Part 2
As the new
week started, Ace and his friends in the Magic Express found themselves
in a strange position, between acts for about a month. However, this
week would be strictly concentrating on getting Angie ready for her first
date with Victor.
She awakened
Monday morning, feeling a little groggy after she stayed up late.
She could not resist watching the 18-inning baseball game on the sports
channel the night before.
The sky
was cloudy, but that did not stop her from getting herself into her meditative
position. Taking a few deep breaths, she soon found herself in the
mindscape and sat in a chair at the kitchen table of her old home.
Her parents sat to her right.
"Well,"
Angie said with slight anxiety, "this week it's go time for me…preparing
for my very first date."
"Yes,
it is," Nancy stated. "The only problem is now the whole city knows
what you're up to. You'll have to be on guard for tabloid reporters
and anyone trying to make money for information."
"I know.
I just don't want any mistakes on Saturday night. It's got to be
absolutely perfect."
Robert
put his hand on his daughter's shoulder. "Sweetie, I'm going to tell
you something. When Nancy and I had our first date, almost nothing
went right."
Angie
was completely surprised. "Are you serious? Your first date
was just about a complete disaster?"
"That's
right. It all started for us when I rented a limousine for the evening.
At first things were going fairly well."
"Yes,"
interrupted Nancy, "but the limousine broke down about three miles from
where we were supposed to go for dinner."
"Oh,
no," said Angie is dismay. "How did you get to the restaurant?"
"A passing
couple was on their way to the same restaurant, so they offered to give
us a ride."
"That's
good."
Robert
shook his head. "That's true, but then when we got there, we learned
our reservation was bumped for a more…prestigious couple."
"You've
got to be kidding me! That was completely rude."
"I know.
I reserved a special booth for our first date for two weeks. I demanded
to see the manager immediately, and he responded by saying, 'We would rather
have someone of prestigious standing in that booth, not a couple obviously
in the lower class."
"So,
what did you and Mom do?"
"We
both were angry with him and decided to leave. What was even worse
was that I saved $200 for that booth, and I couldn't get my money back."
"Oh,
no. How awful. Were you running out of money?"
"Yes,
we were. Thankfully, we managed enough at a less-than-fancy yet very
affordable restaurant. I certainly did not want to end up in a fast
food joint."
Nancy
then added, "When we would look back on that first date, we laughed about
it because despite all the problems, it was still memorable for us.
The important thing was that it ended being a better time than we expected.
That's what makes the first date very special. Just because everything
is planned perfectly, you should almost never expect it to go perfectly.
Use what happened to us as an example and don't make expectations."
Angie
nodded with a smile. "Yeah, when you put it that way, it's like an
event. It isn't how you start…it's the journey and the ending that
are most important. Thanks. I guess the best thing to do is
just play everything by ear. I know the reservation is at the Planet
Electric, but what I need are the right dress, make-up, hairstyle, and
proper etiquette."
"That's
why you have your friends, Angie. They're going to help you this
week in getting prepared while at the same time keeping the story from
reaching the tabloids."
"Thanks,
Mom and Dad. I think I can get through this week…at least certainly
try anyway."
The
family held each other in a group hug.
"I love
you both," she whispered.
Robert
softly said, "And we will always love you, sweetie. Good luck."
As she
awakened with a new sense of building pride, Angie quietly muttered, "Thanks,
Dad. Thanks for your help."
She soon
got out of bed and made her way to the living room on the way to the kitchen
when she suddenly heard knocking at the door. "What? Who's
here this early in the morning?"
She put
her head up to the front-door window and noticed a bunch of people with
cameras. "Angel, what's going on here? Why are all those people
outside the Magic?"
"They are
all reporters," answered the computer in hologram form. "I guess
they all want the story of your first date."
"Great.
It's only Monday, my date's not until Saturday, and it's already getting
crazy. All I want to do right now is cook breakfast for the guys.
Can you repel them away from here somehow?"
"I can
set up a force field around the Express. If anyone tries to take
a photograph, I can use a laser to burn through the camera."
"Do that,
please, Angel. I want to get myself ready for the date without
any interference."
As she
walked into the kitchen to prepare breakfast, the telephone suddenly rang.
"Hmm, I wonder if that's Mona with a wake-up call for me."
She then went to answer. "Magic Express, Angela Jacobs speaking."
