Chapter 26

I am done with fiddling around with this thing! I am ready to finish it! Here is Chapter 26 CHAPTER 26 Kate was speeding through the streets of Salt Lake. It was now 5:15- less than two hours to go until game time. Jon had gotten extremely quiet. “You okay over there, Jon?” “How do we do this, Kate? What do I do?” “First, you show up, then we see what happens!” “What is that? Some kind of Zen kind of attitude?” “It’s one of Napoleon’s battle plans. First, you show up, then, you see what happens.” “Meaning?” “You can’t anticipate everything about tonight, Jon. There are way too many variables. It’s like seeing a math problem with no numbers in it and only letter variables from A-Z. We will hope that as the night goes on, numbers will start to fill in those variable spots and then we will be able to solve the equation. Until then-“ “-we show up and see what happens. Right.” Jon sunk in his seat. “Kill me now, Kate.” “After the past few days, do you really mean that?” Jon glared at her. “Forget I said anything. Let’s just get there.” “Dammit!” Kate slammed her palm against the dashboard. The traffic on the freeway was backed up at a dead stop a mile before their exit. “Can we not get a break at all?” “I wonder if there’s something going on tonight?” Jon smirked. “While I had planned for a lot of things, I had not planned for this.” “It’s 5:30. I still have time to get there.” Kate shook her head. “You really are not much of a jock, are you?” “No, I’m not, but I thought we had established that.” “You can’t just show up and walk on the court. You have a pre-game meeting, you get dressed, and ready for the game. Just like in your precious drama, you have to prepare for the performance. You probably should have been there about a half hour ago.” “Then, you should’ve found me sooner and laid on the guilt trip about an hour ago.” Jon grinned. Kate leaned over and opened the car door. “Go. Get out of the car and get to the school. We’re at a dead stop, you can make it on foot faster than by driving.” Kate pointed to the side of the road. “Go down that hill and cut across the business parking lots and it will probably only take you about 15 minutes to get there. I’ll meet you there.” “Kate, what if I need you? What if something happens?” “Got your gun?” Jon motioned to his gym bag. “Always.” “Use it if you need it. Now, go on. Don’t run otherwise you might tire yourself out. A nice brisk walk might help, though.” Jon got out of the car, grabbing his gym bag. “You’ll be there?” “Wouldn’t miss it!” Jon shut the door and climbed over the barricade to start his descent down the hill and to the school. Kate sighed deeply. “Good luck, Jon.” Jon was breathing heavily as he got to the Harmon’s grocery store parking lot. He looked at his watch. It was 5:50. All he had left to do was get across the large parking lot, cross 2 streets and he was at the school. But the parking lot was already packed with people getting out of their cars and making their way over to the school. Cars were not moving in the traffic lanes- either on the road or in the parking lot lanes. Since he was already a little tired, he decided that walking briskly would be best. Aleisha Madsen had parked in the Harmon’s lot, ready to walk across to the school, and saw Jon darting between 2 parked cars. “Jon! “ she called, but he didn’t hear her. She grabbed her purse, locked the doors, dropped her keys in the purse and ran after him. As she got closer, she reached through the mass of people separating them and grabbed his bag. “Jon!” Protecting his bag, and his gun, Mills twirled and stopped himself before he physically hit her in any way. He had also stopped walking. “Aleisha!” he sheepishly looked down at his hand, shaped to give a karate chop. “How are you?” Crowds of people parted and reconverged around the couple. “I was going to ask the same thing. I have had a couple of interesting talks with your new boss, Kate.” Aleisha locked eyes with him. Jon felt his heart plummet to his stomach. “Oh, really? What about?” “You. Where you were. Where you may have gone. What the hell is up with you. All of it.” “I’m so so-“ “Don’t tell me you’re sorry! I have everybody and their dog telling me that they are sorry and I don’t want to hear it anymore! Jon,” she grabbed his hand, “I like you. I hope you know that. This week has been one of the strangest that I have ever experienced, but it doesn’t change how I feel about you. I know that this basketball game has something to do with the weird week that you have had, and I just hope, that after the game is over, you can tell me what is going on. I know that Kate is not lying to me, necessarily, but I know that she’s not telling me everything as well. Please, just don’t tell me you’re sorry, just trust me and tell me what has been going on this week later tonight.” Jon thought for a minute and started slowly nodding. “Let the game finish, and I will.” Aleisha pulled him toward her and kissed him. “Good enough! Let’s get you to the game!” Aleisha kept Jon’s hand tightly clutched in hers as they made the way to the gym. They passed the Trager Sports Channel van as they made their way. Jon noted that Natalie was not there, but that there was a thin man with glasses in the van turning dials and speaking to his headset. “I haven’t seen him yet, Natalie, but I’m keeping my eyes open for him.” Jon took Aleisha by the player’s entrance. He opened the door and held the door open for Aleisha, but there was a large tarp in front of the door. Jon and Aleisha walked in and shut the door. Jon, while still holding her hand, guided Aleisha around the tarp and found that it was actually the background for Natalie’s camera. Jon quickly turned his head. But it was too late. Natalie had already seen him. “Mr. Page! I am so glad to see you!” Jon smiled crookedly. “Hey. Good to see you, too!” “I never knew that you were such a ladies man!” Aleisha chided. “Normally I’m not,” Jon shot back. He started scanning the bleachers, which were already filling up. “Are you ready for your on-camera interview? Is that why you’re here?” Natalie asked. “Not yet. I actually need to talk to her,” Jon motioned to Aleisha, “go in there,” Jon motioned to the locker room, “and then I will gladly talk to you!”” Jon started walking Aleisha toward the bleachers “Sounds good. Just make sure that you don’t forget about me, Mr. Page!” “Mr. Page?” Aleisha asked. “I couldn’t if I tried!” Jon yelled over his shoulder. Then, to Aleisha, “Please don’t even ask about the Mr. Page thing. I don’t even understand it fully.” Jon saw Greg in the crowd. “Greg!” he yelled. Greg looked around and finally saw Jon. He heaved a visible sigh of relief and threw his hands out to his side, pantomiming a look of exasperation. Jon put up his forefinger, as if to say one moment, then pointed to Aleisha and then back to Greg. Greg nodded. “Do you know Greg Taylor?” Jon asked Aleisha. “Doesn’t everyone?” “Good point. He’s up there on the third row,” Jon pointed to him. “Please go sit next to him for the game. Then, immediately after the game, I will promise that Stan & I will be there.” Aleisha fixed her gaze on Jon again. “You’d better be.” She kissed him again. “Good luck.” “Thanks!” Jon let go of Aleisha’s hand and headed to the locker room while she maneuvered her way up to sit next to Greg. As Jon walked by Natalie again, she called to him, “Don’t forget!” “I won’t! In fact, I’m counting on it!” he called back. Jon opened the door and walked into the locker room. Jon’s heart started pounding as he entered the hallway. Now