Chapter 5:
"Sorry about that, I was surprised by what was going on. I'm Alex," he extended his hand to Jamie formally.
"Jamie, and sorry about my mother, she's kind of … clingy," Jamie shrugged her shoulders and shook his hand. "So where are we going?"
"Just a few doors down to visit Mr. Smithers. He's actually one of the more honest people you'll meet around here," said Alex as he led the way down the corridor. Jamie smiled and followed.
"How did you get involved in MI6?" she asked.
Alex paused. "It's a long story. Basically, they made an offer that I couldn't resist," he said sarcastically.
"Ahh. Of course, the 'we're giving you a choice but there is really only one option', don't you just love those?" she asked. From the look Alex gave her, she felt they could probably understand each other better than most people. They walked in silence for a little bit. Soon they arrived at a plain looking door.
"Welcome to the gadget department," said Alex as he opened the door.
"Gadgets?" Jamie repeated as she followed him into a very ordinary looking room.
"Hello there! Alex, is that you? I think you've grown again. And who is this lovely lady?" asked the large man behind the desk.
"Mr. Smithers this is Jamie Falcon," introduced Alex, nodding to both parties.
"Ah, a sad case that is. Any word from your father's kidnappers?" asked Mr. Smithers in a genuinely concerned voice.
"No, but I don't think that is completely odd. It's so easy to trace phone calls these days," she replied coming over to the desk and sitting in one of the chairs. Mr. Smithers gave her and interested look.
"That is true, but we are finding many ways to prevent those sorts of things from happening," he said with a twinkle in his eye. "But now we must move onto more pressing matters, like making sure that you two can stay in touch and out of harm's way." Mr. Smithers typed a combination into his computer and sat back as if to wait for something.
Jamie looked at Alex who just shrugged and looked around the room. Jamie was getting the feeling that there was definitely more to this room than met the eye. Suddenly the back closet door lifted like a garage door and there was a rolling cart sitting in there. Jamie wished she could have a chance to look around and find all of the other gadgets and inventions hiding in this room. Smithers caught the look of interest in Jamie's eyes. "You will have to come back sometime and see some of my most interesting inventions," he said.
"That sounds like fun," said Jamie as she got up to look at what had come up through what she believed to be an elevator. Alex and Mr. Smithers followed right behind her.
"Now, since we could be dealing with some higher level terrorists, we needed some really sneaky gadgets this time," said Mr. Smithers.
"When have your gadgets not been sneaky, Mr. Smithers?" asked Alex with a laugh. Turning to Jamie he added, "You should see some of the stuff he has given me in the past, it is pretty amazing."
"Well," said a blushing Mr. Smithers. "Now here we have something I am sure the two of you are very familiar with." He held out two sports watches that seemed to have more buttons than there should be functions. Jamie and Alex each took one. Jamie looked hers over.
"Doesn't look like anything special to me," she said looking up at Mr. Smithers. "But I'm guessing that is what you want people to think."
Mr. Smithers smiled. "Right you are. This watch not only tells time but is also a distress signal and a communication device."
"Does the communication device work on this one?" Alex asked with a sarcastic tone that made Mr. Smithers cringe. Jamie was going to have to ask about that experience.
"Yes, it all works. To communicate between the two watches all you have to do is press and hold the "A" button on the top right and talk into it. You will be able to communicate with each other very easily with these whenever you need to talk. Also, there is a bright flashlight in these, which can be turned on by pressing buttons "C" and "D" together. The "B" button locks all of the interesting functions so that no one but either of you will be able to use them." When the two teens gave him interested looks he continued, "They are fingerprint sensitive, only you two will be able to use these." Jamie looked at her watch with new enthusiasm. Mr. Smithers continued.
"To contact us in case you want to have a nice little chat," said Mr. Smithers with a grin, "just press and hold the "D" button by itself. Pressing and holding the "C" button will send a distress signal to us directly."
"That is a heck of a lot to stuff into one little watch," said Jamie as she put the watch on her right wrist, since her left was all wrapped up. Alex noticed her struggling with the watchstrap.
"Do you need a hand?" he asked.
"Nope, I'm good," replied Jamie as she succeeded in getting the watch on.
"Anything else Mr. Smithers?" Alex asked, looking pointedly at the cart.
Smithers laughed. "Of course, here is some gum, you should remember this, Alex."
"This is the amazing exploding gum, right?" said Alex happily.
"Right you are! Just chew for 30 seconds, or until soft and then put your gum where ever you want a hole."
"That is amazing!" exclaimed Jamie. "How did you come up with that idea?"
"Having teenagers working in our office grants me many opportunities to think outside the box," replied Smithers, who seemed pleased with her enthusiasm. Jamie looked over the gum packet thoroughly before pocketing it.
"One last thing," said Smithers, holding up a silver, crescent moon necklace. The crescent moon had some beautiful, but minute carving done into it. It was gorgeous. "This is for you miss Jamie; however, looking at your wardrobe, I think it may look better on this." Smithers held up a black ribbon with a clasp on it instead of the silver chain the charm was currently hanging on. He quickly strung the charm onto the black ribbon as Jamie reached out and gently took the necklace, like she expected it to explode.
"What does it do?" she asked, still looking over every inch of the necklace.
"It's a miniature camera, so we can see what is going on around you and make sure you are not in any trouble," Smithers answered, looking her straight in the eye. Alex was getting the weird sense that Jamie was not used to a lot of attention being directed towards her. Smithers continued, "Once you put the clasp together the camera will begin transmitting to us. There is nothing on it to give away its real purpose." Jamie looked at the necklace, then up at Smithers.
"Thank you," she said.
"Anything else?" asked Alex, looking once again at the tray.
Smithers smiled. "No, my dear boy, that is all I have for you today. By the way, you two should probably head back to the lobby or Mrs. Falcon may think I kidnapped you!" Smithers held the door open for the two of them. "Alex, you better look after this young lady. I do hope I see both of you again soon."
"I will Mr. Smithers," replied Alex.
They had walked a little ways down the hall before Jamie said anything. "I like him."
"Me too," answered Alex, watching Jamie play with her new necklace.
"Is he always so happy?"
"Yeah," Alex answered. "That's the best thing about him." Jamie nodded, still playing with her new necklace. "Why don't you put that on?" Alex asked.
"Because then my mom will want to know where it came from and what it does and I think it would be better if fewer people know what it actually does, don't you?" she looked him straight in the eyes. Alex got the strange sensation that there was more to this situation than she was letting on.
"Yeah, I guess that is a good idea," he agreed. Then added, "But then how are you going to get around to wearing it?"
Jamie shrugged. "I'll see if I can talk my mom into taking me shopping later. If she says no, I'll just have to come up with plan B."
Alex looked at her. "I guess that sounds like a good idea." They had come to the lobby in the bank.
"So, if you need anything, just call," Alex said raising his wrist a little. Jamie smiled, but it disappeared quickly.
"Jamie! There you are," Mrs. Falcon had just gotten off the elevator. "I was getting worried when you did not come back to the office."
Jamie shook her head. "C'mon mom. We are here for protection, nothing bad is gonna happen."
"Well," Mrs. Falcon looked Alex over. "It is time for us to head to our hotel anyway. Come on Jamie." Her mother reached out to take Jamie's arm, but Jamie side-stepped her.
"It was nice meeting you, Alex," Jamie said, holding out her hand. Alex shook it.
"It was nice to meet you too," he replied. "And I hope I'll see you again."
Jamie smiled a small smile and then followed her mother out of the MI6 headquarters.