tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50530638747405971.post-43949743362945183502008-03-26T21:14:00.005-06:002008-12-09T02:29:49.536-06:00Agent Audrey Hanson, Challenge #8<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A5CINA_1Jao/R7SUdXw8vKI/AAAAAAAAAD0/3e27Hch8ovw/s1600-h/hanson7.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166917904817241250" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A5CINA_1Jao/R7SUdXw8vKI/AAAAAAAAAD0/3e27Hch8ovw/s200/hanson7.jpg" border="0" /></a>Obviously, I’m in this to win and I’m not surprised that I’ve made it to the final three. This is going to get tougher, though. I’ve got to take Sylar on a date and I know I’ve got to do something that will set me apart.<br /><br />I could take him out to some wild nightclub and dance the night away with him. I could, but somehow I think he’ll know that’s just not me. My best bet is to go with something a little quieter and a lot more intimate. That’s why I made reservations at the Vichyssoise, one of the finest French restaurants in the tri-county area. Located conveniently on Exit 109 near the airport long-term parking lot.<br /><br />I slipped into something a little more comfortable, and by that I mean my finest poly-cotton pantsuit (it breathes yet it’s durable). Sylar’s got on his finest, uh, something I guess, and we’re soon at the bistro.<br /><br />“Here’s your table madam and, er, company,” the maître d’ said as he showed us our seats.<br /><br />“Thank you, Jeeves,” I said as I handed him a cool fiver.<br /><br />“Wonderful,” he answered dryly as he held the bill between his fingers in mock distain and slid away.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A5CINA_1Jao/R-sRYZFLEVI/AAAAAAAAAI0/y_PtJ5QuYlQ/s1600-h/sylar1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182254906967003474" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A5CINA_1Jao/R-sRYZFLEVI/AAAAAAAAAI0/y_PtJ5QuYlQ/s320/sylar1.jpg" border="0" /></a>“Wow, he was like, all authentic and stuff,” Sylar said. “He even sounds French.”<br /><br />“Yeah,” I nodded. “Normally, I’m not a big fan of the frogs, you know with them being snooty towards us Americans and all, but really kind of I like it here. I think there’s just something special in the air tonight.”<br /><br />“Oh yes, I can feel it too, lol,” Sylar answered. Does he really say “lol” out loud like that? Weird. “Say, have you ever had the circumference of your brain measured?”<br /><br />“No, I don’t think so,” I shrugged.<br /><br />“Oh,” he looked down at his menu disappointed.<br /><br />“Uh, you know, I think you and I’ve got a lot in common,” I said quickly. Ooh, I hope one of his powers isn’t smelling desperation.<br /><br />“Really.”<br /><br />“Yeah, well, you know uh, you’re a serial killer and I’m on the FBI’s serial killer task force,” I answered.<br /><br />“I guess we’re two sides of the coin then, huh?” Sylar stated. I can’t tell if he’s just looking at me or if he’s leering or what.<br /><br />“So, how many people have you killed?” I politely asked, trying to keep the conversation going.<br /><br />“I dunno,” he said noncommittally. “It’s so easy to lose count.”<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A5CINA_1Jao/R-sRYpFLEWI/AAAAAAAAAI8/frLUDR6owJ8/s1600-h/sylar2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182254911261970786" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A5CINA_1Jao/R-sRYpFLEWI/AAAAAAAAAI8/frLUDR6owJ8/s320/sylar2.jpg" border="0" /></a>“Yeah, I know,” I laughed. “I bet you remember your first one, though, don’t you?”<br /><br />“I sure do, lol,” he looked off wistfully.<br /><br />“Yeah, my first kill was a drug mule.” I then added “Boy you should have heard his brains splatter.”<br /><br />Sylar was quiet for a moment.<br /><br />“Such a waste,” he shook his head.<br /><br />“You know what else we have in common?” I replied quickly. “You stabbed your mother with a pair of scissors and I stabbed my father once with a corn holder.”<br /><br />“I miss mommy. I remember once when she gave me a little sailor suit for my birthday. I was the happiest thirteen-year-old evah!”<br /><br />“Yeah, my relationship with my father wasn’t that great,” I stated. Let’s see if I can get him to understand me a little bit here. “He could never see how special I was. We’re happier now that he’s dead. We’ve really mended our relationship.”<br /><br />Sylar looked away. Aw geez, am I boring him with talk about my father?<br /><br />“Uh, I really love your eyes,” I said.<br /><br />“Oh?” he perked up with the compliment.