On the
other line was a fast-talking gentleman. "Hi, Miss Jacobs.
Ronald Sikes for The Inquisitive. I'd like to do an exclusive
interview with you about your upcoming date on Saturday night. I—"
"I'm sorry,
but that is a private matter. Goodbye." She then put the receiver
back in place. "Okay, I think some homemade blueberry pancakes are
in order for this morning."
Angie then
gathered her ingredients to make the pancake batter. "Let's see…flour,
pancake mix, and just a teaspoon of oil should take care of things."
Preheating
the oven with the pan on top, she was about to put the teaspoon of oil
in the pan when the telephone rang again. "Maybe it's Victor."
She went to answer once more. "Magic Express, Angela Jacobs speaking."
"Miss Jacobs,
I really insist on having that interview with you about your date, and
I get the story I want."
Maybe
some politeness will get this guy off my back, she thought. She then
spoke again. "I'm sorry, Mr. Sikes, but that story would be boring
to you. Why not try covering the recent crime wave around here?
That's more interesting than my personal life. Goodbye." She
hung up for a second time. "Now back to breakfast."
She carefully
poured the mixed pancake batter into the pan when the phone rang again.
"If it's that same guy again…"
When she
answered it, she did not have to say anything.
"You listen
to me, Miss Jacobs," said Sikes, voice cold and angry. "I don't care
about those stupid robberies! It's your story I want, and
I will get it by any means necessary!"
The harshness
of his voice started to frighten Angie.
In his
room, Ace slept soundly until he started having a powerful feeling.
Awakening with a jolt, he whispered, "Angie…she's scared of something right
now, but what?"
He closed
his eyes to concentrate on her heart. "She's afraid of someone on
the telephone right now." Ace then got out of bed and put on his
robe.
Going to
the kitchen, he could see Angie freeze in fear.
On the
phone, Sikes angrily stated, "I want that story, Miss Jacobs…now!"
Ace telepathically
spoke to Angie. Hand me the phone, Angie. Let me handle
this part.
She turned
around and saw the Magician standing at the door. "H-here…please."
Ace then
made his own angry comments on the telephone. "Listen, whoever you
are. No one threatens my friends, especially when you put
your nose into someone's personal business! Good day!" He then
disconnected the line and placed the receiver back on its holder.
"The nerve of that man." He then came up to Angie to comfort her.
"It's all right, Angie, he won't bother you again. Who was he?"
"H-his
name is Ronald Sikes…a reporter for The Inquisitive. He scared
me."
"Obviously
a tabloid reporter who will do anything to get the story he wants, even
by threatening. Angel, block anymore incoming calls from Mr. Sikes,
since he may resort to dangerous tactics just for a story."
"I have
already traced the call," said the AI. "He can no longer make any
calls to the Magic Express."
"Good,
thank you."
Angie,
still shaken by the trashy reporter's angry voice, said, "I've read a few
tabloids before, but I didn't think I would become a trashy story myself."
"Angie,
listen to me, okay? You are not trash. I promise you
we'll get you ready for that first date with no interruptions or tabloids
on your case. Now, let's forget all about that and have breakfast."
He then took a whiff. "I think something's burning."
"Oh, no,
the pancake!" She quickly grabbed the spatula to flip the pancake.
Unfortunately, the side she was cooking had burned. "I don't believe
this! That idiot messed up my cooking already!"
Her anger
caused her eyes to start glowing in blue again. "Ace, help me!
I'm losing control again!"
"Angie,
channel that anger. Remember what I've taught you so far. Slowly
channel the anger."
She closed
her eyes and slowly focused her anger away from her heart. Placing
her hands in front of her, her calm created a ball of blue light.
"Good,
Angie, good. Now, think of something positive to create…the first
positive thing that comes to your mind."
Soon, a
baseball and bat materialized in her hands. When she opened her eyes
and noticed, she said, "Ah, the baseball game from last night. I
watched all 18 innings."
"Really,
how did it end?"
"With Kerry
Thatcher hitting the game-winning homer. That was a good game."
"Well,
since you thought about how great the ball game was, that's why the bat
and ball appeared. That was well done, Angie. You didn't fire
it off at anything this time."
"Yeah.
I guess that's an improvement for me, but I've still got a long way to
go. I just hope nothing goes wrong on Saturday night."
"I know.
Don't worry, things will go well now and on the date. You just have
to think positive. Besides, I don't mind a burnt pancake."
