Act 12: Home, Home on the Range
Setting: Knolle Farm and Ranch Bed and Breakfast
Lee struggled to get the key in the door and shoved it open with his shoulder. His arms were loaded down with Amanda's bags and suitcase along with his own as he made his way into "their" room.
"Oh Lee!" Amanda said as she ran to the window of Knolle Farm's B&B. "I can see the cattle from outside my, I mean 'our' window!"
"Yea'" Lee replied, less than thrilled. It had been a long and dusty ride from the airport to Sandia, Texas. He had never seen so much road kill in his life, or such big road kill! Lee was exhausted!
"Well, Lee, I'm going to go freshen up!"
"Yeah, that's a good idea because we're expected at the convention center in less than an hour."
Lee plopped down on the bed and laid down. He shot back up with a jerk! He looked around their room and noticed...there was only one bed. He groaned and thought "Looks like I'll be sleeping on the floor for this one!"
***
Lee, Amanda and Laura joined the other couples and singles on the shuttle to the convention center. They were off to engage in one of the most highly attended events of the year for ranchers. That was why Francine had so urgently requested their help. The stakes were high. Fears of chemical warfare had waned but, there had been vague threats of biological warfare and that was enough for the Agency to provide world-class survielience at this event. Everyone and anyone was suspect because foot and mouth disease could easily be introduced through syringes, residue on shoes, it was anyone's guess.
On the ride to the Convention Center, Lee could already *taste* the thick aroma of...manure. He could hardly breath. He knew without a doubt, they were in cattle country! He was surprised to see that Laura and Amanda hardly noticed. They kept chatting away about kids and Amanda's grandchildren.
When they finally arrived at the convention center, Laura took off for the 4-H booths. Since she was so good with children, her job was to keep an eye on the more vulnerable citizens of this fair country. Laura accepted this assignment with relish and smiled as she left Amanda and Lee.
"She seems like a really nice person!", Lee said as he waved good-bye.
"Yes, I think she'll be great at her post! Wow! This place is huge!" Amanda stood in awe as she saw row after row after row of cattle and other livestock.
"Amanda."
"Yes Lee?"
"I think you'll be great at your post too." Lee said as he took Amanda's smaller hand in his own and smiled. He liked the way his mother's setting looked on Amanda's finger. This was everything he longed for, if only it was for real.
"Mr. Longstreet, how are you!" said a barrel chested man approaching Lee. The man was in his late 60's , early 70's and sported a crew cut. "My name is Earl and I hear you are interested in gettin' some head of cattle."
"Well, yes Earl. Let me introduce you to my beautiful wife Edna. We were hoping to..."
As Lee took off with Earl, he looked back at Amanda and nodded for her to go on ahead. Lee's task was to determine who was interested in purchasing the cattle. He had to obtain names, backgrounds..but without enciting panic. Henceforth the secrecy.
Amanda's job, other than to establish Lee's cover, was to assist in surveying the entrances and exits and to get a general layout of the convention. Amanda knew that since the convention was so near the border of the US and Mexico, the Agency feared terrorist infiltration over the border. Everyone was on high alert, including the police and fire department.
As Lee continued to make his way with Earl toward the convention's offices upstairs, Amanda made her way to the underbelly of the convention hall. As she made her way past the damp, gray concrete corridors, she heard a crash and a man swear. She ran to where she heard the sound and saw a short Hispanic maintenance man hovering over and holding his hand.
"Are you all right?" Amanda asked.
"Si, si." The man responded, but Amanda could tell he was badly cut and bleeding.
"Oh no, I don't think so!" Amanda said as she knelt near the man. "Here, let me wrap your hand up in my bandana. It was just for affect anyway."
"Gracias senora, Thank you", the man said as he stared in disbelief.
"Oh," Amanda explained, seeing that he was wary of her, " I used to be a den mother. And, I raised two boys! By the way, my name is Amanda." Amanda put out her hand to shake the man's uninjured paw.
