Sly Voice-Over
Of all the things that could happen when I got Thaddeus back to the safe-house, I wasn't expecting this one. (Thaddeus and Tennessee embrace, each grinning, and Tennessee all but tugs him to a seat at the table.) Due to the time periods the two of them come from, they knew each other, though apparently they only met in person twice: Once, when Thaddeus gave Tennessee the Thievious Raccoonus (flashback-style image of a reasonably young Thaddeus in a top-hat and suit offering a skinned-knee child Tennessee the book) and the second time, when Thaddeus needed to write in the other book about our visit. (image of Thaddeus sitting at a table in the Old West, writing. Tennessee sits next to him, feet on the table, leaning back, clearly laughing himself sick.) They had, however, exchanged letters and knew each other.
Of course, them knowing each other wasn't the problem. (Bentley wheels over and drops a pile of physics textbooks on the table; it breaks.) The problem was that Thaddeus was now when he should be then. Just like Tennessee. So how—
Thaddeus:
Sly, you may as well allow me to explain it. After all, such things are best reported first hand, are they not?
Thaddeus Voice-Over
Twas a cold evening in early December. I have long since retired, both from my days stealing and from the force, save for a few... entertaining moments of diversion. (Flashback memories of Thaddeus posing as a member of the Queen's Guard just for kicks.) That night, however, I stayed out well beyond my established time to retire. My old partner, Joe Wasabi, was retiring at last. (In the middle of a room full of cops, party in full swing, Thaddeus shakes the hand of an old basset hound with many medals pinned to his police uniform.) Many of my former compatriots had unwisely imbibed, but no trouble was foreseen for that evening.
That was not to last. Upon leaving the party, I stopped outside my apartment to gaze at the moon, for it was a rare clear and beautiful night. (Thaddeus stops, turns, and looks up. A silhouette of an owl is in front of the moon, wings hunched and waiting).
Now, when such an event occurs, one naturally has to accept their fate. (Thaddeus walks into his house, exchanges his clothes for comfier attire, moves a rug, lifts a trapdoor, and drops.) I had installed a series of secret passages under my house to the neighbors and the river for just such an eventuality, and I meant to make use of them for something more than youthful shenanigans this time.
Tennessee:
Youthful—
Quiet, Tennessee. In any case, I made my way through the tunnels to the river. (Thaddeus sprints through the tunnel, emerging under a bridge, where a blue light awaits). An unusual blue light awaited me there; it almost seemed to be a physical location, significantly brighter than those of the lamps. It brought to mind the way your vehicle brought you back to your time, Sly.
Given my options, and my knowledge of my foe, I did what seemed safest: I cautiously approached the light and stepped through. (Thaddeus runs straight for the light and leaps through as though diving into a pool). When I emerged, and the light faded away, it was to a land much colder than that I was previously in. (image of Thaddeus looking around and being on the frozen tundra... and, in the distance, the walls of the compound). And all together, a clime that was much, much drier, at least.
Now I am here. When you are. So what is it that needs doing, so that I may assist you in it?