this is just silly, he told himself. There is no way that anything could happen right now- there are way too many witnesses, he told himself. Coach Malone’s voice echoed through the hallway. Jon could tell that he was barking orders that wouldn’t mean much of anything- a bunch of ‘go out there and win one for the gipper’ routines- “If we play our best out there, nothing can stop us!” “There is no I in team” Jon was sick of them just thinking about them. Jon took a deep breath as he rounded the corner into the locker room. The team’s backs were to him as Jon entered. Coach was in the middle of them so all attention was in the middle of the circle and not at all on Jon. He walked slowly to his assigned locker and started dialing the combination on his lock. Coach stopped his speech. He let the silence linger in the air while Jon opened his locker. The opening of the door echoed in the thick, steamy air. “Mr. Mills, how nice of you to join us today.” Coach started walking toward Jon and the group slowly parted for him. Hobbs and Bernard had wicked grins on their faces while Stan had a look of genuine relief mixed with concern. “Coach,” Jon acknowledged him but put his gym bag in the locker and sat on the bench, all without looking at Malone. “Mr. Mills, would you care to tell us where you have been? Why did you miss your teammate’s funeral yesterday?” Jon was changing socks. “No, I wouldn’t care to tell you.” “I tried to get hold of you last night to ask for an early morning practice with you. You were not answering your phone. I even stopped by your house this morning to try to find you and make sure you were okay. Why were you not at home?” “Would you care to tell me why you feel it is any of your goddamned business?” “You were supposed to be here almost an hour and a half ago! Why could you not be bothered to show up?” “Because I have absolutely no respect for you, Coach. I told you that I would play in the game and I am here to do what I said I would do.” Jon caught Stan smirk ever so slightly at that. “I have already replaced you, Mr. Mills. You will not be playing in this game!” “I think that you will find that I will in fact be playing in this game,” Jon took off his shirt. “I have replaced you and Moss with 2 players from other students that I have in other classes. It’s over, Mr. Mills! I will not put up with your shit anymore!” Jon stood up. “Oh, you will be putting up with my shit for at least another 3 hours, Coach. I will be playing in tonight’s game.” He pulled a basketball jersey over his head and straightened it out. “Let’s have a chat, shall we?” Jon motioned to the hallway, meaning to take this into Coach’s office. “We’ll chat right here, Mills!” Jon took a breath. “Okay, then. You want to do it here, we’ll do it here.” Jon took another breath and stepped into the Coach’s personal space. “Regulations state that you must submit your final team roster 2 days before each game. It has already been submitted. Moss and I were on it. Due to the extreme issue which befell Moss, since you have already substituted a player in the past week, me, you do not get any more. I will be playing. We will be down one player. The only way in which you could get 2 “new recruits” would be to play them as Moss and Page. We have many TV cameras out there. If you try anything like this and kick me off the team, I will go and speak openly about everything, Coach.” Coach Malone was beet red. “You can’t do that! You signed a non-disclosure agreement!” “Actually, I did no such thing. I signed nothing. You needed a player, I took over. You need me, Coach. This is national television and a huge spotlight for the school. If we win, you will be given your choice of assignments for next year, all over the country. Hell, you’ll probably get that even if we just show up and play. As I walked in here, Natalie from SportsTime wants to interview me. I told her that I would be back and that I would not forget the interview. If you want me to stay quiet about all the shit, and I mean all, Coach, including the okayed upon hazing of new players, the creepy way that you kept looking for me last night, and the strip club violations, then you will put me in as a starter and I can be in the game whenever I want to be.” Coach was fuming, but silent. Jon let the silence linger. Not one player dared make a move or a sound. Stan’s eyes darted from Jon to Coach and back again. Coach stepped toward Jon, making the space between them infinitesimal. When he finally spoke, even though the team was gathered around, Coach’s voice was so filled with rage, yet so soft, that only Jon could hear it. “There is no way in which I don’t hate you right now,” he hissed. Jon stood his ground. “Nor I you, Coach.” Coach stared into Jon’s eyes for a full five seconds before Coach turned, and walked back to his office. Jon continued getting ready while the locker room got back to a normal noise level. Stan came up and sat down beside Jon. “You okay?” Jon considered for a moment if he should play it off as a joke or not. Deciding that he needed to level with his friend, he told him the truth. “Not at all. But I’m here.” Jon slowly took a deep breath, “I guess you know about yesterday?” Stan nodded. “Yup. Greg and I went to headquarters and we sat in on a meeting with everyone. They were extremely worried about you, Jon.” “I know. This whole thing is so screwed, it’s not even funny. Spencer is dead, Moss is dead, I am sure that Coach was looking for me so that he could kill me. If you’re not careful, you may be on that list as well. But I am here, and I am here for you.” Stan let the silence rule as Jon contemplated the small tiles in the locker room floor. “Can I do anything for you?” Jon nodded, almost imperceptibly. “Yes. Go tell Natalie that I will be out in about 10 minutes, let Kate know to watch Coach very carefully as I don’t think I made him feel all warm and squishy inside just now, and...” Jon finally looked back up and looked at Stan for the first time during this conversation, “help us win this whole fucking thing.” Stan smiled. “That’s the Jonathan Mills I know. You got it!” Stan patted his friend on the shoulder and hurried out of the locker room. Jon finished getting dressed. With the silent room, he closed his locker gently and walked over by the showers. He leaned against the wall as he looked at the spot where, just a little more than a day ago he had held Nicolas Moss in his arms as Nick died. Jon let out a huge sigh, “Shit.” He squatted and touched his fingers to the tile floor and ran them back and forth several times. “I’m so, so sorry, Nick.” After he stopped moving his hand, he still stayed near the ground, just staring at nothing in particular. After several minutes, Jon stood back up and walked over to Nick’s locker. The door was slightly ajar. He opened it and glanced inside. Hanging from the hook inside the door, Jon saw Nick’s medallion again. With a soft backhand, the door opened fully, bounced, and closed this time. Lightly punching the locker door with his fist, he listened to the rattling it made. Jon slowly started to punch it harder and harder, listening to the echoing in the locker room. He was starting to notice the noise of the crowd which had been slowly rising as he had been alone in the locker room. Mills stopped punching the locker and then silently listened to the crowd before kicking the locker hard by its base. “Let’s kick this pig,” he muttered as he grabbed his duffel bag and headed out of the locker room into the continually growing roar of the crowd.

