Before Alex can answer for himself, Jeff intervenes. "Sorry, girls. You'll have all the time with Alex you want later on. I have to get him to work. He just got here, and hasn't even met the boss yet." Seeing their obvious disappointment, Jeff says, "Don't worry... I'll be back here in five minutes." The girls smile broadly at the thought, and Alex can't help but feel that he's missing out on something really special.
"Well, I hope we get to see you soon, Alex," said Connie. "Don't let Ms. Scanlan wear you out."
Jeff leads Alex out of the room and takes him down the hall. As they walk, Jeff says, "See what I mean about it not being all that bad about not getting a room to yourself?"
"I see what you mean. There were six bunks, though. Are there others?"
"Yes... In fact, there's a whole other room of hired help. Someone always has to be on duty during big events like this. You'll get a chance to meet the others soon."
"Are they all like our roommates?" Alex asked, imagining a dozen or so beautiful sex-maniac girls milling around him all the time.
"They're not all female, but everyone had to pass the test of being sexually attractive. We're all fairly young -- supposedly to ensure lots of stamina."
Alex nods, realizing there were definitely a lot of details that Blunt seemed to forget to tell him about this mission.
"I wish this thing came with a camera. Those girls sounded HOT!"
Alex was about to respond to Jeff, when he realized it wasn't Jeff's voice he was hearing. It was coming from the communicator implant in his tooth.
"Hey, Alex, this is Davis... Just wanted to let you know there's something wrong with your communicator, and it is in continuous transmit mode. I know you can't answer now, but I just wanted you to know we are aware of the problem and are trying to fix it."
Great. Just started and there is already a technology glitch. And Davis, of all people, is the one listening in. Alex found him to be the most annoying of the tech guys; he really wanted to be a field agent, but his mouth kept getting him in trouble. Alex hoped he wouldn't be talking too much during this mission.
The boys arrived at a door labeled "Operations." Jeff opened the door and led Alex inside.
Alex looked around and saw a cluttered desk with files and assorted papers, as well as a computer. On one wall was an open door. Through it, Alex saw a bank of monitors that appeared to show images from security cameras throughout the estate.
A man emerged from the room with the monitors, and Jeff introduced him to Alex. "This is A.C. He is in charge of operations around here. Security, personnel, making sure the jacuzzi has more water than semen in it... That's all his job."
"You must be Alex," says A.C. "We've been expecting you. Ms. Scanlan wants to meet you, but she's mingling with the guests right now. She said to put you to work, and she would be sure to find you."
A.C. pulls a clipboard from his desk and looks it over. "Well, you're in luck, Alex. Your first day, and you actually get your choice of assignments."
"Lucky dog," says Jeff. "On my first day, I had to climb on the roof and peel used condoms off of the shingles from the night before. Did you know those things melt into the shingles on a hot day?"
A.C. ignores Jeff and explains Alex's choices. "You can be a host in the wooded area, where we are doing a Jungle Book theme, or you can serve as host at the cocktail party that will be starting soon in the parlor. Those are our host jobs. In terms of the less glamorous things we need done is for someone to go clean up at the pool and in the dungeon. It's grunt work, but it will score you points with the boss if she knows you're willing to do that sort of thing voluntarily."
Jeff says, "Well, I'm going to leave you in AC's hands, Alex. I'm going to get back to the room and see if I can do anything to the girls. I mean -- if I can do anything FOR the girls!" with a wink and a wave, Jeff rushed out the door. Alex felt a pang of jealousy, which he quickly tried to push under control, remembering that he had a girlfriend waiting for him back home when this is all over.
Alex considered his options. Being a host would give him access to more of the guests and a greater opportunity to see the elusive diamond tattoo. On the other hand, doing some cleanup work might give him a chance to explore the place and try to figure out what exactly is going on around here. |