"Hola, my name is Jose, nice to meet you."
"Well Jose, you better go see a doctor, that's a nasty cut."
"Si, si.. I'll bring back your bandana to you." Jose said.
"Oh no, no, that's alright."
The man insisted. "Please, if you come to the show tonight, I'll give it back to you, clean, as good as new!"
Amanda didn't want to be rude so she said "Alright."
"You'll know I'm here because I always keep this light on in this hallway until I go home at 10."
"Wow, you work late! Here, let me help you get up." Amanda assisted Jose to the facility's office where they promptly drove him to the emergency clinic.
Amanda felt glad she was able to help someone in a little way since her job seemed, not boring, but, less important than everyone elses.
Meanwhile Lee was schmoozing with Earl and several other tycoons. He had met Jim and Kara Riggs from southeast Arizona, Keith and Betty from Memphis, and Roger from Dallas. Everyone seemed friendly and unsuspecting but...you could never tell.
As Amanda made her way back to Lee's side at the arena she could hear him holler out "Oh, there's my little slyboots Edna! Did you get a good look at the selection of cattle this year honey? Yuk, yuk, yuk!"
Amanda almost burst out with "Do you want some eggs with that ham, Sweetheart?" She just loved it when Lee was silly! "Yes dear! I can't wait till we come back later tonight and put your money where your mouth is!" Amanda went up to Lee and put her arm around him and gave him a big smooch on the cheek. He seemed to really be enjoying himself.
"Well, we better go dear, you haven't even had your dinner yet!" Lee said as he steered Amanda toward the exit.
Once outside, Amanda released her hold on Lee and asked in a professional voice, "How did it go?"
"Well. it looks pretty safe. I gathered the names from the attendee's list and I'll fax it to the Agency to see if anyone cross-references to the list of terrorists working for Al-quida.
How did it go for you?"
Amanda proceded to tell Lee the details of her search over dinner. Although they were both exhausted, it was too long of a ride to return to the B&B for respite. Lee and Amanda went back to the convention site instead.
As they meandered through the rows and rows of cattle and livestock, they continued to look out for any suspicious behavior. In order not to blow their cover as a couple, they held hands the entire time. Lee was surprised, Amanda didn't seem to mind. On the last leg of their rounds, they checked in on Laura at the 4-H booth.
"Girl! You shur are pretty!" said some lonely cowboy to Laura. "Did anyone ever tell you, you look like..."
"Knock it off Rowdy Doody! Go find pasture somewhere else cuz' this one's taken!" Laura hollered.
"Wow" Lee said, "Did they teach you that in Spy Camp?"
"No, well, something like that." Amanda replied.
Lee and Amanda said their hello's to Laura who gave them a thumbs up so they continued along. The evening seemed to be wearing on peacefully, so Lee and Amanda returned to the lodge of the convention house and interacted with the other big spenders.
"James, I don't know how you got so lucky!" said Keith as his wife Betty hit him in the head, "Yer wife Edna is a fine womun!".
"What d'ya mean he's lucky! Baby, you've got me!" Betty said as she and her husband continued to bicker and play back and forth. Lee's face hurt from smiling.
Amanda was enjoying all the reverie but gasped as she glanced at her watch, it was 9:45 p.m. "Oh my gosh, Le, l, look at the time Jim! I forgot I had a friend to meet before 10! I'll be right back!"
Lee thought, "Only Amanda could have already made a friend in our short stay here." "Okay honey but be right back, you know I miss you when you're gone sugarpie!" Lee meant it too!
As Amanda made her way through the catacombs underneath, Lee continued to monitor the situation upstairs.