Avengers review

This review will not be 100% spoiler-free, but I will not give any plot points away- minor scenes maybe, but nothing major. This is the film that all of the Transformers films wanted to be. Let me get this out of the way right now. I give this film 4 stars, 5 stars, an A+, a 10, a thumbs up- however you want to rate something, it gets my highest movie grade. The film grade is the same since, even though I do have extremely minor nitpicks, the fact that this film exists and is as good and satisfying as it is, knocks all nitpicks out of the way. It gets a 10 out of 10 on both my film and movie scales. Avengers as a film started in the end credits sequence of Iron man with Samuel L Jackson arriving as Nick Fury and discussing the Avengers Initiative with Tony Stark. It then wound its way through The Incredible Hulk (with Edward Norton), Iron man 2, Thor, and captain America with each one giving glimpses into what was coming. (And by the way, the film of Thor is really the lynchpin for this film. Although the MacGuffin comes from the Captain America film, Thor really is the one film that you need to have seen to follow the plot.) The film starts with a bang as the villain comes to get the MacGuffin so that he can takeover the world and become King (really, is there any other real plot point in these films other than world domination?) After that, it takes a short while as we get the team together and bring each one in. I was slightly disappointed that Natalie Portman did not have a cameo to help bring back Thor, but we know she will be back in Thor 2. The main characters being brought together in this film are Iron man, Thor, Captain America, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye with Nick Fury, Pepper Potts, and Agent Coulson all back and providing support. As each of the characters is brought in, a scuffle, war of words, or full on fight is launched to see who will be king of the mountain. After 45 minutes or so of this, the middle act comes together with the villain navigating the various weaknesses of certain characters to get what he wants. Then, for the last 40 minutes, we are treated to a destruction of New York like we have never seen. The characters do all “Assemble” and fight different battles to work together to defeat the villain. That’s all of the plot you’re getting from me. However, this is not necessarily about plot. It is about the writing, direction, acting, and, most importantly, the action. Joss Whedon (creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Dr. Horrible, Firefly/Serenity, Dollhouse, Cabin in the Woods, and, yes, co-writer of the first Toy Story, and has also written comic arcs for XMen and the Avengers)) wrote and directed the Avengers. Being a fan, he has created the ultimate film that a fan would want to see. Who would win in a fight between Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America? The answer is here. In delivering that film, his trademark dialogue is also on display. It is a pleasure to hear Whedon dialogue from Robert Downey, Jr. There are many comedic moments, both small and large, which comes both from quips and from character interactions. For those who are fans of his work, you will know that he is the master of timing whether on his character beats or humor or plot points. The one thing that Whedon has never really had is a budget. The first season of Buffy is almost undecipherably murky in spots. Even with the big budget of the Serenity film, it didn’t really hint at Whedon’s ability to work with a $200 million budget. Some directors can handle it (James Cameron), others, after coming from low budget films which were great, cannot (Michael Bay, Peter Jackson, and Joel Schumacher being among the worst). Whedon is now one of the few who can handle the big budget. It is all on the screen. Whether it is the circling shot of all of the Avengers together as they get ready for the onslaught of evil, or the massive destruction caused to SHIELD’s headquarters or New York, it feels like a big budget film where not a penny was wasted. The acting is all top notch. Robert Downey Jr has perfected Stark’s heart inside of all of the smarm, Chris Evans is great as the man out of his own time, Chris Hemsworth continues to show the wounding of the brother who is at odds with his sibling, Mark Ruffalo is fabulous as the 3rd Bruce Banner in 3 films as he shows the heart behind the monster, and, along with Scarlet Johannson showing that she can act and kick butt along with the big boys, Jeremy renner as Hawkeye who is battling against his compatriots for a good portion of the film shows the emotional battle as he comes to terms with his past deeds, Samuel L Jackson as the leader who has to believe in his team, Clark Gregg as Agent (Phil) Coulson who has a fanboy moment of his own and is also able to handle himself in tough situations, and Cobie Smulder as Fury’s assistant all have their moments to kick butt, shine, and move to the background, and move forward again with their doubt or weakness and overcoming of it. The ensemble works magic as they battle, trust, and work together to become a team. And become a team they do! The film’s raison d’etre is an action film and it does not disappoint! It starts with a battle, has several minor battles throughout, another major battle to tear the heroes apart, and the final 40 minute climactic battle in New York. They are never so overly edited that you lose sight of which character is where and doing what, as is common in most action films today. The geography of the characters in the battles can be very important and it is never lost. Even though there is never really any doubt as to which side will win, I was still tense and found myself going along with the roller coaster ride that ‘The Avengers’ provides. My wife told me about an hour in that her mouth ached from grinning so much and, when the credits started, she immediately turned and asked me when we could see it again. Based on the reaction of the Midnight crowd, I know that we were not alone. THIS is the way a $200 million blockbuster should be made! Film rating- 10 Movie rating- 10

Cabin in the Woods

I really can't review this film without giving too much away. So this will be short and sweet as I want the joy to be found in the viewing of the film.
The movie starts with two office workers (played by Bradley Whitford and Richard Jenkins) obviously getting ready for a long shift.
Flash to a group of 5 college kids (1 smart,1 stoner, 1 jock, 1 promiscuous blonde, one redhead female just getting over a breakup with one of her professors) goin to one of their cousin's cabins in the woods to hang out for a weekend full of sex and drugs.
On their way, they meet a creepy store owner, drive through a tunnel, there is a wolf head hanging in the main room of the cabin,and a creepy cellar below.
That is all that I will say. While, yes, it is very cliche, that is the fun of it. Cabin in the Woods was co-written by Joss Whedon (of Buffy and Angel fame, and, in 3 weeks, director of Avengers), and, if you watched Buffy or Angel on TV, you know that he took well-used tropes and cliches and flipped them and created something wholly different. This is exactly what he does here.
Some scenes are played totally cliched (while being the point) and others are so giddily flipped that, as the scenes unfold, you are never quite sure what to expect.
As it is very cliche, be aware that its R rating is for exactly what you might expect (violence, gore, nudity, drugs), but not in the same laborious way as you are used to seeing.
If you have seen any horror movies, especially the'cabin in the woods' variety, you owe it to yourself to see this film.

