Gunslinger Girl is not (c) to me; it is (c) to Yu Aida.
This story uses characters and locations based on Gunslinger Girl, additional story elements and characters are (c) to me- ElfenMagix.
Solution's Resolution
Chapter 51b: Gnawing the Limb Off.
"Of all the worthless piece of shit! This is nothing but dated archive files!"
"But look, Kathy- they are bank records, expenditures, cancelled checks… stuff that would easily finance some secret group and their activities."
Katherine: But its all old, Juanita!
Juanita: There is still more files to go through.
Katherine: They all have the same creation dates!
Juanita: So they do. Maybe somebody archived a hard drive recently, and the newer files are probably deeper in the pile.
Ferro: I see no taxes were paid on any of these transactions.
Juanita: Taxes?
Ferro: Income taxes, fund exchange taxes, other taxes like that.
Juanita: Fund Exchange Tax?
Ferro: In order to pay for the services this government has to offer its people like its free medical program, the people pay for a tax on nearly everything. A Funds Exchange Tax is when you have a check and you cash it- .01% of it is taxed. .01% is a small figure, but if you think about it- with millions of transactions going on a day multiplied by days in a year- it pays for much of the government resources. Besides, if they keep careful records, this exchange tax is deductible from the income tax.
Katherine: Interesting. I would prefer to keep my pennies though.
Juanita: But why? This would solve many problems in the US.
Katherine: Call me Penny Wise and Dollar Foolish, but if I earned it, its mine to keep. I don't like the idea that I'm paying for some drug addict's treatment or for some idiot's welfare check. Some people are just too lazy to take responsibility for themselves.
Juanita: Some people do not have a choice.
Katherine: How can you say that? You are a mother of 4, who still works for the agency, graduate of Brooklyn Technical High School and Pratt Institute… while on the other hand the average black woman in America with 1 child has dropped out of the work force and more than likely from school. People do have choices- but more often than not, they make the wrong ones.
Juanita: 5…
Katherine: 5? (counting on her fingers) There are 4…
Juanita: I'm 2 1/2 months pregnant.
Katherine: WHAT! SINCE WHEN?!!
Juanita sighs.
Juanita: I saw my OB-GYN last month and tests confirms that I'm pregnant…
Katherine: But…
Juanita: No buts, Kathy. It happens and I will deal with it just like I did with the others before then.
Katherine: But, we're on a mission that may last a year or two!
Juanita: Well I'm sorry, but things happen!
Ferro: Do you need medical care? We can give you what you need during your stay here.
Juanita (sighs): Thanks.
(from Fernando's Terminal: DING!)
They all look at the file that was being displayed.
Juanita: Look at that- less than 2 months old, but there is all the information you need: bank records, cancelled checks, services… everything.
Katherine: So says the baby factory…
Juanita: Hey! You got 2 of your own!
Katherine: Yes, and since then I have been very cautious on birth control…
Juanita holds back from crying, lashing out at her friend or both.
Katherine: I'm sorry.
Juanita: Yeah… you're forgiven.
Ferro: Look- uhm… once you two get past your personal difficulties, I want those files printed and on my desk as soon as you can get them.
Ferro starts to walk out the door, while the two of them remain in silence. After a moment, Juanita gets up out of Fernando's leather command chair and walks over to the bathroom. She closes the door behind her and spends several minutes inside, more than a few minutes than necessary. Katherine walks over to the door and gently knocks on it.
Katherine: Juanita?
After a seemingly long while, Juanita opens the door, as she wipes her face with one of Fernando's towels. Katherine looks at her.
Katherine: Are you OK?
Juanita: Can you keep a secret?
Katherine: Sure, what?
Juanita: Its Fernando's child.
Katherine: What! How! Cant be- He Was Already Here 3 Months Ago!
Juanita walks over to the bed and sits down on it. Katherine sits next to her, taking and holding her hands.
Juanita: Cathy and I made a pact long ago that if something were to ever happen to one of us, that the other would bear his child.
Katherine: Never mind that- I'm asking how! No way, its impossible!
Juanita: I impregnated myself with sperm he has stored away at the tissue bank. He forgotten that the account still exist, so I made a 'withdraw'.
Katherine: How Could You!
Juanita: I did because at the time I thought this would be his last mission- many agents do not come back when they are sent abroad! Haven't you ever noticed that!
Katherine: And now we are here to protect him from those dangers.
Juanita: Or we been sent abroad too- never to return!
Katherine: Don't be so daft- woman! Look- it's the 3 of us! All for one and one for all and all that other Shortfellow crap!
Juanita: You are not a Shortfellow.
Katherine: Cathy was! And as her twin- I'm one too! OK? Now enough of this High School Loyalty crap, we got work to do!
Juanita (slowly getting up): Just open up the files and 'Apple-P' them. Then send the print outs to Ferro's office… I… need… to take a walk.
Katherine: Wait… where are you going to go?
Juanita: I don't know- explore the complex or something…
Katherine: You going to be alright?
Juanita: I'm not going to jump off a roof it you're thinking that.
Katherine: Then hand me your .38.
Juanita: I'm not going to kill myself, Kathy! I'm carrying Fernando's baby, and for the first time in a long time… I'm happy.
Katherine: Then give me your gun.
Juanita: Go fuck yourself, Kathy.
Katherine: Apparently you did and got yourself pregnant.
Juanita storms out of the room. Katherine follows her 1/2 way down the hall, but decides to leave her alone. Eventually, she will have to return to their room. She walks back into Fernando's room and starts with opening, decrypting and printing files. It was a long and arduous task, taking into the early evening hours.
Fernando and Rachel return from their shopping trip, making their way to the medical ward. They hand over a couple of shopping bags of clothing and other needed item to Francesca. Finding a privacy partition, Fernando move it around Francesca's bed so she could change in peace. Rachel stays with her, pulling out various items to try out as Fernando stepped out the room to find Dr. Bianchi, in his office.
Fernando: We're back.
Dr. Bianchi: Where's your girl?
Fernando: Rachel is with Francesca.
Dr. Bianchi: How is she taking it?
Fernando: How is who taking what?
Dr. Bianchi: How is Rachel taking to the new cyborg?
Fernando: I dont know.
Dr. Bianchi: Does she thinks she's being replaced?
Fernando: If Rachel has issues concerning Francesca, we will talk about them and deal with them.
Dr. Bianchi: Most cyborgs…
Fernando: Rachel is not a cyborg- regardless what you idiots did to replace her body. She is still a girl under all that mechanical mess you put into her. Understand that, and you will understand that no one can replace her. So those 8000 issues you may be thinking she may have do not exist. Now lets get to the matter at hand… When is Francesca being released, where is her room, and what are her other needs?
Dr. Bianchi takes out a folder from his desk, opens it and reads it. He then hands a sheet of paper to Fernando.
Fernando: She's being put up in the Teen Section? She's an adult!
Dr. Bianchi: Then where would you put her in?
Fernando: Put her in one of the handler's rooms.
Dr. Bianchi: There are no rooms available.
Fernando: Don't kid me on that. There are 3 empty rooms next to mine.
Dr. Bianchi: They are taken, even though the handlers have their own place to live in.
Fernando: Its your program… you putting an adult subject in a teen section is not right.
Dr. Bianchi: Que sera, sera.
Fernando: What ever.
Dr. Bianchi: Why so much concern for Francesca?
Fernando: I just want what's right for her.
Dr. Bianchi: I'm beginning to think that you are the one with the issues.
Fernando: Think what you like. Use your professional opinions to get in my way of doing my job, you will regret it. Lets not forget yesterday's drill.
Dr. Bianchi: Threatening me?
Fernando: I never make a threat- only promises. And I promise you this- fuck with me, and I'll fuck you right back with a 12-grit sandpaper condom.
Dr. Bianchi tries to pretend that the comment did not phase him, though it shook him to the very core of his being.
Fernando: I'll bring Francesca in for her regular check ups. I'll see you… hopefully never.
Fernando leaves the office, going back to Francesca's room. Rachel has already got her in a thin turtle neck sweater, jeans and sneakers. As much as he did not wanted too, Rachel told him everything she had one- right down to her underwear. This is followed by Francesca walking right up to him and unbuttons her pants and starts to pulls them down for 'inspection'.
Fernando: That wont be necessary.
Francesca lifts up and rebuttons her pants.
Francesca: What are we going to do today, sir?
Fernando: First, lets get you to your room, check out what's there for you, and then a walk about the complex for you to know the place better. You will also get to know my room and Rachel's room as well. Then… Uhm… dinner… Uhm… Rachel? What you think?
Rachel: How about that place up the street- Casa Covina?
Fernando: Yeah, that sounds good. Err… Wait… Francesca- did the doctors say to you anything about eating?
Francesca: Oh, nothing. I can eat anything as far as I know.
Fernando: OK… But lets not over do it. Small light meals until your body gets used to eating again.
They make their way across the complex, continuing on their conversation. Fernando explains to her about the program, which was already implanted into her brain through reprogramming, and what he expects from her. After a few minutes of walking about, they make it to Francesca's room: A single bed and dresser with a table in the middle and a small work desk at the corner. On the table was a folder, a box with the markings of SiG Firearms on it, and an Asus EZ-PEECEE III laptop (double the screen and keyboard size of the original Asus EZ-PEECEE, but still with the solid state drive and other amenities of the original unit). The laptop was connected to the complex's wireless network. A small wallet with various papers of identification and an envelope with more paperwork of personal information was next to it all.
