#jack up that bar cadet

[jontheketeld]

[bunnys-kisses]

show-off (price's version)

capt. john price

cw: smut/pwp, filth, dirty talk, filming, mirror sex, doggy style, age gap (20s/40s)

simon's version | johnny's version | kyle's version

what belonged to price, belonged to no one else. that was sort of the rule. but that didn't mean that price didn't share... images. while the rest of 141 couldn't touch what was his, they could touch themselves to photos and videos of price's "puppy".

the cute little failed cadet that price swept away to a charmed little life. he told the boys you did better as a girlfriend than a cadet.

"ain't she a beauty?" price beamed over drinks on evening, "prettiest fuckin' thing i'd ever seen. let's me do all kinds of dirty things to her. she's my baby girl." then laughed.

even in a photo the other members of the team were chubbed in their pants. you just had this charm to you that greatly turned them on, you beyond gorgeous.

it made them a little jealous, and price knew that.

simon, johnny and kyle all woke up on the second day of their time off, to a video file in the group chat. the file was dense in size. what they didn't expect was the following.

you were in front of the mirror with price holding his phone camera. in the reflection was your naked body knelt in front of the full length mirror. price was behind you, he was nude as well. his built. hairy body was such a contrast to you.

you looked so small compared to him. like he had plucked you from the heavens and bounced you on his cock. you held onto the carpet under you as you rolled your hips.

"that's it darlin'." he said, "that's my baby girl." his voice was low, but picked up by the microphone on the phone. there was a nice sheen of sweat of your body as you worked yourself on price's cock like a good girl.

"john, please." you whimpered as you tried to keep yourself up right. withering on his cock was he stayed perfectly still. he was letting you do all the work.

"look up at the mirror, love. show the boys what their missin'." price chuckled as he rubbed his cock inside of you. the stimulation made you moan. when he saw that you weren't looking, he used his free hand to yank on your face till you were looking right at the mirror, "bad girl." he said, "and i was just gloatin' about ya to the team. tellin' them how much of a good girl you were for me. listenin' and, waitin' with legs open."

you whimpered as you continued to jack hammer your hips against him. there was a fire burning in your belly as you fucked yourself on price's cock. you made him promise that this wasn't going to be sent to everyone on base. price told you it was just "for the boys".

which meant simon, johnny and kyle all had the luxury of seeing you fuck yourself on their captain's cock.

"see how she is, boys?" he asked the camera, his eyes on the screen to make sure that they could see the video in the clearest definition, "ya gotta get yourself a good girl. ya keep findin' them at clubs and bars. don't bother, find yourself one who's eager to please. make her a better wife than a solider." price laughed before he buried his face in your neck and gave you what you craved.

movement of his hips.

you were practically face first in the carpet as price started to fully take over. the camera panned away from the mirror down to the back of your head as he took control.

your noises were so sweet they bordered on pathetic. the sounds of your wet pussy filled the room and easily caught on video. price got right in there, watching your pussy take him too his root.

"see boys." he said, "just find yourself a good girl like that. maybe if you behave, she'll tell her friends all about the task force." he laughed, the idea of your sweet friends ending up with someone like simon was almost adorable.

you whimpered and he held your head into the carpet, your ass right in the air as he started to really work at your pussy. your ass bounced with each hard thrust.

"pretty little slut." price laughed as he fucked you into the carpet, "knows how to keep her man happy, and it ain't from good cookin'!" he erupted in laughter as he just ruined your cunt.

his pace became ragged, his thrusts more desperate than before. he sole focus was getting to finish inside of you. but you beat him to it, you clawed at the carpet and whined. your pussy clamped around price's thick cock. you orgasm spurred his on and he almost dropped his phone as he buried his entire length into you.

a few heavy pants and he slowed down. he managed to focus himself enough to film himself pulling out his bare cock out of your sweet pussy. watching the stretch as the entire thing came out.

he pointed the camera one last time and asked, "ready for another round?" followed by a airy laugh.

you responded by lifting your head and nodded. you looked painfully blissed out. but ready for more. and price was going to give you more.

the video ended and a few minutes later, price sent a message.

rise and shine, boys! the message said, early bird gets the worm! followed by an image of your cum filled pussy as you laid on the carpet.

the rest of task force 141 was not embarrassed to admit the video and photo were quickly saved for later usage. what would they say, price's girl was just fuckable.

[strawbubbysugar]

Happy birthday Bubby!

Couple more questions!

-Are you able to say everyone’s ages in So(u)l, including the animatronics?

-Does June ever play his guitar and sing in public or at bars or anything or does he only do that at home now?

-Soulmate question, kinda regarding Rush and Morgan’s bond, does that imply that if you don’t have a soulmate due to your previous one passing away, you can get a new bond later even if your future soulmate already exists? Like the string will “wait” kinda until they’re ready? Or was Morgan and Rush’s string there right when Rush woke up?

-What are June, Hello, and Goodbye’s main fidgets/stims?

-Okay this might be weird lol but I’m curious, what are Hello and Goodbye’s favorite little things that June does in his sleep? Does he talk, twitch, unconsciously cling to them like a koala, anything like that?

-What kind of odd jobs does June do on the side?

Thank you!!

i wanna keep it vague, but June is roughly in his mid 20's matt is roughly in his mid-late 30's Marlow is roughly one year younger than June Morgan is two years older than June Hello is a year old (his AI is somewhere around June's age) Goodbye was a year older than June (now the same age as Hello) Rush is around 8 years old (his ai is early 30's) Wibble is around 6 years old (his ai is the same as Rush) Cammie is 4 around years old (her ai is the same as wibble and rush) Octavia is around 2 years old, but was technically never completed (her size makes it much easier to fit a more complex system in her, so her mental age is around 40) The skrittles have the same AI age as toddlers, but theyre a few months old Astro Cadet has been worked on off and on for about six years, and his ai is about the same age. It grows much slower than the WOW branded animatronics

Absolutely no in public things. He's gotten a lot more shy about performing since his band days. He only ever plays for hello/goodbye and piper

Soulmate marks are all about right time, right place. if you arent the version of yourself that would be soulmates with someone, no markings will show up. Morgan was a very different person with their last soulmate, and their life experiences changed who they are. it happens! people change, especially as they get older. its why a lot of people are told not to be upset if they dont get any markings until later on (SPOILERS BELOW) Its why samir and june didnt have any soul marks until samir was goodbye. he wasnt the person that wouldve been soulmates with june yet, he needed to experience and change and grow before that would happen. So did june!

June chews his lip a lot, and sighs. Sometimes he sighs for no reason just because he forgot to breathe. I think his favourite fidget toy would be one of those fidget cubes Hello stims by waving/flapping his arms, or playing with his hands. I think he'd enjoy fidget spinners or rubix cubes! Goodbye stims with squeezing/pressure. He'd enjoy weighted blankets, and I think he'd enjoy stress balls. Ones with thick stuff inside so he can really squeeze down

Hello likes it when June sighs in his sleep, or mumbles. Goodbye thinks its funny when he snores on occasion, and records it to play it back while pretending to nap. (taking inspiration from my roommate bc its hilarious, sometimes june will make the saddest, softest little sigh in his sleep and hello will wake him up like "WERE YOU HAVING A BAD DREAM ARE YOU OKAY" & june will be entirely confused)

June does a lil of everything. people in town come to him for a lot of stuff like yard work, painting houses/fences, cleaning houses. He occasionally comes into bryn's office and helps with anything they might need too, like fixing the chairs, etc. He's known as a jack of all trades around town (which makes him feel nostalgic, since that used to be what he called his childhood best friend)

[overseer-picard]

Holy moly that new episode of Picard.

My highlights:

Threading the flashback of Picard talking to the cadets throughout the episode juxtaposed with present Jack saying he's happy being alone and doesn't need anything from Picard then BAM, the final kicker of seeing Jack at the bar. And that look of a broken little kid who just heard his father say he didn't care about having a family. Damn. That's why they had to get an experienced actor for the part, there's some serious baggage to heft.

Shaw. I'm liking this guy. He's still a jerk but a broken and smart jerk and I like those.

Finally a tender moment between Riker and Troi (I do desperately await the moment Deanna, Geordi, and Worf find out Beverly and Picard have a kid).

After years of some horrendous, downright silly sounding technobabble from the new shows, we finally got some that sounds believable and has logical connection (I suspect there's an Okuda behind this).

Picard actually taking command and acting like a commander.

Beverly figuring things out on her own because that's just who she is.

Picard and Jack implicitly trusting her plan immediately.

Beverly using the power of friendship to coax Riker out of his (valid) fear prison.

Cute lil space jelly fish babies.

WHAT IS GOING ON WITH JACK WHY IS HE "THE ASSET" WHAT ARE HIS VISIONS AND WHY ARE THEY SO SCARY?? Consider me... as the kids say... invested.

My one small gripe was establishing that OG Jack Crusher was at the academy with Picard. It opens up a weird, undefined can of worms, timeline wise. TNG was vague with Jack's details so it's not canon breaking but now I wish the two friends in "Tapestry" had been Beverly and Jack.

[shadowbunnydragon]

To Elite: I wonder how Judy, Jack, Thomas and any bunny would feel about the story of the tortoise and the hare

Thomas: "Uh, we have that story, actually. I grew up hearing it and applying the logic of it. I.e., slow and steady wins the race."

Jack: "And of course, instead of it being about a rabbit slacking off, that old specist story just had to have it be a hare who got all cocky and lackadaisical and fell asleep, letting the dumb tortoise win!"

Judy: "Jack, you can't possibly be saying that this is a story of specist propaganda! Hares slacking off is not even a stereotype!"

Jack: "Is so! I've heard mentioning it all my life! Even from some members of my own family!"

Thomas: "... Uh, Officer Savage... are you certain that those comments were directed towards hares in general or..."

Jack: "Or what?"

Judy: "Maybe you are just kinda lazy?"

Jack, sputtering: "Seriously?!"

Judy: "Major Friedkin mentioned how you were the only cadet to have secretly fashioned a hammock from vines above the monkey bars in the rainforest section of the training grounds, hidden in the fake leaves."

Jack: "Th-that was... to help me sleep at night! Yeah! I wasn't just slipping away when everyone wasn't looking to get in a power nap or six!"

Judy and Thomas simultaneously roll their eyes.

Jack: "And I'll have you know, just a week ago, my cousin and I decided to reenact the story of the tortoise and the hare! He got his pet Gallopagos tortoise, Shelley, and we set up a little race track. We even set it up so that her favorite chew toy was hooked up to his old train set, the tracks on some rails forming a large oval. Four laps around that would be one mile, and we decided to make the race three miles!" Crosses arms and smiles smugly.

Thomas: "... So did you win?"

Jack, looking away: "...I fail to see how that's relevant."

Judy: "Wait, was this your cousin Bobby-Ray?"

Jack: "You know him?"

Judy: "Yeah. Sometimes he works on fixing the precinct's cruisers. If you'd like, I can just call him up and ask how the race went."

Jack: "So I kinda may have gotten my math wrong and, after the tenth lap, decided to sit and watch Shelley keep chasing her toy... and then it got a little boring so I may have rested my eyes a little."

Thomas: "Sweet cheese and crackers, you really did reenact the story!" Falls out of the chair, laughing, while Jack sulks.

Judy: "You heard it here, folks! Slow and steady wins the race. Also, maybe take the time to brush up on basic math skills."