Film rating- 10
Movie rating- 10

End of an Era- Again

After my dad's death, I was needing a little "comfort" in my surroundings. To make a long story short, I ended up back at Blockbuster. And I really enjoyed it again.
While Blockbuster sucked at being a full time job before I quit in December 2007, going back 2 nights a week in December 2010 was what I was needing.
In the last year and a half, I have been able to talk movies again with customers, get the employee benefits, and work with a good friend of mine who was managing the store.
3 weeks ago, we were told that the store that I was working at would be closing its doors for good on May 20th. I have spent the last 3 weeks deciding if I was going to transfer or not and I have made my decision.
No, I am not transferring.
While I have loved Blockbuster for 13 years and had a great time, as I approach my 40th birthday, it is time to let it go and re-embract my nights off. I am getting tired of doing double duty 2 nights a week and sleeping a lot more either between the 2 jobs on those 2 afternoons or taking naps on the days following the working of the 2nd job.
While there are a myriad of other reasons, the truth is that I am done working there. I have been trying to work through it for a while now and the closing of the store gives me a great opportunity to get out right now, no harm, no foul, and to be okay with it.
So, goodbye Blockbuster, once again.
And, yes, I get to turn the lights out. I have already asked to work the final shift in the store.

Chappter 25

Here is the next chapter. Chapter 26 will not be ready for at least a couple of days. But the writing is flowing and I feel great about finishing this very soon!

CHAPTER 25

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1989


It was just past 4 in the afternoon as Aleisha answered the knock at her door. She was surprised to see Kate Thompson standing there.
“Hey,” Kate greeted her.
“Hey,“ Aleisha wrinkled her forehead at the greeting. The two sized each other up.
“May I please come in?”
Aleisha took a step back. Kate walked by her and into the front room which was just on her right. As Aleisha closed the door, Kate sat down. Aleisha walked in and stood in the center of the room. “How can I help you?”
Kate shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “Again, I am sorry for this week.”
Aleisha visibly stiffened. “I wish people would stop telling me how sorry they are for screwing me over this week!”
“I’m sor-“ Kate stopped herself. “I know it has been frustrating and I can understand your feelings.”
Aleisha softened slightly but still spoke through gritted teeth, “Thank you.”
“I have been up all night trying to get in touch with Jon. I gave you a card of mine and I have not heard from you yet. Since I can’t imagine anywhere else that he might be, I decided to check with you again.”
Aleisha backed up and sat in a chair facing Kate. “I wish I had, but I have not seen him since I left his house 2 days ago.”
Kate looked directly into Aleisha’s eyes. “Are you sure?”
Aleisha wrinkled her forehead again. “What is that supposed to mean, ‘Am I sure?’ Of course I am sure! Why would I lie about that?”
“I just found out last night that it seems that Jon might have thought that there was some misunderstanding between the boss and employee relationship and I know how relationships work, and he may have stopped by and told you some things, but I really do want to apologize for everything, and I know that you are sick of hearing that, but it’s true and I never meant to lead Jon on or anything like that but I don’t know what the hell I was thinking by taking him under my wing and training him and not expecting to get a little too attached, but since I don’t really even think about that with my past and my present and my future I never even thought to protect this great young man from any sort of possible illusion or crush and he likes you so much that it pains him to be pulled away from you and I think that his feelings may have bled over onto me because I was the female that pulled him from you and I didn’t mean for that to happen and I know that I said that already but its true and I’m sorry so I just want you to know that I am laying my cards on the table here and am asking for your help.”
Aleisha searched Kate’s face for any indication of a joke. “You’re serious?”
“Yes, I am. Deadly. I need to find Jon. He is needed at work and it is very important and I need to know everything you know about where he might be.”
“You know, I have to admit, you are a strange person, Miss- Wow! I don’t know your last name!”
“Thompson. It’s Kate Thompson.”
“You are very strange, Miss Thompson. I don’t really know what to say. I don’t know where Jon is. I have known him almost our entire lives, but we never really knew each other very deeply or anything. It was more a hi there and a hey did you finish your homework from Mrs.’ Perry’s class kind of a thing. If we saw each other in the real world, it was always a ‘What did you get at the store’ kind of a thing. I don’t know him anywhere near enough.
“Kate, I promise you, he has not been here. I don’t know what kind of trouble he is in, but please believe me when I tell you that he isn’t here, he hasn’t been by to see me, and that I would tell you if he had.”
Kate sighed and looked down at her hands, which were folded in her lap. “I do. I do believe you, Miss Madsen. Thank you for your time and I didn’t mean to bother you at all. Even though I do not know where Jon is, I still think it is possible that he will be at the game tonight.” Kate looked up. “I would recommend attending. If nothing else, it will be a hell of a show.” She smiled and stood up. “Thank you again. My number on the card still works if he happens to contact you.”
Aleisha stood up as well. “I will call, if I see him or hear from him. I will also keep both of you in my prayers. Especially Jon since there may be something wrong. I can tell you are very concerned for him.” She reached her hand out. “You’re a good friend to him, Kate. Whatever happens, please watch out for him?”
“I will.”
“This has to do with Jake and the shooting at the school, doesn’t it?”
Kate was taken aback. “How-?”
“I want to be a reporter. Also, the gun in your jacket is a dead giveaway.”
Kate smiled. “I’m sorry. No one is supposed to know.”
“It’s okay. You, Jon, Stan, and even Greg were acting so weird the last few days, I knew something was up. Then, when I heard about the shooting yesterday and how concerned you were about him at the funeral, it all made sense.”
Kate was now beaming. “You are alright, Miss Madsen.” She extended her hand.
Aleisha shook it. “Be careful, okay?” After she stopped shaking Kate’s hand, Aleisha held onto it a little longer. “Where do these people normally go?”
“What people?”
“People who get freaked out on a first job. What types of places do they normally go?”
“Most go to a place where they feel safe and secure, but we already checked his home, school, friend’s houses, and now here. A lot of times, when people are freaked out, they will also go to a house of worship, but Jon wasn’t at the church for the funeral yesterday-“ Kate stopped in her tracks. “Jon isn’t religious, right?”
Aleisha shook her head. “I don’t think so. He has never been to church whenever I go but we never talk about it.”
“He’s not religious, but he needs to calm down and feel safe again, which he doesn’t feel at school or at home….” Kate looked up and grinned at Aleisha. “Thank you! You have been a big help! Trust me, go to the game! He will be there!” Kate rushed out of Aleisha’s front door, neglecting to shut it as she roared away in her Agency car.
Aleisha watched as Kate roared away. “You are so strange, Miss Kate Thompson.”