The three of them sat about the table as Fernando inspected the items on it. Not happy with the SiG 239, he hands her the box anyway. Francesca opens the box and starts to quickly read over the instruction manual as she takes apart the gun. Fernando checks the files in the computer, finding that they matched the documents in the folder. He walks over to her desk, checking it out, finding a small gun locker safe in one of its drawers. He removes the combination sticker from its top, memorizing the number before pasting the sticker inside her documents folder.
Fernando: Remember that.
Francesca: I already have, sir.
Fernando: You don't have to say sir to me. OK?
Francesca: Uhm…
Rachel: OK…
Fernando: Rachel…?
Rachel: I'll teach her how to be more loose around you, daddy.
Fernando (as he walks about the room, checking it out): Just no more 'inspections…' Please- I don't need cyborgs stripping in front me every time I… Strange…
Rachel: What daddy?
Fernando: There is no bathroom here.
Rachel: 1/2 of the cyborg dorm rooms have no bathrooms. I got lucky that mine has one.
Fernando: But if she has to go…
Francesca: Its OK. There is a public bathroom down the hall I can use with the others.
Fernando (sighs): This just seems so wrong.
Rachel: She said she will deal with it.
Fernando: OK, OK, I heard all that.
The girls look at Fernando. After a brief bit of silence, he speaks.
Fernando: OK… Rachel, you stay here with her, and see if the others things fit her. Then I say in about an hour, get her dressed for a bit more personal shopping and then dinner.
Rachel: OK… Where are you going?
Fernando: I'm going back to my room… Oh, damn… show her about the dorm and show her where our rooms are at.
Rachel: OK daddy.
Fernando: See you later…
Fernando walks out of Francesca's room and around the long hallways back to his section.
Rachel: Lets talk girl stuff… You ever had sex before?
Francesca: Sex? Uhm… Not that I can remember…
Rachel: But you like guys though, right?
Francesca: Uhm… I guess so
Rachel: OK… if my father told you to strip down and have sex with him, would you?
Francesca: I will do anything that my handler asks me to do.
Rachel just smiles, with figurative devil horns popping from her head.
After a while of walking, Fernando makes it back to his room, finding Katherine inside.
Fernando: What are you still doing here?
Katherine: I was told that I can use the faculties when needed too.
Fernando: I thought I told Ferro for you and Juanita to decrypt the files and save them on the server so you can deal with them outside of my room!
Katherine: I'm sorry its taking so long- but this aint no Craig Super Series 25 you have here!
Fernando: Its gets the job done for me.
Then Fernando notices the crumpled bed sheets where they sat before, near the cat which was sleeping on the bed as he looked about the room for her.
Fernando: You two sat on my bed?
Katherine: Uhm… (she looks to the bed) So we did. No damage was done, so what gives?
Fernando: I gave specific orders for no one to sit on my bed.
Katherine: Your cat sits on the bed.
Fernando: Look- I want you out of here as soon as you are done.
Katherine: That wont be for another 3 hours at least. There are thousands of files to go through.
Fernando: Just make it snappy.
Fernando walks out of his room and back down the hall. After a few seconds, Katherine get up out of the chair and runs after him.
Katherine: Fernando, wait!
Fernando continues at his leisurely pace. Katherine eventually catches up to him and grabs onto his arm. Fernando stops in his tracks and keep himself from punching her out with his self-defense reflex.
Fernando: What do you want?
Katherine: Look, we're both sorry as to what happened, and nothing that I can say or do can ever make up for that. I just want us to be friends again, OK?
Fernando: We can never be friends, lovers, or what ever other levels of relationships there can be.
Katherine: I know we betrayed your trust. But we did it for a reason- to protect you.
Fernando: Protect me from what- Randal? The Special Ops Air Force branch of the agency? Please- who was it that finally got him arrested? Not the NYPD…
Katherine: OK, I'll give you that… but there are others still wanting to get you for what you did to him.
Fernando: I don't let the likes of his drug dealing black mafia family scare me, Katherine.
Katherine: If they get hurt you, then they would try to hurt one of us in your place. That's why we did what we had to do…
Fernando: I would have taken care of it. Just like I promised Cathy.
Katherine: How? You're just one man- against many who have criminal power and weapons, people who do not care for who you are and will kill you if you got in their way!
Fernando: Then if you believe that 1 man, me, can not make a difference, then fuck you and everyone else involved. I'm going out…
Fernando yanks his arm from her grasp and starts to walk down the hall. He gets to the stairs when Katherine yells out.
Katherine: Juanita's Pregnant With Your Child!
Fernando stops for a moment, and realizes how much of an impossibility that would be before continuing on his way. Katherine waited for his response but only found his fading footsteps going down the staircase. Miffed of his response, Katherine goes back into his room and continues on with her work.
About a 1/2 hour later, Katherine starts to notice that the print outs are beginning to look faded. Once again she needs to pause her work, this time she starts to search the desk area and shelves for a printer cartridge. As she searches, Rachel arrives with Francesca in tow.
Rachel (As they walk in): And is Fernando's room… (looking at Katherine) What are you doing here?
All Katherine could do is slowly turn around from where she was reaching up on the shelves and see Rachel with Francesca before being able to say a word.
Katherine: I have permission to do work in here.
Rachel: From whom?
Katherine: From the agency for one.
Rachel (as she reaches into her back and pulls out her gun, aiming it at her): Wrong answer. Try again.
Katherine: Ferro has Fernando's permission for us to be here to use his computer set up to decipher some codes.
Rachel: Who is us? I only see you in here.
Katherine: Juanita was here, but then she left early.
Rachel: I'm going to find my father and then I'll be back, you better not be there when I get back.
Katherine (to herself as Rachel starts to walk out of the room): Who the fuck are you to be talking to me like that?!!
Francesca (Outside in the hall with Rachel): Didn't you hear what she just said?
Rachel: I heard it. I am not going to pay it no mind to that bitch and her words… Come on, lets go.
Francesca: Where too?
Rachel: To look for my father…
Francesca: Oh…
Katherine manages to find a printer cartridge, after turning the room upside down and making it onto a mess. It got so bad during her search that she woke up the cat and made it hide under the bed. But now with the cartridge replaced and a fresh paper supply found, she continued on with her work, forgetting (perhaps deliberately) the mess she had made.
Almost another hour passes, and she is done with 3/4 of the work. The pages that has been printed gets piled up haphazardly outside if the printer as to not to jam the output tray. At this point, one would consider this job to be 1/2 done as the pages need to be grouped and collated before being sent out. Not Katherine- she will do as she is told in printing the deciphered pages and give the collating responsibility to someone else. Usually when working with Juanita- the task fell on her although Juanita made sure that did not do the work alone, often forcing Katherine to properly do her job as she should. But for the here and now Juanita is not around, and Katherine was going try to get away with as much as possible.
It was pretty easy for Rachel to find Fernando as echoes reverberated into the halls from Ferro's office as they both shouted at each other, which says something because her officer was deep inside the administrative section and not near the halls. Furthermore, the entire administrative staff had stopped work to stare at Ferro's office door and waited to see what was to come from all this shouting between the two of them.
The argument this time was in two parts: first was about allowing Katherine to work in his room when he stated that they had access to his little laptop cluster and second was about putting the compound on emergency lock down earlier in the day. Both arguments ran concurrently, thus it was hard to tell for the rest of the staff to know what was going on. Juanita, after finding nothing of interest outside, returns to the Administrative office and Dorm building, find Rachel and Francesca waiting outside the administrative office. She can hear Fernando's voice shouting from somewhere inside the administrative office. Needing to know what was going on, she walks inside, towards the direction of the shouting and yelling. After knocking on the door a couple of times with no answer, she allows herself into Ferro's office.
Fernando (shouting): AND ANOTHER THING! I DID NOT GIVE ANYONE PERMISSION TOO…
Fernando stops as Ferro turns her attention away from him and to Juanita who had just entered her room unannounced. He turns around to face her.
Fernando (in a more normal tome of voice): You here to write this shit down and mail it to Supervisor John G.?
Juanita: No… Uhm… Why are you shouting so loud that you got 1/2 the staff outside scared?
Fernando: If you don't know Juanita- then maybe you should return to New York.
Juanita: No. I'm not returning to New York, at least not without you.
Fernando: Then it looks like you are going to be staying here a long time then.
Juanita: Then you decided to stay?
Fernando: Did I say I decided that I was going to stay? No. I got 2 years here to do, then after that I don't know. But until then- 2 years is a long time.
Juanita: I see. Now, what is this argument about?
Fernando: Lotsa of nothing.
Juanita: Ferro?
Ferro: A lot of personal stuff getting in the way. Do you have the print outs I asked for?
Juanita: Oh, no. I left Katherine to take care of that while I went out for a bit for some... air…
Ferro: So you left the compound?
Juanita: No, I did not, ma'am.
Ferro: Where did you go then?
Juanita: Just about the compound. Found the cafeteria, the laundry center, the medical ward, the firing ranges, the archive library, other offices…
Ferro: Alright enough…
Fernando (to Ferro): You put them into my room. You get them out. I'm going to get Rachel and Francesca and do some shopping for Francesca. She has nothing in terms of clothes or personal feminine items.
Ferro: Maybe you should talk with Allessandro about personal items for Fran.
Fernando: Allessandro and Petrushka is on a mission at Piedmount
Juanita: Maybe I could go…
Fernando: NO!
Juanita: Why not?
Fernando: I don't want you too for one. And you were working with Kathy for another- that job better be done and you two gone from my room before I return.
Ferro: I want those printouts as soon as you can get them here.
Juanita: Yes ma'am…
Ferro (turning to Fernando): As for you, we will deal with the rest of the matter later. Go and deal with your girls.