[brilapse]

catching up on the new season of Picard (and last :() just finished episode 4 SO SPOILER ALERT IF YOU HAVENT SEEN PAST EPISODE 3 or any of the new season! MAJOR SPOILER IN THIS IF YOU HAVENT SEEN THE NEW SEASON AT ALL

Seriously

Stop reading here

Last chance

Anyways, The flashback scene to where Picard is addressing a group of Starfleet Cadets that came ip to him while he was eating at his fav pub and then it gets to the end of the scene and pans to reveal that Jack is sat at the bar and then he asks Picard If he ever had a “real family” or wanted a “real family” and Picard then answers that Starfleet was the only real family he ever needed, lingers on Jack for a bit and then it pans back to Picard and the Cadets clapping — THAT SCENE BROKE ME, THE LOOK ON JACKS FACE 😫😫😭😭😭 THATS WHY HE MADE CHOICE NOT TO KNOW HIS FATHER!! Sad yes, but the look on his face when Picard said that was HEARTBREAKING ❤️‍🩹 god damn lol

[mywifeleftme]

29: Howlin' Wolf // The Howlin' Wolf Album

The Howlin' Wolf Album Howlin' Wolf 1969, Cadet Concept

The Howlin’ Wolf Album is famously a pretty funny record (or a moderately offensive one, depending on your parish). In the late 1960s, legendary bluesman Howlin’ Wolf’s sales weren’t great, so his label decided to supplement his band with a bunch of young psych musicians to cash in on the heavy blues rock trend. The record was issued with a snarky cover that declares Howlin’ Wolf doesn’t like his own album, but ha ha the big galoot didn’t like his electric guitar at first either and look where it got him; Wolf testily objected that he’d liked his first electric just fucking fine, and also called the album ‘dogshit.’ Sales were peanuts, reviews scathing.

Obviously, it’s more than a little disrespectful that an artist of Wolf’s stature was railroaded into making an album he hated to appeal to a theoretical white audience. But it’s also more than a little amusing to read the stories of Wolf, a gigantic 59-year-old with the voice of an anthropomorphic Jack-O-Lantern, cursing out session players and telling them what to do with their fucking wah-wahs. The collage on the album’s back cover, with Wolf looming like Our Disappointed God in Heaven over an awkward ensemble of young musicians (and oddly, himself), is sublime company for the contents within.

Which! Are actually pretty good if this sort of electric blues is your bag. (For me, it generally is not—white guys playing blooze has real “stepdad farting in his armchair” associations for me.) I certainly like The Howlin’ Wolf Album more than anything the Paul Butterfield Blues Band or John Mayall ever did, largely because Wolf himself is such an upgrade as a vocalist over a replacement-level stringy English guy. Credit him for giving us about 90% of his fastball, growling and insinuating and crooning his signature ad libbed howls over perfectly cromulent acid arrangements of his classics. It works a lot better than its early critical reputation would suggest, though those who hold it up as a left-field masterpiece might be getting a little too excited. There’s not a psychedelic bone in Howlin’ Wolf’s burly frame, and no amount of organ or fuzz can drag him out into those waters—resulting in a record that mostly exists for those whose main bar to enjoying ‘50s Chicago blues is the lack of a Marshall stack.

Admittedly, I’m a bad judge—a friend gave this album to me years ago, and I only just noticed that my copy is a misprint that substitutes the second side of the album for side two of ? & the Mysterians’ 96 Tears (in 45 rpm, no less). What that means is that each of the seven or eight times I have put this album on I’ve been so checked out by the time it comes to flip it that the cough medicine drone of wrong-speed garage rock never scanned as off. Every time I get to the end, I have a faint moment of, “Oh wild, they got Wolf to record ’96 Tears’?” and then immediately forget.

So anyway, to re-establish my credibility here’s a scene from the unflattering documentary that was made about my life some years ago. The End!

29/365

[self-conscious-author]

The music blares in Lerona’s ears as she makes her way towards the bar, weaving her way through the crowd. The majority of which being her classmates, all clad in their pristine red Star Fleet cadet uniforms.

“Hi!” She flashes the bartender a sweet smile and leans against the bar. “I’d like a Klabnian Fire Tea, three Budweiser classics, two Cardassian Sunrises, aaand..” She flips through the menu, having been told “just surprise me” by one of the other cadets, but not knowing her well enough to make a guess at what she likes.

“Try the Slusho. It’s good.”

She smiles at the man in thanks. “The Slusho mix. Thank you.”

“That’s a lot of drinks for one woman.”

Her head turns to her left briefly, watching an attractive blond lean forward to look at her, before looking back at the bartender to order her own drink.

“And a shot of Jack, straight up.”

“Make that two.” The blond speaks up again, lifting two fingers. “Her shots on me.”

“Her shots on her.” She interjects. “Thanks, but no thanks.”

“Don’t you at least want to know my name before you completely reject me?”

“I’m fine without it.”

“You are fine without it.” Her lips twitch into a small smirk. “It’s Jim. Jim Kirk.” He waits for her to respond and when she doesn’t he shrugs. “If you don’t tell me your name, I’m gonna have to make one up.”

She eases just slightly into his mind to look for any malicious emotions. Finding none, she sees no harm in giving him her name. He is rather cute. “Lerona.”

“Lerona, no way! That’s the name I was gonna make up for ya!”

She rolls her eyes and fails to smother her chuckle, causing him to smile. He rises from his chair and circles to stand on her other side, leaning against the bar.

“So you’re a cadet, you’re stunning.. What’s your focus?”

“Xenopsychology and neurolinguistics.” She places her chin on her shoulder, peering up at him through her lashes. “Do you know what that means?”

“Study of alien psychologies, the relationship between languages and the function of our brains. Means you’re gorgeous and brilliant.”

“Flatterer. And here I thought you were just some cowboy who only has sex with farm animals.” She’s joking, of course. She can feel that he’s actually pretty sweet, underneath all the flirting.

“Well, not only.” She bursts out laughing, causing his face to break out into a bright smile. Once she settles down and turns towards him he gets a good look at her eyes, finding himself leaning closer and gazing into her solid black irises. “You have very unique eyes.”

“Thank you. I’m a Betazoid. Well, half. My dad’s a human.” She lifts her shoulder in a shrug.

“Oooh,” He gives her his best smoulder. “can you tell what I’m feeling right now?”

“Determined.” She quips immediately, earning another grin from him. She has to bite her cheek to keep from smiling too much. “You’re pretty drunk.” He feels.. something, not unpleasant, as she pushes a little further into his mind. “And you’re feeling a little.. aroused.”

“Damn right, I am.” He mumbles with a smirk.

They’re interrupted by Hendorff, a fellow cadet, and three of his friends before she can respond. Or acknowledge his hand inching towards her own on the bar. “This townie bothering you?”

Her brows furrow softly while shaking her head, not entirely sure what about their interaction gave him the indication she’s bothered by his company. “No, I can handle him.”

“You could handle me, if that’s an invitation.” Jim flirts, wanting to see her smile again, but Hendorff speaks before she can. Which he notes irritates her judging by how her jaw tightens minutely as she drinks her shot.

“Hey! You better mind your manners.”

“Oh relax, cupcake, it was a joke.” Only partially.

Jim gives him a thump on the shoulder before turning towards her again, only to be forcefully turned back around. Lerona takes a small step forward.

”Hey! Farm boy! Maybe you can’t count, but there are four of us and one of you.”

”So, get some more guys and it’ll be an even fight.”

She watches as Jim pats his cheek twice before moving to continue their conversation. She barely has time to react, and Jim has none, when he’s suddenly punched in the jaw.

”Stop it!” Lerona snaps at Hendorff with a glare, feeling Jim’s pain prick in her mind, before he kicks Hendorff backwards onto and over a table. “Stop it!”

[iam93percentstardust]

Happy Early Birthday! Could I ask for something platonic with Tony and Rhodey? I wish MIT Bros would get a lot more love! Perhaps Rhodey has some sort of problem and Tony is giving support?

Ooh I love this prompt a lot :) I did lots of research into military ranks and promotions to make the canon timeline work for this fic, but it was fun

~

Rhodey is already halfway across the living room to where Tony is sitting on the couch, desperately saying, “Tones, I need your help,” before their apartment door has even shut behind him.

Tony, conditioned by a lifetime of living with Howard, automatically says, “No,” only to wince when his brain finally catches up with him. “Sorry.” He’s been trying to be better about his responses to help requests.

Rhodey smiles warmly at him for a moment, aware of how much work Tony’s put in to unlearning the habits growing up in the Stark household taught him. Then he goes right back to whatever’s got him so spun up and repeats, “Your help. I need it.”

“Yoda, we are,” Tony shoots back at him.

Rhodey shoves him into the couch cushions.

Once Tony’s managed to extract himself from their ridiculously plushy couch, he asks, “So what’s up?”

“Alright, so I know you don’t like hearing about my ROTC stuff—”

Not entirely true. Tony doesn’t like hearing about anything that means Rhodey’s going to be fighting overseas where he could possibly die, but he hasn’t told him that.

“But after Senator Mouthbreather—”

“What a dick,” Tony chimes in, knowing that Rhodey has a particular distaste for this guy and his faux-liberal politics. Tony doesn’t like him either, but that’s mostly cause he doesn’t like any guy who makes his wife cry at every party they attend. He gets enough of that at home.

“Yeah, what a dick,” Rhodey agrees. “You know, I heard he pays his aides jack squat? Asswipe sits there and talks about a fair and equal wage for all and then he turns around and—"

“You’re getting off topic there, honeybear,” Tony cuts in amusedly. Not that he minds listening to Rhodey rant about the various politicians he hates—Reagan currently tops the list—but something tells him that Rhodey isn’t actually upset over Senator Mouthbreather’s hypocrisy.

“Right, after what he said about ROTC just picking jobs for cadets instead of giving them a choice, which isn’t true! Anyway, the brass decided to bring in some speakers to talk about what they do for the Air Force, you know, in case any of us wanted to change our careers.” He snorts. “Like that’ll happen at MIT, of all places.”

“And this has to do with me… how?”

“Cause last night, they had the most amazing test pilot.”

Tony starts to grin. He thinks he sees where this is going. “Yeah? What was her name?”

Rhodey glares at him for a long time before reluctantly admitting, “Lieutenant Carol Danvers.”

“So what’s the problem?”

Rhodey thunks his head against the back of the couch. “We’re supposed to be throwing her a mixer so we can get a chance to talk to her, but I overheard her on the phone earlier.”

“Rhodey, you dog! Are you stalking the probably-lovely Lieutenant Carol Danvers?”

“No,” Rhodey tries to insist, but Tony’s on to him now. And after all that talk about how Tony shouldn’t join that physics class last semester just so he could have an excuse to talk to Rumiko Fujikawa too! “We just happened to pass each other on the green. She was on the phone with someone, and she said she was gonna skip out and go to a bar or something.”

“My kind of woman,” Tony says approvingly.

“No,” Rhodey says flatly. “You’re underage.”

“You’re not much better,” Tony points out. “Lieutenant, that puts her—what—four, five years older than you?”

“I’m not going to ask her her age,” Rhodey says primly. “And that’s not why I want to talk to her anyway.”

“That’s because you’re boring.”

Rhodey ignores him. “Look, I just want an introduction. That’s it. That’s all I need from you, Tony, please. It’s not even about being attracted to her. I mean, I am, but I know she’s way out of my league. I just want to get the chance to talk to her about this project that she’s working on. You know I think it’s cool as hell that the military’s letting women be test pilots, even if they won’t let them fly in combat yet.”

