Interlude #2
In the murk and gloom of Midnight Hollow, all is well.
Today was as any other day in the town. The people went about as normal, a few stopping for a stroll around the lake. One or two may have even been drawn to the pavilion on the lakeside. If they had walked past, they would've seen a curious sight.
Most thought the people of Midnight Hollow to be strange, even unsavory, but at least they usually slept in beds, or occasionally in Motive Mobiles. Not benches. Nasty, uncomfortable things, those benches. Who would ever choose to sleep on a bench of all things?
The answer was, of course, someone just passing through, waiting for a phone call, without a bed. Fortunately, the call came not minutes after he woke up.
A: Status report?
Amadi: We've got them packed up and delivered.
A: Excellent. I think things are going very well.
Amadi: It's our job to do things well.
A: Then I suppose the rest of your organization doesn't do their job right. Need I remind you?
Amadi: I'm calling to report on this job, not hear you lambast us on past jobs.
A: Oh, don't get me wrong. All of you did fantastic. That Recruitment Drive was brilliant. Way to increase the worker pool, there.
Amadi: Then why are you taunting us?
A: Because it's fun messing with the bad guys. They're always so full of themselves. High and haughty. Got to knock them down a peg from time to time.
Amadi: Do you know who you are talking to? We are ESCARGOT, the greatest evil of all Llamastan!
A: Hear that? The pride in your voice. So misplaced. You overestimate your own importance in our little operation. Just how vital do you really think you are?
Amadi: You could never have locked away all of your contestants by yourself. Even you must acknowledge that!
A: Yes, yes. I needed some things removed from my house. You were glorified delivery men. Not exactly the "greatest evil of Llamastan" after all.
Amadi: How dare you! We hold the power here, not you! What would stop us from taking the prisoners and holding them hostage ourselves?
A: Because I know things. I know that you've already infiltrated Midnight Hollow. I know that "John Doe," if that's really his name, is your agent, your ESCARGOT operative. I know that you planted the whole family there to give him a cover. And I know what your plan is.
Amadi: What? How?
A: Now, I'm not particularly interested in the grand battle between good and evil. I have my own battles to fight, my own agendas that don't involve either of you. However, if you or anyone else in ESCARGOT even thinks of crossing me, I will ensure that this information is delivered to the right people. The people who could put you down permanently. Now, just how important do you think you are in the grand scheme of this operation?
Amadi: *growl*
A: Not so haughty now, are you, Mr. Bonheur?
Amadi: You'll pay for this, don't you forget that.
A: Yeah, villains always say stuff like that. How often does it actually happen?
Amadi: We will crush you, completely dominate you, make you wish you had never been born-
A: Sounds terribly boring. Good-bye.
A. could still hear Amadi ranting on the other line, but he hardly cared. Evil always talked a big game, but even Amadi now knew just how little he mattered in the operation. All he and his team did was gather the contestants. He could handle the rest.
A. closed his eyes. Oh, how he tired of dealing with the Evil sort. They were always so troublesome. He was glad to be rid of them.
Now that he was through with ESCARGOT, he needed a treat.
The people of Midnight Hollow might be strange, but they sure did make good ice cream.
