being the future of the park. I was all set for a promotional video to be filmed, while some VIP's take the first ride.
Seems harmless enough, Chuck said as he leaned against the wall. At that moment he heard a slight cracking into the foam, followed by a loud pop. He looked down to see that a small crack in the wall had opened when he leaned against it, allowing a small chunk of something to fall and land in the water. What was that?"
It sounded to me like a firecracker, replied Casey. "Hold on a second." Casey bent down to take a better look. Once he started to realize what was going on he slowly stood up and told Chuck to stay away from the wall. "The outside of the wall is foam, but it is filled with the missing Sodium. When they crash through this wall tomorrow the sodium is going to coming tumbling down into the water and…Boom"
Chuck had a look of horror on his face. "Why in the world would a billionaire software programmer do this?"
"That is a good question," laughed an unexpected yet familiar voice. "You're not here to try to steal some trade secrets are you Mr. Carmichael?" asked Chip.
Sarah had been waiting at Casey's apartment for over an hour, any longer and she would be late for her date with Chip. She knew she could handle herself if it came to it, but had assumed that she would wear a wire and have the other two listen in. She was not as upset about the missing back-up as she was not getting to talk to Chuck. He had seemed so upset, much more so than when she would normally have to flirt with a mark. She couldn't understand why. She hated the thought of causing him pain, and did not want to drag it out any longer than need be. The time came when she had to leave, as much as she hated to do it. She would just have to meet up with them later. One thing for sure, Casey had better have a damn good reason for not having Chuck here. As she walked out the door, she had a sickening feeling in her stomach that something was not right. She just had to hope that everything was okay…that Chuck was okay.
Chuck was standing, held at gun point by one of Chip's men, while Casey was tied to a chair. All in all there were only three men with Chip. If the opportunity had presented itself Casey would have easily been able to take them out. However with the risk that a stray bullet would shatter the wall and blow them all to kingdom come, he had decided to bide his time.
"I must admit that I am wondering what you are doing here Mr. Carmichael. I did not expect to find anyone, let alone you here." Chip was obviously unsure as to what Chuck was up to.
"Well…I, um…I have had enough of those damn small potato jobs and am a little desperate to make a name for myself. I know that many of the greatest advancements in programming are here. I did not want to steal your ideas necessarily but I was certainly hoping to be …inspired." Chuck was surprisingly good at thinking on his feet. This alone is a major reason he was able to survive the last year. Even Casey looked on seemingly impressed with his quick thinking.
Chip seemed strangely interested in Chuck's response. "I see you have found our little surprise. I hope you aren't planning on ruining it for everyone. There is nothing quite as depressing as having a good surprise ruined at the last minute."
"No sir, I wouldn't want ruin anything…anything at all. As far as I can see, this really has nothing to do with me."
"A smart man like your self has to be at least a little bit curious though." Chip seemed to be eager to explain his plan.
Chuck remembered what Sarah had told him. He likes to here himself talk. "I don't know that it is my place to know all of the details, but it certainly seems like you have put quite a bit of thought into…well whatever you are doing here."
This was all the prompting Chip needed. He settled right into his bad-guy monologue.
"My original name was Chip Jones. I changed my name when I started my first solo business. I chose the name Isidore, as he was the patron saint of technology. I always knew that I was going to do great things. I had already experienced success with another business, but had always been held back by one thing or person or another. I felt like a change in name and outlook would let me conquer anything."
"That was after you had created KLC Gaming," interjected Chuck.
"That is correct," Chip said as he gave Chuck a smile, assuming that he knew this because he had been such a big fan. I started my first company, KLC gaming, with two friends, Lana Luke and Kyler Nolt. We were the best of friends. After some time Lana and I even became a little more. However, somewhere along the line Kyler and I had differing opinions in regard to our company's future and Lana and I started to grow apart. Lana officially ended it with me, but not before starting a new romance with Kyler. As you might imagine I did not take the news so well. I left the company soon after and never spoke to either of them again."
Chuck had actually known the name of Chuck's first company as he had flashed on the name Kyler Nolt. He had gone on to become a successful business man himself, and was scheduled for a special VIP ride at Disneyland the following day. "I know how hard that was for you. Actually I can say that I truly understand how you felt."
It is never easy to lose someone you love and a friend at the same time. It was even worse when I found out that he actually had no interest in her at all. He wanted to sell our company and knew that I would never go along with it. He had such a great business mind but no real talent. He was merely the charmer we needed to close the deals. He decided to seduce Lana knowing I would then leave the company. He then sold the company and left Lana behind. She was devastated. She died 6 months later of what the doctors could only call a broken heart."
The look on Chip's face had changed. He went from telling a story to an admirer, to the cold look of a man set on revenge. Chuck decided that he needed to keep Chip on his side as much as possible. "I am so sorry for your loss. You, and Lana, did not deserve that." Chuck was sincere when he said this. He actually felt bad for Chip at that moment.
Chip sensing the sincerity in Chuck's voice, looked him over for a few seconds before appearing to come to a decision. "In the brief time that I have known you Mr. Carmichael you have impressed me. That is not something that occurs very frequently."
"I am certainly impressed at how far you are willing to go to get ahead Charles…May I call you Charles?"
"That is true." Chuck had started to settle into his cover, and decided to see where this could lead, "and, actually my friends call me Chuck."
"Well Chuck, I had done some digging on you after our meeting today. It seems like you are quite the promising young programmer. You have quite a bit of potential. I can see a lot of me in you."
Chuck nearly winced, though he was able to compose himself. Even though Chuck was in character now, he did not like the thought of being compared to a terrorist. "Thank you sir, that means a great deal to me coming from you."
"You know you two really make a cute couple, made in nerd heaven." Casey had finally lost patience with the situation.
Chip, without warning, raised his own gun and fired a single round into Casey's chest. Casey's body fell limply in his chair, held only by his bonds.
"NOOO!" Chuck screamed, as he started to move to Casey's side.
"Stay right where you are!" Chip gave Chuck a firm warning as he pointed his gun at him. "He was nothing but a Neanderthal, well beneath men like us."
"No he was my friend," Chuck replied sharply.
"You now have the opportunity to make new friends, friends that can help you attain money, respect, and power. He was nothing more than the muscle bound stereotype that this society idolizes, instead of realizing that it is men of intelligence that are truly worthy of their respect." Chip replied with an even disposition.
"He was a good man…a much better man than you will ever be you freaking psycho." Chuck was near tears.
"I see," Chip replied calmly. "You have chosen your fate as well then. Look them in the storage room. It looks as if Mr. Carmichael is going to die as a part of an unwarranted terrorist attack on one of America's favorite amusement parks. Lock the body in with him and watch them until show time tomorrow."
"What are you not going to stay and hang out for the fireworks?" Chuck asked sarcastically.
"Oh no Mr. Carmichael, I have a date this evening with your beautiful assistant. Of course we wouldn't want her asking questions about her missing boss so after our fun this evening she is going to have an unfortunate accident on her ride home. Don't worry though I will be back in time to enjoy the show tomorrow…though I will be at a considerably safer distance than you I am afraid to say."
Chuck was unable to respond, though his face revealed both shock and pure dread.