“Which is bullshit,” Tony says, a refrain that’s just as old as Rhodey’s complaints about Senator Mouthbreather. “What, they won’t let them die by way of an explosion from an enemy missile, but they’ve got no problem letting them die by way of an explosion from an experimental engine? Sure, that makes sense.”

Rhodey snickers. “Please,” he says again. “You know I want to be a pilot, and what the lieutenant was talking about with the planes she was flying, it sounded like my kind of job.”

“So, what? You’re gonna become a test pilot now?”

“No, but it sounded a lot like the kind of stuff that SI is putting out, the kind of stuff that I want to fly eventually, and I thought it might be good to get a firsthand account of what flying those planes is like.”

“And what about my finals? I’m supposed to be studying tonight.”

“Like you don’t already know all the material,” Rhodey says, waving a dismissive hand. “I can make it up to you later. I’ll quiz you, sound good?”

“Fine, but you’ll also ask Mama Rhodes to make that blackberry pie for my graduation,” Tony counters.

“Done.”

Wow, Rhodey must really like this test pilot. Normally, it takes hours of negotiating to get him to agree to asking his mom to make Tony’s favorite pies whenever they drive to Philadelphia for the holidays.

He sighs and says goodbye to his studying for the night. “Alright, I’ll see what I can do.”

~

Seeing what he can do mostly just involves putting in a phone call to his Aunt Peggy. He refuses, just on principle, to talk to his dad, even though Howard is more likely to have the right contacts in the Air Force to put him in touch with Danvers, so Aunt Peggy it is. She still heads up SHIELD, though she’s been thinking about retiring sometime in the next few years; she should still have a few contacts or at least know who he should talk to instead.

Fortunately, though, when he calls her, she knows exactly who he’s talking about, and after she spends thirty minutes making sure that Tony isn’t trying to track her down so either he or Rhodey can ask her out (he thinks Rhodey might have wanted to if he were a little older, but his honeybear keeps insisting that it’s all a professional interest), is more than willing to put together a dinner for the three of them—“You will not meet her at a bar, darling,” she says sternly. Lieutenant Danvers, it turns out, is working on a joint project between the Air Force and SHIELD called Pegasus. Tony wonders what she could possibly be working on that requires a collaboration like that, but he knows better than to ask, and ever since Aunt Peggy found him using her pass to hack into the files on Captain America back when he was twelve, SHIELD has kept all of their files as paper copies, so there’ll be no more hacking for him. Looks like whatever SHIELD and the Air Force are up to will remain a mystery.

“But if she says no, you’ll accept that, Tony,” Aunt Peggy insists. “No more trying to track her down. We women don’t like it when men don’t take no for an answer.”

And, huh, Tony hadn’t even thought about it like that. “Agreed,” he says immediately. He doesn’t want to be creepy. “And—” He glances over at Rhodey, who’s been listening in. Rhodey picks up on what he’s thinking and nods. “Tell her it’s not a date or anything. We really just want to learn more about the jets.”

She calls back about an hour later with the news that Danvers has agreed to meet them for dinner. He relays the good news to Rhodey, who immediately freaks out about it like it was a date as though Tony won’t even be there. Tony finds it pretty funny, all things considering, since it isn’t, for one thing, and Rhodey is definitely too young for Danvers, but he keeps his mouth shut. This is one of those Good Bro times, and he’s a Good Bro, which means supporting his best friend through his hero worship and very impossible crush.

They wind up running a little late to dinner since Tony is always late to everything, including, as his mother and Jarvis frequently remind him, his own birth. Rhodey bitches to him the entire way there, complaining that it’ll be Tony’s fault if Danvers is gone by the time they get there. Tony keeps his mouth shut, knowing after three years of living together that when Rhodey gets in this mood, it’s pointless to try to point out the facts, which are that Tony is a Stark and no ambitious pilot would ever walk out on a dinner with a Stark (he also sets aside the fact that this is almost certainly a habit that Rhodey picked up from him, who can also be… slightly irrational when he’s worried about something).

Lieutenant Danvers, however, is still waiting for them outside the little bar and grill that Aunt Peggy had made reservations at. She’s out of uniform in a white t-shirt and jeans, blonde princess curls falling around her shoulders, and Tony can easily see why Rhodey would find her attractive. She looks just a little too much like what Tony’s baby cousin, Sharon, will grow up to look like though for him to share Rhodey’s attraction.

“Lieutenant Danvers, hi!” he says, getting out of the car. Polite, he reminds himself. Not abrasive. Rhodey might actually kill him this time if Tony fucks up his chances again. “I’m Tony.”

“Call me Carol,” she replies, shaking his hand.

Tony waits for Rhodey to introduce himself, but Rhodey seems to be starstruck by her. He rolls his eyes and jerks his thumb at him. “This is—”

“Cadet Rhodes,” Carol says smoothly. “I remember you from yesterday. Nice to meet you both.”

“Rhodey wanted the chance to talk to you some more about the joint collaboration you’re working on—I wouldn’t mind hearing more about it too since all I could find about Project Pegasus was a shitty piece of code that said ‘Stay out, Tony.’ It’s like they don’t trust me or something.”

Carol laughs. “Well, sorry to say, I don’t know much about the project itself, and even if I did, there’s only so much I can tell you before it all becomes classified. I just fly the planes. If you want to know about Pegasus, you’ll have to talk to the research head, Dr. Lawson.”

Tony gapes at her. “You mean Dr. Wendy Lawson?” he squeaks.

“Sounds like you’re familiar.”

“She’s amazing,” Tony breathes reverently. They’d met at a gala a few years ago, and Tony had definitely walked away starstruck. The work she’s doing on interstellar travel is absolutely incredible. Tony would kill people for the chance to work with her.

By the time they’re seated, Rhodey has fortunately found his voice again, saluted Carol (and promptly been reminded that they’re both out of uniform, and she doesn’t stand for that kind of fuss anyway), and struck up a conversation with her about the jets she flies as part of Project Pegasus. Stark Industries doesn’t do a lot with planes, other than arming them, and Tony had been too busy with studying for his exam tomorrow to read up on them. But that’s okay because tonight isn’t about him anyway (it had taken Rhodey a good year to get that hammered through his head), so he contents himself with knowing that Rhodey’s made a friend and tries to make eyes at the guy standing by the bar.

He's gorgeous, all dark hair and grey eyes and a frankly stunning prosthetic that Tony very badly wants to get his hands on, but he’s also more interested in staring at a family eating dinner halfway across the restaurant. Tony doesn’t know what’s so interesting about them, other than that one of them is the president of MIT, but maybe there’s some sort of torrid affair going on between Gorgeous Eyes and the president’s wife—or even the president himself, Tony isn’t judgy.

…Much.

Eventually, he gives up trying to catch Hottie McDreamy’s attention and tunes back in to Carol and Rhodey’s conversation, just in time for Rhodey to bring up Dum-E. Tony lights up. The bot really is an idiot, but he’s Tony’s idiot and Tony loves him.

He pulls a picture out of his wallet to show Carol, who goes wide-eyed. Apparently, she hadn’t believed they were serious about Dum-E, which is fine. Most people don’t believe that something like Dum-E is possible now and not twenty years down the line.

“Wow,” she remarks as Tony’s settling the bill. “All I’ve got is my boss’s cat. Goose doesn’t like anyone else on the base.”

“Cat?” Rhodey guesses, drawing a laugh from her.

“How did you know?” she teases. “Yeah, little orange thing. Eats just about everything. One time, the remote went missing, and I swear that Goose ate it, I just can’t prove it.”

Rhodey laughs harder than the joke deserved, but Carol seems fondly amused by it, so Tony counts it as a win for his buddy.

As they’re stepping outside, Carol remarks, “You know, this was nice. When Director Carter told me she’d lined up a dinner for me, I thought it was going to be all business.” She shudders as she heads over to a sleek motorcycle that Tony would love to take a ride on. “But you two are alright. You remind me of me and my best friend.”

Rhodey gives Tony one of those looks that he can read so well after three years of living in each other’s pockets. He steps further back, turning away to squint up at the night sky. He can hear Carol and Rhodey murmuring to each other by the bike, but they’re not loud enough for him to make out any words.

After a few minutes, he hears the roar of the motorcycle. When he turns back around, Carol is long gone, and Rhodey is touching a hand to his cheek, a stunned expression on his face.

“Went that well then, huh?” Tony asks cheerfully, slinging an arm around Rhodey’s shoulders. That’s his honeybear!

“She kissed me,” Rhodey says softly, rubbing his cheek. “Said I was a little young for her, but cute, and told me to look her up once I’ve made first lieutenant.”

Tony’s heart leaps in his chest. “That’s awesome!” he says enthusiastically. “Five years, right?”

“Yeah,” Rhodey says, a grin spreading across his face. “She’s pretty amazing.”

“You’re pretty amazing,” Tony says. “No forgetting it. She’s lucky to have you.”

“Thanks, Tones,” Rhodey says, shoving Tony away companionably and then darting back to the car before Tony can do more than stumble. Shouting, Tony gives chase, laughing as he follows his brother.

[dulafer]

CHIEF OF STAFF

1st story in a 3 part series...... How to make government work :).  The 2nd in series is ‘The Cadet’ to be followed by ‘The Senator’.  The first two use twins, the last uses plastic surgery.  I’ve stalled writing the Senator but maybe I’ll get back to it over the Holidays. This is actually a str8 story (Oh my god!).

For those outside the United States, most of our politicians have a Chief of Staff, their ‘right hand person’ who keep things flowing in the offices and campaigns.... basically a gofer/jack of all trades.

As usual, it’s lonnnngggggg......

Feedback appreciated - dclouser@mac.com

Crappy Morning

Jason Cook sat half naked in front of his television, drinking his morning coffee and watching a copy of himself being interviewed on ‘The Morning Joe’. It’s always surreal seeing a different version of himself—one that’s clean shaven, well dressed, well mannered and charming. He’s watching his identical twin brother, Garrett, on national TV mouthing the talking points of Senator Robert Gehris, his boss and probably the next president of the United States. 

“Senator Gehris doesn’t see this as a detriment to deal with but as an opportunity for the country to move forward to a better future.” His brother says with a straight face that liberals love. 

Jason repeats verbatim. “Senator Gehris doesn’t see this as a detriment to deal with but as an opportunity for the country to move forward to a better future.” Then adds his own opinion. “Snotty assholes like you bro, will only ruin this country.”

Jason is fixated on the TV. It happens every time his brother pops up on it. He realizes how different their lives are now but remembers how similar they used to be. Garrett got accepted by Harvard Law school, got lucky with an internship in the summer with then state Senator Gehris and has been by his side ever since. He never practiced law, but passed the Bar in NY then jumped right into politics, managing the senator’s campaigns and life. 

Jason remembers their weekly chats and all the shit he was putting up with from ‘Robert’. They used to be really close but after their father died, Garrett moved to DC and became another person. The problem was their father's inheritance and how Garrett handled it. Jason felt he was screwed out of $400,000 to help Garrett get through Harvard and was never paid back. Their weekly chats became monthly, then yearly and now it’s like Jason never existed. 

Jason is disgusted with his life and how it turned out. He’s working as a researcher for some free legal clinic in Albany, making crappy money and doing shit work for scumbags. He never finished his law degree from Cuny-Queens College, he failed 6 credits and never looked back.  He’s bitter and jealous of his perfect brother who’s on television more and more these days.