It was very dark as Kate walked down the left side aisle at the Villa theater. The movie ‘Cousins’ was halfway through its 4 o’clock showing and there was Jon- on the front row- alone. Kate hunched over as she made her way to the center of the row and sat down right next to Jon. He jumped as she did so. “What the hell-?” he exclaimed.
Kate reached over and gave him a big hug.“My thought exactly, Jon. What the hell are you doing here?” She hugged him tighter. “We were all so worried about you! What happened?” She let go and looked him in the eyes.
“What didn’t happen?”
“Jon, what-“ Kate paused. “Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”
“No. I’m okay. I didn’t stick around long enough for them to find me.”
“We looked everywhere for you! We thought you might stop by the funeral, so we watched for you there, we stopped by your house a billion times, went to Stan and Greg’s houses, checked the school several times, went to the Agency House, I even stopped by and talked to Aleisha. She’s the one that made everything click that brought me here. How long have you been here?”
“Not long, really. I wandered yesterday because I didn’t know of a safe place. I went to that diner where you gave me the gun because I figured that if a gun could change hands there with no one noticing I would be safe and I stayed there for dinner, a midnight snack, and then I grabbed a tiny room and got a hot shower this morning. I used the money my parents left for me to pay for everything with cash. I took a bus up here this morning and was here right at 930 when they started selling tickets and this is my 3rd time through this show. I grabbed a bit of sleep the last showing as well just because I am so exhausted. I paid for 3 shows and Tamara knows me so she is letting me stay here all day for just those 3 tickets.. As you can see-“ Jon gestured to the empty theater, “this is not a blockbuster.”
“So, you’re okay?”
“Yes, I’m unscathed physically. Mentally, I’m a goddamned basket case, but, I still have all of my appendages.”
Kate turned and watched the movie for a scene. She then turned back to Jon, “What happened, Jon?”
Jon’s eyes never left the screen and Kate could see the tears welling up and falling down his face as he talked.. “They killed him, Kate. They killed Moss. I could have saved him, but I was too stupid and I didn’t know any better and I was not the right person for Nicolas’ backup!” Jon’s breath started to come out haltingly as he tried to keep talking. “I screwed up and now he’s dead! I didn’t want that responsibility anymore, Kate! It’s too much. I just want to graduate, go to prom, get into college, go on dates- I don’t want to be responsible if someone dies, Kate!”
Kate wanted to be able to say something to make Jon feel better, but she knew she couldn’t. “You knew what the job was, Jon. You knew. I tried to make you understand that. We had the 2 drills, which were screwed up by some pretty stupid mistakes, but I thought that those, more than anything, would get you to understand that this is a great job, but not necessarily a fun one at all times and that, a lot of times, it would come down to life or death.”
“In my head, I knew. I understood it up here,” Jon pointed to his head. “Even seeing Jake Spencer dead in the freezer was not enough to bring it into stark relief, but…seeing Nicholas die in my arms and getting his blood on me- and not in a figurative way- that is another matter entirely!”
“It is what it is, Jon. If you want to quit, fine. I am fine with you quitting. But you can’t quit yet. You need to finish this. You need to finish this one job. It’s at your school, it may be something that identifies your school for years to come! Junior has the possibility of being a huge star! If someone is out to get him tonight and he dies or is injured or is kidnapped or is something else that I can’t think of yet and it happens on your gym’s floor- who knows what the fallout may be? You still have to attend this school. You have made an enemy out of several players and out of the coach who could make your next few months there until you graduate a real chore! Think about the big picture, Jon. If your life is in danger now, it will still be in danger in a few weeks or months if you quit the Agency and just try to assimilate to normal life! But, if you finish this, and try to get to the bottom of it, you will be a whole lot safer.”
Jon shook his head. “I wish I could believe you.”
Kate closed her eyes and shook her head this time. “Fine. If you won’t do it for me or for you, I’m going to pull the 2 cards I didn’t want to pull.”
“Chad was in the wrong place at the wrong time, Kate- that was not my fault!”
“I’m not talking about Chad.” She got up and knelt down directly in front of Jon. “Nicholas needs you. Are you really going to tell me that he died for no good reason because you refuse to go back and finish this?”
Jon stared straight into her eyes but made no motion.”And the second?”
“Stan needs you. With Nicholas gone, they will be down 2 players. If not for me, the Agency, Nicholas, or yourself, do it for Stan.”
Jon bit his tongue slightly, thinking. “Really? You pull that on me?” The tears came back. He took a deep breath. “Fine.” Jon stood up and walked toward the side exit. “Where’d you park? We’ve got a game to get to!”
Kate smiled. “That’s the Jonathan Mills that I recruited! If he could ever find out- you would make your father very proud of you!”

Chapter 24

Stay tuned! Another chapter coming tomorrow!

CHAPTER 24

Kate screeched to a halt in the Mills driveway. She kept the car running as she got out of the car, walked up to the front door and hollered Jon’s name. Jiggling the handle, Kate could not get in the front door. She marched out to the Mills family mailbox, stopping the car and pulling her keys from the ignition on her way, and grabbed the hidden magnetic key box. She quickly opened the box and tossed the two separate pieces aside. She used to key to enter the front door.
“Good job! Finally learning to lock your door, huh?” Kate paused and listened to the house. The heat was on, but there was no discernable movement. “Jon? Jon? Are you here?” She closed the door and slowly unholstered her gun.
The gun pointed down the stairwell first then up the split level entry stairwell as she took a few steps up the stairs.
“Jon? You okay? Are you here?”
As Kate came to the top of the stairs, she scanned the front room and the kitchen. She walked through the front room looking for any signs of any disturbance or struggle- anything out of place- torn fabric, a tipped over table, anything. But, the house looked normal. It looked as she remembered it when they left this morning.
Kate slowly walked through the entire house, gun drawn, just in case, poking under beds, peeking in closets, but coming up with nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing seemed to have been moved or touched. After a tour of the house and finding nothing out of the ordinary, Kate holstered her gun.
Her second search of the house was less concerned with people jumping out of concealed spaces and more concerned with finding any trace of Jon.
She went back to the front door and knelt down. Searching for any minute blood drops, she could not find anything.
Kate went back to Jon’s room and opened his closet door to search for his gym bag/ gun hiding place. She reached on top of the shelf inside the closet and felt around, she pushed aside the shirts and pants to look deep inside the closet and on the floor. Nothing.
After doing a quick tossing of the house, she turned up nothing.
Kate sighed heavily, “Dammit, Jon!”

