Misadventure Under the Big Top

by.....Sherry


The car pulled up outside and Sherry jumped in. "Hi Kit. Are you ready for this? I haven't been to the circus since I was in 6th grade and the local elementary schools sent the patrols to the circus! Should be an interesting day. Are we still picking up Aly and North too? I know Aly was fighting the flu for a while."

Kit pulled out and headed for Aly's. "Yeah, we're picking up Aly too. She says she's feeling much better and wouldn't want to miss the circus for anything. And North said she will meet us there."

A little while later, the trio of friends jumped out of the car and headed for the "big top." Actually, it wasn't really a tent ... it was a big building that currently housed the circus. They spotted North standing by the entrance to the grounds waiting for them. "Hey North!" Sherry called. "Glad you could make it."

North waved to them and called back "It's about time! I've been waiting here forever!" The others laughed and Aly said, "Okay, it was my fault. My kids didn't want to let me out the door. They kept begging to come along. I finally had to promise them that the next time the circus was in town I'd be sure and bring them."

Kit prodded the group along. "We better get inside and see what's happening." They headed for the entrance to the building and got in a long line waiting for admittance. "This is what I hate about these things," Sherry whined. "All this standing around waiting in line for everything!"

Kit rolled her eyes and Aly groaned. North said "Well, you knew this was what it was gonna be, so let's not complain, okay?" Sherry sighed and said "Yeah, sorry. I'll try and do better, I promise ... Mom." "Well, seeing as you are the only one here without kids ... you better get used to it." North replied. They shared quite a laugh over that one.

Once inside, they decided to walk around and look for souvenirs first. Aly and Kit bought some stuff for their kids. Sherry got something for her sister and North decided to wait until later before she bought anything.

As they were heading up the concourse, Sherry was jostled by a man rushing past in a hurry. He paused long enough to grab her arm to make sure she didn't fall and then said, "I'm sorry." Before Sherry could even regain her composure, the man was gone.

Aly looked at Sherry and said "Are you okay?" Sherry laughed, "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just glad he didn't knock me down. Do you know how embarrassing that would have been!" Kit laughed. "Yeah, we know. It's totally embarrassing to fall down in front of hordes of people who have nothing better to do than stare at you!"

"Well come on, let's get to our seats," North said. The small group headed for their seats, cotton candy in hand, and got settled for the first act. "This is gonna be fun," Aly said. "Yeah," North agreed. "I just wish they'd hurry up and get started." Sherry, who couldn't believe her ears, looked at North and said "Patience, my dear. Good things come to those who wait. And just who was telling me not to complain a short while ago? Hmmm?" Kit and Aly busted up laughing as Sherry had turned the tables on North for once.

The ringmaster stepped forward and introduced the first act. It was the trick horseback riders. "Oh I just love to watch these guys," Kit said. "I would love to be able to do the things they do!"

They were about half-way through the second act, the lion tamer, when a man walked up to the group. He was holding some kind of electronic devise that was beeping. "Excuse me," he said to Sherry, "but would you come with me please." Sherry looked up to see a very good looking, 30-something man, dressed completely in black. "Excuse me?" she said. "You must come with me. Please do not make a scene."

Sherry looked to North who was sitting next to her. North, knowing Sherry wasn't one for confrontations, jumped into the fray. "I'm sorry, but just who are you? And why should she come with you?"

The man in black was getting impatient, but he kept his emotions in check. People were starting to stare. They were quite curious as to why he was trying to take the woman out of her seat. They were wondering what she had done. Finally, he spoke. "I'm sorry, but this does not concern you." Then looking back to Sherry and holding out his hand, "Now if you will just come with me, I'm sure we can stop disturbing these people." Sherry looked over to her friends who were just staring at the man. She didn't know what to do. "Why should I go with you?" she finally asked. "And just who are you?"

The man in black sighed. "My name is Michael. I'm with ... security. Now please, I'm sure we can clear this matter up quickly if you will just come with me." Sherry hesitated. She really didn't want to go with this guy no matter how good looking he was. But she knew they were creating a scene and disturbing everyone around them. She started to get up but North pulled her back down. "Wait a minute. If she's going with you, I'm going too." She looked over to Aly and Kit. "You two stay here. I'm sure we'll straighten out this misunderstanding and be right back." North started to get up but Michael told her to stay where she was. "I'm sorry, but you will have to remain here. I will return your friend to you as soon as we get what we need."