"Really?"
"Yes.
I was so used to Cosmo doing that all the time."
"I heard
that, dude," said the younger but more experienced apprentice who stood
at the door of the kitchen with Zina. "I'll have you know that, like,
you
did it, too."
Angie giggled
with delight. "Okay, I guess you guys finally have a real
cook, then. Now wait at the table while I finish up with the pancakes."
When she
went back to the oven, Cosmo whispered, "Dude, what happened?"
"The media's
all over Angie's story, and a man named Ronald Sikes threatened her if
he didn't get the exclusive. And I thought Paparazzo was bad."
"How are
we gonna help Angie get ready for Saturday with all this?"
"We're
used to this, Cosmo, but she isn't. We'll help her find ways to deal
with the situation."
She then
returned to the table with better pancakes. "Gentlemen…and Zina,
breakfast is served."
All four
residents enjoyed the fluffy pancakes to their heart's content.
Back at
his office of the tabloid The Inquisitive, Ronald Sikes tried at
least four more times to get through to the Magic Express, but all he kept
hearing was, "Your attempted call has been placed on block. Please
do not try to call again."
"Damn that
Ace Cooper!" Sikes said angrily. "He got that stupid computer system
to block any calls from me. I want that story, and I'll get it any
way I can! Angela Jacobs must give in sooner or later. She
can't hide behind Cooper or any of his friends forever. She's a celebrity,
which means she must tell her story to me and only me. I'll
just go out and about to follow her and her every move."
He then
grabbed his hat, went to his car in the parking lot, and drove off, hoping
to be the first person to have the story of Angie's first date.
"I've got
to get to the Magic Express first. I'll show them that they can't
block me out from a juicy story."
Unfortunately,
when he arrived there, he noticed a number of other reporters wanting Angie
to come out and issue a statement. "Hey! This is my
story! Get outta here, the lot of you!"
"Sorry,
buddy," said one TV reporter. "We have just as much right to be here
as you do. We want the story also."
"No!
This story is my exclusive, so buzz off now!" He then pushed
his way through the crowd and tried to knock on the front door, but he
found himself shocked by the defenses. "What!? Hey, open this
door right now! I want the story, Jacobs!"
Angie's
sensitive ears picked up the commotion. "What—who's knocking so hard
that he'll risk getting shocked by the security system?"
Using the
closed circuit system, Angel used the portable television set as a viewer.
"I believe this is Ronald Sikes."
Angie thought
carefully of what to do. "I think I can get him and all those reporters
away from here without having to show my face at the door."
"How?"
asked Cosmo curiously.
"Angel,
patch me into the intercom system. I'm going to give them the wake-up
call of all wake-up calls."
"Uh-oh,"
said Ace with a smirk. "You've found another way to take out your
anger on the reporters with no magic necessary. Go for it,
Angie."
"Cover
your ears, everybody. Angel?"
"It's ready,
Angie. I just hope it won't blow my olfactory sensors."
"If it
does, I apologize in advance." As soon as she heard the beep, Angie
spoke loudly into the intercom. "You all want a statement from me?
Well, here it is! My first date will be just like any other date
on Saturday night! That's all I have to say, and I have a personal
message for Mr. Ronald Sikes! Stay out of my personal life, idiot!"
Her amplified
voice outside the Express sent the reporters running away, all hoping they
did not go deaf.
Sikes,
being the closest, almost was unable to hear anything. He walked
around disoriented for a couple of blocks. "Whoa, that girl can scream,"
he said while trying to regain his balance. "Man, she's gonna be
a tough one, but I'll make sure I get the story I want. I've got
to know who the date is."
Back inside,
Angie calmly said, "I'm done now, Angel. Thank you."
"You're
welcome, Angie. My sensors are fine. The reporters, however,
are slightly unsettled, especially Mr. Sikes."
"Good."
She then looked at Ace. "Well, um, how did I do?"
Ace smiled
and stated, "That was great, Angie. Taking out frustration on those
nosey reporters with the intercom was a great idea. Looks like you
found other ways of getting your anger out without hurting anyone physically."
"I always
want to avoid getting into conflicts, but sometimes, there's not
much of a choice, is there?"
"True.
You just have to understand when it's time to fight and not to fight.
At least we won't have to worry about those reporters for now. Shall
we finish breakfast under more peaceful circumstances?"
