[Greg Anos]

and after a long hiatus (bet you thought I didn't those big words) - MORE RED.



Sometimes it doesn't pay to get up. There I was, dreamin' about a evening of dancin' and romancin' at the Do-Drop-Inn, when I got shook awake.

"What do you want." I said blurrily, "We was doin' right nice..."

"You need to see this, Mr Edwards."

The only thing I needed to see was the back of my eyelids. Unfortunately, that was the one thing I wasn't going to get.

I tottered over to the TV. There, in living color, was that skinny assistant interviewing somebody on the TV screen. Bleep! That's where I remembered him from, doing local TV reportin'. Best ask the Bear about Algy...

"Is that Micah being; interviewed?"

"Yep. And you sent in the interviewer. They probably snuck in the equipment inside the cart. With today's miniaturization, it wouldn't take much space."

"The next time I see that tele-evangelist, I'm gonna take him fishin'. He's gonna be the bait."

I reached for my cellphone.


"Temple of God Annex. The sky is dark but Christ is Light."

"This is Red. I'd like to light up Micah's life. Can you put him on?"

"Not right now, he's working on his next speech."

"I need to talk to him about his witnessing. I'd like to do in in person, if possible."

"I will leave a message at his elbow. Is there anything else?"

"Yep, could you sent the breakfast list back with the trolley? "

"I'm afraid not, Mr. Edward. Micah needs the equipment on it. He said to send over another trolley next time."

Arrgh.


The Hoover doll looked at me quizzically.

I forced a grin. "Looks like the pace is gonna heat up pretty soon, confidence or no confidence. I expect to be in the compound tomorrow. So, lets get your orders straight today."

"Today is tomorrow, Red. It's after midnight."

"Whatever. First, after I go in, ring the place so that not even a humanist could get out. If you see a little doggie sneak out, talk to him about what the situation is. He'll have the best chance of avoiding the goons on the inside to escape unseen."

The Hoover doll goggled. "Talk to a dog?"

"No, listen to what he has to say first. Then talk to him."

"A talking dog? You're nuts."

"Fella, he didn't get to be Pinwheel's Viceroy by peeing on the rug. He talks. And he's not stupid. He's certainly smarter than you average diplomat." Not that that was saying much. "Right now he's my secret weapon. He knows more about the inside setup than anybody. Nobody hushes up because a dog is in earshot."

"What does the bacon have to do with him?"

"It's his favorite food. I sent it in so he'd know that I was out here. Also so he'd know not to freelance too much."

The Hoover doll gave me a hard look. "You seem to be a lot more subtle that you look."

"Quiet! I've got an image to maintain. Dumb rednecks can get away with more that Harvard Grads. It comes in real useful in didoes like these.

"Now back to the plannin'. Y'all got the place circled with parabolic microphones?

"No."

"Then setup a hundred percent coverage ring. And for heaven's sake run them through a computerized volume control cutoff! I don't want anybody deafened in case things go down bad in there. This way y'all can sorta follow what's going on the inside. If I scream for help, they'll just laugh until the doors come crashing down. They won't realize that instead of bein' wired, I'm bein' listened to from the outside.

"Next, I'll need an attack team on call 24/7. And I mean on-call. It this thing pops, I'm going to need instant backup, not in ten minutes.

"Finally, have Major Ruiz sneak in some combat medics and a field aid station. I don't expect to need it, but better safe than sorry."

The Hoover doll looked up from his checklist. "what's you plan once you get inside?"

"I don't have one. Not enough facts. I'll have to play it by ear." Long doggie ears, I expect....