North started to argue, but Sherry finally said, "It's okay North. I'm sure I'll be fine. Besides," she said, swinging her arm in a wide arc "all these people have seen him come and get me, so if anything happens, you will certainly have plenty of witnesses."

Michael was thinking the same thing. Something was definitely off here. This didn't making any sense. Why would she come in and sit in a such a populated area? This was supposed to be a quick, quiet drop. No one was to notice anything. That plan had certainly gone out the window. Here he was, making a scene in front of dozens of people, trying to get her to come with him. And why was she so reluctant? Surely she would want to give them the microdot and get it over with. Maybe she was afraid they would kill her after they got what they wanted. But surely her employer had told her that wasn't the case.

*****

Michael guided Sherry out of the main arena and into a small room in the basement. He motioned for her to a chair. After she was seated, Sherry noticed there were other people in the room as well. There was a younger man sitting at a computer and an older gentleman with a ponytail standing off to the side. This is some security outfit, Sherry thought to herself. Then she noticed off to the side that there were two very heavily armed men, also dressed in black. Okay, what had she gotten herself into?

Michael spoke. "If you will just give it to me, we can get this over with and you can return to your friends." Sherry looked up at Michael and said, "Give you what?"

Michael rolled his eyes. This was definitely not going well. Then he looked over to Birkoff who was sitting there listening and watching the computer screen. "She definitely has it, Michael. The tracer is blinking rapidly." Michael nodded and walked up closer to her. "Please don't make this difficult. Just hand it over and you can be on your way."

Sherry was getting really nervous now. She didn't know what these people wanted, but she was certain she didn't have it. "I don't know what you're talking about. Now if you'll just let me go, I can find my way back ..." and she started to get up. Michael reached over and pushed her back into the chair. "This doesn't have to get nasty. I don't want to hurt you, but I will if you don't turn it over to us now."

Sherry had hit the chair a little harder than she would have liked and she knew bruises would be appearing in a short while. She still had no idea what these men wanted. She would have to find out. "Okay, fine. Whatever. If you just tell me what you want, I'll be glad to give it to you. You want my wallet? Fine, take it. You want the souvenir I bought for my sister? Feel free. Just take whatever it is you want and leave me alone!" Michael looked over to Walter and nodded. He knew something was wrong, but he had to make sure. Walter walked over to Sherry and attached some electrodes to her. Then he flicked a few switches on his equipment and watched for the reactions. He nodded to Michael when things were running properly.

Michael returned and pulled a chair over in front of Sherry. "Okay, let's try this again. What is your name?" Sherry looked around the room and then back to Michael. "Who are you?" she asked. Michael stared at her and said "I told you, we are security. Now please, tell us your name." She looked around again and then said "Fine. My name is Sherry." Walter watched the monitor closely. "Good Sherry," Michael said. "Now, are you at the circus?" Sherry looked at him like he had lost his mind. "You know I'm at the circus. What is this?" Walter nodded and Michael continued. "Just stay calm and answer our questions. We'll be done shortly."

Sherry took a deep breath and Michael asked another question. "Are you here with friends?" Sherry nodded her head and said "Yes." Michael looked to Walter who said, "Go ahead, Michael. I've got it." Michael nodded and said "Now, if you just give it to me, you can go." Sherry sighed. "I told you, I don't know what you want, but you're free to take whatever it is you want. Just let me go!" Michael tried one more time. "Where is it? Why are you being so stubborn? Please just hand it over." Sherry tried to hold them back, but the tears began to fall down her cheek. She was angry, nervous and scared. What could she possibly have that would be so important to Security? "I told you, I don't know what you are talking about. But here." She threw her purse at Michael.

Michael looked over at Walter again. "She's telling the truth, Michael. She really doesn't know." Michael got up and walked around behind Walter. "Are you sure?" Walter nodded "Positive."

*****

North, Kit and Aly were getting worried. Sherry had been gone quite a while. And who knew what that man was doing to her. North made up her mind. "I'm going to look for her. You guys stay here. If I'm not back in 15 minutes, call the cops -- the real ones." Kit and Aly exchanged glances and Aly said "Are you sure, North. Maybe we should just go ahead and call the cops now. We don't want another person disappearing."