"Good idea.
So, what's my itinerary for this week, in terms of getting ready for Saturday?"
"Mona's
your teacher for this part. She can help you decide what dress will
work, what hairstyle is fitting, and how to act properly. It's not
like going to a fantasy convention."
"Okay,
so basically I'll be with her during the week. Sounds good."
Just then,
Angel said, "There is an incoming call for you, Angie. Victor is
on the line."
"Thanks,
I'll take that in my room."
She quickly
ran to her room and picked up her phone. "Hello, Victor."
Calling
from the Raven home, Victor was in the living room. "Morning, Angie.
I tried to call you a couple of times, but the line was busy. What
happened?"
"Victor…I'm
becoming a tabloid victim."
"Oh, no.
This isn't what you need right now. How many snoopy reporters?"
"At least
30, and Ronald Sikes from The Inquisitive threatened me if I didn't
give him an 'exclusive' about my first date. I mean, what's the big
deal about it?"
"One word,
Angie: celebrity. You're in the spotlight now, so even something
as normal as a first date can get unbelievable coverage by any tabloid
reporters, and Sikes is one of the worst. Some say he's worse than
Paparazzo himself."
"He scared
me on the phone so badly I started losing control again. Victor,
are you sure you really want to go through with this, considering my…emotional
instability at times?"
Victor
gave her words of reassurance. "Angie, you are emotionally sensitive,
not emotionally unstable. That guy made you angry, and you were justified.
Some things in life need to remain private, like a person's first date,
no matter the celeb status."
"Thanks."
She breathed a sigh of relief. "It's just that…it's not only reporters
I'll have to worry about now, it's also other people who really want to
know who my first date is with and where it's taking place.
How do I keep them off my case?"
"Maybe
Dad can help out. I'll talk to him later on about what we can do.
He and Mike do know about the first date, but I warned Mike not to tell
anybody else or I'd skin him alive, no matter which form he took on."
"Wait a
sec, Vic. The other shifters would already know regardless.
They contact mind-to-mind like Ace and I do. I know they wouldn't
tell anyone, even for money."
"Yeah,
that is one benefit of having a shifter for a brother. Even he's
smart enough not to take this lightly. So, who's going to help you
prepare for our date?"
"Mona.
I think she's the perfect instructor on proper preparedness for a first
date."
He chuckled,
"It's like you're going to school or something."
"Well,
maybe it really is for me. At least I didn't have to attend charm
school."
"I gotcha.
Anyway, I wanted to make sure our reservation for Saturday night would
stay reserved. You know how sometimes they bump lower class individuals…"
"Yeah,
Mom and Dad had it happen to them on their first date. They told
me about it. However, I am a celebrity, and you're a son to one of
the most powerful people here in Electro City, so I would be surprised
if they did bump us."
"I guess
that's the nice thing about having some kind of status in the city, just
as long as you don't let it go to your head."
"That's
not what I want to do. I just want to be myself when I'm not performing
or fighting crime."
"Okay,
listen, I have to go right now. I've got to head over to the school
for my course. I'm only about 25 hours away, and it's a three-hour
course today. Will you be all right?"
"I'll be
fine, Vic. Good luck in class today."
"Thanks.
I'll see you on Saturday night. I love you."
"I love
you, too. Bye." She then replaced the phone. "How come
I've gotten so lucky to have someone who understands me, even after everything
I went through?"
Because
you decided to be more open with your feelings, said the darker shadow.
Victor understands what you've been through, and he also knows what
it's like to be part of an influential family here in Electro City.
He's just as subject to media scrutiny as you are. I hate to say
it, but I'm afraid you're just going to have to deal with it.
"I know,
but I haven't been a celebrity that long. I was thrusted into this."
That's
right, but Ace has seen you for who you really are, a person with incredible
powers and so many emotions. In the time since returning from Washington,
you've opened yourself more. Even though you're having problems controlling
your magic when feeling emotional, you've got the best person helping you
out and friends to support you. How did you feel when you got upset
at Mona for that song she wrote without consulting you…honestly?
"Upset,
somewhat angry. A first date should be a personal thing, not something
for the entire planet to see. Mom and Dad were never famous."
No,
but recall what they told you about their first date, all the things that
went wrong. Dad was angry with the manager of the restaurant, remember?
