okay...next chap....
~Chapter 5~
“Marshall! Marshall! I need your help,” Sydney said as she appeared at his office doorway.
“Sydney? What are you doing here? I thought you went home,” Marshall asked from his computer. He had a very surprised look on his face.
“I should be asking you the same question,” Sydney said. She sat down in one of the chairs in Marshall’s office.
“Actually, I’m working on the development of a new compound that decreases water friction. The Navy would kill for it. I mean, it would make those really big Navy ships travel at the speed of sound. Yeah, I know. Everybody says that that’s impossible and all, but-” Marshall started to explain.
“Marshall, please, this is important,” Sydney said.
“Well, if it’s more important than one of the greatest technological breakthroughs of our time that could win me a Nobel Peace Prize, go ahead. Tell me your problem,” Marshall replied sarcastically.
Sydney glared at him. “Look, Marshall. Did you watch the news lately?” she asked.
“Nope. Not since last October. I didn’t trust them after that time they gave me the wrong information and I told Kendall, and-” Marshall said.
“Just turn on the TV Marshall,” Sydney interrupted. She gestured to the TV in the corner of Marshall’s office. Marshall got up and turned on the TV.
Sydney cringed when she heard the news anchor speak of what had happened. Marshall listened for a few minutes and turned the TV off. He took a seat at his desk again, totally in shock.
“How could this happen?” Marshall asked. He was stunned. Sydney couldn’t help but smile a bit. Never in all the years that Sydney had known Marshall had she heard him say one sentence without going on about something completely off subject.
“I know this is kind of sudden, but I need you to trace my latest phone call. It’s really, really important.”
Marshall smiled. “Okay. Sounds good. You can be the first to try out my newest invention,” Marshall explained as he took out what looked like a black cell phone. He handed it to Sydney.
“A cell phone?” Sydney asked.
“A cell phone with amazing powers. Go ahead. Turn it on. Press menu and listen,” Marshall said enthusiastically.
Sydney did as she was told. She turned on the cell phone, pressed the menu button, and held the phone up to her ear.
“Welcome to the Mobile Marshall system,” a computer voice that sounded like Marshall’s said over the phone, “Your choices are as follows. Press one to find a CIA profile. Press two to trace a phone call. Press three to contact a CIA agent. Press four to contact Marshall. Press five to hear Marshall’s quote of the day.”
Sydney glanced over at Marshall. “Quote of the day?” Sydney asked.
“Yeah. Sorry, I got kinda bored. Added that in there for fun,” Marshall replied with a grin, “Now press two to trace your latest phone call.”
Sydney pressed two and held the phone to her ear again.
The computer Marshall’s voice started talking again, “You have selected to trace a phone call. Please enter the phone number now.”
Sydney dialed her own home phone number. The computer voice began again, “The last phone call made to this phone number is being traced. Please wait. (pause) Thank you for waiting. The last phone call has come from the following address: 18285 Orange Blossom Avenue, Los Angeles, California. Press one to dial another number. Press two to go to the main menu.”
Sydney ignored the choices and turned off the phone completely. “Umm, Marshall? I’m not saying its bad or anything, but are you sure this information is accurate?” Sydney asked.
“Of course. I inspect each one personally. Why?” Marshall asked.
“You don’t mind if I keep this do you?” Sydney asked, ignoring Marshall’s question. She pocketed the phone.
“Go ahead. I made about a dozen more. If you don’t like black I have every color of the rainbow,” Marshall said, opening a drawer in his desk. He picked up a bright pink one and showed it to Sydney.
“Black’s fine,” Sydney said. She headed for the front door.
“Wait, Sydney! Please tell me. Where did the last phone call come from?” Marshall asked anxiously.
Sydney turned around. She had a worried look on her face. “It came from my house,” she said simply and left.