Fernando: I only have 1, and her name is Rachel. Who ever thought it would be a funny joke to connect Francesca to me as her handler- well, I aint laughing.
Ferro: Its no joke, so deal with it.
Fernando: I am- to the best of my ability. Thus, after shopping and returning to the compound, we're going to dinner at Casa Covina. You can join us if you so like.
Ferro: Thank you, but I'll pass.
Juanita: Can we join you?
Fernando (as he starts walking out the door): I was not talking to you.
Fernando wanted to slam the door but refrains from taking such actions. He walks out of the administrative offices, into the hallway where he finds Rachel and Francesca waiting for him. He nods at Rachel and starts going upstairs.
Rachel: Where are we going?
Fernando: Your room. Before going anywhere, I need a couple of final measurements off Francesca.
Rachel: What for?
Fernando: She needs a t-shirt like yours.
Rachel: Oh.
Francesca: Based on my bra size, I can fit a size 34 t-shirt.
Fernando: No you cant. I'm getting you a bullet resistant t-shirt, and that requires more detailed measurements in other areas other than just your breasts.
Francesca: Can I ask why?
Fernando: You cyborgs do not employ proper ballistic protection for your interior organs. Now, I will need to as Dr. Bianchi to further look into your records as to exactly what was done to you, but its safe to assume that bullets can go into your skin. What damage that happens there remains to be seen, but preferably, I would like you to have some protection while on missions, so you better wear it.
Francesca: Yes… Fernando.
In a couple of minutes they were in Rachel's room. Rachel gives Fernando a measuring tape from her sewing kit. He uses it to measure Francesca in several locations of both height and width. With numbers taken down upon a crude drawing, Fernando and the girls leave the dorm complex and to the parking lot. Francesca sits down in the rear seat of Fernando's Porsche, as Rachel takes the front passenger position. They drive off into Rome as soon as Fernando sat in and turned on the car.
The discussion between Ferro and Juanita continued even after Fernando and the girls had left, and they too decided to leave the confines of Ferro's office to check on the progress of Katherine's work. Little would they expect the mess that they were to find when they step into Fernando's room.
With the lights turned on or off, it would not have mattered as things can be seen placed anywhere and everywhere Katherine had so placed can be seen as soon as they stepped into the doorway.
Juanita: What happened in here?
Katherine: I ran out of paper and ink, and searched the room for extras.
Ferro: Fernando is not going to be pleased about this.
Katherine: You said to get the job done and have sent to you as soon as possible. I'm on the 4000th page, and still have 2000 to go- so I'm doing the best I can with as little as possible that was given to me!
Ferro looks around and notices something, more like something missing.
Ferro: Where is Meeshie?
Katherine: Who or what is Meeshie?
Ferro: Fernando's cat.
Katherine: Oh, that… I don't know. Maybe it ran away or something.
Ferro: I'll be right back. Until then you two finish this last batch and bring all that you presently have printed to my office…
Ferro storms out of the room, walking quicker than normal to the cyborg end of the hall.
Juanita: You done it now, Kathy. I swear…
Katherine: What have I done?
Juanita: Have you looked at the mess you made in here?
Katherine: What mess?
Juanita: You don't see it?
Katherine: I mean-what mess?
Juanita: ACK! JUST LOOK! Books On The Bed And The Floor! Oh God- What Are His Suits And Things Doing On The Table When They Should Be in The Closet?!! His Personal Wear All Over the Place!!! Damn You, Kathy- You Did Not Bothered To Close His Dresser Drawers! What Were You Doing In There Anyways- Sniffing Out His Underwear?
Katherine: I was searching for paper and ink to print out these reports for that bitch in black.
Juanita: And Where Did you Finally Find The Paper And Ink?
Katherine: In the bottom right drawer of his desk…
Juanita slaps her own forehead and drags her hand down her face.
Juanita: So in looking for ink and paper, which you could have easily found if you would have opened the right bottom drawer of his desk- you decided to go about the room, search and make it look like some crime scene… I swear, Kathy. If Fernando is not mad at us now, he will be when he comes in and sees what you did to his room!
Katherine: Fernando is already angry at us, in case you had not noticed.
Down at the end of the hall, Ferro enters Claes and Triela's room, finding Claes and Triela having a bit of cake and tea. Ferro walks right up to the table and looks at them both.
Ferro: Claes, I need you to go to Fernando's room immediately and find his cat. Triela- you can help look for it too.
Claes: Uhm… What is going on?
Ferro: I do not have time to explain, but we need to find Meeshie, and then take her to your room for the time being.
Claes (putting her cup of tea down on the table): I'll find her….
Claes slowly gets up and walks out the room Triela gulps down the last of her cake and tea, and runs after Claes.
Triela: Hey- wait for me!
The two of them run quickly down the hall and stop at Fernando's doorway, looking inside.
Claes: Oh my god…
Triela: holy shit- did Henrietta lost it in here or something?!!
Katherine (turning to the girls at the door): What are you two looking at! Scat- Go Home Or Go play In The Freeway Or Something!
Juanita: (trying to put the suits back on the hangers before setting them back in the closet): I think Ferro sent for them to… UNDO The Mess You Created In Here!!!
Claes (cautiously walking into the room, looking around, being careful not to step on anything): Where's Meeshie?
Katherine: What is it with everybody's interest in that stupid animal?!!
Juanita: Its not a stupid animal, its Fernando's pet. Now if you scared it to run away while you were creating this mess- its your fault if anything happens to it! I swear Kathy…
Katherine: Swear at what? It's a dumb cat, its probably out in the halls hunting mice or something.
Claes (looking inside the bathroom): Its not a dumb cat. Its trained not to leave this room…
Katherine (interrupting her): Oh sure, trained cats. What else is next, talking birds?
Juanita: Parrots do talk.
Katherine: No they don't. They learn to repeat sounds that they hear. A true talking bird would have an intelligent conversation with you, parrots do not do that!
Triela (looking under the bed after moving a few things to get there): She's down here!
Claes runs around the bed as Ferro enters the room.
Claes (reaching out to Meeshie): Come here girl… don't be afraid…
Katherine: So you found the cat… Good. Maybe I can finish printing this thing in peace now.
Meeshie took some coaching to get out from under the bed. Once in Claes' arms, Claes and Triela take Meeshie their room and put her inside it, closing the door. Once Meeshie was in, Claes and Triela to return Fernando's room, where the argument continues on another level.
Juanita: I refuse to take responsibility for what happened here.
Ferro: I left you two in here to do a job, therefore you two are responsible for what happened in this room.
Katherine: Oh sure- blame the blonde haired albino, why don't you…
Juanita: You created this mess- Kathy! You even admitted in creating it!
Katherine: I plead the 5th.
Juanita: OOOO…… I SWEAR!
Ferro: If this is some sort of personal vendetta against him, I say get this room fixed up now before he returns from his shopping trip with his cyborgs, and deal with it in some other way…
Katherine (to herself but loud enough for all to hear): Frankly I don't see what's wrong here… just few things moved here and there, that's all….
Juanita (grabbing one of Fernando's white shirts very tightly that she was going to hang up): YOUR TRASHED HIS ROOM, YOU DINGY BITCH!!!
The shirt in Juanita's hand suddenly rips
Katherine (looking over at Juanita): Oooo… I hope that was not one of his silk ones…
It was. Juanita stood there with the torn shirt in her fists, trembling so slightly.
Ferro: That's it… Juanita – out. Katherine- end the printing and take it to my office.
Katherine: But its not finished…
Ferro: IN… MY… OFFICE… NOW!!!
Katherine: OK… OK… How do you stop this thing anyways? I'm not good on Macs.
Ferro: JUSTTAKETHEPILEOFPAPERSOFFHISDESKANDTAKEITTOMYOFFICE!!!!
Katherine (slowly taking her time to get up and take the 4000+ sheets of printed papers off from the desk): OK… OK… I know when I'm not wanted…
Ferro: NOW!!!
Katherine runs out of the room carrying the pages with her, but some pages fly off from the pile as she ran, leaving a paper trail. Juanita puts the tattered remains of the shirt to her face and begins to cry into it. Ferro slowly walks over to her, then tries to take her hands away from her face.
Ferro (continuing to pull on Juanita's hands): Juanita- I need you to leave this room now… I don't care where you go, but you can not stay here…
Juanita (slowly calming down to where she can speak): Then who is going to clean up this mess?
Ferro: I'll get it cleaned up, but you can not be here… Triela escort her to her room… please.
Triela: Will Do, ma'am.
Juanita: But…
Ferro: No buts- just leave, or I'll have Triela carry you out.
Juanita starts to slowly leave the room, with Triela following her. After a few seconds, Ferro starts putting suits and matching pants into hangers and then into the closet. Claes takes to the books and other items that are on the bed that were on the shelves and puts them back to the best of her memory. With the bed cleared, Claes straightens it out. Ferro steps out of the closet and pulls out her blackberry e-phone device, and makes a call to the guards at the gate not to allow Fernando to reenter the compound until further notice.
Though Fernando does not mind buying things for Rachel, and any other in need, the one thing he hates at times is being accountable to an extreme where every penny and ever second of time was spent on paper. Thus as Rachel dragged Francesca through the maze of Macys, trying on everything in her size in the young ladies petite size section as possible. From dresses, skirts, tops and pants to shoes, belts, purses, hair items. The extra attention from the store staff makes Francesca more nervous and shy. It is where Rachel wants to drag Francesca into the make up section that Fernando has to draw a line. Before any cash could be squandered away, Fernando gathers the girls and herd them towards the Clinique Make Up section, and tells the staff there to attend to their needs. With their award winning complexion and makeup matching computer system and software, all their make up and skin care needs can be tailor made to just them perfectly. Rachel was already given this treatment before the last summer to at least give her a bit of lipstick and skin care products, thus she is already registered into the system which every Clinique shop and store can access around the world.
