Scene 19


Convention Center, Denver, Colorado


As Miss Ritchgarl walked away, I sent out a message. “Ms. Starling, I need you at my location. Meet me over by the west wall.”

I then turned to the to kilted gentlemen with me. “Gentlemen, I need you to come with me.”

“What’s going on?” asked Livingston, as we moved toward the west wall of the room.

“Without going into too much detail, you have both been exposed to a mind-altering drug and you need to be treated.”

“What do you mean?” asked Erisianmonkey. “Nobody gave me any drugs.”

“The drug is airborne. You were exposed just by being in the area.”

“What, how do you know this? What were we exposed to?”

We had reached the west wall and I saw Ms. Starling approaching. “Gentlemen, what I am about to tell you is to be kept in strict confidence between us, agreed? It is a matter of importance to Xmarks.”

Both men gave their agreement, so I continued. “My associates and I are on a mission for the League of Moderators. We know that Miss Ritchgarl is involved in a plot to distribute mind influencing drugs and devices. By just being in her presence, you have been exposed.”

“Oh my God,” exclaimed Livingston. “What’s it going to do to us?”

“Mainly it makes you very susceptible to suggestion. Tell me, what do you think of Miss Ritchgarl’s suggestion about the satin shirts?”

“I think it’s a great idea. They would look great with our kilts.”

“And when did you start feeling this way?”

“Why, when Emma suggested it to us. It seemed like a fabulous idea.”

“Exactly, the drug allowed her suggestion to be accepted by you without question. Don’t worry though, the drug does not do any physical damage.”

Ms. Starling had now joined us. “What do you need me for?” she asked.

“These gentlemen have been exposed to hypnotin. I need you to administer the antidote.”

I turned back to the men. “Ms. Starling is one of my associates. Ms. Starling, this is Livingston and Erisianmonkey from Xmarks.”

“A pleasure to meet you gentlemen, too bad it’s in this situation.” She held up a small bottle. “In this bottle is the antidote to the drug. Like the hypnotin, it can be administered through the air you breathe. Hold the bottle up to your nose and breath deeply. The antidote will take affect shortly.”

Livingston took the bottle first and took a deep breath from it. Apparently, the smell was rather potent, as he grimaced and jerked the bottle away from his face.

“I’m sorry I didn’t warn you about that,” said Ms. Starling, “but it is necessary.”

After Erisianmonkey had also taken the antidote, he gave the bottle back to Ms. Starling.

“Gentlemen,” I said. “Since you are now involved, I am going to ask for your assistance.”