9. Is It Really True?
Ninety-nine slowly woke as the light from the window fell upon her face. What a nightmare. She thought without opening her eyes. She felt a warm body next to her as she rolled over. Snuggling closer she whispered' "Good morning honey. I hope you forgive me for all those nasty things I said yesterday." She felt a wet spongy thing lap at her face. At this unexpected sensation she opened her eyes and saw Fang who was contentedly laying beside her in a heap of his own shed hair and chewing up the remains of Max's shoe phone.
"Oh, no!" She cried. "Then it really is true!" But she had to make sure. She leaned over and pulled both of the bedpost knobs out of their sockets and dialed CONTROL's number with the hidden panel. She held one to her ear and one to her mouth as she listened to it ring. Larabee answered.
"Larabee is it true?" Tears were beginning to run down her face again.
"It depends on what it is."
"Just let me talk to the Chief." There was a click and then the Chief's cheerless voice came up.
"Hello."
"Did last night really happen or was I just having a nightmare?"
The Chief wanted badly to be able to tell her that she had just been dreaming. He had hoped the same thing than morning himself but he knew it was just wishful thinking. "I-I'm afraid it was real 99." He said softly. "His funeral is today at noon." He could hear her burst into tears on the other end.
"Poor Max!" She yelled then sullenly hung up.
Larabee turned to the Chief after he had hung up. "The funeral's today? We only found out what happened last night." The head of CONTROL nodded soberly.
"We've had his funeral planned for years now." He stared sadly into space. "He was the only agent who would take one suicide mission after another and still say 'and loving it'. His eulogy was written before his second suicide case." He shook his head in uncertainty. "It's just so unlike Max to do something like this." The Chief buried his head in his hands.
