Papergirl stiffled a yawn. She had been listening to her boss, Howyadoin, rant for the past hour and a half about Jack Tango and his Cult.

Dear God, she thought to herself, doesn't this man ever shut up?! Oh well, at least he's not trying to get me to table dance for him. . .

Suddenly, her attention was caught when How said, "Still, just because the Ontario government has always been such a damn bunch of reactionary rightwing quasi-fascists doesn't mean I should assume Jack's one of 'em, too."

Papergirl decided that she better diffuse the situation quickly. "That's right! You shouldn't assume the wor--"

But, How cut her off. "Then again, he is making some pretty savvy political moves in the damn cult of his - which shoulda been MINE, dammit."

"Now, Boss. . . Let's not jump to conclusions here."

But How kept muttering and ranting and cursing Jack Tango. Calling him all sorts of vile names. He was not paying any attention to her.

Papergirl turned her back to How, pretending to straighten up some papers in one of the filing cabinets. But, what she was really doing was whispering into a little microphone hidden in her pendant.

"Pssst! Jack! Code: RED!" Papergirl whispered softly into the microphone. "Quick! I think he's onto ya! Change of plans! Initiate Plan: Obfuscate immediately."

Suddenly, she noticed that How had calmed down and seemed more reasonable. She turned back to him, smiling. "You really shouldn't let your emotions over the whole cult thing get to ya. Really, it was a close race. Next year, it'll be yours, Boss!"

How glanced at her, then stood up quickly announcing, "I just remembered something really important I have to do. You stay here; I'll be RIGHT back."

Damn, she thought, I need to get this information to Jack. . .

Papergirl smiled at her boss then glanced at her watch. "Oh, damn! Look at the time! I have an appointment to get my plants neutered! Must run! I've had a grand time, Boss! We simply *must* do this again sometime!"

And, without a glance backward, she slipped past him and out of the door of the Vertigo Board.

As she quickly made her way down the hallway, she didn't hear him say, "Yes, certainly. Have your secretary call mine."

She also didn't notice him slip surreptitiously into the shadows.

And, she never heard that evil voice that her boss uses wondering aloud, "Now where's that damn Tango..."

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