"Yeah,
I know. He worked so hard to save the money, and it was almost all taken
from him when the restaurant bumped him and Mom. But…I guess it's
the journey that matters, not necessarily the beginning or end. Thanks."
No problem,
Angie. I'm glad you're being more open with this part of yourself.
"Me, too."
She came
back to the living room where Ace and Cosmo were sitting quietly.
"Okay, guys, phone call's over."
"How's
Victor doing?" asked Cosmo.
"He's fine.
Still needs a little more time, and he can finally open that horse-riding
school he's been wanting to do for a long time. Well, I guess the
first thing is for me to practice with controlling the magic in emotional
situations."
"Right,"
said Ace in agreement. "To the practice room with us."
"Um, you
guys mind if I get in on this, too?" Cosmo requested.
Angie looked
at Ace first, and then back at Cosmo. "Sure, I don't see why not.
It's just…you'll have to get out of the way if my magic gets out of control."
"I'll be
ready for it."
Meanwhile,
Ronald Sikes somehow managed to get back to his office at The Inquisitive,
but he still had a bad ringing in his ears. "Wow, that really hurts."
He was
about to sit down when he heard someone screaming in the intercom.
"Sikes! My office!"
Sikes quickly
ran into the editor-in-chief's office and shut the door. "Yes?"
A mean
female voice said, "Sikes, have you gotten anything about Angela
Jacobs's first date?"
"N-no.
I can't get any story because she's hiding behind Cooper in that Magic
Express."
Turning
around, the woman looked like she belonged in her position as editor-in-chief:
Professional business attire, but very rotten attitude. "She can't
stay behind that Magician forever! I want the dibs on that date,
Sikes. Do it by any means necessary, even if you have to follow her
every move. I want to know who the lucky man is and where the date
will be. Take pictures any way possible, bug phone lines if you have
to, but I want that information! Angela Jacobs's date is the hottest
story in town right now, and the public have the right to know, so go out
and get it!"
"Yes, Miss
Corliss. I'll get it, one way or another." He then left her
office.
Victoria
Corliss was not one to take lightly. The owner of the tabloid since
inheriting it from her father several years ago, she had tried and tried
to follow the constant movements of Ace Cooper, but to no avail.
Most of the time Duke Paparazzo would beat any of her reporters to the
story. Since Paparazzo's demotion from the Sensa-News Channel's star
reporter, though, she had sent her staff of rather ruthless reporters on
the scene, trying to get any information on Ace or any of his friends.
Kendra Rayler would beat them, however, as she was able to use her new
star status to get to them first, always reporting on them accurately,
no real "juicy" story.
"You can
run and hide, Angela," Corliss whispered, "but we will get your
story, any way we can. We'll find out who your date is and where
you'll be. Then, the exclusive is ours to print."
As for
Sikes, he walked to his car and sat in it for a few minutes, thinking about
how to follow Angie. "She doesn't have any favorite hangouts…but
then, she's not a teenager, so that would rule that out almost immediately.
Wait a minute…if this is her first date, then she needs help in getting
the right equipment…dress, hairstyle…yeah. That's how I can keep
an eye on her. Just go to any place she goes which will help her
be ready for her date. Perfect. Now I just have to find her
away from the Magic Express."
After lunch
was completed in the Magic Express, Mona came over to pick up Angie.
"You ready to shop for a dress?"
"Yes, I
am, Mona. Let's go shopping!"
As Angie
went into the passenger seat of the car, Mona looked at Ace. "This
could take at least three hours, since the dress has to be just right."
"Take all
the time you need, Mona. After all, you're the fashion expert, not
me. Angie, have a good time dress hunting, okay?"
"Okay.
See you guys later."
The ladies
were soon off to find the perfect dress for Angie's first date.
Little
did they know that Inquisitive reporter Ronald Sikes started following
them from a safe distance. "Good, she's away from that crazy Magic
Express. Now I can stay with her and find out everything, maybe even
get the information as to who her date really is."
A few minutes
later, Angie and Mona went into a special shop filled with dresses designed
for specific occasions.
The female
owner of the store said, "Hello, ladies. How can I help you today?"
Angie looked
around the store and then at the owner. "I need to find the perfect
dress to wear on a first date. Mine is this Saturday night, and I
need the right dress."
"Very well,
Miss Jacobs. We'll try some dresses for you. If you don't find
the right dress here, don't worry about it. The dress must be just
right for you, so let's get started."
