Author's note: As usual, main characters aren't mine-they're Nickelodeon's and Klasky-Csupo's. And also watch out for lines pirated from other programs, movies, concepts, etc.

Rugrats Midlife: Reunion

Chapter Eight: Waiting for Friday

Thursday lunchbreak, Storemm Storage and Packaging. I carefully sneaked into the warehouse, lockpick in tow, dressed up as a Storemm employee. Opening the door to the cavernous storage facility, I looked around for surveillance cameras, and when I found one, moved to the other direction, on a pile of boxes hiding me from the camera's limited vision. I then headed to a bundle of office supplies, snatched 40 leaves of paper, and using the same technique awhile ago, escaped from the camera's gaze to the door...only to find six security guards aiming their pistols at me.

"All right then, congratulations," I said, as they lowered their weapons and got back the "pilfered" sheets. The antics I were up to were training and testing exercises for the surveillance cameras that had been newly installed after my first visit on Monday-there were more than 6 CCTV cameras hidden in the warehouse, and I ignored them on purpose-as well for the alertness of the security details. They both passed it with flying colors.

"Well, son, glad we did it well," said an upbeat Mr. Storemm, who was watching the shimozzle from the CCTV surveillance room. "If all goes well, we can finally be rid of those thievin' maroons who keep snapping up all them office supplies. Hope you can come again!" In return, I warned, "That was only if I didn't know about the location of the cameras. What if I did? Anyway, we'll deal with that, umm, tomorrow or Monday, Monday's better, don't you think so?"

"Why not?" said Storemm, retightening his necktie and puffing on his cigar. "After all, we're getting our money worth from these cameras. If we have a chance, we can add more to the other warehouses in the compound. Thanks a lot anyway, and good luck! Your money's been wired into your account, Pickles!"

"Anytime, Mr. Storemm!" I replied as I went back to the dressing room to swap my uniform with my white polo shirt, pants and tie. Soon, I told myself, I'll get to manage a larger security firm, but only after full retirement. Right now, focus on small businesses and rich folks' homes. You can handle the Kabugandan Police and Dummi Bears World security team in 5 years.

I already filed the paperwork the second day after I met with the Finsters, and finished the whole thing the Friday after Kimi's arrival from San Fran (she helped me with the red tape). My job interview Saturday morning went well, and I started work Monday. And yes, Storemm was my first client. He had been concerned about the disappearance of office supplies, which his firm handles in packaging and wholesale distribution. He already installed cameras in the warehouses, but to no avail. Fortunately, with the installment of surveillance equipment in places not immediately spotted by employees, we had a winner. Soon, all the warehouses will get installed with the contraptions, and at the very least, there will be a drop in theft reports.

I then drove my Cresta to a nondescript seven-story building in the business district, just across MergeCorp Towers. My second-floor office was made up of a single computer (Internet-connected), an old desk, a bookshelf, two framed posters of the late director (and my tweenage idol) Martin Costomiris, as well as a recruitment poster for the Marine Corps, a ship model, a souvenir tribal mask from the Congo, and on the desk, pictures of my family and Kimi. Oh, God, here I go again. Looks like I need to get myself focused on my blooming career-seven customers in just four days! Ah, hell, I was fresh out from the Marine Corps Academy when the division I was in was sent to Western Sahara for peacekeeping missions there. How worse can getting workload on the first day on the job be?

And speaking of firsts, I had to talk to her. This was to make sure that we both don't forget our date at Delano's tomorrow. I soon contacted her.

"Hello, Kimi Finster here, how may I help you?" She knows that I called, but I introduced myself anyway.

"Tommy here. Now about that date at Delano's, you think we can make it there on, let's say, seven?"

"That's so early, Tom! What's on your mind?"

"Ah, ummm, I'm used to eating out early, you know, I just got reserve duty weeks ago, that's all." Some habits are hard to break.

"Well, I suppose I can come there at seven too..." Kimi has some punctuality issues bedeviling her.

"Formal or casual?"

"Semi-formal, but you can choose not to wear a tie-just a collared shirt and long pants will do." I could only guess what she'll be wearing for the occasion-certainly nothing very revealing, I thought.

"And how about your mother? Have you..."

"She knows-we talked about it. Last time we had male perfume was when Dad was around. Mom was actually very supportive."

"Oh, thank God. So, 1900 hours, Delano's?"

"Roger that, Pickles. See ya!" The call was over.

I then wheeled my chair to the window behind me and looked outside. The business district was bustling, it being 1:15 p.m. on my watch, the scene as confused as my feelings for her. Ah, well, I thought, you can settle all that on Friday night. But first, the rest of the day's work has to be done. At that moment, Fred, who was now working with me (he had long quit that security firm in LA years ago) barged in.

"At ease, Fred, what's up?" I asked him.

"Jefe, call from Calley Ridge Antiques," he replied. "They want to look at ways to improve authenticity checks." Fakes were flooding the market. First test case on this type of problem.

"I'll be right behind you, " I replied as I got myself up and fixed myself. Looking forward to Friday isn't so bad after all.

What happens tomorrow? Will they be able to sort things out now? Don't miss Chapter Nine: And Now It's Friday, coming soon!