<br /><br />“Yeah, they’re dark and piercing, but so full of intelligence and life,” I replied. “Sometimes, when I look deep in your eyes I swear I can see your soul.”<br /><br />“Compliments of the chef.” A waiter placed a tray of cupcakes on our table.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A5CINA_1Jao/R-sRY5FLEXI/AAAAAAAAAJE/OihiK2IiUPA/s1600-h/sylar3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182254915556938098" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A5CINA_1Jao/R-sRY5FLEXI/AAAAAAAAAJE/OihiK2IiUPA/s320/sylar3.jpg" border="0" /></a>“Oooh cupcakes,” we both squealed.<br /><br />“They look delish.” I said as I grabbed the nearest one and took a bite. Sylar did the same.<br /><br />“Mmmm, almost as good as mom used to make,” Sylar gushed.<br /><br />“Wow, this is one special night. The moon is so bright out there, romance is in the air, and we’re served the finest cupcakes that France has to offer. I think…” Oh oh, something just made my stomach turn a little.<br /><br />“What is it? Are you OK?” asked Sylar. “Too much sugar, lol.”<br /><br />“No, I’m fine.” I fought back a wince as my stomach turned over again. I only react to one thing this way and that’s Yellow Dye #12b, but DuPont quit producing that years ago. How could it be in this cupcake? “I guess I’m hungrier than I thought.”<br /><br />“Maybe your blood sugar’s low,” Sylar replied and shoved some cupcake into my mouth before I could stop him. “Here, have some more.”<br /><br />“Thanks,” I mumbled wanly with the treat spilling out of my mouth. I could feel the blood rush out of my face. I hope he doesn’t see.<br /><br />“Think they have French onion soup here?” he asked. “Or maybe I’ll get some French fries.”<br /><br />“Yeah, or French toast,” I added. I then felt a pocket of gas escape from me. Ohmygod, Sylar just crinkled his nose! He can smell it.<br /><br />“I hope that’s not the soup I’m smelling.”<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A5CINA_1Jao/R-sRY5FLEYI/AAAAAAAAAJM/1OMsK4ozjF4/s1600-h/sylar4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182254915556938114" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A5CINA_1Jao/R-sRY5FLEYI/AAAAAAAAAJM/1OMsK4ozjF4/s320/sylar4.jpg" border="0" /></a>“Uh, I think it’s the brie.” I looked around. I think someone sabotaged my dinner. Then I saw them. Over in the corner, dressed like busboys and laughing like a couple of drunken hyenas. Bennet and Cyclops.<br /><br />“Mmmmmmm,” my dinner date mauled another cupcake. “Oh am I being selfish? Here, have another.”<br /><br />“Oh no, I couldn’t,” I waved it off as I felt more gas roll through. This time, it came out with a noise. “Is there a duck in here?”<br /><br />“Maybe they kill them fresh for their turduckens,” he laughed.<br /><br />“Yeah,” I laughed along with him. Oh for the love of Dillinger, the biggest wind broke yet. I could swear that I saw people at the other tables wince at it. I felt something else ready to bubble out too. I have to get out of here.<br /><br />“Are you all right?” he asked.<br /><br />“Oh fine,” I managed to answer. “I uh, just have to powder my nose.”<br /><br />“Well hurry back,” he replied. “And don’t pretty yourself up too much, I might get jealous.”<br /><br />I couldn’t tell if that was a joke or not, but then he laughed. I laughed right along with, then threw my napkin on the table and walked briskly away from the table.<br /><br />“I don’t know how you knew, but I know you know,” I growled at Cyclops and Bennet as I clutched my stomach. “You’ll pay for this.”<br /><br />“Whoo, you’re stinking up the joint,” Cyclops laughed as he brushed his hand back and forth in front of his nose.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A5CINA_1Jao/R-sRX5FLEUI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Ht46GQBJb-8/s1600-h/bathroom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182254898377068866" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A5CINA_1Jao/R-sRX5FLEUI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Ht46GQBJb-8/s320/bathroom.jpg" border="0" /></a>I glared at him, but I was also about to lose control. I turned and dashed for the ladies room.<br /><br />“Do you want me to order anything for you while you’re in there?” Bennet laughed. “Maybe another round of cupcakes?”<br /><br />I threw myself into the lavatory and dove into a stall right in the nick of time.<br /><br />“Ahh,” I said in relief. “Much better.”<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/50530638747405971-4394974336294518350?l=www.burnttoastdiner.com'/></div>Agent Hansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04625769285868277258noreply@blogger.com6