Part 4
Mulder barely has time enough to put the cards back in their places before Scully comes walking in with their lunch. She puts a Styrofoam container and a Nestea on Mulder's desk noticing he is still on the same page of his file. "I decided not to eat there. I just brought our sandwiches back here", says Scully taking a seat at her table.
Just then their phone rings. Its Skinner who wants to see them in his office. Fifteen minutes later the agents are sitting in front of him. "I know this sounds odd coming from me, but I had been asked to organize a Valentine's Day Ball for the FBI Relief Fund and unfortunately I didn't pursue it. I'm in real trouble now, so I've decided to organize a post Valentine party, ball whatever and I need you two to chair the event." Mulder and Scully turn to one another and then look at Skinner.
"You want us to chair this Sir? Why?", ask Mulder confused.
"Because most of my agents are married and have families. I don't have people that have the personal time to dedicate to the project. You two are single and don't have many obligations. You'll have the time to do it. Its an important event. Many top government officials will be there. Theres even a possibility that the President and First Lady will be there."
"Mulder, maybe Janet Reno will go with you", says Scully.
"Thanks a lot Scully", says Mulder.
"Well, here is a list of people to be invited. A sample menu from a previous event and some contacts on locations and entertainment. I expect regular progress reports on your work and believe me my ass and yours are on the line if this goes wrong." He hands the folder of information to Mulder.
"Yes Sir", says Scully.
"Sir, we don't have time for this", says Mulder. "We just had a big break with a case that Agent Scully and I have been looking into for months. Putting it off could be detrimental to the outcome." Scully gives him a look.
"You'll have time. This event is going to happen this weekend", says Skinner.
"Sir, that gives us only three days to prepare", says Scully giving an amazed look.
"Yes it does and I suggest agents you better get moving", says Skinner silently dismissing them.
Back in their office Mulder throws the file on the desk. "Is this a big pile of manure or what? Whats next for us? Plan the annual picnic? Purchase the annual Thanksgiving turkeys?"
"Skinner trusted us Mulder, we have to do this for him. We have to be supportive of what he is trying to do."
"Well, I don't have to like it. We'll split up these duties. I'll plan the food and entertainment. You handle the location and decorations and we'll work together on the invitations", says Mulder.
"You mentioned the case to Skinner. Did you make any progress on the case?", asks Scully.
"Yeah, actually I did", says Mulder opening his sandwich container. "Theres a woman in Guilford, CT who claims she was abducted by aliens. But I think she is lying. The case doesn't jive with the usual abduction scenarios. She doesn't have an implant either."
"Mulder, you actually don't believe her?"
"Well, its just she says that she saw a flash of light not from the sky, but the aliens spoke to her through the light of her refrigerator. She claims they came to her to ask her how whipped cream gets into cans", says Mulder.
"I'm pleased Mulder to think that you actually aren't buying into this story. If you did I would have to have you analyzed for mental illness", says Scully.
"Well I may not believe her, but we are still going out to see her. I want to leave at 8:00 tonight to beat the NYC to New Haven traffic in the morning, so why don't you go home and pack up."
"Mulder, I am not going tonight. I have a date remember?"
"Oh, yes. The secret admirer. How could I ever forget?" ask Mulder sarcastically. "Never mind. I'll go by myself."
"No, just plan on holding off a day", says Scully.
"Fine, I guess your personal life takes precedence over the X-Files these days", says Mulder walking toward the door.
"Where are you going?"
"To ask Janet Reno to a dance", says Mulder sarcastically.
Mulder barely has time enough to put the cards back in their places before Scully comes walking in with their lunch. She puts a Styrofoam container and a Nestea on Mulder's desk noticing he is still on the same page of his file. "I decided not to eat there. I just brought our sandwiches back here", says Scully taking a seat at her table.
Just then their phone rings. Its Skinner who wants to see them in his office. Fifteen minutes later the agents are sitting in front of him. "I know this sounds odd coming from me, but I had been asked to organize a Valentine's Day Ball for the FBI Relief Fund and unfortunately I didn't pursue it. I'm in real trouble now, so I've decided to organize a post Valentine party, ball whatever and I need you two to chair the event." Mulder and Scully turn to one another and then look at Skinner.
"You want us to chair this Sir? Why?", ask Mulder confused.
"Because most of my agents are married and have families. I don't have people that have the personal time to dedicate to the project. You two are single and don't have many obligations. You'll have the time to do it. Its an important event. Many top government officials will be there. Theres even a possibility that the President and First Lady will be there."
"Mulder, maybe Janet Reno will go with you", says Scully.
"Thanks a lot Scully", says Mulder.
"Well, here is a list of people to be invited. A sample menu from a previous event and some contacts on locations and entertainment. I expect regular progress reports on your work and believe me my ass and yours are on the line if this goes wrong." He hands the folder of information to Mulder.
"Yes Sir", says Scully.
"Sir, we don't have time for this", says Mulder. "We just had a big break with a case that Agent Scully and I have been looking into for months. Putting it off could be detrimental to the outcome." Scully gives him a look.
"You'll have time. This event is going to happen this weekend", says Skinner.
"Sir, that gives us only three days to prepare", says Scully giving an amazed look.
"Yes it does and I suggest agents you better get moving", says Skinner silently dismissing them.
Back in their office Mulder throws the file on the desk. "Is this a big pile of manure or what? Whats next for us? Plan the annual picnic? Purchase the annual Thanksgiving turkeys?"
"Skinner trusted us Mulder, we have to do this for him. We have to be supportive of what he is trying to do."
"Well, I don't have to like it. We'll split up these duties. I'll plan the food and entertainment. You handle the location and decorations and we'll work together on the invitations", says Mulder.
"You mentioned the case to Skinner. Did you make any progress on the case?", asks Scully.
"Yeah, actually I did", says Mulder opening his sandwich container. "Theres a woman in Guilford, CT who claims she was abducted by aliens. But I think she is lying. The case doesn't jive with the usual abduction scenarios. She doesn't have an implant either."
"Mulder, you actually don't believe her?"
"Well, its just she says that she saw a flash of light not from the sky, but the aliens spoke to her through the light of her refrigerator. She claims they came to her to ask her how whipped cream gets into cans", says Mulder.
"I'm pleased Mulder to think that you actually aren't buying into this story. If you did I would have to have you analyzed for mental illness", says Scully.
"Well I may not believe her, but we are still going out to see her. I want to leave at 8:00 tonight to beat the NYC to New Haven traffic in the morning, so why don't you go home and pack up."
"Mulder, I am not going tonight. I have a date remember?"
"Oh, yes. The secret admirer. How could I ever forget?" ask Mulder sarcastically. "Never mind. I'll go by myself."
"No, just plan on holding off a day", says Scully.
"Fine, I guess your personal life takes precedence over the X-Files these days", says Mulder walking toward the door.
"Where are you going?"
"To ask Janet Reno to a dance", says Mulder sarcastically.