Interlude #1
Maia: Why have we got to guard this elevator, anyway?
Yuliya: I already told you, honey. We're being paid good money for this. Boss needs to stay safe, you know.
Maia: But who would be coming here, anyway?
Yuliya: Who cares? If it isn't the boss, we don't let them through.
Maia: But why use ESCARGOT? There's gotta be cheaper bodyguards out there. Just seems like a lot of security for just some elevator. What's the boss doing up there, anyway?
Yuliya: It's not our job to ask questions, Maia. Think about it: Boss is probably up to something big up there, right?
Maia: Yeah.
Yuliya: Meaning he don't want us to know about it, either. If we start poking around in his business, he could get suspicious. Take measures to ensure his secrecy, if you know what I mean. By any means necessary.
Maia: Even taking away our cookies?
Yuliya: Especially our cookies! Some blockhead at ESCARGOT informed the Boss about those cookies. What a fool. I bet a dog could tell her what to do.
Maia: We need our cookies, Yules. They're so delicious!
Yuliya: Then if you know what's good for you, hush up about the job. The last thing we want is for the Boss to know you're snooping around.
Maia: No, I'm not snooping! See? "Nobody is authorized entrance on fear of Death by Llama. All hail our Llama Overlords!"
Yuliya: Close enough. Coast seems clear, though. Let's take a little break, shall we?
Maia: Still, it does seem a little odd. Boss flies into Bridgeport all of a sudden, no warning whatsoever. He's got this big fancy penthouse in the city, but instead he bunks with a friend. Then he hires us to guard the elevator. What's he doing up there that he can't do in his own building?
Yuliya: I heard it might've had something to do with The Mole.
Maia: Oh, please. Just because you love the show doesn't mean everything has to do with it.
Yuliya: I'm serious! Boss heard something or other about kidnapping.
Maia: He really thinks that Pleasant guy would kidnap him? That's absurd.
Yuliya: No, of course not. Boss knows he was just kidding. Still, it could give some people the wrong idea. Messed up people. Boss just wants to be sure he'll be fine.
Maia: Makes sense, I guess.
Maia: Done, already?
Yuliya: I've had enough of Foosball during training. I'm out.
Maia: You're the one who recommended that it become standard training for ESCARGOT in the first place. Said it built character and practiced tactics or something.
Yuliya: Let's just say that wasn't one of my better ideas, okay. Come, sit with me.
Maia: Okay, I'll be right- OH MY LLAMA!!!!!!
Yuliya: What the heck's wrong, Maia?
Maia: It's a blasted CAT! What do you think is wrong?
Yuliya: A cat, that's the big deal? He's adorable!
Maia: Adorable? It's a monstrosity! That black spawn of the devil can't just wander around like that. It ought to be locked up!
Yuliya: Oh, stop being such a child! Kitty's just the cutest thing, isn't he?
Maia: No names! If you name it, you'll want to keep it, and I'm not having that beast anywhere near me.
Kitty: *thinking* What a drama queen. I'm just a cat. Some Sims get all worked up for nothing, I swear.
Yuliya: Who's a pretty little Kitty? Yes, you are! Your little paws are so fluffy.
Maia: *muffled whimpering*
Yuliya: Oh, fine. I'll let him go. Feel any better, Maia?
Maia: Not really.
Yuliya: I bet I can change that.
Maia: I like the way you think.
A: I hope I'm not interrupting anything.
Yuliya: Oh, uh, er...
Maia: Hello, Boss.
A: Now, I don't normally hire grunts from ESCARGOT, so I might be wrong about this, but do your higher ups pay you to exchange saliva?
Yuliya: No, Boss.
A: Neither do I. While I'm gone, nobody goes through that elevator.
Nobody. If I pull up the lobby cameras and see the two of you not guarding that elevator, I'll find other means of security.
Maia: Yes, Boss.
A: I understand that you ESCARGOT guys need a little help economically. Crime doesn't pay, especially when you're going up against spies. I want to help you out, but I can't if you don't pull your weight.
Yuliya: Of course.
A: Now remember, not a person goes through the elevator.
A: *sigh* No wonder they need to hold Recruitment Drives.
(ESCARGOT is an organization created by Schipperke in her story Ben Oliver and used with permission. Their actual ESCARGOT shirts are a pattern designed by Swirl-Girl)
