Chapter 4: Ghost from the Past

"Two words: Bad taste. A self-respecting woman would never pose for PlayBunny Magazine. Whoever called Elastigirl—Herb Hufnick himself, or his associates—should have been turned down."

Elastigirl switched off the radio, listening to a Friday morning talk/music show on 99.1 FM with yet another listener giving his or her positive or negative reaction to the impending photo spread.

You can't please everyone, she thought. Of course, what really matters is that I'm comfortable.

She actually felt exhilarated, as she drove in Bob's revamped Incredimobile up to the country club-like atmosphere that was the PlayBunny Mansion. A young valet approached her with a surprised look.

"Ah! Elastigirl!" He welcomed, standing aside as the doors automatically flew upwards to let out Elastigirl. "I can park your vehicle for you, if you like to sign in at the receptionist desk."

Elastigirl cocked an eyebrow in thought. That wouldn't be a good idea.

She opened the trunk to bring out a modest travel case, handing it to the valet. "If you can walk this to the receptionist desk for me, I'll take care of the parking. Confidential stuff here, you know."

The valet gave a knowing smile. "Ah, I understand."

Elastigirl drew up a map of the area on her computer, and then shut the door as the Incredibmobile sped off. She smiled at the jaw-dropped look the valet gave before he came to his senses.

"The receptionist is through this way?"

Shaking his head in amazement with a chuckle, he gestured to the door of the mansion. "Of course, ma'am. Enjoy your stay."

Elastigirl could have sworn she had seen a celebrity or two: The actor from that soap opera, One World. The actress from that Academy Award film, When We Were Lovers.

There were probably others. Maybe she might run into a few others for the duration of her stay.

Settling in her room, which was like a one-bedroom home, she couldn't help but notice the draperies…the décor…(something she might add to their home once she returned). Of course, her family did not have the money that Herb Hufnick brought in—supers or not—but, Elastigirl aka Helen Parr had a woman's touch, which gave her a little edge.

Speaking of Herb Hufnick, she wondered where he was at the moment. She didn't bring much of a change in clothes. The one supersuit Edna Mode made for her during the Syndrome encounter was indeed washable, but she didn't have the luxery of prancing around in 'civilian' wear.

Elastigirl wanted to know how long she would stay. Possibly she might even call Bob to bring her over an additional supersuit if necessary.

Speaking of which, she wanted to know how Bob and the kids where. Settling on the comfortable bed, she began to dial her home phone number, until she received a knock on her door.

"Yes?" she asked, approaching the door.

"Hello, Elastigirl!" Said the accented voice, " I'm sorry to bother you, I know you're a very busy person…we wanted to know if we could trouble you for an autograph or two?"

Elastigirl chuckled. She couldn't deny she like the attention, as she has been getting stares ever since she walked into the mansion.

Why not?

Opening the door, she found a curious sight: Two twins, possibly of African or Caribbean descent, in their early twenties, exotically beautiful with chiseled features, slender frame, and flawless dark skin. Both nearly had the same long curly hair.

"Forgive me," one of the twins started, breaking the silence. She wore a pink fall outfit--as this was October, "My name is Aleme, this is my sister Isidra."

Idrissa wore a blue fall outfit, identical to her sister. "The word seems to be already around the mansion that you're here, Elastigirl! We just had to see for ourselves!"

"I see." Elastigirl said with a wry grin, as the girls simultaneously held up notebooks.

Signing her autograph for the girls, Idrissa then presented her with a flower. "From our country of Ethiopia. To you."

"Thank you."

After a simultaneous bow of the head, the two girls left.

Odd, thought Elastigirl. Gorgeous, but odd.

As she closed the door, she was about to take a whiff of flower, which was a lovely as the mysterious twins, but decided not to. Maybe it was her super instincts, or her female instincts, but something wasn't right.

She checked the flower by sight, and even pried at it to see if anything was out of the ordinary. Of course, common sense told her that even just by looking at the flower, she wouldn't know if it was poisoned or booby-trapped in some manner.

Still, maybe she was overreacting.

Her solution? Wrap it up in a couple of tissues and place it in her suitcase, making a mental note to remember the flower. Breathing a sigh of relief, she went to the window to look at the view of the huge yard of the mansion.

A large lawn, with a nice sized swimming pool, with young ladies in fall attire or identical white swimsuits playing volleyball. (Elastigirl deduced those in the identical swimwear were the "PlayBunny models," wearing the trademark logo: A feminine shape sitting with long rabbit ears).

Near a large tarp, she could make out a couple of other celebrites—remembering faces, not exactly names, as well as…yes! Mr. Hufnick himself. However, what she found interesting was his companion giving him more attention that he seemed to have wanted.

No, it couldn't be! Elastigirl thought. Mirage?

Elastigirl recalled punching Mirage out sometime ago after she thought Bob and the woman were….

…Well…that was then.

However, was Mirage a changed individual now?

Her suspicions took a negative turn as she saw the two twins who came to her room earlier—Idrissa and Aleme—approach the white-haired beauty. Too, Mr. Hufnick seemed uncomfortable, maintaining a hospitable attitude as guests approached him, and/or photographers motioned for pictures.

Elastigirl let her mind wander, taking in the scene. It came a surprise when Mirage happened to look up her way, as the twins spoke to her.

The drapery was quickly drawn, as Mirage continued her conversation.

That motherly/super instinct somehow told Elastigirl something was going on.

"Well, it seems that Elastigirl knows of our presence," Mirage mused, swishing her cup of fruit juice.

"We're sorry, Mistress," Idrissa apologized.

"We admire Elastigirl, and just had to meet her," said Aleme. "We gave her a special flower from our country. "

"I don't believe it was the flower, ladies. I happened to see her gazing at us from her room," Mirage replied. "No doubt, Elastgirl may no doubt have found the flower conspicuous now that she has seen me."

Hufnick excused himself from his guests, and turned to Mirage and the twins.

"Ah, Herb, let me take your drink. I believe you have a dinner engagement with Elastigirl tonight to discuss her photo shoot?"

Hufnick sighed. He hated being controlled like this, and made a fool.

"Mirage," he started, straightforward, "I don't want any harm done to Elastigirl. Whatever you have against her, that's your business…but don't involve me. I've made up my mind. You can make me go but so far, and I'm asking you to leave me out of it."

Mirage found Mr. Hufnick amusing. A powerful man, yet one who was not losing composure. No wonder she was attracted to him as a temporary lover.

"Don't worry," she soothed. "You won't have to be involved tonight."

She turned to the twins.

"See that Mr. Hufnick is regulated to his room."

Hufnick was about to protest. Mirage, brought a hand up to silence him, suddenly becoming annoyed at this man's boldness to question her every motive.

"I'll let everyone know you had to step away."

As they were about to leave. "One more thing, Herb. I decide how far you go."

She nodded for the twins to take him away, smiling to herself before again looking upward to where Elastigirl's room was located.

Elastigirl felt uneasy, as she watch the twins lead Hufnick away as Mirage stood alone.