At times Fernando finds his way around life as randomly as possible. With Rachel at his guide, it is easier than one might think possible. At the same time he feels like Rachel is trying to hook him up with Francesca, which makes him feel a bit uneasy. Where he is getting such vibes, it can not be certain but there are little things that Rachel does that seems to throw up red flags all over the place that she is: Jasmine and Channel #5 perfumes; certain materials, color and styles of underwear; certain styles of clothes, pants, tops, skirts and dresses; and many other things that he would get for her she is getting for Francesca. Perhaps it's a coincidence, but with Rachel saying loudly to Francesca "You're not here for yourself, this is to make him look good when you're around him…" sort of sets off mental alarms. Thus when Francesca stands in front of him in a Coco Channel LBD (little black dress), Fernando had his mind several thousand miles away.
Rachel (standing next to him): Well, daddy, do you like it?
Fernando: Huh? Like what?
Rachel (pointing at Francesca): The dress…
Fernando looks at the dress, and not at Francesca inside the dress, who was uncomfortable in it. Then he covers his eyes under his glasses with his hand and rubs them lightly before taking his hand away.
Fernando: No.
Rachel: But why?
Fernando: I said no. Now get that thing off her and dress her up more like Ferro!
Rachel: But Dad…
Fernando raises his hand as if to strike her, but stops himself from going further.
Rachel (Taking Francesca by the hand escorting her back to the dressing rooms): I'm sorry, daddy…
She should be. When Cathy was found dead and identified by Fernando, she was still in her LBD, and was later buried in it; thus the reason for Fernando's reaction. Basically anything that sets off the memories of those events so long so, will, set off his reaction thereof.
Juanita sits on her bed in the room that she shares with Katherine. Triela stands by the doorway of the room for at least the moment.
Triela: You must like him a lot.
Juanita: Like who?
Triela: Fernando.
Juanita: What makes you say that?
Triela: We cyborgs are tuned into other people's feelings and can figure out such things. Besides, you still have his shirt you ripped. Don't you think he is going to notice it missing?
Juanita looks at the shirt in her hands.
Juanita: I did not mean to rip it… I swear- that Kathy gets me so mad…
Triela: Cathy? Fernando's wife? Isn't she supposed to be…dead?
Juanita: That's Kathy with a 'K', and is Cathy- his dead wife's twin sister. Look, I'll assume that you read his personal records for your database, but I'll tell you now that we are all friends here with him.
Triela: And that you will do anything for him- yeah, yeah- I heard all that before. Look, I don't know who you are or why you are here, but as a handler and a mission specialist- Fernando has earned the respect of many here, even though he's an arrogant SOB…
Juanita (interrupting her): He maybe an arrogant SOB, but he is MY Arrogant SOB.
Triela: Funny- I was about to say the same thing.
Triela takes a few steps into the room.
Triela (after walking in and looking about before taking a chair): You must really like him a lot.
Juanita: We're friends, nothing more.
Triela: Friendship resides on many levels. Now what level are you two in?
Juanita: That is not of your concern first of all. Second, we have been friends since before you was born.
Triela: Don't let my looks fool you. I am already an adult in years, but this cyborg body does not allow me to grow up or age. I am stuck looking like a 14yr old for the rest of my days, even now when I am over 20 years old.
Juanita: You act like a gossipy 17 year old.
Triela: Maybe I do, but that's just me. Now about you…
Triela continues with the questions, Juanita continues not to answer them even though with each no-answer, Triela gets an answer.
Claes and Ferro continue to clean up Fernando's room, picking up his socks, t-shirts and underwear that Katherine had taken out from his dresser and tossed about the room. But when in pulling out one of the dresser drawers, Ferro finds inside a small black music box inside – broken, as if it was dropped or smashed and then hurriedly put back together. She just stands there looking at it.
Ferro (as she slowly takes the music box and places it on the bed): Claes… do you know anything about this?
Claes looks at it.
Claes: I never saw that before.
Ferro: You never been in his personal belongings, snooping around?
Claes: That would be a disrespect to him.
Ferro: Then how are you organizing his underwear?
Claes (pointing at the dresser): T-shirts here, underpants there, and socks at the bottom drawer… Why?
Ferro: Oh god- he'll know that we have been in here and think we were searching his place.
Claes: Just tell him the truth.
Ferro: You want to tell him the truth?
Claes: Alright, if you want me too, I will.
Ferro sighs and then shakes her head.
Ferro: No… you don't have to do that. I'll tell as too what happened here.
Claes: You sure you want to do that?
Ferro: Its about time I make some effort to at least make things up to him.
Claes: You know he is going to be pissed.
Ferro: So let him be pissed. Its not like I never have had a boyfriend yell at me in my past.
Claes: What if he gets violent on you?
Ferro: He wont…
Claes: What makes you say that?
Ferro: If I know him as well as I should…
Claes (interrupting her): You mean if you know him as little as you do…
Ferro: Claes…
Claes: It's the truth!
Ferro: Seriously, Claes. I do not know you can jump so easily into conclusions. I'm just going to deal with him on an adult level and do this man to woman… since both he and Rachel have been saying that we all should be honest with him, at least we should try doing that since no cover up in the world is going to save this mess that those two made.
Claes: How about having them deal with it?
Ferro: He will definitely kill them.
Claes: But you think he wont kill you.
Ferro: Not in the literal sense. Yes, he'll be angry, and he will get up and scream and yell at me, but I have my feelings that he wont physically try to harm me.
Claes: What if your feelings fail you and he does hurt you?
Ferro: He wont.
Claes walks right up to her and hooks her pinky between the buttons of Ferro's shirt, putting it back far enough to see what's under it. Ferro pushes Claes' hand away from her.
Claes: Black lace bra?… Hmmm…. Hope he likes it.
Ferro: I am not taking off my top or any other part of my clothing for him!
Claes: And why not? You may have too…
Ferro: I will never stoop that low to offer sex as an option to get out of a situation.
Claes: Rumors says you have.
Ferro: I can assure you that those are nothing more than rumors. I don't care who may have started it, but it never happened.
Claes: Even if its said by Jean or Jose?
Ferro: When did they say that and what did they say?!!
Claes: Actually its from the mouths of Henrietta and Ricco, but its repeated from their handlers. Anyways, I though you said that you did not cared about rumors.
Ferro: Look, Claes- (pointing at the bed) sit down…
Claes sits on the bed, with Ferro joining her.
Ferro: Look Claes- Like it or not, this is a man's world- they built the rules, created the offices, and fought to their deaths for what is here and now. We woman have always been on the tail end of this, supporting what we can in where we are allowed to be. Even with women's right's to be almost equal with men on many regards, there are still many things that we women will never be able to allowed to do even though we have been trained to do so. So- I don't care as for rumors, even if it were said by Jose or Jean. I know what I am capable of doing for this agency, and for my country when called upon to do so. I am not going to let anyone stop me for doing my job just because I am a woman.
Claes: But in being a woman, you can offer yourself as either bait or as a prize…
Ferro: I am not a prize to be won…
Claes: But women gives themselves to who ever they want too. Men have to constantly hunt down what they can get in terms of women.
Ferro: I seriously do not know where you learned that, but that is a wrong state of mind to have and be in.
Claes: With TV, radio, and books all saying the same thing…
Ferro: What you see and read on TV, radio and books do not always apply to the real world- Claes. Sex is not something you throw at a guy like you would do a bone to a dog. Nor is your body and emotions something you freely give away to the first guy that tells you things you want to hear, because Claes- all men will say those things you want to hear for the sake of getting you to give to them your loyalty, respect and love- which all eventually leads you to giving up your body to them. But relationships, things are to be earned, and in close personal relationships, those things are to be earned and tested.
Claes: Things… like your ass?
Ferro (looking at Claes sternly): Things like trust, and respect. Honor can be thrown in there as well. All that builds up a friendship that will allow you to have a relationship that is not only personal, but more respectful of those involved. I mean- look at Fernando and Rachel. They say they are related, but are they? All I can find is a Baptismal Certificate naming him as her god-father, for him to take care of her when her natural parents cant. But they treat themselves like a real father and daughter would, maybe more so.
Claes: Defiantly more so- Rachel wants him to do her lovely.
Ferro: And why you say that?
Claes: We had our talks.
Ferro: So did we, and even though she may have those feelings in her towards him, it wont happen because she knows it would destroy everything those two have in terms of their relationship that they share. Sex- even loving-sex, in a father/daughter relationship can not exist. If it does it destroys them in being father and daughter. Rachel understands that quite well to allow it from happening.
Claes: But they sleep together at times.
Ferro: So? That is their relationship. Every daughter has slept with their fathers from time to time. I have, and I bet you have too before you came here. But unlike us, Rachel still has her father through him, and if she sleeps with her father, who are we to question it or attempt to take it away from them? They have more in each other than the rest of the fratello team units will ever have.
They don't say a word for a few moments.
Ferro: And if Fernando and I are going to have some form of relationship that will be both personal and conducive to this agency, I need to take those first few steps in making things right by him.
Claes: So you are going to drop your panties for him.
Ferro: I swear Claes- keep that up and I'll you rewritten.
Claes: I am just saying- what are you going to do in order to improve your relationship with him? Though I doubt he would accept, dropping your panties to him would be a way to improve the relationship you have with him.
