Don't own Chuck
Chuck and Sarah got a hop with on the Black Hawk before it flew over to the Contessa. Alarmed about news from Montenegro they wanted to get back as soon as possible so they hitched a ride. They were also concerned about Morgan so it seemed a win-win. Casey was so much in a hurry to get Morgan on board the chopper he didn't notice Sarah and Chuck and they were talking with Margo on the phone so they didn't notice him either.
"Just lie back little buddy and relax," said Chuck as they flew towards Varna. "I'll be right with you once we get this latest disaster taken care of."
"Morgan, I'm sorry for leaving you back there," said Sarah. "But how did Ettore breach the hatch? Alexei had that thing bomb proofed."
"I... I came out when I saw him trying to get away on a jetboat. I had to try to stop him. I couldn't let that face stealing scumbag schifoso get away."
"Schifoso? Doesn't scumbag mean schifoso? And when did you learn Italian," said Chuck as he held up his hand. "Hold that thought I've got Margo on the line.
"Put her on speaker so I can talk to her too," said Sarah. Ettore smiled as he reached over and put his hand on his Walther PPK. Gun play on a chopper wasn't ideal but he was going to go down on his back either.
"Margo this is Chuck and Sarah we're on our way back. We're going to fly into Varna then grab a charter jet. We'll be there in a couple of hours."
"Two hours could be too late. Razhib received a called from Ali who's holding Miriam, a friend of Razhib's hostage. He's told Razhib to meet him in the pub in a... well half hour now alone. I don't know what to do. Razhib wants to go but I don't want to let him. I don't care about catching this guy if I have to risk my son's life"
"I understand what you're saying but Razhib cares a lot about this friend," said Chuck. "Look Old Town is filled with video cameras. Take a mobile command van then park outside near Kampana Tower and the entrance to Old Town. You can monitor the video feeds from there tracking Razhib as he reaches the pub. Inside the pub I noticed they have a couple of computers they use as an internet café you can send a Trojan horse to one or both of them then hijack the camera as well as the mic..."
"I get it," said Margo. "I can have Mike route the audio through the main frame and isolate Razhib's voice. You're making me feel a lot better about this."
"I like hearing you call him son," said Chuck. "We're not that far out of Varna now. As soon as we land we're going to see Morgan loaded in the ambulance then find that charter. Don't worry everything will be okay."
"Margo, I hope Sam wasn't too much for you. I know she can be a little headstrong at times and Emma hinted that there has been some sort of problem"
"Nothing I couldn't handle and if anything it was just a misunderstanding. But nothing really... do you know what she carries around with her in that bag?"
"You're talking about her medical bag? I know she's got a stethoscope and reflex hammer Ellie gave her. She gave her the hammer because she was going to use a ballpeen on Morgan," said Sarah as she glanced down at him. She thought it odd Morgan didn't comment.
"Well she still has the ballpeen hammer, a scalpel and the latest she's looking for a bone saw to use on Morgan."
"Where'd she get the scalpel... never mind. I see I'm going to have to inspect her bag when I get there."
"Can you wait a little on that or she'll know I ratted her out? If she hadn't had that scalpel things could've been worse... much worse for us in the elevator. Chuck, Razhib handled that bomb better than any bomb expert I've ever seen."
"He was with the Toy Maker almost from when he could walk, so I'm really not that surprised. Razhib is a bright boy and I think he has very a good visual memory. Margo the pilot is signaling to me that we're about to land so we need to let you go. Hang in there and we'll see you soon."
"Margo, tell Sam and everyone we love them," said Sarah. "If you ever have a question what to do with Razhib go with your heart our heads just get in the way."
"That sounds like very good advice almost something I would say," said Chuck as he hung up and put away his phone.
"Shut up," she said as she leaned over and kissed him. "Morgan, we're almost there. You're doing good."
"Yeah little buddy hang in there. Do I need to check your wound," said Chuck as he started to bend down to lift his blanket. But as he did the chopper hit an air pocket and dropped.
"Maybe you should stay in your seat," said Ettore as he pulled his pistol and held it down by his side. "You could end up in the ambulance with me."
"He's right sweetie," said Sarah. "We're needed in Montenegro and we should concentrate our energy and efforts on getting there. Morgan, how do you feel?"
"I feel fine. The medic on the Contessa said I had a slight concussion but he wanted me to get a brain scan. I don't have to tell you what Casey said."
"No, you don't," said Chuck as he laughed. "I bet it was something to the effect that there was nothing to scan."
"Something like that except sawdust as mentioned," said Ettore smiling. He had Morgan down pat but suddenly he got a splitting headache and moaned.
"Are you sure you're okay," said Chuck. "Maybe you need a sedative to help you relax? I could give you a painkiller but the doctors at the hospital won't like it. It could mask symptoms then need to see to make a proper diagnosis."
"It's nothing just transitory pain. No, you need to go as soon as we land and get to Sam. They can take care of me fine without you."
"You know Morgan that was awfully brave of you to run out like that and try to stop Ettore," said Sarah. "Stupid but brave, I hope you still have your list with you."