"No, not yet," she replied. I'm going to the security office and see what I can find out. Having told her friends where she was going, North headed for the nearest exit. As she approached the door, two men dressed in black blocked her way. "I'm sorry. But please return to your seat. Your friend will return shortly." North thought about barreling her way through them, but then she noticed the bulges under their jackets. "Fine," she answered. "But if she's not back in five minutes, I'm calling the cops!" With those words she stormed back to her seat.

Back in the basement, Sherry could tell things were not going well for her captors. Someone named Nikita had just called in that they only had ten minutes before the trapeze routine. She was in place, and the other contact was ready, but where was Michael? And then someone named Mentz called in. "Michael, we have to hurry. Her friends are getting worried. They gave us five minutes and then they are calling the cops."

Sherry smiled to herself. Good for you guys. Get me out of here, please! The man named Michael stood and stared at the wall for a few seconds. Then he spoke. "Mentz, I want you to go sit in her seat with her friends. Do not let any of them make a call. Threaten them if you have to, but only as a last resort. If all else fails, have Ken and Johnson help you bring them down."

Mentz acknowledged the orders and then moved down the aisle. He quickly took the seat beside North. North looked up in surprise and then in anger and a little fear. "What are you doing?" she asked him in a very quiet, very angry voice. He looked at her. "Calm down. I am just making sure you ladies behave until your friend gets back. No more little trips and no phone calls. Got it?" He looked North straight in the eye and she glanced over to Kit and Aly who were both turning pale. Then she turned back to the sitting next to her. "Fine."

Back in the basement, Michael was trying to figure out what to do. He now knew that Sherry was an innocent. Someone had slipped her the microdot without her knowing it. The trouble was finding it. He walked over to her and sat down in front of her. He picked up one of her hands, which she quickly pulled away from him. He sighed, looked her in the eyes and then spoke. "I'm sorry, Sherry. There has been a misunderstanding. But it seems you have something we need and are not aware of it."

Sherry was getting tired of this "hand it over" stuff. "Look, I've already told you. I don't know what you are talking about. I don't have anything that could be of the least interest to security. Now will you please just let me go?"

Michael knew he was running out of time. He had to get the microdot soon or the mission was blown. "Please, just bare with me a few minutes longer," he asked. "Did anybody give you anything to hold for them or carry for them when you came in?"

Sherry shook her head. "No. I told you, I don't have anything." Michael decided to tell her what they were looking for. Maybe that would jog her memory. "What we are looking for is very small. It's a microdot. It could have been attached to anything. Were you handed any flyers, papers, anything at all?"

Sherry looked at Michael again. Even though he had been a royal pain in the rear, there was something about him that made her want to help, even if she didn't have the first idea what he was looking for. "No, I told you. No one gave me anything. We paid our admission fee, I bought a souvenir for my sister, we got some snacks and then we went to our seats. That's it. Nothing out of the ordinary. No one handed me anything or asked me to carry anything."

Michael didn't know what to do. The only other thing he could think of was to do a complete search of her, but he didn't want to do that. He didn't think he would get much cooperation in that department either. And he didn't want to hurt her. She was, after all, an innocent party. "Please," he said, "just try and think. Did anything at all happen once you got here? Did someone accidentally bump you ... anything?"

Then she remembered. She looked up and Michael noticed the change in her eyes. He knew he had hit on something. "What is it? What happened?" Sherry sat up straighter and said, "Well, as we were walking up the concourse, some man bumped into me and almost knocked me over. He grabbed my arm to make sure I didn't fall down. Then he apologized and hurried off. But, he didn't give me anything."

Michael smiled. "Which arm did he grab?" "My right arm. Why?" Michael didn't want to waste time, so he explained as he got the equipment he would need to find the dot. "He most likely stuck the microdot to your arm when he grabbed you. It was a convenient way to pass it without being caught. If you just let us examine your sleeve, I'm sure we can find it."

"Fine. Just do it quickly. I have to get back to my friends." She held up her arm and Walter scanned it closely. "Bingo," Walter called. He found the microdot on the underside of her arm. Michael was off to the side of the room, slipping out of his usual black attire into a black trapeze artist get-up. Just then Nikita's voice rang through the room again. Michael, we only have five minutes. Where are you?" "I'll be right there," he answered.