Ferro: It does not… I see that Fernando is right and I need to get the other adult women involved in your- all you cyborgs- feminine upbringing. Sex is only to be used when you and your boyfriend are at a point in your relationship where you too can afford to be there, as in engaged to be married and are soon to be married. Sex is not for or is it ever to be used as a means towards: self promotion, winning power struggles, or making things right for another. Understand that in doing so, you are only prostituting yourself into a life of nothing but trouble where you have to use sex as a means to get you out of trouble and you will find out that it will not work every single time. You do understand this, Claes?
Claes: Yes Ma'am.
Ferro: Now, one more word about me needing to offer myself to him on any level- and off to the rewrite center with you. Do You Understand That?!!
Claes (a bit more nervous than before): Yes Ma'am…
Ferro: Good… Now, we have a room to clean up, and we are almost there but not quite. Lets finish up before the subject of our conversation returns.
Claes hops off the bed and goes back to sorting and folding the tossed bits of clothing that was about the room. Ferro for the moment looks around to see what was amiss… besides everything. Finally the beeping the printer catching her ear. It was out of paper. She walks over to Fernando's desk and looks at his computer setup. The printer window was already open, thus she reaches for the mouse and looks at the screen, finding the 'Cancel All Print Jobs' button quickly. She goes for it and presses it. The beeping on the printer stops. She looks at the pile of paper in the printer's output tray and realized that Katherine was in her office.
Ferro (grabbing the papers in the output tray): I will be back…
Ferro runs out to the room with the small stack of paper in her arms, back to her office. Claes could only look at her leave in a hurry as if somebody had set the room on fire. Claes continues to work on putting the tossed clothing back into their assumed places.
Ferro gets to her office within minutes of her leaving Fernando's room. Katherine was already eyeing things on her desk.
Ferro: Have a seat- Miss!
Katherine freezes in place and then shifts her eyes towards Ferro.
Katherine (trying to make conversation): Nice desk you hav…
Ferro (interrupting her): Have a seat… (slamming paper pile on her desk with the others) and away from my desk!
Katherine slowly steps away from Ferro's desk and takes to the chair Ferro was pointing too. Ferro then takes to her seat and counts off the items on her desk. With everything still found in their place, Ferro folds her hands and stares at Katherine.
Ferro: Why…
Katherine: Why, what?
Ferro: Why did you wreck Fernando's room?
Katherine: I did not wreck Fernando's room!
Ferro: So the other one, your partner, did it?
Katherine: No she did not…
Ferro: Then care to explain how the room became the mess it is in?
Katherine: Uhm…
Ferro: We can sit here all day.
Katherine: The room was already a mess.
Ferro: The room was neat and in order when I brought you two in it. It was a mess after I returned to see what was going on. Now care to explain why?
Katherine: Well…
Ferro: Well, nothing! I entrusted you with another person's property! You disrespected that trust! And Nothing You Are Going To Say Is Going To Undo What You Did Up There! Nothing But The Truth!
Katherine: Alright… I did mess it up, a little…
Ferro: A Little? What You Did In That Room Is Like Calling The Titanic A Small Boating Accident! Now Why Did You Did It?!!
Katherine: I was looking for paper and ink when the printer ran out! That's all!
Ferro: So you decided to wreck his room in the process of looking for said paper and ink?
Katherine: Yes!
Ferro: I see that there are some unresolved issues between you two…
Katherine: I would have cleaned it up when I was done!
Ferro: I have cyborgs up there in his room STILL Cleaning Up the mess you created!
Katherine: I would have cleaned it up!
Ferro: Before Fernando returns from his shopping trip with his cyborgs? I don't think so!
Katherine: Think what you want to think. You don't know Fernando like I do.
Ferro: I may not know him as intimately as you hint you may, but I do know that he is a very private individual who likes his things respected. You on the other hand have disrespected his personal things and his property- all in the guise of looking for office supplies that were in his desk! Face is Missy- you are not convincing me, not one bit.
Katherine: Well, that is the truth. I would have cleaned it all up when I was done.
Ferro gives her a mean look. She then picks up her phone, and searches for a number on her desk's rolodex. She makes a call on the phone. After a couple of rings- it is answered.
Voice on the other end: Hello?
Ferro: Juanita- you are to come down to my office. Is Triela still there?
Juanita: Yes.
Ferro: Then give her the phone so I can give her new orders to escort you here.
Juanita gives the phone to Triela.
Triela: Yes?
Ferro: Escort Ms Juanita to my office.
Triela: Yes Ma'am.
Triela hangs up the phone, then turns to Juanita.
Triela: Come, they are expecting you down stairs.
Juanita slowly gets up out of her bed, walking to the door, leaving the shirt behind on the bed. In under 5 minutes, they enter Ferro's office.
Ferro: Thank you, Triela. I would like you to go to Fernando's room and help Claes with the clean up there.
Triela: Yes Ma'am.
Triela leaves the office to help Claes in help her in cleaning Fernando's room.
Ferro (pointing to the other seat in her office): Have a seat…
Juanita does as she is told. For a moment, there was silence.
Ferro (to Juanita): You have anything to add?
Juanita: To add? No.
Ferro: What am I going to do with you two?
Katherine: Nothing.
Ferro: That was a rhetorical question that did not needed to be answered.
Katherine: That was a rhetorical answer to your rhetorical question that needed not to be answered.
Ferro: I see you have an answer for everything. I would like to see how you work in a mission.
Katherine: Do your worst.
Juanita: Kathy- don't antagonize her!
Katherine: What for! She Is Not Our Boss! We Don't Have To Follow Her Orders, Just The Agency's Orders In Overseeing Fernando's Activities Here!
Ferro: I got your supervisor John G. on speed dial. What me to call him up?
Katherine: You can call him out for a date as far as I care.
Ferro reaches out to her phone, putting it on speaker-phone mode, and punches a 3 digit code. The phone on the other end begins to ring a few times before an answering machine answers.
Answering Machine: This is the office of Supervisor John G. I regret to inform you that I am not in the office at the moment but I will return your call as soon as I return…*CLICK!*
Ferro looks at Katherine.
Ferro: I will try again later in the day. Now, go to your room while I dig up a mission for you two.
They both look at each other confused.
Ferro: I said get to your room!
They both get up and quickly leave the room, arguing with each other.
Juanita: This is all your fault!
Katherine: I did not accept this mission!
Juanita: We Were Chosen- You Know- Drafted!
The door slams behind them as they leave.
Ferro lets out a sigh. After a few minutes, she gets up out of her seat and goes up Fernando's room. Once she gets up to the top of the stairs, she notices a scratching noise by Claes & Triela's room. She walks over to the door and opens it. Meeshie runs out of the doorway and back into her room faster than Ferro could realized what had happened. She could only think as to how could she have forgotten that she told the girls to put the cat into their room hours ago, only to have it escape and run back to its room.
Ferro returns to Fernando's room where the girls there were in heated discussion as to who released the cat. Meeshie on the other hand was allowed to go to bathroom when she was pawing at its door. Ferro interrupts their conversation.
Ferro: It was my fault. I opened your door and the cat ran out of your room.
Claes: Why would you open our door?
Ferro: I heard scratching noises, and decided to investigate. But when I open the door, the cat ran past me. Where is the cat anyways?
Claes (pointing at the bathroom door): Taking care of kitty cat business… oh, maybe that's why she was scratching at our door… Triela…
Triela: What?
Claes: Would you mind going to our room and check if Meeshie left a mess?
Triela (as she put down a couple of items she was folding): And if she did, you're cleaning it up.
Claes: Why should I?
Triela: You brought her in our room. That's why!
Claes: Alright, I'll go…
Claes leaves the room. Triela continues with folding the last bits of inner clothing items before stuffing them into the pulled out dresser drawer. Ferro goes over to Fernando's desk and tries to straighten it out as best as she could. She then takes Fernando's gun locker safe from the bookshelf and puts it on the desk. Going through her blackberry, she finds the combination for it and opens it. The contents inside were scattered, as if somebody picked up the small safe and shook it to get a sense of what was inside.
Ferro takes the gun safe to the table, pulling out the two guns inside and putting them on the table before pouring out the rest of the contents onto it slowly and carefully. She reaches inside and takes out what remaining bits that were there. Organization was simple- put the spilled bullets back into their cardboard ammo boxes and Styrofoam or plastic receptacles. There was only two sizes to deal with- an oddball sized .32 and a typical .45 FMJ. Triela joins her after she puts the fully loaded drawers back into the dresser. She reaches out and picks up Fernando's .32NAA gun, examining it, dropping the magazine and ejecting the round inside. Claes enters the room as Triela begins to speak.
Triela: This is one tiny little gun.
Ferro: Size is not everything. It being a hollow point round means that it's a serious man stopper, even for a small bullet.
Triela: And why such an odd shape?
Ferro: I would not know.
Claes (sitting down and taking the gun away from Triela): To put more power behind the bullet. In case you did not know- these are supersonic and will tear through light body amour- including the internal amour that we cyborgs have inside of us.
Triela just gulps.
Ferro: Fernando would not use turn against us.
Claes: You sure about that?
Ferro: Yes I am sure about that.
Claes: Then why buy a gun that has light body amour penetration capability if he is not going to use it against us? Hmmm?
Ferro: Fernando has been a field agent for a long time for his agency. I'm sure that his experience tells him that this is the gun to have when on the field.
Claes: And why not his 16-round .45 that is his personal weapon?
Ferro (picking up the other .45): Isn't this his personal weapon?