"List? Oh, yes the list... that list... Geez I think I forgot it back on the ship. You can call Casey to find it after you're in the air for Montenegro."
"Call Casey? Oh, yes," said Sarah as she looked him over. "Yes, I'll call Casey to have him look for it. You probably left it in the Hydra room. We worked hard on it together and I hate to think that you lost it."
"List? What list are you two talking about," asked Chuck. "I'm afraid to ask but what kind of list did you two put together?" Ettore put his finger on the trigger and released the safety.
"Oh Morgan and I worked out the invitation list for his wedding. Morgan wanted something small and intimate while Alex wants to invite everyone. I told him we'd help kick in if they need us to so we came up with a list that's in between."
"That's right... in between. Something we both could agree on."
"I think you need a date too," said Chuck but Sarah squeezed his hand to signal for him to keep quiet as she smiled at Ettore.
"First things first and the date will come but now we know what kind of church to look for and how big a reception we're looking at."
"Yeah that's right," said Ettore as he looked at her.
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Razhib came down the steps and was met by Mike who took him into Jack's office to put the wire on him. Razhib wanted Margo to wait outside because it would embarrass him if she watched but Jack insisted he stay and gave Razhib advice as Mike worked with the bug.
"Okay you need to listen up I'm going to give you the full Jack Burton in sixty seconds. When you talk to this guy look him in the eyes. Don't look away if he does he's probably lying. When you talk with him don't let him get too comfortable or he'll think he can walk all over you. You want keep him off balance…"
But won't that piss him off and make him act out? I don't want him to hurt Miriam. I should just go along with him…"
"Which is what he's expecting you to do. You were a servant at this Toy Maker's and that's how he sees you. You can use that to your advantage. He'll expect you to act servile and if you give into him it will only confirm what he already thinks."
"So what should I do? I don't want him to harm Miriam so I don't want to anger him… not until I can get her out safely. Then I don't care."
"Hey, don't talk like that. We're going to get you both through this. This guy is a jerk and we're going to take care of him. I'm almost done here."
"You know him better than anyone else. Remember back and see if you can remember him doing anything, and I mean anything you can use as a tell."
"Tell? What's a tell? Ouch! That's a little tight Mike can you make it a little loser?" Mike looked at the two of them and shook his head.
"You don't want it to come lose and drop out or go into your pants, do you? If this thing goes dead Margo will have more agents in there than you shake a stick at. Jack means well but remember you're the one inside. On this type of mission the operator inside is the one who calls the shots. Margo will ask you this but you need a safe word. A safe word is one you use in a normal conversation that only we know and when we hear it we send in the cavalry."
"You mean like pineapple," said Razhib. Mike and Jack looked at him. "What? Sam said it was what they say in California. I thought it odd but I guess they have a lot of them."
"No really and we'll get back to that but we were talking about a tell before we were interrupted but fruits. And by the way I hear it didn't go too well for you in the poker game down in the dungeon. Maybe you should listen in and learn. A tell is like when we say something we know isn't true and our body reacts. We don't realize it but our body is telling everyone we're lying."
"How does that work? And does it even work. I mean come on our body is working against us. Doesn't sound like it could be true?" Jack walked behind Mike and held up his hand for Razhib to wait.
"So mike I heard you lost your shirt last night, is that true. A little bird told me Frank and the boys took you to the cleaners."
"They did not," said Mike as he ran his hand through his hair then wiped his face. "Okay I might've been down a little but that's the way cards go sometimes."
"See what I mean. I willing to bet our friend Mike here every time he fibs a bit he runs his hand through his hair or wipes his face. It's an involuntary action we're unaware of but if you study your mark you can use it to your own advantage."
"I do what? No I don't," said Mike then he thought. "Crap those buttholes they took advantage of me. I'm going to fix their wagon I'm going to get another game going then we'll see..."
"Mike, we're getting off the topic," said Jack. "But I'd definitely look into getting another match going... who knows you might get lucky now like they did. Anyway, another trick you can do is string your mark along. I told you before not to be subservient to throw him off. You can do that but make a concession every now and then. These are bread crumbs or candy drops he'll grab them up as soon as you drop them."
"What do you mean," asked Mike as they both looked down at him. "Sorry, I was just asking for Razhib. He didn't look like he understood."
"It's like giving a horse a carrot then walking towards the barn and leaving another one and so on and so on. Before he knows it he's in the stall and doesn't know how he got there. But remember as you're trying to get him to do what you want he's doing the same which leads me to if you know all the cons you'll never be a sucker."
"I'm done here," said Mike. "Let's go get the SOB."
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In a safe house in Old Town, Ali looked out the window of an apartment not far from the pub then came back in and sat across the table from Miriam. She was gaged and tied to a chair but she followed Ali around the room with her eyes. She was terrified but she wasn't going to let her abductor know that. He walked over and got himself a glass of water as he drank it he looked at her.