Just outside,
Sikes started taking photos of Angie as she tried on each of the dresses.
"Wow, this is getting somewhere. The boss will like these photos."
However,
a passing police officer noticed. "Excuse me, sir, but you're not
allowed to take pictures here."
"I…um,
I'm a tourist here. It's my first trip here to Electro City."
"Nice try,
Mr. Sikes, but do you really think I don't recognize you? Now get
lost before I run you in for loitering and trespassing."
"Now you
listen here, Officer. I have a right to do this under the First Amendment.
Freedom of the Press."
"Not when
it comes to taking private photos of someone in a shop. Now go!"
"I'll sue
you and the police department for this!"
"Oh, and
I'll take this." The officer grabbed the camera and took the film
out, ruining it completely. "Now, if you want to take photos of people,
ask for their permission first." He then handed the camera back to
the reporter.
Sikes found
himself in a terrible position. "I don't believe this! How
am I going to get that story for Corliss? She'll be furious if I
don't have a shred of information about that date."
In the
shop Angie was pleasantly surprised that most people were not asking her
about the date. "I don't get it. I thought people would hound
me to death about my date."
The owner
happily said, "Believe me, I don't allow something like that around here.
My first priority is to the customer, and celebrity status has nothing
to do with it. The customers that do come in here are individually
worked upon, which won't let any two customers get together to start a
rumor."
After a
couple of hours, though, Angie still had no special dress to wear.
"I'm sorry, but none of them have the right feel. No offense to you."
"None taken,"
said the owner graciously. "We normally are about the third or fourth
shop women come to for the right dress. I hope you'll be able to
find just the right dress."
"Thank
you. Come on, Mona. On to the next dress shop."
"Sure thing."
As the pair went to Mona's car, Mona was happy that Angie was still her
friend at all, after the singer accidentally spoke of the date. Angie
is getting better. Even though I did something I shouldn't have,
at least she wasn't afraid to express how she really felt. She is
truly healing herself.
They took
off for the next shop near the Croesus Palace, a shop Mona normally went
to when she needed special dresses for special shows.
Of course,
Sikes stayed a safe distance behind Mona's car. "I've got to stay
with them at all costs. Corliss is gonna want something from me soon
enough."
When Mona
and Angie arrived at the Razz-Dazzle shop, the owner immediately recognized
her. "Miss Malone," he said happily, "what can I do for you?"
"My friend
Angie here needs some help. She is looking for the perfect first
date dress."
"Ah."
He then shook hands with her. "Hello, Angie. I will be glad
to assist you in your quest for the right dress. Let us start with
your measurements and see what dresses are available in your size."
"Thank
you, sir. Believe me, this is seriously my first date, and I'm 26
years old!"
"Don't
worry, Mademoiselle. I met someone going on her first date, and she
was in her 60s. Do not feel bad."
Angie laughed
heartily at the comment. "Thanks. That makes me feel better
already."
Sikes found
his way into the store and found someone taking a break. "Hey, buddy.
Want $100 to take off the rest of the day and let me work for ya?"
"You bet!"
Sikes gave
the employee the money and grabbed a suit to make himself appear as an
employee. "Now I can stay as close to Jacobs as possible."
The owner
called for the employee come assist. "Please, get some dresses for
Miss Jacobs so she can find the right one for her first date Saturday evening."
Sounding
like an employee himself, Sikes said, "Of course, sir."
As he found
at least 10 dresses, he started a miniature cassette recorder in his pocket.
"This is gonna work, this is really gonna work."
Angie started
trying on each dress while Sikes started asking questions. "You're
26 years old and going on your real first date?"
"Yes.
I'm very lucky. I just hope nothing goes wrong. It's so important
to me. I only wish…my parents were still alive to see this."
"You must
miss them very much. Where are they?"
"In Heaven."
"I'm sorry.
I shouldn't have brought that up."
"It's okay.
It's still hard on some days, but I've been able to deal with that…one
day at a time."
"That's
good. Anyway, who's the lucky man?"
"He's a
really nice person. I kinda fell in love with him, but I got scared
to admit it for a little while. I'm just surprised he would still
love me after all the nightmares I went through."
"Never
mind that, who's going out with you Saturday night?"
