Chapter 8: Multiple Choice

*Riley flipped on the huge plasma TV that was the size of half her wall*

"Other news today…" "Fluffy Flakes… "Buy a bouncer ball today…" "George don't leave me…" "Earthquakes were felt all over the moon last week as..."

Riley: There's always nothing on.

*She heads on over to the kitchen to look for a snack* With her head in the fridge her cell phone rings* Not even looking to see who it was she picks up the phone*

Voice on the other end of the phone: Didn't think you'd call or show so I've taken it upon myself to call you instead.

Riley: I just wanted you guys to be on the edge of your seats. You knew I would have come back anyways right?

Man: Well, I mean jail changes people.

Riley: Yeah. But you know how much I have to help people, even if they don't know.

Man: Always were a humanitarian Alex.

Riley: By the way, thanks.

Man: For…

Riley: The immense closet of weapons of "mass destruction" (she laughs)

Vance: Hey, I just thought it would come in handy that's all.

Riley: Well, I appreciate it anyways.

Vance: So…you're coming back right?

Riley: Yeah. Just tell Carter his pain in the ass is back.

Vance: I think he already knew.

Riley: Then why are you calling.

Vance: …

*There's a knock on the door*

Riley: Uh, yeah someone's at the door. Anything else?

Vance: Nah, just wanted to talk.

Riley: We got time. I'll call you back okay?

Vance: Yeah. Bye.

Riley: Bye. *She hangs up and heads on over to the door* The security surveillance screen pictured a guy that she recognized. He was a tall guy with blonde hair that was always styled. His blue eyes wandering every which way standing there patiently waiting* She pushed the screen for it to open*

Riley: (she squeals) What are you doing here? (Jumping into his arms as he spins her around)

Guy: Just thought I drop by. Sorry, I wasn't at the…

Riley: It's okay. I understand.

Brad: Are you sure? Cause I got a reason.

Riley: How long did it take you to come up with it?

Brad: Uh, about a couple of hours. Hold on one sec. (Holding up his finger and he gets something in the hallway. Presenting Riley some flowers)

Riley: Aw, they're so pretty. (She smells them) I wonder if I even have a vase. (Closing the door. She heads over to the kitchen to look for a vase as Brad follows. Bending over looking under the auto jet sink she finds one though bumping her head)

Riley: Ouch. (Rubbing her head)

Brad: (Laughs) You okay?

Riley: Yeah I mean I've felt worse.

Brad: Just heard you were back and wanted to catch up. I mean I don't get why you could have been put in jail, what's so bad about traveling to other countries helping hungry children, build houses for poor families, and dig out landmines?

Riley: Yeah, I think it was just some foreign policy that I had broke and so I guess that was the punishment. (Trying to stay composed)

Brad: Well then they have really stupid policies.

Riley: …uh yeah I guess.

*Brad's cell phone rings*

Brad: It'll be quick (He presses accept) Yeah? Hey! I'll be back in like 30 minutes. Okay? Yeah see you later. Love you too.

*Riley's face just went from overly excited to sadden and depressed*

Brad: Sorry about that. Is there something wrong?

Riley: Oh no. (Putting on a fake smile again)

Brad: Everyone's missed you a lot, me, Owen, your parents, I think Rachel took it the hardest.

Riley: The old lady?

Brad: Devna.

Riley: Yeah. I don't understand why though.

Brad: I guess it was because you were best friends for so long that she didn't have anyone to fill that gap.

Riley: But I was coming back.

Brad: She didn't think so. Plus she didn't understand why you would be put into jail I mean it was a government crisis help organization.

Riley: Beats me. Yeah, well um, I got stuff to do…

Brad: (Rubs the back of his neck) Yeah, I got to get going. Maybe we could have lunch and catch up better?

Riley: Sure.

*Brad leans in to give her a kiss forgetting that time has changed as well as their relationship, tries to give her a kiss on the cheek instead. Though, Riley evades it as they awkwardly hug*

Brad: (As he looks to the floor) Yeah uh, bye. (As he waves and exits backwards looking at her for the last time before he enters the hallway)

*Riley covers her mouth holding back the pain. She silently cries with her hand to her mouth. Her cell phone rings. She wipes away her tears, clears her throat, trying to forget that what she heard ever happened*

Riley: (picking up the phone) Yeah.

Vance: Sorry.

Riley: (sadly laughs) Thought it would be you.

Vance: Yeah I hope I'm not interrupting something.

Riley: No, you're not.

Vance: Well Carter wanted you in to go through the usual tests.

Riley: To make sure I'm sane and all.

Vance: Yeah. So here's what you're suppose to do…

Riley: Why can't I just walk in?

Vance: You want people not to see you remember?

Riley: I guess.

Vance: Anyways there should be an old fashion cab to pick you up 15 minutes from now. It will honk 3 times. From there the cab will take you to an old neighborhood where there is an old highway overpass. There will then be a "homeless" man with a sign that says "Free Nayshon." Walk up to him. He will then give you an old coke can with an un-screwable bottom. Unscrew the bottom there will be an earpiece from there the rest of the directions will be given.

