CHAPTER 2

FOOT IN THE DOOR

Back in the present: in an unknown location.

Miles Mayhem he leans back on his chair and then looks at Darrien a little and says, "So that is when you became friends with Candy Chu."

Darrien just gives a nod.

Miles says, "I can guess that afterward both of you developed a friendship."

Darrien says with a bit of sarcasm. "Rome, wasn't built in a day."

"Didn't you do this to use her?"

Darrien he clenches his fists hard and says, 'Never, I don't think of her as anyone to use."

"But you want to get closer to the object you were seeking."

Darrien unclenches his fists and says, "That object it may have been one of the keys to my cause but also I was afraid that whoever had it might be in great danger."

Darrien then looks at Miles and continues, "Whenever you have that much power, wrong hands always want to make a grab."

Miles he then looks down and flips through the file near his hands and after stopping says, "Well get back with the both of you latter; I see that this group was also involved with this orb object, the terrorist organization "M.A.S.K."

"If that's what you want to call them."

"I could try to convince you on how bad they are but that's a waste of time and even I like to just get straight to the point; what I said I have an offer for you."

"What do you mean."

"For you to join me and if possible, your friend Candy."

Darrien refrains for retorting and just listens as Miles sits back and continues, "I know about your facial scars, how you lost your left arm and how the courts and your school gave both you and your brother the shaft.

Darrien he then says, "Where are you going with this?"

"I'm saying that I like you am fighting against this system we both once served, a system that turns its back on the country and the good people it's supposed to serve and protect."

Mayhem leans forward a little more and says, "If you work for me, I will see that your dream of dominance over America will come true, while V.E.N.O.M. corrects and runs this world you get to run America; you know I'm not lying about that."

Crimson Talon he looks down after the monologue.

Miles Mayhem says, "Well the moment you raise your head, I expect an answer."

Flashback: Back at the Gravity Falls Science Fair, at the cafeteria area.

Both Candy and Darrien are in the food court, and both get their burritos. Darrien, he has a different kind of mask on and it's a black veil which covers his whole face and head. Some people notice but also some just turn away minding their own business. Both Candy and Darrien sit down at a table.

Candy, she watches Darrien as he is eating a little where part of the veil is lifted and held up. Candy can only see a little of his mouth exposed and from that mouth there are what look like scars, the scars are inflicted in several places form his chin, cheeks, and lips which have a line or two intersecting them. Candy then sees he is turning his head toward her direction but then she focuses on her burrito.

Darrien suspects she notices part of his face, but then shrugs it off and continues eating. Candy then looks up and says, "So, news boy, aren't you going to start asking any more questions?"

Darrien then takes a sip of his lighting sour apple cola and then says, "Just one and one that is completely off record that has nothing to do with the article."

Candy says, 'Ok, shoot."

Darrien takes a breath and says, "What powers these robots, I know they're not running on batteries nor RC controlled when you have VR Tech involved, independent source."

Candy says, "You really do know your science."

Darrien says, "I do my best to."

Candy, she takes a sip of Lighting Mango cola, and she then says, "As for your question, I'm afraid that information is classified."

Darrien he then looks down on his burrito and then looks at her and says, "Well, it was worth a try."

Candy says, "Understand, I can't give that information because the thing is I don't fully understand it myself."

"What do you mean?"

Candy looks down at her burrito and then looks up and says, "I won't disclose any more from this point."

"You know you might risk not having an article."

"It doesn't matter, some things are more important."

"You're not a fame seeker I like that."

Candy then sips her cola and then says, "Sorry, if this might hamper your story."

"Not at all in fact I actually found the whole thing fascinating, and I always like a challenge, which turn out the best stories."

He takes a small dip and then says, "Um Listen you think we could talk more, more of your views on science or whatever.

Candy says, "What do you mean?"

"I…I…" He then looks down a moment and then takes a breath and then looks up and says, "Do you play tabletop games?"

"Um, yeah why." "Well, there is some time I can get at "Coffin Bond's Comic Mausoleum" if you're interested, we could talk more and could get something to eat and….

Candy says, "Are you asking me out on a date?"

Darrien is taken aback, and he feels his face getting red hot. Candy can't see much but she sees there is constant flutter on some of the veil sheets as if there is heavy and nervous breathing. But then it slows down and then Darrien he says, "No… I just thought this could be an activity we can do as friends."

Candy has a bit of a suspicious look and Darrien sees it and is tapping his fingers just a little fast as if typing on a keyboard. She looks down, notices it and then Darrien looks down and he stops and stands up.

Darrien says, "Nothing wrong with two friends going to the comic shop to play tabletop games and talk about well just about anything you can think up; I'll provide the snacks and drinks."

Candy she then softens her look and has a small smile and then stands up.

Candy says, "Alright but one question, how did you know I play tabletop games."

Darrien says, "It's actually kind of easy, from your intense devotion to your science, most that have it get board easily and fast and so they need plenty of leisure activities in order to provide a great amount of stimulation to boost morale."

Candy looks at Darrien with intrigue from the observation and says, "Continue."

Darrien says, "Before you classify that as a stereotype, you built the VR machine which tells me you're a gamer. But despite the video games you love to do more than that, you love to play with something that is hard and live, which explains the mini bots you constructed."

Darrien takes a breath and continues, "Playing the tabletops gives you joy but also you enjoy it best because of the friends you make and interact with."

Candy says, "Wow, you figured that all out."

"It's just classic deductive reasoning, and if you want to know I didn't have any special training anyone if they put their mind to it can do this and I've read a lot of "Hardy Boys".

Candy then has a small smile but then grills him one more time.

Candy says, "You're not pulling a fast on me."

Darrien says, "No, scouts honor."

Candy then looks at Darrien right hand which is doing some salute and then looks at Darrien and says, "You're doing the Vulcan salute."

Darrien then looks to his right and then quickly puts it away.

Candy has a small laugh and says, "I like you, you're not some egotistical toxic dope but also you know your geek culture."

She then puts out her hand and Darrien slowly takes it, and both shake hands while maintaining their looks.

Candy says, "One condition, I get to pick out the game."

Darrien says, "Deal."