Kate next pulled into the neighborhood which was already lined with cars. She slowed down slightly to avoid hitting the pedestrians lining the street as they headed for the building nestled deep in the neighborhood. As she reached the church parking lot, she pulled in, motioning a large group to cross in front of her, scanning the faces for anyone she knew.
After the crowd passed, she pulled in and parked next to the hearse. Kate rummaged around through her glove compartment (which contained no gloves) and pulled out a cardboard sign which read ‘Clergy’, tossed it on her dashboard and entered the church.
Jake Spencer was either very popular or many people wanted to be next to his now-famous corpse. Being on the basketball team soon to be playing Junior and then being killed in a way that had the public wondering about the reasons behind it had created a swarm of interest in this teenager.
Jake’s family, none of whom Kate had ever met, had cordoned off the front of the church for official family and friends of the family. Another section of seating was screened off for classmates and work associates. The very back of the room had no chairs and was the equivalent of general admission. Kate scanned each area and looked for Jon. While looking, she noticed Bender in the middle section so, scan completed, she subtly flashed a badge to gain admittance to the center section. She sidled up next to her boss.
“Have you seen him?” she asked Walter.
“Not yet. I saw Stan and Greg come in a little while ago, but I lost them in the crowd. I assume they’ll be up front somewhere.”
“Did it look like they knew anything?”
“Regarding Nick’s death or Jon’s disappearance? There was nothing indicating that they did. They were as happy as they could be at a funeral service.”
“Shit. Keep your eyes open. I’m going back out in the fray!” Kate walked to the hallway surrounding the chapel and overflow seating section. She hugged the inside wall and slowly made her way around the building.
As she walked by an outside door, she saw Aleisha Madsen walk in. Kate turned around and followed her for a moment. Aleisha didn’t say anything as she walked down the hallway. Kate got behind her and waited until they were in front of an open classroom door. When they were, Kate grabbed her by the elbow and guided her into the room.
“Hey!” Aleisha hissed.
Kate shut the door behind them and put her finger to her lips. “Shh! It’s okay. It’s just me.”
Aleisha was noticeably perturbed. “Who the hell are you exactly, anyway?”
Kate put her arms out in front of her, palms facing Aleisha. “Hold on, please. I know it’s been weird the last few days and I apologize. I know you want to blame me for everything and I also know that it probably looks very strange when seen from the outside, but, let me assure you, everything is okay.”
“That was a whole lot of words which said absolutely nothing.”
“You’re right and I apologize. I just need you to trust me and know that we want the same thing.”
Aleisha stood back and folded her arms across her chest.” To date Jon? If so, back off, I’ve been here a lot longer than you have!”
Kate was taken aback herself. “No! I mean, no, I don’t want to date Jon. He’s a great guy and all, but, no! What I meant was that we both want what is best for him and for him to be safe.”
“Why wouldn’t he be safe?”
“Huh?”
“Why wouldn’t Jon be safe?”
Kate hadn’t caught her poor choice of words until now. Now, she would have to backpedal. “I just meant that we want what’s best for him. And safe because who knows who killed Jake Spencer and who knows who could be next?” Kate waited a moment to see if Aleisha would object. Aleisha didn’t object and didn’t open her mouth, but her stance lessened ever so slightly. Kate took this as an opening. “Just this week, Jon got a job. It’s on a probationary period and he asked that no one know about it in case he was not kept on, so I tried to respect his wishes. My name is Kate and I am his new boss. He told me that he was coming here and, since we both knew Jake, I wanted to make sure that he was okay, you know, emotionally…and stuff.”
Aleisha managed a small smirk. “He is a bit of a goof and could be having a hard time with this.”
Kate knew she had won her over. “Yes, he can be, but that’s why we hired him in the first place.” Kate smiled warmly. “Have you seen him today? Was he going to meet you here?”
Aleisha shook her head.” I haven’t seen him or talked to him today. The last time I saw him was when you kicked me out of his house-“ she glared at Kate.
Way to stand up for yourself, Kate thought, swelling in pride for Aleisha, however, please retract the claws just a little. “I was wrong about that and for that I apologize. I am truly sorry for the way things have gone this week, but I promise you that it has nothing to do with you and just the timing of everything. Jon would kill me for saying this, but he really likes you and is quite upset at me and this job for getting between you two this week, but, after Saturday, I promise that I will give him a few days off.”
Aleisha nodded.
“So, you haven’t seen or talked to him? At all? Since then?”
Aleisha just shook her head. “I wish I had, but no. I was hoping to see him at school today before we came here. Now, I’m hoping to see him here.”
Kate nodded. “Me too.” Kate handed Aleisha a card. “Here is my number. This is for an answering service that I have. If you do happen to see him or talk to him, please call and let me know. It’s very important.” Aleisha looked at the card in her hand and, without looking back at Kate, nodded. Kate opened the door. “Thank you, Aleisha. And again, I am sorry about this week.”
Aleisha walked out into the hallway and joined the throngs. Kate slumped against the wall. “Oh, boy.” She took a few moments, drew a deep breath

Natalie & Jeremy had come to Jake’s funeral in observer mode- no camera, no recording device, just to observe. They sat near the front of the third section and Natalie’s eyes kept darting back and forth.
“Where are you, Mr. Page?”