Amanda shivered as she crept toward the musty hall. "Jose?" she called out. There was only an echo. As she turned the corner to meet Jose, it was then that Amanda noticed... the light was turned off....and there, lying in the middle of the floor, was Jose's lifeless body.
tbc
Setting: Knolle Farm and Ranch Bed and Breakfast
Lee struggled to get the key in the door and shoved it open with his shoulder. His arms were loaded down with Amanda's bags and suitcase along with his own as he made his way into "their" room.
"Oh Lee!" Amanda said as she ran to the window of Knolle Farm's B&B. "I can see the cattle from outside my, I mean 'our' window!"
"Yea'" Lee replied, less than thrilled. It had been a long and dusty ride from the airport to Sandia, Texas. He had never seen so much road kill in his life, or such big road kill! Lee was exhausted!
"Well, Lee, I'm going to go freshen up!"
"Yeah, that's a good idea because we're expected at the convention center in less than an hour."
Lee plopped down on the bed and laid down. He shot back up with a jerk! He looked around their room and noticed...there was only one bed. He groaned and thought "Looks like I'll be sleeping on the floor for this one!"
***
Lee, Amanda and Laura joined the other couples and singles on the shuttle to the convention center. They were off to engage in one of the most highly attended events of the year for ranchers. That was why Francine had so urgently requested their help. The stakes were high. Fears of chemical warfare had waned but, there had been vague threats of biological warfare and that was enough for the Agency to provide world-class survielience at this event. Everyone and anyone was suspect because foot and mouth disease could easily be introduced through syringes, residue on shoes, it was anyone's guess.
On the ride to the Convention Center, Lee could already *taste* the thick aroma of...manure. He could hardly breath. He knew without a doubt, they were in cattle country! He was surprised to see that Laura and Amanda hardly noticed. They kept chatting away about kids and Amanda's grandchildren.
When they finally arrived at the convention center, Laura took off for the 4-H booths. Since she was so good with children, her job was to keep an eye on the more vulnerable citizens of this fair country. Laura accepted this assignment with relish and smiled as she left Amanda and Lee.
"She seems like a really nice person!", Lee said as he waved good-bye.
"Yes, I think she'll be great at her post! Wow! This place is huge!" Amanda stood in awe as she saw row after row after row of cattle and other livestock.
"Amanda."
"Yes Lee?"
"I think you'll be great at your post too." Lee said as he took Amanda's smaller hand in his own and smiled. He liked the way his mother's setting looked on Amanda's finger. This was everything he longed for, if only it was for real.
"Mr. Longstreet, how are you!" said a barrel chested man approaching Lee. The man was in his late 60's , early 70's and sported a crew cut. "My name is Earl and I hear you are interested in gettin' some head of cattle."
"Well, yes Earl. Let me introduce you to my beautiful wife Edna. We were hoping to..."
As Lee took off with Earl, he looked back at Amanda and nodded for her to go on ahead. Lee's task was to determine who was interested in purchasing the cattle. He had to obtain names, backgrounds..but without enciting panic. Henceforth the secrecy.
Amanda's job, other than to establish Lee's cover, was to assist in surveying the entrances and exits and to get a general layout of the convention. Amanda knew that since the convention was so near the border of the US and Mexico, the Agency feared terrorist infiltration over the border. Everyone was on high alert, including the police and fire department.
As Lee continued to make his way with Earl toward the convention's offices upstairs, Amanda made her way to the underbelly of the convention hall. As she made her way past the damp, gray concrete corridors, she heard a crash and a man swear. She ran to where she heard the sound and saw a short Hispanic maintenance man hovering over and holding his hand.
"Are you all right?" Amanda asked.
"Si, si." The man responded, but Amanda could tell he was badly cut and bleeding.
"Oh no, I don't think so!" Amanda said as she knelt near the man. "Here, let me wrap your hand up in my bandana. It was just for affect anyway."
"Gracias senora, Thank you", the man said as he stared in disbelief.
"Oh," Amanda explained, seeing that he was wary of her, " I used to be a den mother. And, I raised two boys! By the way, my name is Amanda." Amanda put out her hand to shake the man's uninjured paw.