Claes gets up and walks over to Fernando's bed and then reaches behind his pillow. When nothing was found, Claes reaches under the bed and lifts it up and looks behind it before gently dropping it back on the floor. She returns to the table. She points to the gun in Ferro's hand.
Claes: That is an old 1911 .45ACP. It is not as shiny or as big as Fernando's personal weapon which looks like the 1911, but it is not. His is much bigger, like if you put two 1911 together, side by side.
Ferro goes into her blackberry and looks up Fernando's SWA records with it.
Ferro: Hmmm… That would explain it.
Triela: Explain what?
Ferro: Fernando's personal weapon is the American Arms Model 1984, which is a variant of the 1911. It is a larger weapon capable of holding twice as many rounds than the 1911.
The girls look at each other and wonder as to why would there be another .45 in Fernando's collection, unaware of the reason why he has it. But after a while, Ferro collects the guns, sets them in loaded but safe mode and puts them back into the gun locker. Once the box is locked, it is put back on the shelf. Ferro looks about the room before sitting back down. She lets out a sigh.
Ferro: Thank you, ladies.
Claes: It was nothing.
Triela: It was nothing? Folding up another man's underwear other than one's own handler- is nothing?
Claes: You fold up and put away Hillshire's underwear?
Triela (nervously): Only when we are going home from a far away mission, when he is out getting us a last meal and I stay behind to pack.
Claes: I see…
Triela: Seriously!
Claes: I'm not arguing the point.
Ferro (interrupting Triela): Look girls. (pulling out some cash from her purse and putting it on the table) Your next meal is on me. Just do me a favor and get me a small dumpling meal with a Coke from Chinese place up the street. I'll clear it with the gate to let you two go on your own and come back.
Claes: Why not have it delivered?
Ferro: Are you saying that I can not trust you to go up the street and pickup an order of Chinese food for me? If you are, I'm going to have to restrict your outside access then…
Triela (getting up and taking both the money and Claes' hand): That wont be necessary… Lets Go Claes!
Claes (Being dragged out of her chair): But…!
Triela (dragging Claes behind her out the door): Shut Up Claes, AND Lets Go!
Ferro almost smiles as she hears them argue about the virtues of being given a break and what to do with that break as they go down the hall to leave the compound. She picks up her blackberry cell phone and makes a call to the gate to allow Triela and Claes to leave and return for an errand's run. As long as the guards at the gate are aware of the cyborg's activities, they would allow them to leave and enter the compound. But they will not allow a cyborg to go out on its own without such notice from its handler or agency staff.
Guard at the gate: Any other orders?
Ferro: None other… oh wait.
Guard at the gate: Yes?
Ferro: Cancel the standing orders that restricts Fernando from entering the compound.
Guard: Ma'am?
Ferro: Cancel the last orders against Agent Fernando. He is allowed back into the compound.
Guard: Can I ask why?
Ferro: Lets say that he has been cleared of pending charges during an on going investigation. He is allowed back in.
Guard: But…
Ferro: Don't argue With Me!
Guard: Yes Ma'am!
The phone suddenly hangs up on the guards end.
Ferro puts her hands to her face and momentarily rubs her eyes. Its been a long and arduous day for her (if not for all involved), and soon Fernando would be here, see that the his room as been rearranged and make a long drawn out argument of it. She must be up to the task of taking on a position that best suits him and the agency at the same time. Then there is the matter of his two friends that also needs to be taken cared of. Triela and Claes returned with a large bag of Chinese food more than a 1/2 hour before Fernando returns.
Claes starts to take the contents of the bag and hands them out, finally giving Ferro a dumpling dinner and soda. Triela reaches into the bag and pulls out a chicken and broccoli meal and Claes has a Beef Egg Foo Young meal for herself, both with the same soda as Ferro. The three of them begin to have their meal in the room.
A black Porsche enters the compound parking lot, and its occupants into the Dorm building. Fernando tells the girls to go to their rooms and wash up, then dress up for the dinner date later in the evening. Fernando walks into his room, finding Ferro, Claes and Triela inside enjoying their meal. He is not happy about this invasion of privacy.
Fernando: When did my room became a snack bar?
Ferro: I need to talk with you.
Fernando: About?
Ferro: Something that happened in here.
Fernando: What happened.
Ferro: Girls… Can I have some privacy?
Both Claes and Triela look at each other, then pack up what was left of their meals and start to walk out the room with it. Ferro too packs up what remains of her meal and holds onto the package, thinking that this would be a short talk. The door closes behind them.
Fernando: What happened…
Ferro: Your two friends who were here to do a job trashed your room. The… girls and I spent the rest of the day putting your room back together.
Fernando stands there with his arms crossed in silence.
Ferro: Look, I'm sorry.
Fernando: What was done to clean up in here?
Ferro: Huh?
Fernando: What was done to clean up? What did they do to mess up the room?
Ferro: I don't know what they did, but your books, your clothes from the closet and dresser, and other personal items were searched through and thrown about the place. I found out when I came in to check on them and they were in a middle of an argument. They were thrown out and I got the girls to help to put it back together. They repacked your things and put them in appropriate places.
Fernando: Where are they now?
Ferro: Where is who?
Fernando: Juanita and Katherine…
Ferro: They are in their room. I have already yelled at them for what happened here, and will be reprimanding them accordingly.
Fernando: Don't.
Ferro: Why not?
Fernando: Katherine wont take it as a form of punishment, but rather a challenge. Juanita may take it as a form of punishment, but more than likely she wont. Let me deal with them.
Ferro: You sure about that?
Fernando: Are you lying about what happened in here?
Ferro: No!
Fernando: Hmmm…
Ferro: I mean…
Fernando: Ferro, do me a favor and shut up.
Ferro: Why I…
Fernando (interrupting her): Seriously. My sensitive ears picked up no stress inflections in your voice, so what you have said up to this point must be true. Don't ruin that, OK? Now, if you don't mind- I want to be left alone.
Ferro: You're not going to do anything stupid or crazy, are you?
Fernando: Why should I?
Ferro: I'm… I was just asking. That's all.
Fernando: I'm not. So if you don't mind, I need you to leave so I can rest up, and then wash up and dress up to take Francesca and Rachel out.
Ferro: Can I make a request then?
Fernando: What kind of request?
Ferro: Don't get this the wrong way, but you would mind if I stayed?… to at least finish off my meal?
Fernando sits at the foot of his bed, reaching out and petting the sleeping Meeshie that was nearby.
Fernando: That bad of a day?
Ferro: Probably the worst I ever had since high school.
Fernando: It could not have been that bad.
Ferro: Those two friends of yours…
Fernando (interrupting her): They are no longer my friends. Lets get that straight- they broke a sacred trust with me and now they are no longer my friends. Co-workers and colleagues maybe. But not friends.
Ferro slowly gets up and goes to his dresser drawer, putting her food package on the top momentarily before opening the top drawer. She then reaches in and carefully pulls out the broken music box inside and places it gingerly on the bed.
Ferro: I found it like that. I promise that I will send it out to be expertly repaired.
Fernando looks at the music box.
Fernando: Don't.
Ferro: Why not? They broke it, it will be fixed.
Fernando: It was broken a long time ago.
Ferro: Broken a long time ago? Why do you still have it?
Fernando: Its to remind me of my temper. How long ago, I made a promise to somebody to never lash out in anger, but I broke that promise and this was the results.
Ferro: Did your wife forgive you?
Fernando: It was not Cathy, even though it was her music box.
Ferro: I'm sorry, I don't understand.
Fernando: When Cathy was missing, before she was found dead, Juanita stayed with me to make sure that I would not do anything that would bring harm to myself. Unfortunately we argued most of the time even though she did her best for me. Then one day one of our arguments went beyond where it should have went and I slammed my fist on the dresser. The music box was an unsuspecting victim of being in between my fist and the dresser. Do you understand?
Ferro: So you and Juanita used to be close?
Fernando (taking the broken music box and placing back in the dresser): The 3 of us were close friends in high school. And when I married Cathy, Cathy set it up that if I would ever have an affair with anyone, that it would be with Juanita, because she would not accept that to happen with anyone else. Cathy even pushed us to sleep together on various occasions, even though nothing happened between us. And when Cathy went missing- Juanita was there in my bed where my wife should have been, even though nothing happened.
Ferro: Why 'nothing' happened? I mean…
Fernando: I know what you mean. Look- Juanita wanted to remain a virgin until her wedding day. So I did that what I could to make sure that at least through me, she lived up to that part of the bargain.
Ferro: So, if I can ask, why did you two not get married?
Fernando: In those 20 plus days, Juanita saw in me things no woman should ever see in a man she cares about. On the day Cathy was found dead, she saw in me Satan Incarnate, and when I found my wife's murderer and was about to claim justice on his pointy little head, she did not want to see me anymore. She disappeared, only to return 2 years later married to some other guy. You know- I don't blame her.
Ferro: And she's been paying the price ever since.
Fernando: Why do you say that?
Ferro: Call it woman's intuition if you like, but when I see you two together, I see a couple that should have been together but isn't. I see in her someone who is not happy with her current life situation, and until recently, when she was around you, her perks up in ways you don't see…
Fernando: She betrayed my trust. And because of that, somebody who I loved got killed.
Ferro: She will always betray your trust…
Fernando (interrupting her): And why would you say that?
Ferro: Because she loves you too much to know that she did, because she did for you what she thought was right for you and only you. Your wife Cathy may have been dead and there was no way for you to save her, but Juanita saved you from joining her. I want you to think about that for a moment. How would this world be without Fernando and Cathy in it? As cold as it is- at least I know how this world is without Cathy, but in getting to know you, if you were gone because of something was to have happened to you too back then- I would not be here talking to you about this. Or get to know the person you are. That would be a very sad loss if it were to ever be realized.