Riley: Why are we using a phone?

Vance: Don't worry its safe.

Riley: Ok, I guess I'll hear and maybe see you in a while.

*Riley puts on her shoes and gets her cell phone and keys* 3 honks are heard* As she descends the building in the elevator the moonlight shines through the window. A flash of darkness then light, darkness then light* Riley climbs into the cab, recognizing the driver as another agent* Through out the whole car ride no words were exchanged* Riley just stared out the window watching the lights over head* When she did reach the overpass, see the "homeless" man and obtained the earpiece Vance's voice could be heard distinctly*

Vance: Now there will be an old phone booth that still works. Push in the numbers '9372'.

Riley: Then what?

Vance: That's it.

Riley: Sure. Okay.
*Riley jogs over to a phone booth she sees and presses '9372'. Immediately the floor falls out and is sliding through a tube like shoot in the shoot for about 5 minutes she ends up in a white room. In the room countless of harmless lasers scan over Riley* An unseen door opens up to a large one floor building. Computers and televisions are everywhere. People are scuttling all around. No one looks up from their computers or glances Riley's way*

Riley walks in removing the earpiece from her ear. Vance greets her with a glowing smile*

Riley: No one knows do they?

Vance: They know they just rather not say anything.

Riley: Right. Why does he want me tested right now? Is it really that urgent?

Vance: Well…

Riley: Right it's not. Ok so let's get through this already.

*Riley enters a dark cold room. Nothing is quite visible until there was the flick of the lights. There a creepy man with a wrinkly face stood behind a stainless steel desk. In front of him lay a chair with a head strap and some number of wires hanging from it. Behind him lay a plasma screen*

Riley: How lovely.

Vance: I think you remember Mr. Octavious.

Riley: Yeah, though I didn't think he would still be working here. I mean even after so long ago…

Mr. Octavious: Uhhemmm.

Riley: Right.

*Sitting into the cold uncomfortably stiff leather chair a head piece was fastened over Riley's head and across her eyes. Then a couple of wires were stuck to her arms and pulse areas*

Vance: I'll be outside the room if you need me ok?

Riley: Sure.

*Vance leaves the room*

Mr. Octavious: You know how this goes. I ask you a couple questions and you just answer them.

Riley: Yep.

*Throughout a grueling hour Riley is asked countless of questions some relevant to her occupation. Others, quite not. Moving a few times due to her inability to stay still for long periods of time after two hours and some odd minutes she had completed the psychological part of the test. She then exits the room. Vance leans against the wall*

Riley: Man. Who comes up with those questions? I would like to meet that guy…or girl. Just whoever.

Vance: What if I said I did?

Riley: Ok sure you made up a question like if you had to decide between two ways to die would use a blunt knife or scissors?

Vance:…

Riley: (patting Vance on the back) Uh huh.

*On their way to the gym Riley met some old co-workers she hadn't seen more than the two years she was in jail. Most of them she didn't recognize them anymore or never really associated with often so she didn't know what quite to say. The only people that she was friends with in the field either died or weren't there in the facility at the moment. Reaching the gym…*

Riley: I love this part. I get to beat up defenseless guys.

Vance: See that's what's wrong with you, they don't even know that you're a PAS.

Riley: Well, they should know better.

*As different people came out from openings in the floor Riley used her masterful knowledge of all known forms of martial arts known to man. Sometimes it was hard to differentiate whether she had actually hit them at all before they landed on the floor. After a series of spars had taken place Riley then ran to test her endurance as well as take a turn at the shooting compound. With every bullet it was amazing to see that she shot the bulls eye without fail. Riley was sweating but she wasn't even close to being worn out*

Vance: You know what's next.

Riley: Yeah I just don't understand why people have to do all these tests in one day. I mean I may not be tired now but with a brain cramp and sore muscles not a good thing to wake up to in the morning.

Vance: It's just you.

Riley: What do you mean, don't tell me you weren't worn out after six hours of testing?

Vance: They just test you this way.

Riley: I see. Didn't know people discriminated against people like me now.

Vance: Carter just wanted to see if you were still in the same shape as before so he upped all the tests.

Riley: So like him.

*Riley continued the last portion of her test, the intelligence portion. It was a timed test that was taken on a computer. With minutes sparred and no wrong answers Riley was done with all of it*

Riley: Well, I suppose Carter was proven wrong.

Vance: What do you mean? You still are the same.

Riley: If you notice on these print outs (handing them to Vance) I finished all tests earlier than before, even though I did my beginning tests at different times instead of all together.

Vance: I guess that means ice cream.

Riley: That's so gross.

Vance: I mean the real kind.

Riley: How? You can never find real ice cream any more not after they did away with real dairy products.

Vance: Did away yes. Dairy products didn't off the face of the universe.

Riley: ICE CREAM!