"Hola, my name is Jose, nice to meet you."
"Well Jose, you better go see a doctor, that's a nasty cut."
"Si, si.. I'll bring back your bandana to you." Jose said.
"Oh no, no, that's alright."
The man insisted. "Please, if you come to the show tonight, I'll give it back to you, clean, as good as new!"
Amanda didn't want to be rude so she said "Alright."
"You'll know I'm here because I always keep this light on in this hallway until I go home at 10."
"Wow, you work late! Here, let me help you get up." Amanda assisted Jose to the facility's office where they promptly drove him to the emergency clinic.
Amanda felt glad she was able to help someone in a little way since her job seemed, not boring, but, less important than everyone elses.
Meanwhile Lee was schmoozing with Earl and several other tycoons. He had met Jim and Kara Riggs from southeast Arizona, Keith and Betty from Memphis, and Roger from Dallas. Everyone seemed friendly and unsuspecting but...you could never tell.
As Amanda made her way back to Lee's side at the arena she could hear him holler out "Oh, there's my little slyboots Edna! Did you get a good look at the selection of cattle this year honey? Yuk, yuk, yuk!"
Amanda almost burst out with "Do you want some eggs with that ham, Sweetheart?" She just loved it when Lee was silly! "Yes dear! I can't wait till we come back later tonight and put your money where your mouth is!" Amanda went up to Lee and put her arm around him and gave him a big smooch on the cheek. He seemed to really be enjoying himself.
"Well, we better go dear, you haven't even had your dinner yet!" Lee said as he steered Amanda toward the exit.
Once outside, Amanda released her hold on Lee and asked in a professional voice, "How did it go?"
"Well. it looks pretty safe. I gathered the names from the attendee's list and I'll fax it to the Agency to see if anyone cross-references to the list of terrorists working for Al-quida.
How did it go for you?"
Amanda proceded to tell Lee the details of her search over dinner. Although they were both exhausted, it was too long of a ride to return to the B&B for respite. Lee and Amanda went back to the convention site instead.
As they meandered through the rows and rows of cattle and livestock, they continued to look out for any suspicious behavior. In order not to blow their cover as a couple, they held hands the entire time. Lee was surprised, Amanda didn't seem to mind. On the last leg of their rounds, they checked in on Laura at the 4-H booth.
"Girl! You shur are pretty!" said some lonely cowboy to Laura. "Did anyone ever tell you, you look like..."
"Knock it off Rowdy Doody! Go find pasture somewhere else cuz' this one's taken!" Laura hollered.
"Wow" Lee said, "Did they teach you that in Spy Camp?"
"No, well, something like that." Amanda replied.
Lee and Amanda said their hello's to Laura who gave them a thumbs up so they continued along. The evening seemed to be wearing on peacefully, so Lee and Amanda returned to the lodge of the convention house and interacted with the other big spenders.
"James, I don't know how you got so lucky!" said Keith as his wife Betty hit him in the head, "Yer wife Edna is a fine womun!".
"What d'ya mean he's lucky! Baby, you've got me!" Betty said as she and her husband continued to bicker and play back and forth. Lee's face hurt from smiling.
Amanda was enjoying all the reverie but gasped as she glanced at her watch, it was 9:45 p.m. "Oh my gosh, Le, l, look at the time Jim! I forgot I had a friend to meet before 10! I'll be right back!"
Lee thought, "Only Amanda could have already made a friend in our short stay here." "Okay honey but be right back, you know I miss you when you're gone sugarpie!" Lee meant it too!
As Amanda made her way through the catacombs underneath, Lee continued to monitor the situation upstairs.
Amanda shivered as she crept toward the musty hall. "Jose?" she called out. There was only an echo. As she turned the corner to meet Jose, it was then that Amanda noticed... the light was turned off....and there, lying in the middle of the floor, was Jose's lifeless body.
tbc
