Part 2

Chapter 5
The Elvis Connection

Due to my amnesia I don't really remember who Elvis is, but in the picture he is shaking my hand. Somehow I couldn't explain what happened next, but it was like a flash of a moment in my past. I remember being in a dark room with two police officers gathering evidence. We were looking at three photos. One of me shaking hands with the mayor. The other was one of Elvis shaking hands with a man I did not know. The third was the photo I was looking at now. In the photo I was shaking hands and exchanging money with Elvis, but the image of me and Elvis had been taken from the first two photographs. After this memory passed I slowly came back to my senses.

It felt like someone had punched me in the gut. It was good to have a memory, but why had someone gone thru the trouble to make a fake picture of me and Elvis. Why was this picture here in Japan? Why not Las Vegas? Whoever these ninjas were, they were somehow connected to me, albeit thru a variety of bad guys.

I decided I wouldn't bother with the file or the computer which were in Japanese. I could understand the language, I just couldn't read it.

The classified document on the other hand was in English. It was a lot of statistics on population and popular viewpoints. The viewpoints expressed everything from video games to what kind of underwear people wear. By the looks of it, some business was preparing to come overseas from the US.

I decided I should question the ninjas. They were on the floor tied up back to back. I unmasked the first one ... then the second ... then the third. Oh no. They're faces were green ... and blank. They were all either green with envy, space aliens, or very ill. But a broken needle laying on the ground hinted at some sort of suicide drug. Oh nuts. I checked they're pulse, this time they were really dead.

I studied the needles for a clue, but my faulty memory was unable to piece any of it together. Then suddenly, my hands shook, my head ached, I seriously needed some Tylenol, and then the classified document fell from my hands laying open on the ground. Staring at me as plain as day was E.L.V.I.S. Everyone Lives at Virus Inoculate Syndicate. Better known as the "Elvis Pharmacy." I had a vague memory of tracing some drug there from some investigation.

Then my memory shot thru me again. For every memory I had I felt more and more pain. The Elvis Pharmacy was started in Las Vegas by an Elvis impersonator who happened to have a medical degree. He started up the business as a way to help the poor obtain medicine. Then thru support of other impersonators his pharmacy started a chain giving him business in every state and every major city throughout the US.

Then another memory this one was complex ... I didn't remember seeing anything but it was a voice that said, "You fool! You gave him too much! I want him to remember this ....... "

Another voice rang in my memory, "I'll try to compensate ... what he will remember may be painful ... "

"Painful?" the first voice asked.

"Yes they will hurt him. And will take over his senses ... "

Chapter 6
The 3^rd Corridor

What did they do to me? The memory faded. I sat there a while then for some absurd reason I looked at the photo again ... it looked like I was being paid off ... HOLY SCHNICKEYS! That's it! The photograph was made to frame me for something. I must've got too close to some bad guy then someone played with my memories.... This didn't make any sense as far as working it together but I was on the right track. The pharmacy must be linked to this whole thing. My memories, the suicide drug, and even the coming to Japan to expand business on foreign shores.

This was great! I figured out all that stuff and I still haven't got the faintest clue as to who I am! Just a very small collection of loosely linked memories ... that hurt.

I decided I'd better get moving. I grabbed all the evidence, the documents, the file, the photograph, and put them in my pockets. Then I went down the 3^rd corridor. It was all dark and spooky. Oh man, I wish I knew where I was ...

Bonk!

"OW!" I screamed. What was that? I reached out my hand to see or feel what I had run into. It feels like a box of some sort with a switch on top. I don't have much to lose so I flipped the switch. A big map lit up on the front of it with a big arrow pointing to a dot. Next to it was written, "YOU ARE HERE."

Let's see now ... I got to take the next right and it's the next ladder up after that to the airport. I'll just go to the airport with my "enemy provided" passport and money and get the next flight home. Where ever home is ... Then it hit me, I'll just go to Las Vegas where the main offices of E.L.V.I.S. are.

I felt my way along the wall of the corridor and took the next right. I then felt my way to the ladder. It was still very dark. I climbed up the ladder and felt kind of a door above my head. Opening the door the hole I was in was flooded with light. I climbed out and as my eyes adjusted I found that I was in some bathroom stall. The exit to the corridor I had just climbed of was cleverly disguised as a toilet ... at least I hope it was a disguise.

I exited the bathroom finding myself in the airport. And thank goodness, I had just exited the men's restroom and not the ladies, that could've been very embarrassing.

I then bought my ticket to Las Vegas, and I had to hurry to my plane. The movie on the plane was called, "Clean Slate," it was about about a Detective who loses his memory continuously ... whoever heard of such a stupid plot?