Fernando: Betrayal is still betrayal, and nothing is going to undo all that which was done.
Ferro: Look, Fernando. I'm not asking you to forgive them or her, or to give a second chance. I am telling you to think about it. Not all us women are as evil conniving bitches we make ourselves to be. We want the same things you want…
Fernando: And what would that be?
Ferro: Love and Understanding, of course. Not that I personally want a relationship with anyone, but how far do you think you can carry one with just the love of a little girl?
Fernando: If you are talking about Rachel- further than you might think. Now lets leave it alone. I got a nasty headache right now and it needs something to make it go away.
Ferro: Then promise me one thing.
Fernando: What?
Ferro: Make it two… first- I don't want that hostility you have within towards them to alter the outcome of a mission that involves them. If they get into danger, I want you to go to the rescue as you have done for any of us. Second- this conversation does not leave this room.
Fernando: I'll guarantee the second, but not the first.
Ferro: I want both.
Fernando: You cant have both.
Ferro: Then I wont leave here until I have your word that I do have both.
Fernando: You have one out of two- that's good enough. Leave before you start to lose more.
Ferro: I do not intend to lose to anyone.
Fernando: Actually, you did lose more than you realize. Now, I'm not giving you nothing in terms of what is being said here and now. So please leave the room before you and I end up in this bed screwing each other.
Ferro: Is that what you want?
Fernando: No I don't.
Ferro: Must be, since it is the one thing that keeps popping up all over the place.
Fernando (taking his gun from his rear holster and puts it under his pillow): All I ever wanted was to be left alone. That is all- but look at what you people turned my life into: You killed my god-daughter and turned her into a living machine…
Ferro: That was an accident.
Fernando: Sure it was. You believe in what you want to believe. I know what my government is capable of doing, and what they have done to make me jump through hops. And frankly, I don't like it.
Ferro: I'm not here to work against you or to force you to jump through hops. I just want you to be part of section two during your stay here and to be the best fratello team with your daughter that you two can be.
Fernando (putting his glasses on the night stand): Then leave my room so I can get some rest so I can do that part of my job here.
Ferro: I want you to promise me to give me both parts of agreement, not just one.
Fernando: You got one of two. That is all I'm willing to give you for now.
Fernando kicks off his shoes and starts to unbutton his shirt.
Fernando: Now unless you want to see the rest of me naked, leave. I like to sleep in the nude- even if it is a simple cat nap…
Fernando throws the shirt onto the table and takes off his socks with this feet. The t-shirt comes off as Ferro stands there with her arms crossed, seeing if he'll live up to his promise. After unzipping his pants, and unbuckling his belt, Fernando stands there facing her while holding the one and only button that is keeping his pants up. He undoes it anyway and holds up the pants. Ferro turns away.
Fernando (taking off his pants and throws it past her for her to see): Shall I scream like a little girl?
Ferro: No, that wont be necessary.
Fernando slowly steps backwards to his bed and climbs under the covers. He then takes the pillow and covers his eyes with it.
Fernando: Turn off the lights when you leave, please.
Ferro steps to the door, needing to kick the pants to the side, and puts her hand on the room's light dimmer switch.
Ferro: This talk is not over.
Fernando (from under the pillow): For now it is…
Ferro turns off the lights as she opens the door and steps out of the room. As she does, she takes her food package off the dresser. She starts to walk to her office, cursing him out under her breathe. Fernando takes a 3 hour nap, which he wakes up feeling better than when he started.
Ferro eventually goes over to her office where she finishes her meal. She does not like the idea of not being able to reprimand Katherine and Juanita, because it makes her look powerless. As such, she still wants to go with her plan, and makes a phone call to Priscilla and Olga to come to her office. They arrive there within seconds.
Priscilla: Yes Ferro, you called?
Ferro: Have a seat, the both of you.
Both Olga and Priscilla sit down and face Ferro.
Ferro: I'm having a few issues with the new additions from the CIA.
Priscilla: You mean Fernando's little friends? What kind of issues?
Ferro: Insubordination for one. Disrespect another. But they all stem from personal issues they have with Fernando.
Olga: If they are personal issues with Fernando- maybe he should be the one that should take care of it.
Ferro: I would agree, but all this personal crap spills over and it affects us all. Thus, I want you two to give them a 'walk in the park'.
Priscilla: Gotcha.
Olga just nods.
Ferro: I want you to meet with them after we leave.
Priscilla: We?
Ferro: Fernando is taking the new cyborg out to a dinner date as part of her training. I will be going with them, and make sure that we will be far away from here when it happens.
Olga: Where are you going to take him?
Ferro: Fernando has a fondness for a little place in Nemi. I'll drag him and the cyborgs there.
They both nod and smile.
Ferro: Unless you two have anything to add, this meeting is over.
Priscilla and Olga slowly get up from their seat and look at each other.
Olga: What you think, time for an inspection?
Priscilla: How long have they been here?
Ferro: About 4 days now.
Priscilla: Well then, their inspection is over due!
Priscilla takes to the door and holds it for Olga. As Olga walks to the door, she pulls out a set of white gloves from her pocket.
Olga: It will be very thorough…
Ferro just smiles as she pretends to go over her paper work. The two leave her office and head to the newly opened dorm section that was opened for Katherine and Juanita. Olga and Priscilla walk in on them in one of their heated discussions.
Katherine: Why you had to have impregnated yourself with his stored sperm is beyond me! I swear- you might as well have snuck over and did him in his sleep! You know he is not going to take this too well when he finds out!
Juanita: Just leave it alone! Its my decision, and I'm sticking by it to the end!
Katherine: You know, when your husband finds out, that will be the end of your marriage… and he has the right to claim all the children, including that one in your belly, because of infidelity on your part.
Juanita: I did not cheat on my husband!
Katherine: Then explain how you got preggo- 'Oh honey, I went to a secret lab and got myself pregnant…' Oh sure… he's going to accept that really well…
Juanita: That is what more or less happened…
Juanita gets interrupted by two at the door.
Priscilla: Interesting conversation ladies. We could hear it all the way down the hall. By the way, its past your room inspection and mission briefing for tonight's mission. Olga?
Olga starts to walk about the room, eyeing everything before becoming physical with the items there in. She slides her glove finger upon the nightstand, picking up a very small amount of dust from it and then turns to Katherine who was in her bed, putting the finger with dust on it to her face.
Olga: Minus 5 points.
Priscilla: Ooo… that is not good.
Katherine: What the fuck! We just moved in here! No one told us of inspections!
Priscilla: The cyborgs need a very clean and dust-free environment in order to function well in the field. Apparently, what ever dust is in here, you brought in from the outside…
Katherine: No Fucking Way!
Juanita: Look… we'll get it cleaned up, I swear- RIGHT KATHERINE!
Olga started to open drawers and check the contents in and planting a bit of evidence inside. It just happened to be Juanita's side of the dresser…
Olga: Ahem…
Priscilla: What it is?
Olga: I think we got a couple of party girls here…
Priscilla: Let me see.
Priscilla reaches in and pulls out a pink and purple pair of thong panties with lace and frills on it.
Priscilla: My… To whom does this belong too?
Juanita: KATHY!
Katherine: Hey- don't look at me. That's your side of the dresser.
Juanita: You must have put them there!
Katherine: Moi? I'm not the kinky one getting myself pregnant with test tubes and lab equipment!
Juanita: KATHERINE!!!
Katherine: That is my name so don't be yelling it.
Pricilla goes into Katherine's side of he dresser, planting another piece of evidence.
Priscilla: Oh my… what is this?
Katherine: What is what?!!
Pricilla reaches into the drawer and pulls out a moderately sized bright green dildo, with letters on the bottom of it stating that's it's a Pussy Master Model 2020. Both Juanita and Katherine's jaw dropped upon seeing it.
Priscilla (approaching Katherine with the sex toy at hand): This must be yours since its on your side of the dresser… my… how did that managed to get across customs?
Katherine: Its not mine. Someone must have planted it there while we were gone! That's it! They were planted while we were away!
Priscilla: I hope that is all we find!
Olga: Uhm… Priscilla… you need to see this…
Priscilla turns around and looks inside Juanita's drawer. She then slowly pulls out a small clear plastic bag with a fine white powder inside, and a slightly larger clear plastic bag with ground up plant material in it. It was really powdered sugar and ground up Oregano.
Priscilla (showing off the items): We have a problem here.
Juanita: THAT'S NOT OURS!
Olga: Then whose is it?
Katherine (as Juanita begins to cry): We Are Being Set Up! I Want To Talk To The US Embassy!
Priscilla: Oh, you will have a chance to talk with your embassy… after you go through our justice system first… Olga- hand cuff them- start with the blonde one first.
Olga: With Pleasure…
Katherine: I Want To See Ferro!
Priscilla: Who do you think sent us here? Tsk… too bad.
Olga takes Katherine by the shoulder and handcuffs her with a bit of a struggle. A good arm twist reminded Katherine that Olga was in control. Olga then proceeded with Juanita, who was far more cooperative. Before they were led out of the room, Priscilla blindfolded them and took them to the hallway. There both Juanita and Katherine felt a sharp jab at their buttocks. Within seconds they pass out on the floor before they can protest.
Olga (looking at the empty Thorazine pen): This wont work on their friend- Fernando?
Priscilla: Yeah… Apparently he's immune to them.
Olga: I would like to know what he puts in his coffee…
Priscilla: You and I both.