Kate slipped back into the main room and waited for the funeral to start.
Bender grabbed her by the elbow. “Are you sure that this is the best place for you to be right now, Kate? We have now lost two agents, we don’t need a third.”
“The killer may show up here, Walter. This is a great place to be! Besides, it is my job to keep Jon safe, and that’s what I mean to do! He was planning on being here, so, if he shows up, I will make sure that he is taken care of! “
“Please make sure that you take care of yourself, too, Kate,” Bender warned as he moved closer to the front.
The funeral started about 15 minutes later and it was a packed house! Kate kept her eyes open for anything that seemed out of place. Between the sobbing family members who lost a young family member too soon, the hysterically crying high school girls, who, Kate noted, would cry hysterically at anything, and the people who just wanted to be at the funeral to gaze because it was on the news, nothing out of the ordinary was happening.
It was interesting, Kate thought, that no one from the Cottonwood team seems to be here.
Coach Malone gave a talk in which he described Jake Spencer as “a one of a kind talent who is already missed very day- whether it is for practice games or team building activities (like going to strip clubs, Kate thought), and Jake will be severely missed at the game tomorrow”. Malone explained that every team member would be wearing a black armband in Jake’s memory.
Kate continued to watch the doors carefully. No Jon.
Jake’s mother got up and told a story of how Jake would always have some new idea that the family would have to take part in. Jake would call up his 2 older brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and immediate family members and he would keep track of birth months and days, the colors of cars that they all owned, the percent of family members who had gone to college- they couldn’t keep the dry erase marker out of Jake’s hands. Jake was also, according to his mother, “the only one who could actually tell how I was feeling at any given time- he was my rock and my mood stabilizer”.
Kate continually watched the doors. She saw Walter making the rounds, very slowly and carefully as he would pass by the open doors. Every once in a while, he would stop and lock eyes with Kate and shake his head. Still no Jon.
About halfway through Jake’s mother’s talk, Kate spotted Stand and Greg near the front. She excused herself from her area and went to sit next to them. Kate made her way up the aisle and, luckily, Stan was sitting right next to the aisle. Kate buried her face in her hands as though she were crying, stepped into the row and pushed Stan’s leg aside. Stan looked up, amazed at how this newcomer could be so brash during the funeral. Seeing it was Kate, he motioned to Greg who moved down a bit to make room for Kate on the row, squishing all who were already seated there.
“Kate?” Stan hissed, barely above a whisper, “what the hell are you doing?”
“Jon’s missing, Stan. Have you seen him?”
“Can’t this wait?”
“No, it can’t. It really can’t. Jon-“
Stan put up his finger. “This is a goddamned funeral, Kate. It can wait until the fat lady sings. You can drive with us to the cemetery and we can chat then.”
Kate continued looking for Jon at the doors and exits until the funeral was over.

As the funeral patrons filed out of the large chapel, Mustache found his way to Malone’s side.
“It’s done, “Mustache told him.

Stan slammed the door to the car. “What the hell is so important that you decided to squish an entire row of unsuspecting funeral goers and try to talk to me while the deceased’s mother was talking?”
“Moss is dead and Jon is missing.”
The car was silent. Greg was the first to speak. “Holy shit.”
“What do you know about it, you guys?”
“Am I a suspect?” Stan asked.
“I didn’t mean to imply that.”
“Not saying that you did. Just asking the question.”
“No. No suspect. Not yet anyways.” Kate flashed a quick smile as she tilted her head backwards, indicating that Stan could start driving. “Moss was dead. In the locker room showers. The Agency has a group over there right now taking care of the scene. All the blood seemed to come from Moss. There was nothing to indicate that there were two deaths. Besides, why kill them both and only take Jon? It doesn’t make sense. I think Jon is alive and hiding out somewhere. I saw some wet footprints leading out of the locker room. Although I have no proof, I think they were Jon’s. Stan, Greg, please. If you know anything, you have to tell me.”
They were about halfway back in the funeral convoy pack. The cemetery was not far and Stan kept his eyes on the road.
“I don’t know,” Greg said. “I assume you checked his house?”
“Of course I checked his house. I thought he’d show up here, so I’ve been watching.”
“Did he stay at school? Maybe even leave and then go back to school?” Stan asked.
“There were no shell casings at all and I doubt that he would have thought enough to pick up his casings. If he didn’t do battle the first time, he wouldn’t go back just a few minutes later with the chance of meeting up with the gunman again. I can guarantee he’s not there.”
“What about at the Agency offices?” Stan offered.
“We have guards and they haven’t reported seeing him. Would he go by your houses?”
Stan and Greg looked at each other. “Jon is not the most- what shall we say?- outwardly social guy. He is not the friend who comes to your place and likes to go out. He would much rather stay in his own little place and be in his cocoon.”
“If that’s how he is, then Jon has come a long way out of his shell this week, then. What would cause him to do that?”
Stan and Greg exchanged glances again. Greg asked, “You really don’t know?”
Kate was taken aback. “No. No, I don’t.”
“He has a big puppy dog crush on you. He likes you, Kate. He likes you.”
Kate was speechless. “But, but what about Aleisha?”
“Aleisha has been around all of our lives. There is a connection there that will never go away. She’s the girl next door. But you-“
Stan jumped in, “You are the promise of big things. You are the one who is the mystery to him. Trust me, Kate, he still really wants to be with Aleisha. But, he would also be perfectly fine to have you on his arm at the Prom come May.”
“Guys, I’m 28- over 10 years older than Jon! Does he really think that something can come of this?”
They reached the cemetery and Stan parked the car. “He doesn’t think anything, Kate. He is like a little puppy dog this week and you have spurred him on. Yes, Jon has an attitude, and yes he has spark and fire, and yes he is smart as a tack, and I bet you that I could go down the list and name you every reason that you recruited him, but the main reason that he has done all of this this past week? It’s you. You asked him to and he obliged. Do you have any idea how many times that I have asked him to play basketball with me? The number is astronomical!”
Kate thought back to 2 nights ago when she kissed Jon. “Oh, shit. I’m the reason that he’s in this much trouble?”
Greg shook his head. “No. he’s the reason. He didn’t have to say yes. He never had to say yes. He could have said no and turned you and your boss out on your ears, but, that’s not Jon, either. He did it because it felt like what was right and, it didn’t hurt that this gorgeous woman was pushing him along. Be honest, Kate. Do you really not know the effect that you have on guys?”
Kate stared at the dashboard and refused to look at either Stan or Greg. “I guess not. I haven’t really thought about that for such a long time. Until the other night-“
Greg’s eyebrows shot up. “The other night?”
Kate closed her eyes tightly- she had said too much. “I, um- nothing happened. Trust me, nothing happened. Jon was a gentleman. I, um- goddammit! I screwed up and I got too close to him and I guess I let him get to close to me. Sometimes I forget-.. Shit! Dammit!” Kate locked eyes with Stan. “We’ve got to find him. I fucked up and I know that now and we have to make sure that he is okay. This whole Junior bullshit can go to hell! I’m sorry, Stan, but it means nothing anymore. The important thing is finding Jon and not losing another Agent over this.” Kate grabbed Stan’s keys and started the car again.
Stan grabbed Kate’s hand, gently but firmly, taking her hand off of the keys, pushing her hands back to the passenger’s side and then held up his hands.
“It’s okay, Kate. We will. I promise. But, again, please, we are at a funeral. Let us go to the graveside service and then we will come back to the car and I will drive all over the city, even to Vegas if we have to, to find Jon. But give us another 20 minutes, please. Jake was a friend, and he deserves respect.”
Kate did not move a muscle for several seconds as she processed the last few days. “Okay. Okay, Stan.” She turned and got out of the car. Greg and Stan followed her and got out and locked their doors behind them. As they came around, she grabbed each of them by the shoulders, faced them, and leaned in and gave each of them a kiss on the cheek.
“Thank you,” she said. “Thank you for being such good friends to him and me. But, remember, the kisses don’t mean a goddamn thing!” She smiled. “Thank you.”
As they walked to the graveside, she reflexively reached back and touched her gun.

