Home » The Archives » Chapter 7 » Trouble Under the Hood
| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1822 is a reply to message #1821] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 14:37   |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma:
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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From: Tikatu Sent: 1/17/2006 8:41 AM
Saturday, June 30, 2068, 8:00 a.m., Tracy Island (4 p.m. June 29th in the US)
Kyrano leaned over to murmur in Jeff's ear, "There is an urgent phone call from the New York headquarters."
Jeff glanced up at his retainer, then back down at his watch. "Either Jeanette's been sitting on this all day, or it's a major emergency. Thanks, Kyrano. Kids, finish your breakfast and clean your rooms before you go out to play."
Alex frowned. "That'll take all morning!"
"Only if you play instead of working," Jeff replied as he rose from the table. "Alan, your room could use some straightening, too, before you go up to relieve John tomorrow."
"Hmph. I thought that 'cleaning your room' was only for the squirts," Alan complained.
"If the shoe fits," Scott teased with a grin. He knew his own room was in apple pie order; his stint in the military had taught him to loathe a messy room.
"And don't appeal to your mother either!" Jeff called over his shoulder, as he left the room. "Let her sleep in!"
"Rats," Alex muttered before taking another bite of his oatmeal.
Jeff took the steps two at a time and strode quickly through the study and in to the lounge. Virgil sat behind the desk, talking with Jeanette Shapiro, Jeff's personal secretary. "Here he is now, Jeanette. Nice talking to you."
"Thanks, Virgil," the patriarch said as his son vacated the desk chair. He settled in and turned his attention to his secretary. "What's the emergency, Jeanette?"
The middle-aged woman on the other end of the line sighed. "It's not an emergency, Mr. Tracy, so much as it is a nuisance. Ned Cook has been calling the office everyday for the past week, trying to get your private phone number. Today he called three or four times."
"Damn that pest!" Jeff swore fervently. "Can't he leave well enough alone?" He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Did he tell you what he wanted?"
Jeanette nodded. "Yes. He did. He's preparing his annual recap show on International Rescue. You know, where he talks about the major rescues they've done over the past year? He wants to know if you would contribute, seeing as they were involved in... the incident." The secretary flushed red. She didn't really know how to approach the subject of the crash; her employer hadn't spoken to her about it at all.
"You mean the crash in New Hampshire?" Jeff asked. He smiled. "Don't worry about mentioning it in my presence, Jeanette. It's okay." His face turned thoughtful. "There's not much I could tell him about it. I don't remember a thing about my actual rescue."
"Then what should I say?" she asked. "That I've talked to you and you said you wouldn't do it?" She shook her head. "I don't think that will put him off."
Jeff was quiet for a couple of seconds, then shook his head. "No. Let me deal with this. Mr. Cook has been a thorn in our sides ever since the accident. I really should sic our lawyers on him, but maybe if I tell him that I don't remember my rescue, he'll back off. In fact, I'll tell him that, then sic our lawyers on him with a cease and desist order." He smiled at her. "You get in touch with the legal team, have them put things in motion for the order. They can call me to get specifics. But give me Mr. Cook's number, and I'll call him. I'd rather do that than let him have ours."
"Oh, thank you, Mr. Tracy," Jeanette said, sighing with relief and smiling. "You don't know what a pest he's been."
"Actually, I do," Jeff replied. "I'll take care of him."
Jeanette gave Jeff the requested phone number, then they ended their conversation. Jeff stared at the number for a moment, then dialed it, selecting 'voice only'. No telling what kinds of equipment he's got for getting pictures, he thought. However, it would be wise for me to record this conversation.
The phone rang three times, then Ned Cook himself picked up the receiver. " Ned Cook here. Talk and talk fast."
"Good afternoon, Mr. Cook. This is Jeff Tracy."
Ned sat up as he heard the familiar voice. "Mr. Tracy! I see your people got through to you."
"Yes, they did, Mr. Cook." Jeff's annoyance at the man showed clearly through his vocal tone. "And they told me what you were after, and why."
"Ah!" Ned said, eagerly hoping that Jeff would give him an interview. "Does this mean you're willing to participate in my homage to International Rescue?"
"Yes, but only to a certain extent. And to be fair, I'll let you know I am recording this conversation for possible future use."
Ned frowned. "What kind of future use?"
"Legal future use. As evidence that I spoke to you and what we said." Just in case you step over the line I'm about to set. "If this bothers you, tell me right now and we'll conclude this conversation."
"Well, all right. As long as I can tell the amazing story of your rescue!"
"Good. Here are my terms. You may mention the story on your show, and I will give you a quote. You may write the quote down but not record it."
"Ohhh-kay!" Ned took out a data pad and stylus. "I'm ready."
"You may quote me as saying: 'Although I remember nothing of my rescue by International Rescue, I am very grateful for their sterling efforts on behalf of me and my pilot'."
There was a momentary silence, then Ned asked, "That's it?"
"Yes, Mr. Cook. That's it."
Ned thought quickly, then asked, "Well, is there any way I can get in touch with your pilot? Interview her?"
"No, Mr. Cook. I will not expose my employee to you and the public at large. And listen to this, Mr. Cook, because it is that last time I or anyone in my family will say it to you personally." Jeff took a breath, pausing for effect, then said very forcefully, "Mind your own damned business." He stopped again, then continued, "To reinforce this message, you'll be hearing from my lawyers."
"Okay, okay! I get the message already. No need to set the legal eagles on me!" Ned replied hastily. Then he asked, almost hesitantly, "But I can use that quote? And mention the story?"
"You may mention the story and you may use my quote. That's the extent of my involvement and the involvement of any family member or Tracy Industries employee." Jeff sighed. "I can't stop you from taking pictures of the crash site, or interviewing the medical personnel, but as far as I'm concerned, we're done."
"All right, Mr. Tracy. And thanks for your assistance," Ned replied. Though I still intend to get a story on you and your family, especially those adopted kids of yours.
Jeff's response was, "Good day, Mr. Cook." Then he terminated the conversation.
He sighed, and stopped the recording. "I'd better download this to my legal team right away," he muttered to himself. "They may need the ammunition."
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
 
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