He snaps back to the TV from his thoughts when he hears Mika ask about Garrett’s personal life. “So, there’s a lot of rumors going around about you and Jennifer Hastings, care to elaborate?”

“Well, I got permission to say that we’re dating and getting to know each other.” Garrett chuckles.

“Interesting, a Washington star and Hollywood star mixing it up. How did you meet?” Joe chimes in.

“It was at a fund raiser at Geffen’s home in Hollywood, we were both bored, got chatting and just sort of clicked. Miss you babe.” Garrett answers with a shout out and wave to her.

“What does your family think of you dating such a major star?” Mika asks.

“Since my father passed years ago, there isn’t any family to tell.” He answers with a straight face.

“Fucking lying bastard,” Jason screams at the TV, then snidely repeats. “Well, I got permission to say we’re dating and getting to know each other.” Adding “I’m pussy whipped and she keeps my balls in her purse.”

Jason is seething with anger at his brother for not acknowledging him in public. He grabs the phone and calls in sick to work, then grabs a beer from his fridge at 8:30 in the morning, chugging it and grabbing a second one. 

The Proposal

Jason is halfway wasted by lunch time. Every time he sees his brother on TV or in an article, it sets him off. Today was the last straw when he ceased to exist  by his brother’s comments. He thinks of calling the Washington Times and revealing himself as the forgotten brother but what would that accomplish?  Who’d care if Garrett Cook has family or not? 

As he’s flipping back and forth between channels and finishing another beer, there’s a knock at his door. 

“Probably fucking Tammy wanting me to help her with something, I should have answered one of her dozen phone calls this morning.” Jason mumbles to himself then yells “What?” And yanks open the door.

It’s not Jason’s neighbor Tammy but some startled suited older man.

“Mr. Cook, may I come in?” He politely asks.

“No, what is this about?” Jason demands.

“It’s of a sensitive, personal nature that I really can’t discuss out in the hallway.”

Jason gestures for him to enter. “Okay, make it quick I have a busy day planned.”

“It looks it.” The man chuckles, sits down without asking, pushing the empty beer cans away from himself.

“Make it fast, I’m broke, not buying anything and you have 10 minutes before I get my gun or call the police.” 

“What if you could not be broke and buy anything you wanted?” The man proposes. 

“Are you from Publishers Clearing House with a huge check and hidden camera someplace?” Jason mocks him.

“Not exactly, but what if I could give you the life you’ve always wanted?”

“Yeah right, what life would that be?”

“That of up and coming Garrett Marcus Cook, political mastermind, chief of staff of the powerful Senator Gehris, likely future president of the United States.”

“Ha, yeah right, get back the life he stoled from me. Do you know, I took his SAT for him and did better than when I took them as myself earlier? I should have been accepted into Harvard Law. I’d have some hot shot career on Wall Street raking in the bucks. He’s not as smart as he portrays himself in public but he sure knows how to kiss Gehris’ ass.” Jason rambles on angrily. 

“What if I could at least give you Garrett’s life as compensation for all he’s done to you?” 

“How would you do that?” 

“Well, for one, you still look identical to him, second we can teach you all you need to know about him, with your help of course.”

“Are you looking at me? He’s about 180 pounds, six pack abs based on his beach pics with Jennifer and we haven’t spoken in years.  We’d never be mistaken for twins these day. And I have this…” Jason roles up his sleeve and shows the man a tattoo on his shoulder.

“All minor really, except one thing.” The man counters.

“What’s in it for you? I don’t even know your name and where you’re from.” 

“We need an inside man in the future President’s office. You’d be that guy, you’d be your brother, have his life, his girlfriend, his money and substantially more money from us. The minor thing is plastic surgery to remove the tattoo and give you his fingerprints.”

“You can change my fingerprints? This all sounds like a spy novel. Who are you and who do you work for?” Jason demands.

“It is part spy novel. We’re not a foreign entity I promise you that. I’m Jeffrey Coleman and I work for the ‘Team’, one of the oldest secret societies in the United States.  I can’t tell you anything else until you decide what you want to do?”

“How much money are we talking?” He asks bluntly.

“$25 million, plus your brother’s net worth of roughly $1million and all the perks of being him.”

“Fuck, that fucker has that much money? How could I spend all that without raising eyebrows?”

“Oh you’d be surprised how money can be managed to one’s advantage son.” He says in a fatherly, mentoring tone.

“What about Garrett? What happens to him?” He asks curiously.

“Oh, ‘Jason’ would have a quick painless accident, you’d mourn and come clean about your strained relationship and shed some tears.” Jeffrey proposes.

Jason doesn’t say a word, just sits there thinking through the proposal, thinking how he’d be getting back what’s rightfully his’… a degree from Harvard, a great future and one fucking hot girlfriend. Jason has always been a political person and was shocked when his brother gave up law for Washington. He gets up and walks to the mirror, staring at his reflection, playing with his hair, turning his head from side to side thinking.

“Since my father passed years ago, there isn’t any family to please.” He turns to Jeffrey and smiles. “Call me Garrett please.”

“Nice to meet you Garrett.” Jeffrey shakes his hand firmly.

“So what’s the plan?”

“Well, first, you’ve got to make a mends with your brother.”

“What the fuck for, I might kill him before you can.” Jason is buzzed and pissed off. 

“Easy, you need to gain access to his life . We need to bug it completely—his phone, computer, car and even his office in the Senate building. Just play his caring brother who misses him. Visit him for a week in DC, keep a low profile but we need access.”

“Ok, I can do that.  What about the plastic surgery?”

“That comes after we have all the information. While you’re recovering from the surgery, you’ll be learning about his life, getting up to speed.”

“You think this can actually work?” Jason continues staring at himself in the mirror, checking himself out. 

“Yeah, you’ll have world class support. We have it all planned out. First, you now have a fiancé, Lisa, who’ll accompany you to DC to meet with your brother. She’ll observe him and help with the electronics. He’s got a two bedroom townhouse in Georgetown. So you’ll show up at his doorstep and invite yourself to crash there for the week. Once everything is in place, we’ll have you undergo the modifications. During recovery, you’ll study your new life in detailed, be grilled by our team and transformed into him. We’ll make the switch when you’re a carbon copy of your brother, down to the smallest detail.”

“You can do all that?” He grins to himself more the mirror while talking to Jeffrey in the reflection.

“Yes, but it’ll be a lot of hard work on your part. Is it a deal?”

Jason turns from the mirror, faces Jeffrey directly and shakes his hand. “When do we start.”

Family Reunion

A week later, early on a Saturday morning, Jason and Lisa show up unexpectedly at Garrett’s doorstep. It’s planned for a week that Jennifer is in Los Angeles and Garrett will be alone. Lisa and Jason have been practicing their story of how they met, got engaged etc..and how they wanted Garrett to be the first to know.  Jeffrey’s team has been studying Garrett from afar for months and have a good idea of his habits/routines.

Jason knocks at the door, looking scruffy with a full beard, wearing a baseball cap and glasses to disguise himself from neighbors or people that might know Garrett.  It’s important that no one knows of Jason’s existence or visit to DC.

“Brother!” Jason quietly announces when Garrett opens the door.

“Oh my god! I was just talking about you a week ago during an interview. Come on in.” Garrett lies and Jason knows it.

“Hello.” A bubbly Lisa pops out from around the side of the door.

“Garrett, this is Lisa, my fiancé, Lisa this is Garrett.”  Lisa jumps in the door and starts hugging Garrett. 

“Wow, congratulations guys!” Garrett sounds genuinely happy for them. 

Jason and Lisa grab their bags and brush past Garrett, placing everything inside the entryway. It’s a beautiful old brownstone that’s been completely remodeled. 

“Nice place bro, you must be doing good for yourself?”

“Yeah, politics pays well when you’re connected to the right people.” Garrett snickers.

“I’d say, nice place. We wanted to surprise you and I didn’t even have your latest address. Lisa had to look you up on anywho.com. Hope you don’t mind the unannounced visit. It was spur of the moment really and Lisa so wanted to meet you. We haven’t even found a hotel yet.” 

Lisa giggles and hangs on Jason’s shoulder. “I love your brother so much and when he told me about you, I forced him to jump in the car and tell you in person.”

“Oh, don’t worry about a hotel, I have a spare bedroom and lots of space. The only problem is I do have to work a lot this week though, there’s Senate hearings on the military budget all week that I must attend. So you might be on your own a lot.”

“Not a problem, I’ve never been to DC and want to do all the touristy stuff with my honey.” Lisa giggles and kisses Jason as a loving couple.

Garrett invites them into his home, giving them a spare key  and offering his car since he rarely needs to drive anywhere in Washington.  Jason and Lisa pull off the loving couple, sharing the bed and making noises at night. The plan is to monopolize Garrett’s time and immediately start intercepting every conversation, text and email. Garrett spends time with them but doesn’t take them out in public, doesn’t introduce them to any of his friends. On their first night, they head out in Garrett’s BMW X5 to Bethesda for dinner and a club.

Jason and Lisa get Garrett drunk, she laces his drink and Jason drives them home. Garrett’s garage is in the rear basement of the townhouse and no one can see them coming and going. They get him to bed but now the work begins.  Garrett is stripped completely naked. Lisa grabs a scanner from her bag and scans every inch of him including his fingertips.  Lisa then takes pics and scans of the inside of his mouth. Every inch is analyzed, recorded and uploaded to the ‘Team’. 

Once they’re finished with Garrett’s scans, Lisa starts pulling out miniature cameras and microphones, expertly placing them in vents and smoke detectors. Meanwhile, Jason pulls out a bag containing a USB memory stick, cameras and bugs. He plugs the memory stick into Garrett’s home and government computer and it starts installing surveillance software. The computer will now automatically listen and watch whenever the display is open. The camera light won’t show as on but it’ll be watching and transmitting everything. Garrett’s iPhone and iPad are plugged into another device for the same purpose. Hours later, phase one of their main mission is complete and the fake lovers are in bed enjoying each other. 

From this moment on Garrett’s life will become Jason’s. Jason never knew this type of technology existed but now he’ll be able to listen to his brother’s conversations, read his email, and see his text messages. He'll also able to watch Garrett's FaceTime sex with Jennifer that his brother bragged about. This really arouses him and he can’t stop thinking of fucking her as his brother. He’s become obsessed with Jennifer, watching every movie she’s made and googling her daily.

The rest of the week, Jason and Lisa play the happy couple, sight seeing and having fun while Garrett works. Sometimes they grab lunch or dinner with Garrett but it’s always obscure locations where they won’t run into anyone he knows. Jason’s team documented Garrett’s habits and know he’s a workaholic, often putting in 12 hour days with only a few nights free for hanging with his friends at a bar or poker game in someone’s house. Garrett’s phone calls, text and conversations never once bring up his brother’s visit. Never once while talking or cybering with his girlfriend does Garrett mention his brother or fiancée.

In the mornings, Jason discretely watches and memorizes Garrett’s routine, noting his protein shakes, Pelonton workouts and grooming. When his brother goes to work, Jason repeats his routine. During the day while Garrett is at work, Lisa tests Jason on his brother’s life and coaches him. Jason also studies his future home, learning where things are and how they’re organized. Garrett’s montblanc pen was replaced Sunday night with an identical version that contains a microphone.  This gives Jason access to his brother’s work life as he always keeps his pen on him.

