Night Out: A Tale of Mystery and Queer Dealings
By
Nathanael Smith


I suppose it all began when Merlin asked me if I had anything planned for this evening. No, I suppose it actually began when I got a computer with DVD capabilities and some really restrictive laws concerning what I was to do when and things like that. But it really got going a little faster when Merlin came up and asked me what I had planned for this evening.

I, the picture of perfect innocence, open my eyes really big and blurt out: "No, but we could watch a DVD!" Like I said, I tried to sound innocent.

"Yeah, that's what I was thinking," Merlin's response. He obviously had expected a response like he'd recieved. In fact, if I'd answered something different, I'm pretty sure he would look at me with a look that said "What the Fuzz?!?!?" and went away and talked to some amish chick or other.

"What do you wanna watch?" Me again. Fast again. Expected, again.

Pause. He's getting better with his 'casual' imitation. "Uh... Doesn't Joel have MI2?"

"Yeah"

"Where is he, anyway?"

"Uh... I don't know. Probably at school, or something." My bright ideas never cease to amaze me.

"Nah. Maybe he's still working." Darn. There goes MY bright idea. "Why don't you call him and find out?"

Long story short, I called Joel while Merlin invited a couple more people, subterfugatiously, of couse.

Joel wasn't at work, and when we finally tracked him down at home, he had relatives over. He indicated that he would be unable to tear himself away from his noble party, but said that we could borrow the DVD, if we could find a suitable excuse. We decided on Jolt. When I deliver the goods, he delivers the goods.

Merlin had everyone rounded up by now, and we were ready to go. But I had to pick up the Jolt, first. So I went home, but stayed on the road with my headlights off. I crept in my window through the back way, grabbed a Jolt, and left. Quite easy, but nerve-wracking anyway.

When I got to Joel's, I went down to his room and gave him the one set of goods, and slipped the other good stuff into my sock, went upstairs to say "hi" to the rest of the family and the company (Just to look properly innocent, of course... Nothing like an alibi that the judge can attest to!), and, after talking for a short while, I left. Still with the DVD pressed tightly against my ankle. At that point, I went straight to Center, parked in back where there was already a car parked, and oozed in. It rocked.

And I don't even think anyone knows. Except for us, of course.