Veurne, Flanders, May 8, 2010

At this small airport, the plane landed. The five of them got out and met with Struyss.

"You're finally here." he said, "Good, so I'd best tell you what I heard so far."

"You did some research yourself?" this surprised Snake.

"No." Struyss replied, "I just met with some old friends. You have to understand, since I moved to Amsterdam with my boyfriend..."

"Wait. Your... boyfriend?" Max couldn't understand that.

"It happens." Ginger told her, "Get used to it, kid."

"Anyway, it's been a while since I've been here." Struyss explained, "So you can understand how my old friends would love to tell me the latest news."

"Nice to hear you catch up on old times." Al started, "But what did you find out?"

"Not much." Struyss answered, "But when I listen to the old people here, they say the disappearing people go to the 'Sprout House'. Which is easy to believe, as that house hasn't been growing any sprouts in many years."

"And where do we find this House?" Snake wondered.

"Brussels." Max answered, "Or why else do you think they call them 'Brussels sprouts'?"

"You know about it?" Struyss asked her.

"I read some bit about this country's history." Max replied.

"That good to know." Struyss sounded relieved, "Then you don't need me anymore."

As Struyss was about to turn away, Jason stopped him.

"Hey! What are you doing?" Struyss whined.

"You're supposed to be our guide. Why are you leaving us?" Al agreed with Jason's action.

"Well, this man you're trying to find, he's dangerous, yes?" Struyss explained, "Dangerous enough to destroy the world, from what Mr. Winch told me."

"So?" Al still didn't understand.

"If the world will be destroyed, I want to be with the man I love when that happens." Struyss replied.

"You, a man, could love another man?" this was still new to Max.

Jason, knowing for himself how he would feel if he weren't with the one he loves in an event such as this, he understood, so he let Struyss go.

"Just one thing." Snake asked him before he left, "How do we get to Brussels?"

"Take the train." Struyss answered, "It's very easy."

And then he left.

"Well, you heard the man." Al said, "You know the language, Max?"

"Sure do. It's quite similar to English, actually." Max answered.

"Good. Then let's go." Al said.

Brussels

Once they arrived in the city, the search began for the Sprout House. However, after an hour's search, they didn't get much further. Whatever this Sprout House is, it must be that old if nobody even remembers where to find it. But that wasn't the most difficult part. Max appeared to have a communication problem with many of the locals. After some time, this started to bother the other four.

"I thought you knew their language?!" Al asked her.

"I thought so too." Max answered, "But everyone I've met so far speak either French or German. And those few who do know English can only say 'my tailor is rich' and 'the flowers are beautiful'."

"Sounds like they do know Romeo Alfa around here." Ginger remarked.

"Who?" Max didn't know the artist Ginger mentioned.

"Oh, you peoples speak English?" a squeaky voice spoke to them.

They all turned to see who was talking. It was a man, with long red curly hair, a moustache, and wearing an old brown trench coat.

"Who are you?" Snake asked this man.

"I'm from totally from Melle, only to meet with you Americans." the man answered.

"Excuse me." Ginger needed to say this, "I'm not American."

"That is for me no problem." the man said, "I love erotic women."

"Erotic?" Ginger was nearly speechless when she heard him say that.

"I think he means exotic." Max said.

"Helaba!" the man exclaimed, but although nobody understood the word he used, he sounded somewhat agitated, "I said I like erotic women! Some dirty girl you have there."

"I think you better leave now." Ginger sounded threatening, at which Jason started to come between them.

"Oh, you are her little friend, yes?" the man asked him, "Perhaps we can start a three..."

"Now listen..." Snake interrupted him, "... Mr. Man from Mel-luh. Unless you can tell us where we can find the Sprout House, we don't need you here."

"The Sprout House?" the man appeared to know it, "That's easy! It's just behind Vorst Nationaal, you can't miss it."

"Forrest National?" this sounded familiar to Max, "I've read about that."

"You know where to find it?" Snake asked her, after which she nodded, "Then we know where to go."

Everyone turns away from the man, though Jason doesn't keep his eyes of him just yet, looking at him threateningly.

"Oh, and you erotic woman!" the man didn't seem to notice how Jason was looking at him, "If you want, you can write me to Koekoekstraat70, in Melle. But it is not for me, it's for..."

At that moment, Jason had had it with this man. He punched the man into a nearby wall, after which he took out his machete.

"No Jase, don't." Ginger stopped him, "Let this be a lesson for him. If he hasn't learned it next time we meet him, then kill him."

Jason seemed to think about it, then decided to go with it. He put back his machete and followed the rest.