Jason is also on a diet and fitness regimen.  The scans of his brother’s body revealed 12% body fat while he’s at 19%. He started on a strict plan the day after Jeffrey’s visit over a week ago. Jason tried on his brother’s clothes but he could barely get into the pants.  He still has a ways to go—he's got a little tummy with no definition while Garrett has a six pack and V-cut. He’s got to be 99.9% identical to his brother for this to work. 

Jason has also been applying cream every night to his tattoo. It slowly attacks and erases the ink while helping the skin heal without surgery. He notices a slight fading of the tattoo since starting with the cream. Another issue that Lisa noticed was Garrett’s bright white teeth—Jason’s are discolored from too much coffee and the occasional cigar or joint.  Luckily, Garrett’s whitening tray and gel fit perfect for Jason and he helps himself to them. 

When Jason and Jessica leave on Saturday morning, Garrett’s details are clear to the ‘Team’ and all are convinced this is the perfect substitution job. Jason will easily step into his brother’s life after some plastic surgery, physical training and lessons in being Garrett.

The Details

Jason is not taken back to Albany after his visit to his brother’s, but to a location outside of Washington in Maryland. Lisa is gone completely, onto another assignment for the Team. The facility looks like an ancient farm on the outside but inside is a state-of-the-art hospital with the best doctors and latest equipment. Underneath the farm is a large underground complex that has 4 levels according to the elevator.  He’s in a small apartment on the highest level, with access to TV, a computer with Garrett’s ongoing life available for him to watch.

He’s taken in for surgery on his fingertips the next morning. The plan is to duplicate Garrett so completely that not even an expert could tell them apart. When he wakes up, his hands, mouth, stomach and knee cap are all sore. Jeffrey is waiting at his bedside when he wakes up.

“Jason? How are you feeling?” Jeffrey asks. 

“My mouth, what the fuck?” Jason mumbles in pain.

“Oh, we took out your wisdom teeth like Garrett had done a few years ago. We also gave you a filling and whitened your teeth to match Garrett’s. Garrett’s dentist couldn’t tell the difference now but it’ll take a while to heal.”

“Thanks for warning me. You said just fingerprints?” Jason complains.

“We didn’t want you to worry about everything. We also gave you liposuction to remove your belly, love handles and add definition. The soreness on your kneecap is from replicating the scar your brother has.”

“Wow, you guys think of everything. Garrett fell when we were learning to ride a bike. It took him a year to get back on one.” Jason chuckles at the memory. 

Jason pulls up his t-shirt and grins at his new six pack stomach. “Wow, that looks great, why did you have me kill myself with that diet?”

“Ah, you’re not done with the diet. Based on scans, you still need to lose ten pounds, mostly in the face, neck and legs but you’re really close. You also need to change your eating habits.”

“Can I just have a Big Mac, just one? I just had surgery, I need one.” Jason begs jokingly.

“Exactly what I’m talking about! No, never again, your brother hates fast food, never touches it and so do you now.  We also used a laser to remove the rest of your tattoo while you were under.”

“What has Garrett been up to while I’ve been under?” Jason questions.

Jeffrey hands Jason an iPad and he begins reviewing the last few days. “You should rest another day the doctor is saying, don’t get out of bed and drink lots of fluids.”

The actual doctor overhears Jeffrey as he comes in. “Good to hear you playing doctor Jeffrey.  How is the patient?”

“I feel like I’ve been hit by a freight train, especially my mouth. My fingers feel tingly and my stomach hurts.”

“That’s all normal for what you’ve been through. I’m going to prescribe more pain killers for you, to help you sleep. Don’t get out of bed without help from the nurse or me.”

After everyone leaves, Jason listens to a few of Garrett’s phone calls and chats from Garrett’s office, then passes out for a day.  When he wakes, the doctor is fussing with the bandages on his hands.

“Good morning.” The doctor greets him cheerfully. “You’re healing perfectly.”

The doctor lifts up his uncover hands and show them to him. “Don’t worry about the redness, by the end of the week, they’ll be normal.

“They don’t look any different?” Jason says, noticing an improvement in his speech.

“Trust me they are. I just did a quick scan and they’re a 99% match for your brother’s. They’ll be 100% when they heal completely. I’m really pleased with how things are turning out. We scanned your body last night and you’re dimensionally 95% of your brother. By the end of the week, you’ll be a clone of your brother.” Doc promises. 

Jeffrey and Doc are in and out daily, checking on him.  First thing every morning is a training session with a personal fitness coach. The trainer has him replicate Garrett’s Peloton session, then adds hours of exercise to tone and condition his body. Lunch is followed by catching up on his brother’s day. He reviews all of Garrett's chats, emails and conversations. He's easily learning all the issues his brother is dealing daily and how to handle them like him. Being his twin, it’s easy to pick up his brother’s slang, attitude and gestures. He watches his brother’s morning routine of working out, showering, and dressing for work. The Team provided months of Garrett’s photos, videos of him going to work on the Metro, going out with friends and Jennifer. Along with Garrett’s Instagram and Twitter, this gives him great insight into his brother’s life. 

Within a few weeks, Jason’s physical transformation is complete. The tattoo is completely gone and there’s no soreness anywhere on his body.  Everything seems to have healed 100%. The nurse comes in with a scanner and inspects him—according to her, he’s at 98.9% dimensionally of Garrett. He’s feeling great but restless when Jeffrey and some stranger walks in. 

“Garrett, this is Todd, he’s here to test you.” Jeffrey says with a devious smile.

“Hmmm Garrett? I like the sound of that. More tests? For what? I’ve been probed and poked so much.” Jason complains.

“I'm here to help you become your brother completely. You have the looks nailed but there’s a lot to learn about his past and current life. When I’m done with you, you’ll believe you attended Harvard and have been living in Washington DC for years. You’ll  know your professors, about parties, spring breaks and your brother’s sex life. You’ll know your fellow coworkers and all of Garrett’s other friends and acquaintances.” Todd jumps in.

Jason looks at him queerly. “How did you find out about his parties, spring breaks and all?”

“You’d be surprised what people tell the ‘FBI’ when we interview his friends for Garrett’s new top secret clearance.” Todd grins.

“Oh, That’s devious but I like it.” Jason chuckles.

“Miss your girlfriend?” Todd fires a question at him.

“What do you think? I have the hottest girlfriend in the world. She’s in Rome and I’m flying to Milwaukee. Life sucks. I can’t wait to see her in a few weeks when she’s done filming that stupid love movie with Nick Bateman, damn am I jealous. FaceTime just doesn’t cut it. I miss her so much.” Perfectly repeating the conversation Garrett had with Senator Gehris yesterday.

“Tell me about your brother.” 

“I don’t have a brother, what are you talking about?”

“Sure you do.”

“I haven’t seen him in years, since Dad died. He accused me of taking all the inheritance for myself. I may have taken more than my share but I was going to pay him back once I got financially sound.  Then he started threatening me with lawyers from his stupid clinic and I ended it.” Jason responds perfectly.

“Doing happy hour tonite?”

“Nah, I can’t. I’m finishing up things for Robert but watching the Michigan State game tomorrow night at McGinty’s with my friends Jonathan, Amy and Mark. Should be packed and it’ll keep my mind off not having Jennifer with me.” He sounds bummed. 

“What do you like to wear?” 

“Anything Harvard of course.” Jason laughs. “It depends on the event. For a night at the bar for a game, it’s definitely one of my many Harvard t-shirts, jeans and my leather jacket. If I’m hanging with Jennifer, then I really have to up my game with a sports coat, say, something from Hugo Boss, slacks and a nice dress shirt. Something that’s more ‘Hollywood’ if you know what I mean. For happy hour after work, it’s just my typical work outfit—suit, always a Harvard tie. I like people to know I’m a Harvard Alumni.” Jason smiles at both of them. 

“Garrett, tell me about the Hypersonic funding proposal you’re working on.” Todd orders.

Jason looks at him for a second, then naturally responds. “It’s out of the defense committee, I’ve made some minor changes per Robert’s wishes and it’s heading to the floor for a vote on Monday. Unfortunately I’m going to miss the vote because I’ll be flying to Nevada, meeting with party chairmen on the upcoming caucus. I leave Sunday morning, 6am American Airline flight 402, being picked up by Lance.”

“Very good Garrett, very good.” Todd says thrilled.

Todd and Jeffrey smile at Jason’s answers knowing he’ll do great for their mission. The following week, Todd is coaching him 14 hours/day on all things Garrett when he’s not working out. Jason thought he knew a lot about his brother but quickly realizes how out of touch they’ve been. Garrett’s life has been a series of promotions and accomplishments always by Senator Gehris’ side. Jason is watching videos of his brother from the Senator’s campaign, TV interviews and other sources. For Jason, it’s almost 24/7 studying Garrett at home, in the office and out in public. He listens to all his brother’s chats with friends and coworkers, which is overwhelming but he’s now recognizing the voices and issues. Todd has him memorizing his speeches, typical introductions and managing Webex meetings as his brother does.  Learning someone else’s life, even his twin’s, is more work than Jason ever imagined.

A few weeks later, Jeffrey interrupts their morning session.

“How’s it going guys?” Jeffrey questions.

“He’s ready Jeffrey.” Todd responds. 

“Great, how would you like to hang with your friends tomorrow?” Jeffrey asks.

“Of course, I’ve been working all week, only went out last night for dinner with Robert.” Jason responds knowing his brother’s schedule in detail.

“There might be a way for you to actually go out tomorrow night but first we have a few details to sort out.” Todd and Jeffrey leave, then a cute redhead comes in with a suitcase, followed by another man with a rack full of clothes. 

“Garrett, My name is Lynn and I’m here to cut your hair and clean you up. I have pics from your dinner the last night.” 

She heads into the bathroom, sets up a chair and opens a case full of clippers, brushes and bottles. From a portfolio, she pulls out close-up pictures taken of Garrett at the restaurant.  Garrett takes a seat and she starts wetting his hair and trimming away his messy locks. This is followed by a shave, manicure and eyebrow trim.  She works wax into his hair, showing him how, so he can achieve the same look on his own. Garrett is stunned when she finishes and holds the mirror for him. He feels his face, runs his hands through his cowlick, grins, then softens it to his brother’s typical suave smile.

“This is perfect Lynn, thank you so much! I’d tip you but don’t  have a wallet even.” He apologizes.

“No problem Garrett, just glad I could help. Oh, Ted brought in some clothes for you, just help yourself.” With that she packs up and leaves.

Garrett rotates around to his mirror still in shock by his appearance. He lifts up his t-shirt and feels his abs. His scars have completely healed, except for the new scar on his kneecap. He’s been working out every morning to better define his muscles, especially his new six pack. The haircut and shave completes his new identity.

At the rack, he recognizes most of the clothes as duplicates of Garrett’s favorites. It’s amazing, it’s a scaled down version of his closet with his favorite suits, sport coats, ties, shoes, even worn jeans, Harvard t-shirts and Under Armour sneakers he favors on the weekend. He quickly strips out of the plain t-shirt and jeans issued to him and starts putting on ‘his’ regular street clothes—his Levis, Harvard t-shirt, and sneakers.  On the top shelf is a duplicate of his wallet with all the IDs including his Congressional ID, an iPhone and keys in Garrett’s Harvard key chain. He stares in the mirror, looking exactly like his brother, amazed at the transformation.