"Why would
you want to know that? That's personal business, friend. I—"
Angie stopped talking after she heard a slight clicking sound. "Hey,
that's a tape recorder!" She used her magic to levitate the cassette
recorder out of his pocket. "So, you're out to invade my privacy,
too, huh? Well it won't work!" Clenching her right hand into
a fist, she made the recorder break into small pieces. "Mona, can
you get Monsieur Cardón, please? I've got someone bothering
me over here."
Mona and
Cardón came up to where the "employee" was.
"Wait a
minute…you are not one of my employees!" Cardón shouted angrily.
He then saw the broken recorder. "I should have known, it's Ronald
Sikes!"
Mona looked
at him angrily. "You jerk! How dare you try to invade Angie's
privacy! I've got a good mind to call the police!"
Sikes rushed
out of the shop as fast as he could before Mona could get the chance to
contact the authorities. "Good grief! I still have nothing!
I've got to do something about this…wait, I think I know what I can do.
I'll get that information with the help of the listening public!"
He quickly took off in his car to the nearest radio station.
As for
Mona and Cardón, they could do nothing to stop him.
"Blast
that idiot," said Mona. "If Ace were here, he'd hypnotize Sikes into
forgetting his memory completely."
"Mona!"
yelled Angie excitedly. "This is it! This is the right dress!"
When Angie
came out from the dressing room, she wore a stunning dark-blue laced dress
with spaghetti straps. The lights reflected the shine in the material.
Mona gasped,
"You look gorgeous! That is the right dress for you to wear
Saturday night! Monsieur Cardón, we'll take this one!"
"Very well.
Who will pay for it?"
"I will,
sir," said Angie. "It's time I was just a bit selfish…and enjoy it."
Mona smiled
with some excitement. "There you go, girl. Now we're definitely
on the way to you being ready for the date."
They went
back to Mona's car with the dress in a special garment bag.
"So, where's
our next stop?" asked Angie.
"Home.
We spent a long time looking for a dress, and Ace is probably worried."
Angie closed
her eyes to concentrate on Ace's thoughts. "No…he isn't. I
sense no worry."
"Good.
Let's go home, we've had a long day."
In his car,
Sikes used his cell phone to contact the local radio station KECR.
"Hello, I'd like to make this plea to the general public. Can you
make this announcement for me?"
He made
details about what he wanted and would soon get his wish.
Mona and
Angie were on the way home when they heard this on the radio. "Hey,
listeners, get this. Ronald Sikes of The Inquisitive has announced
he will pay 100,000 electro-dollars to anyone who can get information on
Angela Jacobs's first date, particularly the lucky man and the location."
Mona and
Angie gasped in shock, with Angie going into near panic. "Oh, no!
Sikes is gonna play on the people's greed!"
"I know.
People will do anything for money, including come after you by any
means necessary. The sooner we get you back to the Magic, the better.
Trust me, this is one situation we have to avoid at all costs."
"Yeah…I
don't want to hurt anyone again, not after what happened to me before."
Mona patted
her shoulder. "I know you don't. The concern right now is to
protect you from any more trouble."
Angie then
heard Ace's thoughts. Cosmo and I heard on the radio about Sikes's
reward. Do you need any extra help?
Not
right now. Besides, I got the dress. I'm on the way home.
But…considering this situation, should we move the Express somewhere else?
No,
we shouldn't. We have the barriers, remember? We'll be waiting
for you at home.
Sure
thing. I love the dress I chose. I'm gonna keep thinking positive
for the rest of the week, at least I hope I can. Sikes found a way
to play on the greed of others.
I know.
We'll help make sure your date goes through without a hitch.
As Mona
drove down each street, many people started following her car, most wanting
that information so they could collect the large reward. "When greed
overtakes them, they don't care who they hurt."
They managed
to get back to the Express, where Angel was able to erect a special barrier
to keep anyone from passing through the tunnel leading to the Magician's
home.
"Thanks,
Angel," said a relieved Angie. "I owe you one."
"No, Angie.
You do not owe me anything."
When they
entered through the garage, Angie was happy just to make it home.
"Things are getting more complicated now…but I'll get through this.
Thing is, what's next?"
"We choose
the right hairstyle," answered Mona, "and we'll need to use the holographic
system. Will that be all right with you, Ace?"
"Of course.
Angel is always at your disposal. By the way, I saw the dress in
your thoughts, Angie. It's beautiful."
"Thanks.
The first part of the personal operation has been completed, but I've still
got a long way to go."