I also got another horrifying memory of myself, I get airsick real easily. After a really long flight, I wobbled out the door of the plane and tripped down the steps. While I was on the ground I kissed it. It was just so good to be home ... or at least in the vicinity thereof.

Popping back up instantaneously I marched directly to the nearest phone and did what any honest, hard working, American would do. I called a cab. The cab arrived at the airport rather quickly.

"Where do you want to go?" asked the cab driver, which I think means ... no wait, he said that in English, didn't he? Nevermind.

I hopped in and replied, "Elvis pharmacy, pronto!"

A while later he pulled up to a building and said, "That'll be $10."

I reached into my wallet, "Uh oh."

"Uh oh? What do you mean, Uh oh?" he asked.

"Do you take Yen?" I asked him.

"No. Do you like a fist in your face?" he retorted.

"That's not very nice," then I thought of a plan. A plan that any honest, hard working, American would do, I said, "Keep the meter running. I'll be right back."

Chapter 7
E.L.V.I.S.

I crept into the pharmacy's entrance way. It was long and dark, just like the corridor in Japan. It was quiet, too quiet. It was just lit enough to see where I was going. Dimly lit lamps aligned the walls, each underneath and illuminating millions of pictures of Elvis. A chill went down my spine. There was even a painting of Elvis like one of those paintings in Scooby-Doo where the eyes seem to follow you. Then my stomach cramped ... not only did I forget to exchange the Japanese money for American money, but I also forgot to bring a gun.

"Sir?"

"YAAAAHHH!!!!" I screamed with fear. Jumping I turned to a desk at my left with a young woman sitting down at it. It was ....... the receptionist.

"Huh?" I said a bit confused.

"May I help you?" she asked smiling at my fright.

"Yes, you should turn on some lights around here ... its spooky," I replied. It was also at this moment that I realized that Elvis didn't know that I might not know who I am, and that I had forgotten this, so I didn't know that he no longer knows the me that I know because of my amnesia. He also doesn't know I'm back, so I now know more than he knows ... I think. Anyway it basically boils down to the fact that since he doesn't know ... stuff ... that I should be treated like any other customer or patient ... at least until he sees me. Sometimes my thoughts tend to ramble.

"The lights are supposed to be like this. Anything else I can help you with?" she asked.

"Yes, I could use some help," I said especially knowing all the knows I know. I rolled my eyes at the thought then realized something odd as I looked around, "Where are your other patients? The place is empty."

"Oooh," she said oddly, "We're closed today?"

"Then why are the doors open and why are you here? I mean you are a receptionist and your job is to greet customers, and since there aren't any ..... " I would've analyzed more, but she opened up a drawer and pulled out a semi-automatic gun type weapon. My eyes widened and my jaw dropped. "Huh?" was all I could say after that.

"You are one of our spies aren't you? I mean this is all in the code book, isn't it?" she then put the gun on the table and pulled a book from out of another drawer, it was entitled, "CODE BOOK." She thought I was one of Elvis's spies. So I went with it.

"Yeah," I answered.

"I need $5000 in Japanese dollars ... or however you say it. I'm new here," she said with a cute giggle.

Amazingly that was all I had left of the Yen, so I gave it to her. She took it, then handed me the gun and American money of the same amount.

"Thanks," I said now realizing that the drugs were just the tip of the iceberg here at the pharmacy. Money laundering, Gun trafficking, and who knows what other crimes took place here. I looked up at her again and said, "By the way, I need to see the boss."

"Top floor. The VP's office, you know where it is," she replied pointing to the elevator.

"Thanks," I said as I walked past her to the elevator. I pushed the button and walked inside. Wait a minute! If she's new here and never seen me before, what makes her think I know the way?

I stepped back out of the elevator and quietly made my way up to her from behind. I heard her say, "He's coming right up, sir. He's so stupid he doesn't expect a thing!" She hung up the phone.

"That's what you think. You really need to get a new code book," I smirked pointing my gun at her.

"Eek," she squeaked dropping her pen. She spun around quickly with another gun. I pulled the trigger.

CLINK!

"Clink? Isn't it supposed to go, Bang?" I asked.

"You don't really think I'd give you a loaded weapon? Did you?" she gloated.

"Well, yeah," I said.

She reached down into the desk drawer again and I did the only thing I could think of. I threw my gun at her.

THUNK!

She was out cold. I walked over to her and took her gun. This time I checked to see if it was loaded. It was. Then I got curious and checked out the desk drawer. Inside was a little diary. She had just finished writing,

He's so stupid ....

Why I oughtta ... I took it out and shot it to smithereens.

Once again I headed for the elevator. I pushed the button and waited for the door to open. Suddenly I heard, "Hold it, Midnight!"