When he finishes up, the door opens. It’s Jeffrey, Todd and a hot blonde that looks eerily similar to Jennifer Hastings.

“Well, you clean up well Garrett.” Jeffrey notes.

“Yeah, I feel and look like myself finally.” Jason plays along. “I’d love to go out as him in public.”

“We may have a way to let you do that.” Todd chimes in.

“We know you’re feeling like a caged animal and thought you might as well start  getting accustom to your new life and we have a way to do that.” Jeffrey adds.

“You can say that again, I’m so ready to assume my new identity. What do you have in mind?”

“Well, You’re leaving bright and early Sunday morning for the week right?”

“Yeah, I’m heading to Wisconsin to meet with party members. Lance is picking me up about 7am, I need to pack either tonight or tomorrow and meet up with my friends to watch the Harvard basketball game at the Nickel.”

“You’ll be at the Nickel with them, while Garrett is with Jessica.” He smiles and points at our guest. “He’ll miss Jennifer so badly that he’ll have to take her home. We’ll text him as Mark, changing the meeting time to earlier. He’ll meet Jessica, drink, she’ll drug him, get him home and you’re on for the night.”

“That sounds great, what if he wakes up and wants to go to the bar.” “Oh, he won’t be waking up or remembering anything about the night other than hot sex and guilt. Then the next morning he’ll be scrambling just to make his flight.”Jessica smiles and promises. 

Audition

Early Saturday morning Jason is anxiously watching live video feeds from his future townhouse. Garrett gets up, does 45 minutes of intense cardio with his Peloton trainer then has scrambled eggs. Jason does the same, even the same breakfast.  He watches his brother’s routine for about the 50th time, paying close attention to his hair regimen. Jason copies his brother’s outfit exactly except for the Harvard class ring Garrett never takes off. 

Garrett spends the afternoon packing for his trip tomorrow.  He lays out a sports coat, jeans and sweater for the plane ride, then packs 4 suits, 7 shirts and ties, casual pants, jeans and workout gear for the week.  He’s meticulous with coordinating matching ties and shirts with specific suits. This is all being recorded on video for Jason and the ‘Team’.  

After lunch, Garrett’s buddy Mark texts him, letting him know he’ll be at the Nickel early to watch the Penn State game and Garrett agrees to meet him at 5pm instead of 7:30pm as was the plan. It wasn’t really Mark but appeared to be in the text message. Garrett continues to pack his luggage, then his briefcase, adding files and financial statements to review with the Wisconsin team. 

At 4pm, Garrett jumps in the shower then dresses in his typical jeans, Harvard t-shirt, boots, apple watch, necklace and class ring. Jason puts on a very similar outfit, minus the jewelry and heads to the neighborhood. 

Garrett is at the Nickel early waiting for Mark and starts drinking a beer. Jessica approaches him just as he was about to text someone, probably Mark.  She’s hot enough to distract a gay celibate catholic priest and Garrett is immediately under her spell.  The ‘Team’ knew this was going to be easy when earlier in the day, Jennifer called, said she was filming a night scene and their FaceTime sex would have to wait till later.

Jessica has him exactly where she want him—kissing her neck, then mouth and discreetly feeling her up. She whispers something into his ear and he’s jumping off the chair. It’s two blocks from the Nickel to Garrett’s townhouse and they make it back in record time. Jason lags behind, out of sight and watching the iPad feed as they enter the townhouse. 

They’re ripping the clothes off each other and start going at it fiercely. The drug she slipped in his beer is starting to take affect as he starts to slur.  She tells him she needs a condom from her purse. She fishes one out and he starts kissing her again. Hidden in her hand is a small needle that she stabs into his neck. He fucks her quickly then collapses onto his back and passes out. Jessica waves to where she thinks the camera is. That’s Jason’s cue to enter the townhouse. He’s been waiting in a car with Todd, just down the street. He casually enters via the rear door, using his 2nd set of keys and heads right to the bedroom.

“Oh honey, I’m home.” Jason greets Jessica walking into the bedroom.

“Wow you look just like him.” She smiles as Jason approaches her with a deep passionate kiss.

“Who’s better?” He asks, anxious to upstage his brother. 

She kisses Jason again. “Oh, definitely you.”

Jason strips out of his clothes, tossing them on the chair, careful to not mix them with his brother's. He drags his lookalike off the bed, letting him hit the floor hard, then jumps into the bed patting it for Jessica to join him.  He fucks her, using a condom out of the dresser drawer. 45 minutes later Jessica is dressing herself.

“Are we good here?” She asks.

“Fuck I needed that, it’s been months. Thank you.” Garrett props himself up against the headboard, places his hands on the back of his head, grinning and proud of himself. 

“No, Thank you.” She crawls on top of him, rubbing against his crotch, kissing him again.

“How long will sleeping beauty be out?” He asks just to be sure.

“He’ll be lucky to catch his flight tomorrow morning. He won’t stir for 11-12 hours.”

“He won’t wake up at all?”

“Not at all, have fun out with your friends Garrett.”

She leaves the new Garrett alone with the original. He starts pulling Garrett’s outfit off the floor, pulling it all on himself, loving the thought of being Garrett for the night. He pulls on his brother’s 2xist boxer briefs, Diesel jeans, Harvard t-shirt, socks and Chelsea boots. He rolls up the cuff of his pants just like his brother prefers. He then takes off his brother’s jewelry,  slips on his Apple Watch, necklace and Harvard class ring. He admires the ring’s perfect fit and substantial feel. He runs to the  bathroom and in the mirror is Garrett Cook, tucking in his shirt and fixing his hair.

As he’s checking his appearance, Garrett’s iPad rings with an incoming FaceTime call from Jennifer. He eagerly answers, using his new fingerprint to unlock it easily.

“Babe, what a great surprise. I thought you were going to call tomorrow after shooting?” Jason answers excitedly. “I have a break and thought I’d show you something.” She zooms out, revealing some sexy black see-through, lacy lingerie.

“Oh babe, I can’t wait to see it in person.” Jason is instantly aroused again while unconsciously using his brother's 'babe' with her. Stepping into his brother's sex life is a huge turn on for him.

“These are for your eyes only, picked them up locally as a gift for you. You sounded so disappointed earlier when I couldn’t see you.”

“I was, I miss you so much. I want to strip them from you slowly, as I’m kissing and fondling you.”  Jason has his pants down and is stroking himself, he backs out the iPad to show Jennifer while she’s pulling out, showing herself fingering her pussy. It’s their usual routine and they both moan and climax together.

“Oh babe I miss you so much. I even thought of flying to Rome to surprise you, to see you on set but Robert’s campaign is heating up and I don’t have time. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t feel bad, I’ll see you in two weeks.”

“Yes, and we’ll take a week and go someplace we can be alone.” Jason uses every bit of information he gathered from Garrett’s feeds, chats and texts. They hang up and Jason just smiles to himself, thinking how easy this is going to be. He is enjoying the night so far—cyber and actual sex within hours.

 The new Garrett cleans himself up, grabs his favorite leather jack and heads to the bar. He’s in full Garrett mode, at their usual table early, recognizing and greeting everyone like old friends as they arrive. His new friends have no clue he’s not Garrett. He plays Garrett to the core—yelling at his favorite players, cracking jokes, downing his usual low carb beer and nuts. They’re at the Nickel till midnight and Jason has no problem assuming his brother identity and fitting in with his friends. 

Jason notices Todd and Ted nearby watching the night unfold. When ‘Garrett’ heads to the men’s room for a break, Todd joins him to make sure everything is fine. Jason assures him the night is perfect and he’s having a great time. Back home the imposter strips out of his clothes and jewelry, leaving everything a mess. To make sure his brother makes his flight, Jason sets alarm for 5am on his iPhone.

As expected, Garrett is late getting up, never showers and runs out the door to Lance’s car. The team tracks his phone making sure he’s in the air, then Jason heads to his future office. There’s a major test for today that the team needs completed—the new Garrett will be heading into the Senate office building to place bugs in Senator Gehris’ office and all of his staff. Being the dedicated political hack, Garrett is known to go into the office on weekends to ‘catch up’. It will also be a test of his new fingerprints. 

Jason first changes into one of his brother’s preppy casual Sunday outfits—khaki slacks, shirt, boots and sports coat. He’s lacking his brother’s class ring and Tag watch because they’re now on the way to Wisconsin but security won’t be concerned about that. Last night Jason was sure to swap their gov’t ID just to be safe with security. He’s nervous as he approaches security, places his hand on the scanner but it instantly approves, his pic pops up for security and he’s waved though. 

Jason has never been to Capitol Hill before and is in awe just being there. Thanks to the team’s research, he easily locates the Senator’s office on the 2nd floor. One of the ornate gold keys opens up the main door. The main receptionist area is very regal with a few leather sofas, dark mahogany paneling, and traditional desk for Trudy. Garrett’s name plaque on a door makes it easy to find his new office. The other ornate key opens his office door and the third key, probably opens Robert’s office. He knocks on the Senator’s door, gets no response then opens the door with the last key to be certain. 

Walking into ‘his’ office, Jason is impressed with how well it is decorated and laid out. He walks around picking up his Harvard coffee mug, then notices his diplomas on the wall behind his desk. Sitting down in his overstuffed chair gives him an overwhelming sense of power. He goes through the drawers and files, getting familiar with the layout. On his shelfs are some of his law books, his prized baseball under glass, signed by Billy Bean years ago. He takes off his sports coat and hangs it on the coat rack that’s in the corner.  The view out his window is of the courtyard with a fountain. It may not be the Capitol Rotunda but it’s still a great office with nice view. 

Back at his desk, Jason carefully removes the bugs and fiber optic cameras that were hidden in his briefcase. There’s an app on his iPhone which scans an enclosed space for electronic surveillance equipment like cameras, microphones and tracking devices. He tucks his brother’s homeland security proposal over the iPhone and heads out to scan the office suite. He does same for Robert’s office. The app confirms there’s no cameras or bugs, but it does find a lot of tracking devices embedded in computers and other pricey electronics to prevent theft. 

Once he’s sure no one is watching, he places them throughout his brother’s office, lobby and ‘bullpen’ where most of his staff works. As pretense to be in the Senator’s office, Jason picks up his brother’s homeland security proposal, reads it then hand carries it to the Senator’s office. If there are cameras the scan missed, they’ll see Garrett walk in the door, pause at the conference table to double check his work, then head to the desk, pausing to scan the document  one final time before leaving it for his boss. What any cameras would miss, is him placing bugs at the conference table and the senator’s desk. He avoids putting cameras in the Senator’s office for now. 

Jason is in the Senate office building all day learning his way around his new office, building and capitol complex. He’s been studying the layout for weeks and it really comes in handy walking around the complex. He heads over to the capitol building via the private people mover enjoying unlimited access. He is pleased with his skill fitting in at the capitol complex. With his ID badge in place, and new fingerprints, he’s Garrett Cook without a doubt. At the end of the day, he heads back to the farmhouse to brief the team on his success.

Substitution

The real Garrett is having a very busy but productive week in Wisconsin, rallying the faithful to Senator Gehris’ side and it appears to be working. Jason listens in on all the strategy conference calls, reads emails and text messages. He secretly joins a Wisconsin wide Webex his brother gives to the troops, that he’ll have to give many times. These trips are a great learning tool for Jason because everything his brother does is via his phone and computer. It's a front row seat to Garrett's life.