With a signal, Amedeo and Giorgio step into the hallway, pick up the passed out ladies and carry them to an undisclosed location in the basement of the facility.
Fernando wakes up, needing to stretch on the bed before getting up. He looks around in the darkness, seeing the clock on his nightstand past the 6:43PM mark. Whether or not he had 3 hours of sleep was another story, but at least his head was headache free and he felt better and well rested than he has had in days. He hurriedly washed up and got dressed in his fancy suit. He noticed that one of his more expensive shirts was missing, but decided that getting ready for his date with the girls was more important and that he would have to deal with the missing shirt another time. As he sat on the bed to put on his socks and shoes, there was a knock on the door.
Fernando: Come in!
The door slowly opens, revealing a finely dressed Ferro and a slightly dolled up Claes, who was not happy about being dolled up.
Ferro: Is your invitation still open?
Fernando: We're just going to Casa Covina up the street.
Ferro: In a fancy suit?
Fernando: Yes, in a fancy suit…
Ferro: My… Well… Anyways… I was thinking about changing it to that place you like so much in Nemi.
Fernando: It's a long drive to get there.
Ferro: So? If you don't want to drive, I can. Besides, I made reservations for us at the Coppola.
Fernando: No you didn't.
Ferro: I wanted to see how the new cyborg is progressing.
Fernando: Last time I saw her, she was doing fine.
Ferro: Do tell.
Fernando: Don't be coy with me, Ferro. What you got planned on setting me up with?
Ferro: In truth, nothing. I figure that we can make this a family outing of sorts. Have a little bit of fun, and get away from this place, if not for a few hours.
Fernando: Ferro…
Ferro: You are not being set up if that is what you want to know. Besides, consider this as a test for the new cyborg… what's her name?
Fernando: Francesca.
Ferro: Francesca… I wonder what was changed on her from Dr. Frankenstein's original designs.
Fernando (as he finishes putting on his socks and shoes): I don't know. I'm not the bio-mechanical engineer here.
Ferro: But according to your records, you studied it in college.
Fernando: I studied a lot of things in college, much of it does not apply to the here and now.
Ferro: I figured that you would say that.
Fernando: You think you have me pegged, don't you.
Ferro: Pegged? No. No one can peg you.
Fernando: Ferro… You're up to something. Now what is it?
Ferro (sighs): Lets call this a little personal mission. You're my husband, I'm your wife, Claes and Rachel are our daughters. We are just going out as a family to a fancy restaurant. That's all.
Fernando: And Francesca?
Ferro: Since she is Spanish- she's your niece who is visiting her favorite uncle.
Fernando: At her age she can be my younger sister.
Ferro: Then sister it is…
Fernando (with a mean look at her): Hmmmm…
Ferro: Look, one day there will be missions where you are going to have to act the part of a married couple. I want to know how well you will do on that.
Fernando: I don't like the sounds of it.
Ferro: Consider this as your first test on that. Now are we going or not?
Fernando: I have to go get Rachel and Francesca then.
Ferro: Alright. We'll go with you then.
Fernando tosses the keys at Ferro.
Fernando: You go warm up the car.
Ferro: This means I'll be driving then?
Fernando: It means that you will be warming up the car while I get the other two.
Ferro: Aww…
Fernando: Now I know I'm being set up.
Ferro: No, you are not being set up.
Fernando: Claes?
Claes: I would not know, sir.
Fernando: Alright go… I have to feed the cat before we leave, then pick up the girls.
Ferro: We'll be waiting… 'dear'.
As Ferro left with Claes in tow, a cold chill went down Fernando's spine. Something was not right, but in order to find out, he had to play along for now. It only takes a couple of minutes to set up a meal and fresh water for Meeshie, which he takes the extra time to arm up with a couple of extra magazines. Rachel was already dressed up and ready to go, as Fernando enters her room and tells her to arm up for just in case. He tells her to wait downstairs in the waiting area of the administration office as he went out to get Francesca.
Francesca was far from ready. She just sat there in her bed in her bar, panties and pantyhose, looking at the various dresses she had placed on the table, unsure which one to put on. Fernando walks in after knocking on the door and she tells him to enter. Fernando looks at her in what little she had on.
Fernando: What is going on, why are you not dressed yet?
Francesca: I do not know that to wear until I saw what you were wearing.
Fernando: My choices are simple- Armani or Hugo Boss suits- all black; white shirts and black ties. Now… lets get you dressed and quickly.
Francesca slowly got up out of the bed and went to the table. She chose a small dark green dress (similar to a LBD). Fernando hurries her and helps her put the dress on, sliding his hand on her to see if it properly fit as he zipped her up. Francesca was confused but yet elated on the attention she was getting. Fernando spins her around in a 180 to have her face him.
Fernando: Does it fit?
Francesca: It seems like it does.
Fernando: Does it bind, catch or restrict your movements?
Francesca: Not that I can tell.
Fernando looks at her, top to bottom, front to back.
Francesca: What wrong sir?
Fernando: This dress is too tight for you to hide your weapon.
Francesca: Isn't this supposed to be just a dinner date?
Fernando: You are supposed to be armed at all times. Especially when you go out with your handler. Just in case some would be thug decides to make us into a potential crime victim.
Francesca: Oh.
Fernando: Look- Put your SiG in your purse with a couple of magazines.
Francesca takes her purse from the table and puts her SiG pistol and a couple of magazines in it. She walks up to him and holds out her purse open for inspection. He looks at it.
Fernando: That's fine… Wait…
Francesca: Something wrong?
Fernando: You need shoes… and maybe a belt.
Francesca: Why a belt?
Fernando: To color coordinate with the purse… Lets see, Black…
Fernando looks around and finds a low-heeled pumps and a patent leather wide belt; both in Black. He places the items in the bed next to her as she sat down, looking at him confused and unsure what do. Her dress rode up 1/2 way more than it should have.
Fernando: What's wrong?
Francesca looks at him dumbfounded, but he interprets the signals wrongly.
Fernando (to himself): Damn idiots erased her so much that she cant dress herself.
Fernando kneels down in front of her and gingerly takes her leg, and puts her shoe on her foot. Putting her leg down for her. Fernando goes for her other leg. Francesca slides the first one out of the way for him as he took to the other leg, giving him a grand view of what she had to offer if she were to offer it to him. Fernando closes his eyes and lets out a sigh as he puts on the other shoe and slowly puts her leg down as he tries to shut down those reminders of his own manhood.
Francesca: Is there something wrong sir?
Fernando: No. Nothing is wrong.
Francesca: Is it something I did?
Fernando: Look… its not you.
Francesca: Then can you tell me what is wrong?
Fernando: Its, well… When you moved your other leg while I was putting on your other shoe, for a moment there, I saw your panties…
Francesca: You don't like my panties? I will take them off right away.
Fernando: No- Don't! I mean- They are fine. Its that, men should not be seeing women's panties unless moments of intimacy and romance.
Francesca: I heard of those words, but what do they mean?
Fernando: Oh jeeze- those idiots really brain fucked you…
Francesca: Fuck? The slang term to have sexual intercourse… Oh… you want to have sexual intercourse with me… Uhm… How do we begin?
Fernando: No! Wait! Look…! Understand this, Francesca- you should have some feminine modesty around men, or you will be sending the wrong signals to them and they might do something to you that you would not want to do. Understand that?
Francesca: I think so. But sir- anything you want me to do, I'll do it.
Fernando: Oh boy… Tabula Rasa at its worse…
Francesca: What was that sir?
Fernando: Look, Francesca- do you understand what feminine modesty is?
Francesca: I think so.
Fernando: Then employ it.
Francesca: I will, sir.
Fernando: And stop calling me sir.
Francesca: Yes…. Uhm…
Fernando: Fernando.
Francesca: yes… Fernando.
Fernando looks other the other items on the table and shoves some make up things in her purse. Then he takes her by the hand and helps her out the bed, and guides her out the room.
Fernando: We are running late. Rachel can help you with your make up in the car.
The door to Francesca's room slams shut as they quickly walk down the hallway and down the stairs. They soon caught up with Rachel in the administrative office waiting area. Fernando explains to Rachel to do Francesca's make up along the way on the ride getting there. Soon they were at the Porsche in the parking lot. Ferro was already in the driver's seat as Fernando opened the door.
Ferro: What kept you so long? I was about to leave without you.
Fernando: Oh spare me, Ferro. I'm going to need to have a long talk to those idiots in the medical ward about building a cyborg that can shoot a gun but cant dress herself.
Ferro: Huh?
Fernando: Francesca couldn't get dressed on her own. I had to help her. Now with that said, Lets go… I'm hungry, angry and am getting tired.
Ferro: Oh, so you had too… that's funny…
Fernando: In light of this content it maybe funny, but its not. It's a serious problem, and I am going to give those idiots a piece of my mind about it!
They all arrange themselves with Fernando in the driver's seat, Ferro in the front passenger seat, Claes behind Fernando, Rachel behind Ferro and Francesca in between them. As they drove down the streets of Rome before hitting the highway, Francesca asks a question.
Francesca: We just past Casa Covina…
Fernando: Thanks to Ferro- there is a change in plans. We're going to Coppola in Nemi… that about 50km from here.
Francesca: Oh… OK.
Fernando: Rachel, put on her make up when we hit the smooth highway. Just a bit a lipstick and masquera- nothing more!
Rachel: You don't want me to doll her up, Daddy?
Fernando: No, she does not need to be dolled up. Its just a simple dinner. Nothing more!
Rachel: OK then…
Traffic made their ride slow and longer than it should have. But they managed to get there eventually.