Stan pulled the car in front of the Agency house right as the clock ticked 6:30. Kate had the door open before the car had come to a complete stop. Greg and Stan hopped out of the car and had to run to catch up with Kate by the time she reached the door. Kate used several keys to enter the house.
Just inside the door, a large man stood and was obviously prepared to take down an intruder if necessary. Kate strode past him. “Hey, Rocco, these guys are cool.”
Greg whispered to Stan. “Great, his name is Rocco!”
He nodded slightly. “Ms. Thompson. You okay?”
Kate had reached the elevator door, which had opened. She stepped in, as did Greg and Stan, and turned around to face Rocco as the doors closed. “Not even in the slightest.”

Walter had brought 2 more chairs in his office, making a total of 5. Chad Peterson, in a full shoulder sling, had joined Walter, Kate, Greg, and Stan. Kate was pacing in the small space.
“We looked everywhere, Walter. We went back to his house five times, we checked the school three, went to Stan and Greg’s houses twice each, drove by Aleisha’s house every time we left someplace else- he is nowhere!”
“I called the hospitals and airport and bus and train station- he is not listed under his name anywhere at any of those places and no one reports seeing him at any of those places and we have canvassed the area for him,” Chad added.
Walter gave his update. “I have had plain clothes officers from Earl Stanley’s crew keeping an eye on Coach Malone and there is no sign of any contact between him and Jon and nothing in his behavior to think that he knows where Jon is.”
“So, what do we do now?” Greg asked.
Walter sat heavily in his chair. ”There is not much we can do. We’re screwed. Jon has disappeared. We don’t even know if he is alive. There has been no communication from him at all. At this point, we have to just assume that he is dead and search for a body.”
Kate started shaking her head but didn’t say a word.
Walter looked at Stan and Greg. “I am going to need you two to return to your normal lives. Obviously, keep an eye out for Jon. Stop by his house a time or two. Stan, I will need you to talk to Malone and let him know that Jon got called away and will not be able to attend the game. Gauge his reaction and see if you can pick up anything. Based on his reaction, we may be able to at least know if Jon is alive or dead. Chad, I need you to take a team and actually go to the hospitals and directly speak to the admissions doctors and nurses. Find all of the John Does in the area and visually verify that they are not Jon. Kate- I need you to stay out tonight and just drive. See if you can find him randomly. I will grab a team and we will go after Cottonwood’s players, including Junior, and see if we can find anything strange about their behaviors. I’ll make sure Sgt Stanley is checking riverbeds and abandoned buildings with any recent disturbances reported in the areas.
The game starts tomorrow night at 7. We will keep searching until 4 or so, then, if we still can’t find anything, we load up in the gym- meet there about 4:30. There will be plenty of camera crews setting up, we should be able to blend in.. Something will be going down tomorrow night and we have to be on hand to stop it, no matter what it is.
Stan, I will need you on the court. Watch for anything that seems off, Greg, I will want you in the stands, by Kate, to be an extra pair of eyes for her. Chad, I want you patrolling the hallways and I will be walking the gym. We will just do the best we can.”
“Sir?” Greg raised his hand, “Do we need to be deputized or anything?”
Walter scowled. “You’re not going to be given a weapon. Just keep your eyes open.”
“Where does this put us on the team?” Stan asked. “Do we get another agent? We’re down by two players now with no Jon and no Nick.”
“By the rulebooks, you can’t get another substitute player this late. You’ll just have to be down 2 players.”
The feeling in the room was heavy.
“When do we call his parents?” Greg asked.
“We don’t. If he isn’t found by Monday morning, we will put out a missing person report and we’ll call his parents then, but they will never know about us.” Walter replied.
“We let him down,” Kate finally spoke.
Walter nodded silently.
“No, you didn’t let him down. He has had a blast this week. He may be all angsty and shit, but he has had a blast of a week!” Greg said. “In a way, he let you down. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure that the guns and stress and basketball and physical activity and death probably had something to do with his little meltdown but you can’t blame yourselves. He had to jump into a situation before he was ready. This is what happens. But, trust me, if there was anyone who could handle it with as much aplomb as he did, it was Jon. No one else would have come close.”
“We had such high hopes for him,” Walter muttered.
Kate sat up. Then, very specifically, she turned and looked at Greg. “What do you know, Greg?”
“What do you mean?”
“What do you know? It sounds like you know that Jon is alive!”
“I wouldn’t say that I know, exactly….”
Walter and Chad sat up straighter in their chairs.
“What the hell do you know, Greg?” Kate asked again.
Greg looked from one person to another. “Nothing! Honestly! I just know Jon. If he was dead, he would have made sure that they splattered his brain all over the school walls! If we can’t find him, that means that they can’t either- whoever they are.”
Stan smiled. “He’s right, you know.”
“Yes, he is,” Kate smirked. “Let’s go and keep looking!”
Walter nodded. “Got it! Stan, I need you to be our point man out there tomorrow, so I need you to be rested and ready for the game. Please get some rest, you know that Jon would want you to beat this son of a bitch! So, do a round or two of searches and then go to bed. Greg, can you stay up and keep searching?”
“Will do!”
Walter threw him a set of keys. “Take one of the Agency cars.”
“I got my own! Stan, can you take me to pick up my car?” He threw the keys back to Bender.
“Actually, Greg,” Kate piped up, “I’ll take you to pick up your car since mine is still at the church and then I can use the Agency car and pick mine up later.” Kate opened her hands. Walter obliged and tossed the keys right back to her. She caught them and went to the door, stopping just before opening it.
“For Jon,” she said silently.
“For Jon,” the others repeated as they walked out of the office.

Oscar pre-show

First ridiculous comment of the show- Do you like funny Jonah or serious Jonah? "I dont know what kind of message the Academy is sending by saying that your life gets better when you get skinnier. I'm not saying that's not true, but..."

Talking about Milla Jovovich, "Most recently seen in The Fifth Element"

Talking to the Director of The Artist, "Will there be an Artist 2?"