Jennifer calls him and mentions her new lace lingerie. He’s clueless but answers that he can’t wait to see them in person when she gets back—it didn’t raise questions with either of them. The rest of the chat is about her needing a break, the movie and her fights with the director. 

The bugs planted in the Senate office are working perfectly. They're capturing everything and everyone Garrett deals with daily. From the basic morning routine of getting coffee and office gossip, to the Monday morning staff meetings held by Garrett even when he's traveling. Everything is falling into place and the team is thrilled with Jason’s performance so far. He’s stuck at the farm but they are letting him go into town for lunch with Todd who’s still grilling him about his new life. Knowing Garrett’s early history is easy as they were side by side for all of it. It’s his more current life, after college that is the biggest challenge for Jason but he is a quick learner. 

While Garrett is away, Jeffrey lets Jason have some freedom providing he takes precaution in public. Jason puts on some old jeans, baggy hoodie, baseball cap, old sneakers and fake glasses to disguise himself. He’s anxious assume his brother’s life and heads over to his brother’s townhouse to explore and get comfortable with everything. Surveillance shows that Mr.s Finnegan, Garrett’s nosy neighbor, works at the Smithsonian Air and Space gift shop.  She leaves for work every day at 8:30am and get home at 6:00pm like clockwork. This gives him all day at his new place to play Garrett. 

On Monday He gets there a little early and waits for the neighbor to leave.  Once ‘home’, he strips out of his disguise, grabs his brother’s shorts, a t-shirt and joins a Peloton class. Todd is pushing him daily to work out and eat properly and it’s paying off but it’s a lot of work. His body is in the best shape it’s been since college. After working out, he showers and towels off admiring all his hard work. He’s the spitting image of his brother. 

“I’m Garrett Cook.” Jason thinks to himself in the mirror, “I’m going out to lunch as I would normally do today.” Jason is tire of being stuck on the farm, studying his brother and working out. He needs a life, his brother’s life.

Jason uses his brother’s electric toothbrush and personal hygiene products, getting himself ready for work. On his valet stand is the outfit that Garrett wore to work on Friday. He remembers his brother dressing in the morning and seeing pics of him at Club 122 with Lance on his Instagram. Jason wants his new scent on himself so he digs out his brother’s socks and underwear from the hamper and slips them on. The suit pants, shirt and tie follow easily because when he took everything off, he left the belt and cufflinks in place. The tie is tricky because he has always hated ties and rarely wears them. He pulls on the suit coat noticing the lapel pin still in place. From the dresser he borrows his brother’s Omega watch, snaps it on his wrist and marvel at its details and quality. 

Jason pulls his duplicate wallet from his jeans, adds it to his breast pocket the suit. In the mirror ‘Garrett’ stares in the mirror and smiles. He unlocks his iPhone and googles Club 122. It’s not far from Georgetown and has a great casual menu. “Garrett Cook is headed there for lunch.” He plans in his mind.

The phone rings showing a call from Todd.

“Garrett Cook, how may I help you?” Jason answers while watching himself in the mirror.

“You do realize we have cameras on you right?” Todd muses.

“Of course.” He lies, he totally forgot.

“You going out?”

“Just for lunch, just to test my new identity. Look at me, I’m the epitome of my brother.” Jason turns to face the camera hidden in the vent. 

“Okay, just keep away from his usual haunts. We can’t risk you running into someone who know he’s in Wisconsin.”

“It’s just lunch, far away from Capitol Hill, he only goes there with Lance to talk shop after work. They’re both out of town. Don’t worry.”

He takes his brother’s BMW out without hesitating. ‘Garrett’ takes a seat at the bar and the bartender recognizes him immediately with a low carb beer and asks if he wants the Cobb salad. Jason just rolls with it, enjoying his lunch and catching up on his brother’s day in Wisconsin. He’s loving his new identity, being out in public and respected as Garrett. He keeps checking his appearance in the mirror behind the bar. 

After lunch, Garrett gets a phone call from Paul Nelson, an old college friend who’s in DC for a conference. Using the cloned phone, Jason intercepts the call and talks to him. Since he’ll be taking over his brother’s life this weekend, Jeffrey and Todd allow another outing to meet Paul for happy hour in a few hours.  They meet at Tyson’s Corner, a large mall well outside of Washington where no one is likely to recognize Garrett or know that he’s out of town. His brother often talked about his college roommate Paul—the parties, professors, girls, classes and working out. Todd singled out Paul as a key contact and tested Jason on their friendship for weeks. It all comes back to Jason as he easily fools him for hours, having dinner afterwards. Paul brings up being interviewed by the FBI for his security clearances which Garrett uses to pump his friend for more information on their relationship. From this point forward, Paul will only be communicating with the new Garrett.

The rest of the week ‘Garrett’ visits his townhouse during the day, getting first hand experience at ‘home’ learning the details of his future life. He’s totally relaxed as he makes himself comfortable and explores all his personal belongings —home computer, files, college year book, DVR and wardrobe. By the end of the week, Jeffrey and Todd are convinced that it’s time to make the switch. Garrett  should be home late Saturday night.  The plan is to call him early, while he’s half awake, saying there’s an emergency at Lisa’s grandparents place outside of Bethesda and get him to the farm. 

Identity Switch

Garrett gets home late as planned, drags his luggage into the bedroom and collapses onto his bed. Sunday morning the Team watches him start to wake up and has Lisa call while he’s half awake. He doesn’t has time to think about what he’s doing or tell anyone. It’s a convincing story that Jason was riding a four wheeler, had an accident and isn’t doing good. Garrett tosses on his outfit from yesterday—jeans, a black v-neck sweater, tan suede Chelsea boots and a black/brown/tan large plaid sports coat. He then rushes out the door for the 45 minute drive to the farm.  He’s being tracked and monitored via his iPhone which has been hacked to prevent incoming and outgoing calls for the trip. 

From a monitor in Garrett’s future jail, Jason watches Garrett pull up in his BMW, huff up the steps and tuck his sunglasses into the V-neck of his sweater. Jeffrey and two armed men with guns are waiting behind the front door to greet him. Jeffrey opens the door before he even has a chance to knock.

“You must be Garrett, you look just like your brother.” Jeffrey greets Garrett with a big smile and invites him in. In seconds the door slams shut and Garrett has one gun pointed in his face and another poked into the back of his skull. 

“What’s going on? Where’s my brother?” Garrett asks nervously.

“Oh you’ll see him soon enough, follow me.” Jeffrey orders. 

Garrett is confused and scared at the same time. They lead him down a few flights of stairs, then into a secured room where Jason is waiting in sweatpants and Harvard t-shirt.

“Hey bro, you made it. Thanks for coming.” Jason greets his brother as he’s shoved through the door.

Garrett  looks at him oddly. “What’s going on? What’s with the guns? Lisa said you were hurt.”

“Just a little white lie bro.” Jason grins. 

“You’ve changed your hair.” Garrett notices right away.

“Yeah, I’ve cleaned myself up, and even ditched the tattoo you made fun of.” He pulls up his sleeve. “I had my wisdom teeth removed, liposuction, dieted and lost 30 pounds. I started working out and drinking protein shakes, just like you.” 

“I don’t understand, why all the changes? What’s going on?”

“Check these babies out.” Jason pulls up his t-shirt, pulls down his sweatpants,  showing off his abs and v-cut.

“Uhm, you look like me, and why are you wearing a Harvard t-shirt?” He asks puzzled. 

“Bro, Remember when I got you into Harvard by taking the SAT for you?”

“Yeah, that was part of it.” He counters.

“How about the other part, where I wrote your admissions essay?” Jason reminds him.

“You helped and you were always better with spewing bullshit. What is this all about?”  Garrett asks in a nervous tone. 

“We’re trading places for a few months. I’ll be Garrett Cook—Harvard grad and trusted chief of staff for Senator Gehris.”

“You’re taking over my identity?” It starts to sink in and he’s very confused.

“Now you’ve got it bro. So, step one, you need to strip completely. Right now!” Jason demands.

“You won’t get away with this, you’ll be caught as soon as you step inside the Senate office building and have your fingerprints scanned.” He warns. 

“Don’t worry about that bro, we’re truly identical. My fingerprints were altered to match your’s completely. They worked great last Sunday when ‘you’ went into the office before your flight to Wisconsin. Now please, strip so we don’t have to use force.” The new Garrett orders.

Garrett reluctantly strips down to his underwear, nervously placing everything on the sofa.

“Did I say stop? Everything bro, including your class ring.”  Jason nods to Garrett’s hand.

Garrett strips completely, laying his underwear and jewelry on top of his sweater. Jason strips out of his sweatpants, t-shirt and tosses them on the chair away from  Garrett. The new Garrett walks over to his brother, places his hand on his shoulder. They’re standing naked, side by side.

“What do you think guys? Two peas in a pod?” The new Garrett asks as the new Jason shoves his brother’s hand off his shoulder in disgust. Jeffrey, Todd and the doctor just stare at them.

“Wow, amazing work Doc, even the scar on the knee.” Todd comments and Jason stares at it shocked.

“Now step over to the chair and put on your clothes ‘Jason’.” The new Garrett orders him like a child and ‘Jason’ complies. 

The new Garrett walks over to the clothes that Garrett just removed and slowly starts dressing. He’s enjoying his transformation, catching glimpses of himself in the nearby mirror. He starts with the white boxer briefs and crazy socks, then steps into his jeans and tightens the belt. Garrett picks up the still warm sweater, sniffs it and pulls it over his head. He takes a seat, grabs his boots and pulls them on. ‘Jason’ is watching his brother dress while already dressed in Jason’s old sweat pants and Harvard t-shirt.  Garrett clips on his new Omega watch, orients and slips on his Harvard class ring and adds the necklace to his identity. He confidently pulls his sport coat on then feels his wallet, keys and phone in the pockets. He pulls out his wallet and checks for cash then puts it back. He’s now the spitting image of Garrett Cook.

“How do I look ‘Jason’?” Garrett cockily asks his brother as he tucks his sunglasses into his sweater's V and checks himself out in the mirror. “I really like my new style. Great casual outfit for a Sunday.” Jason doesn’t utter a word, just stares angrily at the new Garrett.

Todd is enjoying the swap. “You look great Garrett, how’s your old college buddy doing?”

‘Jason’ turns to Todd confused by the question, about to respond but ‘Garrett’ beats him to it. “Oh didn’t I tell you? Paul and Helen are expecting their 2nd child, hoping for a boy after little Mary. I met him for happy hour last Wednesday, remember?”

“You met Paul?” New Jason says shocked.

“Yeah, my old college buddy was in town last week for a conference and we grabbed a drink, then dinner. It was like old times, he hasn’t changed a bit but he thought I matured or something.” 

“What’s the point of pretending to be me Jason?” Garrett demands from the new Garrett.

“Actually, I'm not pretending. For all intents and purposes, I am Garrett Cook but to your point.” He looks at Jeffrey to see if he can share and Jeffrey nods his approval. “One, you’ve been Garrett long enough, Two, my friends here need an ‘inside’ man in Senator Gehris’ inner circle for a while. It’s win-win for all of us but you.”

Todd turns to Jason. “Garrett will accomplish great things for us.”

“The money is great bro, plus the perks are unbelievable—my hot girlfriend Jennifer, great job, beautiful townhouse and nice wardrobe. I really love your Washington lifestyle vs my meager existence in Albany.” Garrett adjusts the sweater sleeves in his sports coat.