*****

Walter was having trouble getting the microdot off of Sherry's sleeve. Michael turned to him, "Do you have it Walter?" Walter shook his head. "No. It doesn't want to come off. I need more time." Michael grabbed Sherry's arm and said "We don't have more time. Sherry, come with me." Sherry stopped and pulled back. Michael noticed her reluctance and said "Come now, we have to hurry." Sherry was pulled along behind Michael, whether she wanted to go or not. "Just exactly where is it that we are going in such an all-fired hurry?" she asked. Michael headed for the tall ladder. When he got there he stopped and said "Okay, let's go. You go first, I'll follow."

Sherry looked at him as if he'd lost his mind. "Are you crazy? I'm not going up there." Michael pulled her towards the ladder. "Yes, you are. We don't have time to argue about this. Once we get up there, I'll get the microdot from you and then I'll pass it during the act. But we have to hurry. Now move." Sherry still wasn't budging. "I can't. I mean it. Michael, I've got this problem with heights. I mean, some heights are okay, but this is just .... no way. I can't do it."

Michael understood, but he couldn't take the time to sympathize. "Just do as I say. It will be okay. Just climb up ahead of me. I'll be right behind you. And once you get up there, don't look down. Just stay very still and I'll do all the work. Okay?" Sherry still wasn't about to budge. No way, no how. "I'm sorry, Michael. I just can't. I don't know what this is all about, but I'm not going to die over it. Please, just let me go." Michael touched the side of her face. "I'm sorry. I really am. But I can't let you go until I have the microdot. Now we don't have any more time. Please just climb up there. If you won't do it for me, would you do it for your country?"

"Oh geez. Do it for my country? Really Michael. Okay, fine. But if I fall and kill myself, I'm coming back to haunt you. Do you understand?" Michael smiled. "Yes, I do. And I believe you would, too. Oh, and when we get up there, just pretend that you are my assistant. Just hold the things I give you." Sherry moved to the ladder and climbed up on the first rung. Michael was right behind her. She stopped and turned around. "Oh and I just want to tell you, this is the LAST TIME I ever come to the circus, so we really won't ever be doing this again." Michael laughed out loud.

They climbed and climbed. Sherry felt like she had been climbing forever. She was getting more and more nervous and shakier by the second. And she was getting tired of climbing. She wasn't exactly in shape for this. She glanced down and froze. She couldn't budge. She was stuck.

Michael looked up to see what the problem was. He noticed how pale her face was. "Are you okay?" he asked. Sherry left out a nervous laugh. "Obviously not. I'm stuck on a ladder a thousand feet in the air and I can't move. My arms feel like lead weights and I haven't the foggiest idea of how to move. No, I'd say I'm definitely not all right." Michael was worried. He could tell she was losing it. He couldn't let that happen. He wasn't going to let her down. "Listen to me," he said. "I told you not to look down. Now close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths. Just block out everything else but the sound of my voice. You can do this. I won't let you fall. It's not that much further. Just a few more feet. We'll go nice and easy. Now ... slowly open your eyes and don't look down."

Sherry did as he asked. She closed her eyes and listened to his soothing voice and took a few deeps breaths. Her heartbeat slowed and she didn't feel quite so light-headed. She slowly opened her eyes and felt a little stronger. She thought she could do it. At least she would try. "Okay Michael, let's go," she said. "Just keep talking to me." She slowly started back up the ladder, one rung at a time. Before she knew it, they were at the top.

Michael took hold of her and held her as if she was the most important thing in the world to him. The crowd was cheering loudly. Of course, she thought, it's part of the act. It would look pretty stupid for me to just be standing up here beside him for no reason. Michael took her arm and whispered, "Whatever you do, don't look down. Look at me." Sherry kept her eyes trained on Michael. He took her right arm and located the microdot. To the crowd it simply looked like he was caressing his female assistant.