I turned around and saw the cab driver holding a gun on me.

"I was going to come back and pay you. Honest," I tried to reason with him.

"It's not your money I want. It's your life," he smirked. Do I not have any friends? I pulled the trigger, BANG! I missed. "You tried to shoot me?!!!!" He exclaimed.

"Well, yeah? You're going to kill me," I explained.

Suddenly from out of the dark a whizzing noise came closer and started bouncing off the walls then we heard a thunk in a dark corner. A life size Elvis statue fell on my would be killer smashing him to the floor. The elevator dinged and I hopped in. I headed straight to the top floor ... finally.

Chapter 8
Elvis

I reached the top floor in one piece. I walked straight to the VP's door. Wait! He's going to be expecting me, thanks to little-miss-he's-so-stupid. But I have to face him. Hey, he doesn't know that I have a loaded gun. That's one thing in my favor. Also if I scream something as I bust thru the door maybe I'll surprise him.

Let's see what should I say? It has to be some sort of calling card. It has to bring this story to it's climax, something people will look for in the sequel.

"I'll be back," I said out loud to myself. No no already been done. "Let's get dangerous ... " No too cartoony. Oooo I know, "Always put things back where you find them." This might take a while. About 15 minutes passed and I was still outside the VP door trying to think of a catch phrase. By now I was pacing speaking out loud to myself, "Don't worry, be happy ... Always wash behind your ears ... now I sound like my mother ... uh, uh ... Too be continued? OH! DRAT! ... wait that's it! DRAT! He'll never see it coming."

"DRAT!" I screamed kicking in the door, "OW!" the door was still closed. Maybe I'll just try the doorknob. The door was now open and I walked inside. I found the Elvis impersonator (in all his glory) sleeping in his chair. He was impersonating the older, fatter Elvis. "This is a bit anti-climatic ... drat." I then put my gun to his noise and said, "Wake up!"

He woke up rather startled saying, "Don't be cruel." When he saw the gun, he asked, "When did you get here? (Waiting till I went to sleep then sneaked up on me?) You ain't nothin' but a hound dog."

"Don't insult me. I'm the one with the gun."

"Don't I get one last request before doin' the jailhouse rock?" the Elvis impersonator asked.

"Oh, all right, whadya want?" I asked.

"That jelly donut on the desk there, " he said pointing to a doughnut on his desk. It was in a Donut doughnuts box. The best doughnut is a Donut.

"Okay, pick it up and eat it," I said rolling my eyes, "I learned a long time ago you don't stand between a fat Elvis and his doughnuts ... Hey a memory ... uh-oh," My head hurt, "The pain!"

Elvis seized the donut and it separated in two linked by a chain becoming a pair of donut nunchuks knocking the gun out of my hands.

"Hahaha," he laughed.

"Drat," I replied, my head was still aching. Whack! Being smacked with the nunchuks didn't help either. I spun around hitting the wall. Elvis spun me around and hit me again, this time sending me thru the wall. By this time I was getting pretty dizzy. Elvis came thru the hole in the wall that I made making it a lot bigger.

"So the memory drugs worked, huh?" Elvis asked standing there gloating.

"What did you do to me?" I questioned.

"Here at the pharmacy we specialize in all sorts of drugs. I wanted you to lose all memory of the case so you couldn't come after me, but I wanted you to remember me so you would stay away, but my Priscilla nurses gave you too much of the amnesia drug. So we gave you another one that would bring some of your memories back but they cause great pain when you remember them."

"Yeah, I can tell," I said rubbing my head. Then I started looking around.

Inside the room there was another Elvis. This one was younger, skinnier, tied up and gagged. Fat Elvis moved slow and I had just enough time to grab a pair of scissors from off the floor and cut the skinny Elvis free.

Skinny Elvis took off his gag, picked up the chair and said, "You're goin' down, Big Boss Man!" to Fat Elvis who was now choking me. Then Skinny Elvis slammed the chair into Fat Elvis's back, but it just bounced off.

"Oh no I won't!" said Fat Elvis who then dropped me and went for skinny Elvis.

Gasping for air I crawled back into the other room to look for my gun. I see it! I reached for it, but suddenly I was pulled away from it. Fat Elvis had finished pounding the snot out of Skinny Elvis and now he had my feet "Oh no you don't," Fat Elvis threatened.

Then I heard a loud clang and Fat Elvis let go. I seized the moment, or rather my gun, then turned around and fired. Good Elvis had hit him on the head with a chair giving me the time I need to get the gun and shoot Fat Elvis. All this and there was only one small problem ... Fat Elvis was falling in my direction ... "Drat."

I lost all consciousness.