"Oh where are my manners? Do you want a glass too?" he said as he filled a glass then put a straw in it then sat it in front of her. "Look at me," he said as he grabbed her by the chin. "I'll take out the gag but you have to promise not to scream. It will only upset me and there's no one around to hear you. Nod if you understand." She did so he removed it.
"Why have you kidnapped me? I think you grabbed the wrong person my parents don't have any money to pay a ransom with. If you let me go I promise I won't tell anyone."
"You must not be very thirsty the way you're chatting. You keep up talking and I'll put the gag back in." She started sipping fast on the straw. Water went down the wrong so she started coughing and spitting up water.
"Drink slowly or you'll choke yourself. No, I grabbed the right person all right so you weren't a mistake... well I'm not sure about that you'd have to ask your parents," said Ali as he laughed then he switched on a monitor. "You recognize this don't you that's your favorite pub where I grabbed you and on time here's your friend, Razhib. He has something I want but he thinks I'm going to bring him straight here. Boy is he going in for some fun."
"I don't understand. What do you want with Razhib? You don't know who his father is because if you did you'd know not to mess with him."
"What father? His father's dead and so is his mother. He was a poor orphan boy when I knew him in Morocco that was sold as a servant to my master. He's a nobody who's put on airs and I'm going to show him that no matter what he does he'll always be a nobody."
"Well it sounds to me he's a somebody because if he truly was a nobody than nobody would want to have anything to do with him. Since you do then either you're a nobody like you say he is or he's a somebody because you are."
"Very good... that's a very convincing argument be since you're a woman it doesn't count but if you were a man it would be different and I would probably have to shoot you right now. That doesn't mean I won't later on but for now you can live," said Ali as he put her gag back in. She shook her head but it didn't help.
"There now that's better I don't have to listen to you. It's time let's start the game," said Ali as he picked up a phone and dialed a number. They saw in the monitor the bartender pick up his phone. "I'm the man who came by earlier and gave you the money for a favor. Well I'm calling it in I need to speak to the boy at table five right now."
[In the pub]
"Hey kid there's a phone call for you," said the barkeep as held up the receiver. Razhib pointed at himself. "Yeah you... Hurry up and take this. You can tell your pal this is the bar phone which means you need to get over and take this. Don't tie it up forever."
"I wouldn't call the guy on the other end my friend," mumbled Razhib as he came over to get it. "Something told me you weren't going to show."
"Just shut up you're going to need every bit of breath you have. You have fifteen minutes to get to the ULIKS Bookstore. There you need to find where they keep their tourist guides and look for a guide on Morocco. You'll find further instructions waiting for you there..."
"Why can't we just set up a met and go from there instead of all this running around. You asked me to come alone and I did."
"Now where's the fun in that and I can see you didn't bring anyone in with you but how do I know they weren't already here," said Ali as he looked around. "Yes I can see you." Razhib noticed the teddy bear behind the bar looking at him.
"Really, you're using a nanny cam. Come on don't you think that's a little ridiculous? Let's just set up the exchange and get this over with."
"You might not want to rush things," said Ali. The bartender was giving him the evil eye and looking at his watch.
"What's that supposed to mean?" said Razhib as the bartender started pointing at his wrist trying to give him the hint. "We're almost done. Just a few more moments."
"You need to hustle because now you've got only ten minutes. This chit chatting is eating up your time," said Ali then he hung up.
"Crap," said Razhib as he dashed out the door. "I'm on my way to the bookstore. He's watching me so you need to make sure everyone is out of sight," said Razhib as he ran through crowds of tourists.
"Sorry... sorry... out of my way coming through... make a hole," he yelled as he weaved his way through the crowds. "Geez is there a convention or something going on."
"Sonny who do you think you are?" said an elderly woman. "You're one of those gypsy kids they warned us about on the bus."
"No lady, I just need to get by," he tried to explain but he got a purse over the top of the head that had him seeing stars. "Geez lady what do you have in there... rocks," said Razhib as he continued on running.
Finally, he arrived looking at his watch he had a minute to go but he had to find the travel guides then the one for Morocco. He looked around but there were thousands of books then he saw the travel section. As he arrived he noticed people looking at him. He quickly scanned the titles until he found the book... A Dummies Guide to Morocco. He grabbed it then looked through it to find a note written on a piece of paper.
Be at Old Gate in fifteen minutes and don't be late, said the note. He took off again running this time back tracking. This was going to take some doing to get there on time. It took him almost ten to get to the book store and the Old Gate was farther past the pub.
"I've got to make it to the Old Gate in fifteen. I'm not sure I can make it but I've got to try," said Razhib as the ran back through the same tourists. This time he avoided the old lady with the bag. He arrived at Old Gate almost two minutes late but as he ran up he heard a payphone ringing.
"Crap that's got to be him," he thought as he dove almost head first into the booth and picked up the receiver but all he heard was a dial tone. Ali had hung up.
"Crap, crap, crap," said Razhib as he looked at the receiver. The time he'd allotted him was designed so he'd fail. "Now what," he said as he tried to catch his breath.