Kit, Aly and North were watching half-heartedly. They were worried about Sherry. And the guy beside them wouldn't let them go anywhere. Just then he turned to North and pointed to the trapeze artists getting ready for the act. North looked closer and then grabbed Aly's arm. "No, it can't be," she said. Kit and Aly looked at her. "What?" Kit asked. North pointed to the trapeze. "Up there. Is that ... is that Sherry? With the man who took her out of here? What is she doing up there?" Aly and Kit were shocked as well. Their mind were running wild. "Oh no, he's going to throw her off!" Aly said. Mentz smiled. "Relax. Nothing is going to happen to her. She's just going to stand up there while he does his act. Then she will be returned to you safe and sound." North stared at him and said "She had better be. If you hurt one hair on her head, I'm going to the cops. I don't care what you say."

Kit was watching closely. "What's he doing? Looks like he's caressing her. Lucky girl." North and Aly looked at Kit like she was crazy. "Well, he was good looking, wasn't he?" Just then the ringmaster announced the trapeze act.

Michael had just about gotten the microdot off of Sherry's sleeve. "Thank you for doing this. I know we've ruined your day. I'm sorry. Now, just stand here and don't move. You will be fine until I get back." He was getting ready to start his swing when Sherry said "Just tell me one thing, Michael. You're not really security, are you?" Michael turned to her and smiled. "No." With that, he jumped off the platform and was into the act.

Sherry watched the act with her heart in her throat. Michael and the blond woman were very graceful and quite skilled. And the third man wasn't too shabby either. She never saw him do it, but she knew Michael had transferred the microdot to the woman. She in turn was going to give it to the other man. Michael returned to the platform for a short rest before the big finale. "So, Michael, are you gonna tell me who you really are?" Sherry asked. Michael turned to her. "Well, I have to finish my act and then fall off into that net down there. But I'll tell you what. If you let me swing you out there and drop you off, I'll explain to you what I can." Sherry laughed. "No way, Michael, no way. I'll just take the nice little ladder down. Thanks, all the same." Michael laughed. "Fine. After you get down, go find your friends and then meet me in the basement room. I'll explain it to you then." Then he was off again to finish the act.

Once the act was finished, the show was over and everyone stood up and cheered. Sherry very carefully and slowly climbed down the ladder. It took a while, but she managed to do it without falling to her death. Quite an accomplishment in her book. Once she was down, she headed straight for her friends. They were just coming out of the arena when she got to the entrance. She was never so happy to see anyone in her life. Kit ran up and hugged her. "Are you okay? What were you doing? Why were you up there on the trapeze platform? Where did they take you? What did they want?"

North laughed. "Slow down, Kit. Let her explain." Sherry hugged Aly and North as well and then said, "I'll tell you what I can. But we have to head back down to the basement. Michael promised to explain to me what he could."

The girls headed back to the basement room. Sherry saw a man closing the door to the room. As they approached, the man said "I'm sorry, but we can't allow anyone in here. It's locked up for the day. You will have to leave."

Sherry looked at him. He was wearing a security guard uniform. "But I was supposed to meet someone here. He told me to meet him after the show." The guard looked at her and then asked "Were you meeting Michael?" Sherry nodded. The guard smiled. "Oh. Well, he had to leave. He asked me to give you this note." Sherry took the note from the guard and read it.

Sherry -

I am sorry I can't stay and explain, but the less you know, the better. You were right. I am not with security. I work undercover for the government. Just know that you performed an important service today. I will always remember your bravery at the "height" of danger. Once again, I apologize for ruining your day. Please forgive me. And if you ever need anything, you can contact the guard who gave you this note. He knows how to reach me.

Yours always,
Michael

"Well, what does it say?" Aly asked. Sherry looked up at her friends and smiled. "Not much. Just that he can't explain and he's sorry he ruined my day, and that I performed an important service. Here, read it for yourself." They passed the note around as they headed out to the parking lot. "Well, it seems that you've made quite a friend," North stated. "Kit was right. You are a lucky lady."

Sherry laughed. "Oh, I don't know about that. If I was so lucky, he would have hung around. He was awfully cute, wasn't he? And he was so nice ... well, once he knew I wasn't a criminal." The girls laughed and headed for their cars.

Back in the shadows, a lone figure dressed in black, smiled as he watched Sherry and her friends leave. Once they were safely on their way, he touched his comm unit and reported "Mission complete." Then he disappeared back into the shadows.

The End

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