svetlanacat6 | The Pandora's Bow, 4 (Reply)

“So, mama, does the Uncle still exist?”

“Yes, my Sasha, yes, it does.”

“Is... is Napoleon still working there?”

“I am not sure. I don't know, Sasha. When you dad left the Uncle, Napoleon wasn't there and when he came back, well, he was taken aback., and perhaps a little angry.”

“Mum... Papa told me that he had left because he was “too old for the job”.... but...”

“Yes, Sasha?”

“He isn't old... he told me, too, that it was a dangerous job.”

'A very, very dangerous job, Sasha. A job for very brave men, and very brave women. You have to know, my son, that amongst all the Uncle agents, your father and Napoleon were the bravest.”

“Do you know why papa left the Uncle, mama?”

“Yes, I do. And no, I won't tell you. Whatever happened, neither your father nor Napoleon were to be blamed for.”

“But...”

“But it's not of... of our business. If we're lucky, we'll find Napoleon, and...”

“Are going to call the Uncle? Can we do that?”

“Yes, Sasha. And before you ask... no, I didn't call them since I left, and since I married your dad.”

“But you could have...”

“Yes...”

“Perhaps Napoleon is still working there... he could know about us...”

“He could, Sasha. But I am really sure that he didn't look for us. He probably didn't want to... knowing that Illy... you father had left...”

“It's...”

'Stupid, yes, Sasha. So... let's call the Uncle?”

“Right now? Oh yes, mama!”

***

“Mr Solo?”

“Yes, Lisa?”

“Here are your appointments for tomorrow.”

“Show me....Yes... yes... Oh, Lisa... who is A.K.Mallard?”

“Er... Mr. Mallard is a young man, sir, who has been highly recommended... I think that he come here for an inquiry. A sort of essay...”

“Oh, no... You can be N° 1, Section 1.... You have no choice when “someone” is “highly” recommended. So, I'll meet Mr. A K Mallard. He'll ask one hundred questions about law, enforcement, and the price of a coffee at the cafeteria... Don't laugh, Lisa! And eventually,the hundredth will be : “How could I become an Uncle agent?” Things were more simple when we were a bit less well-known. I just imagine Alexander Waverly's face, if he had...”

“But he had to, Nap... er, Mr Solo. Mr. Waverly often meet people like... this.”

“Lisa, would you please tell me why you don't call me Napoleon, as you did before?”

“ “Before” is the answer, Mr. Solo, Number 1, Section 1.”

“So, Mr. A. K. Mallard, 4 pm. ... Lisa, what does a “A K Mallard” drink? Beer? Whiskey? Tea? Coffee? ... You'll see to this.”

“Yes, sir. Of course, sir.”

“Lisa...”

***

“Ell, oh, dear, I am so happy to see you! And... you... oh, you, my... you're Alexander?”

“Good afternoon, madam. Yes, I am Alexander. But you can call me Sasha.”

“Sasha... of course. You are really... Illya's son, you know. I am eager to see Napoleon's face...”

“Does Mr. Solo know who I am, madam?”

“No, young man. And I'll call you Sasha only if you call me Lisa. Napoleon is waiting for Alexander K. Mallard. He asked for whiskey, beer, coffee...”

“But I don't...”

“Will orange juice be fine, Sasha?

“Yes, Mad... er... Mama, is it right of me to call this lady Lisa?”

“She asked you to do so, Sasha. So, I think it's right.”

“Yes, Lisa.”

“Thank you, Sasha... and look, I got some old - not so old – photos for you... with your father and Napoleon... You can sit down here. Ell... Your Sasha is a wonderful little boy.”

“Yes, he is, really. One thing, though: if you want him to love you... you should wipe off “little”... Lisa, I am not so sure, now...”

“Not so sure? Napoleon will be fond of Sasha, Ell. I was so happy to hear of you and Illya!”

“But perhaps Napoleon won't be so happy...”

“He'll be, Ell. What about Sasha's sister?”

“Antonya. She's six years old, and she was a bit angry, because we didn't take her with us, but she has a difficult mission to fulfill, so...”

“A mission?”

“She has to keep her daddy busy for two days...”

“Alexander and Antonya... That's amazing.”

“And funny, apparently... why are you laughing?”

“Let me tell you about a young lady, Alexandra, and a younger man, Elijah. Alex is about eight years old, Elijah about six...”

“I knew it, mum, I knew it. And, Lisa, may I ask you something?”

“Of course, Sasha, you...may.”