Rendezvous at Central Perk
They were all at Central Perk nervously drinking coffee. No-one had said anything until the last people, Phoebe and Mike had arrived, looking upset.
We were bugged,' Mike said. They found a bug in the receiver.'
Just like us,' Monica said.
They heard all my conversations,' Phoebe said, upset. Every single one.'
I was bugged too,' Ross said.
So was I,' Rachel said. They all looked at each other. All of their private conversations had been heard by some stranger, some person who didn't like them. It had to be someone who didn't like them — what person who did like them would do that to them? Some of the conversations had been nothing more than an order for pizza but others had been far far more personal.
What do they want?' Phoebe asked.
It's about us,' Chandler said, All of us.'
But what's so special about us?' Phoebe asked. We're all great friends, its true but why would that be interesting to someone else?'
Someone hates us?' Monica suggested.
But why would anyone hate us?' Ross asked. They all reflected for a moment.
You know something else,' Rachel said quietly. They all looked at her. She had been the most shocked of them all. My letters have been opened.'
Your letters!' Ross exclaimed, How could someone open your letters?'
Rach, are you sure?' Monica asked.
I thought I was imagining it,' Rachel said, But when that bug was found I realised it was happening for real.'
How long has this been happening Rach?' Chandler asked, as the rest of them wondered whether their letters had been opened too.
I don't know, but I think it's been going on for a few weeks.'
Rachel, you have to move in with me now,' Ross said.
Is your place going to be any safer?' Rachel said, upset. These people, this person, whoever this is, has been following us everywhere. How do you know they don't open your letters.'
We've told the police,' Chandler said.
What did they say?' Rachel asked. Chandler shrugged.
They said they'll investigate. They can't make any sense of it either,' he said.
Did you tell them about Julie?' Rachel asked.
I mentioned it but they didn't seem that interested,' Chandler said. It's not as though she threatened you girls or anything.' No, each of them reflected, she had just asked lots and lots of questions about the wedding and it wasn't as though the wedding had anything to do with it.
Something else Julie,' Ross said, making them all look at him. No-one's ever heard of Matt Burke. No-one's heard of Julie getting married or even getting close to it, and I've talked to the people who should know, the people who are close to her.' That had been embarrassing for him because he knew that they thought he was asking questions about Julie for another reason. I tried to call her to find out what was going on but she wouldn't return my call.' The next step was to confront her face to face but he was very reluctant to do that.
Maybe she's a bit funny in the head,' Monica said. Some women can get like that you know if they want to get married but can't.' She was making this up as she went along but she wanted it to make some kind of sense. She might be going around all the wedding dress shops, trying on dresses, pretending she's getting married when she isn't.' The others considered it. It didn't sound anything like the Julie they all knew.
They looked around. Rachel took a breath in.
There's Tag.'
What?' They turned to see Tag who was sitting alone. Phoebe was about to say hello when Rachel covered her mouth.
Mmmff!' Phoebe said.
We don't know why he's here,' Monica hissed. Why's he here? He doesn't hang out here any more.'
Well he could' Phoebe tailed off. Suddenly Rachel screamed, again and again. All eyes were on her and Gunther, not needing much of an excuse came running up to see what the matter was. Mike noticed Tag was also watching but that he had no apparent concern. He was just watching, as though gathering informationI can't stand this! Not even Central Perk is safe!' Rachel screamed and pushed her way out of Central Perk. Ross went in pursuit. The others got ready to follow.
What's happened to Rachel?' Gunther asked, worried. Monica said the first thing that came into her head, and she was vaguely sorry about it later.
You put real sugar in her coffee.'