The new Jason stares at his brother and can’t get over the transformation. “You fucker, everyone will know you’re not me. Robert, Jennifer, all my friends will know you’re not me.” He starts getting upset.

“Sorry to tell you bro, but I cybered with Jennifer last Saturday while you were passed out on the floor, after cheating on her. Shame on you, I’d never do that to her. It was hot, her fingering her pussy for me, modeling that sexy black lace lingerie.  I can’t wait to see her next Saturday, I miss her so much.”

“Something will trip you up, I’m sure.” Jason predicts.

“Oh, come on bro, our parents and none of our girlfriends could ever tell us apart.” He laughs. “Just look at me, I mean yourself. She’ll never know. You’ve only been dating her for a month. 'My' best and oldest friend Paul didn't suspect a thing.” Garrett brags.

“But I have friends that know me, routines with them, jokes we’ve shared and they do know me.” 

“Yeah, that’s right! Thanks for reminding me. It’s my turn to host poker on Thursday. Think I’ll just have Tony’s Pizza deliver again—the guys will complain but eat it like always.” 

“You fucking asshole!” Jason growls quietly.

The new Garrett goes over to the mirror and checks his appearance, running his hand through his hair, making sure it perfectly matches his brother’s. “Bro, look at me, I’m you down to the smallest detail. Think of this as a little vacation for a few months. We’ve been watching you for months, listening in on your calls, reading text messages. Oh, by the way, I had a blast with my friends last Saturday at the Nickel while you were passed out on the floor. Don’t worry, I covered for you, they didn’t miss you at all. Now I’ve got to get home, unpack and prep for work tomorrow, busy week ahead. Thanks for your notes on my Wisconsin trip, I’ll have my trip summary waiting on Robert’s desk before he gets in tomorrow. Oh wait, Robert is golfing tomorrow.” The new Garrett laughs at his brother, finds his car keys and tosses them in the air as he leaves. 

Jason is left standing stunned in the corner as Garrett looks back at him and smiles. The ‘Team’ leaves, the cell door is slammed shut and locked. Upstairs they continue with their plan.In Place

“How do you feel Garrett?” Todd asks as they head upstairs.

“A little jet lag from yesterday but I’ll be in top form tomorrow morning. I just need to chill today.” 'Garrett' assumes his brother's identity and twists his Harvard class ring. “Oh guys, I need my real gov’t ID and access card. I want everything to be authentic, down to the smallest details. I’m sure your duplicates are fine but I’d rather not take any chances.”

As they head to the living room, Garrett stops by his old room and grabs his real government IDs, tosses the fakes on the dresser.  He places everything back in his wallet. “Burn all that shit. I don’t want any trace of it.”

“From this point on, you are the one and only Garrett Marcus Cook and have to think of yourself as Garrett completely.” Jeffrey reminds him.

“Of course, who else would I be?” Garrett responds condescendingly and shoots Jeffrey dirty looks. “Guys, I have a lot to do today—luggage to unpack, laundry to do, reports to complete, work out, Facetime my girlfriend and find something to wear for tomorrow.”

“We won’t keep you Garrett.” Todd promises.

Todd and Jeffrey smile and  shake their heads rushes out the door. Garrett runs out to his BMW, jumps in, put on his Oakley sunglasses, pulls down his visor and checks himself out in the mirror. He is grinning as he heads back to start his new life. A few miles down the road, he stops for gas at a 7-Eleven enjoying his new identity just pumping gas, using his debit card and feeling his new outfit on him. As he finishes pumping, Garrett catches his reflection in the window of the BMW and it surprises himself. He is in heaven driving home to ‘his’ beautiful townhouse in Georgetown.  While driving, he admires his Harvard class ring and watch as he grasps the steering wheel. All the resentment and jealously now belongs to the imposter locked in a basement cell 30 miles away.

As he’s getting closer to Washington, his phone rings showing Robert Gehris on the caller ID.

“Robert, Good morning.” He greets his new boss without any hesitation or second thoughts of who he is now. In his mind he’s now completely Garrett Cook. 

“How was your trip, make it back okay?”

“Great trip, no problem getting back, just heading for breakfast.”

“What restaurant serves protein shakes?” Robert mocks him.

“Egg whites and turkey sausage.” Garrett responds as his usual health conscious self.

“I should have known that. Hey, I’m on with Elon tomorrow. Can you hold down the fort, keep Trudy on her toes?”

“Sure thing, was planning on it. Make sure to let him win. Wisconsin is in great shape, I’ll work on the summary today and it’ll be on your desk first thing tomorrow.” The new Garrett effortlessly uses the old Garrett’s lingo, that he heard over the past months.

“Great! At the hearing tomorrow don’t say a word to Cooper about the funding increase I’m sneaking into the budget. It’ll help me look strong on defense, diffuse Kelly’s one talking point.”

“You know me, I would never slip up like that.” The new Garrett knows exactly what Robert is talking about and is in complete control.

“I do know you, that’s for sure. Also, glance over my speech for the Chamber when you get a chance and don’t work too much today. Enjoy your Sunday.” He hangs up.

That was a major unexpected test, and Garrett passed easily with flying colors. It’s a beautiful Sunday morning and his new life is great.  He takes his time driving home, stopping at a little diner that he frequents and actually has a healthy breakfast. While eating, he checks his Instagram, text Jessica and goes through his wallet item by item to know where everything is. Kim, his waitress, brings his usual breakfast, then starts asking about his girlfriend.

He pulls into his garage a little before noon. A grin of satisfaction sweeps across his face as he walks into his townhouse.  There’s a knock at the door a minute later and he opens it without hesitation.

“Garrett, welcome home, good trip?” Mrs. Finnegan greet him and hands him his mail.

“Great trip Mrs. Finnegan, I feel like a new man! Thanks for everything, did the plants give you any trouble?” Garrett uses a joke his brother used when asking her to plant sit.

“Oh Garrett, I had to break up a fight between your ficus plant and the cactus.” 

“Thank you, I really appreciate it and will keep an eye on them.” Garrett laughs at her joke.

Mrs. Finnegan leaves and Garrett eases into his new life, checking out everything with no concerns about being there. He is now Garrett Cook and this is his home. First he unpacks his luggage, separating the laundry and dry cleaning, throwing a load into his washer. 

Per instructions from the ‘Team’ he removes all bugs and cameras from the townhouse, then uninstalls all software from his gov’t issue computer.  Now that the new Garrett is in place, there’s no need for them.

Garrett’s friend Jonathan calls, wanting to grab lunch and he accepts. They head to ‘Papa Joe's’ where Garrett gets his standard salad and carb free beer. It’s a fun time and  Jonathan doesn’t seem to notice anything different about his friend. Garrett is enjoying being his brother with another friend, totally assuming his identity flawlessly. They talk about their jobs, golf outing and girlfriends. Garrett discusses the poker night at his place as is usual for him and his friends. Lunch is effortless and fun. 

After lunch, Garrett heads into the office to work on his notes and trip summary. It takes hours, watching videos of his various meeting and matching them to ‘his’ notes but he’s enjoying being Garrett. As is habit, he drops off the report on his boss’ desk. Hours of being there gives Garrett a sense of power, realizing he’s now part of the Washington elite. He walks around exploring the entire complex. His ID and fingerprints give him complete access to go anywhere in the Capitol complex. Most importantly, he locates the cafeteria where he eats most days and the various conference rooms mentioned in meeting notices and emails. His biggest concern is Senate protocol and rules. From video footage of public hearings, it appears the staffers sit there quietly, sometimes whispering in the Senator’s ear to add information. Garrett is always on the right side of the Senator in every meeting. 

Keeping Garrett’s routine with Jennifer,  he FaceTimes her at 6pm which is almost bedtime for her. She’s in a new pair of sexy, hot pink lingerie.

“Babe, you take my breath away. I love your surprises.” He drools.

“I can’t wait to model them for you in person, all night long.” She’s rubbing herself.

“I have a surprise for you.” Garrett had ordered sheer Under Armour underwear. They were delivered a few days ago while he was away and never worn. He backs out the camera showing off his throbbing hard-on.

“Oh babe, they look so sexy on you.” Jennifer giggles and squeals in excitement. 

“Oh fuck Jen, you don’t know the danger you’re in when you get home. I miss you so much.” He expertly moves the camera down his chest, to his new six pack abs, ending up showing him rubbing his erect penis under his new underwear. 

Garrett has seen about 5 of these sessions, participated as Garrett in one but he practiced his ‘moves’ replicating his brother’s perfectly. Sex with Jennifer will be the ultimate test of his new identity and he’s confident he’ll ace it. 

“Oh Garrett, I need to feel you in me.” She moans as she’s fingering herself.

Hearing her moaning his new name causes him to explode immediately. “Fuck babe, fuck!!” 

Jennifer follows seconds later. “I so needed that Garrett, I love you.” 

“I love you too, I feel like jumping on a jet right now to see you.” He’s repeating what Garrett  suggested to his friends.

“Just another week, then I’m all your’s.”

Garrett finishes up, lays back in his bed completely satisfied with his performance. It was easier the second time with no fear of being discovered as a fraud. He puts his hands behind his head, smiles and thinks to himself “You are Garrett Marcus Cook.” 

Garrett cleans himself up then starts going through his mail, email and finally his bank account. Thanks to the keystroke trackers, he memorized all his new passwords. This is one of Garrett’s routines—Sunday nights are for checking his bank account and paying bills. Everything is all set up. Once logged in, it’s simple to pay bills just as Garrett does. 

For dinner Garrett  throws on his sports coat, adopting his standard preppy look and heads to the Nickel for a quick bite. Tony the bartender hands him a beer and orders his usual grilled chicken sandwich. Minutes later Mark and Amy show up unexpectedly and joins their friend. He fills them in on his trip—how cold it was, that he didn’t pack properly for it and how he misses Jennifer. His friends are clueless he’s not Garrett and invite him and Jennifer out next Sunday when she’s back. 

Jason ends his first day as Garrett thrilled with the ease he assumed his identity—from handling Robert to hanging with Mark and Amy.  

First Day of Work

Garrett is excited for his ‘first day’ back in the office after his trip. He is up earlier than normal but follows his usual routine, starting with his Peloton workout. Randy, his coach really whips his ass, shouting out to him and pushing him hard since he missed a few days while traveling. Garrett is as totally hooked on Peloton as the old Garrett was. He follows his workout with his usual protein shake for breakfast.

Garrett heads to the bathroom, stares in the mirror, rubs his six pack and thinks to himself, ‘I love my Harvard gear’ then pulls off his damp Harvard t-shirt.  The work the team performed on him is amazing. He checks out the inside of his mouth and looks at his non-cavity that the real Garrett had fixed by his dentist down the street. His gums have healed completely after the wisdom teeth surgery. He looks for any trace of the tattoo on his shoulder—he gently rubs the area in awe that there’s no evidence of it ever being there. 

He’s sweaty from his 45 minute workout and takes his time showering then prepping for work. He’s watched all the morning routine videos that fill an iCloud account. Everything he does in the bathroom, mirrors his brother’s routine to the ’T’. Garrett dabs a little wax into his palm, rubs it around to warm it up, then works it into his hair. His comb through, gives him his usual dapper look that’s similar to JFK’s hair style. Garrett uses his electric shaver and toothbrush without thinking. A swipe of his Tom Ford deodorant, and spritz of his matching Tom Ford cologne completes his grooming routine. He smiles wickedly in the mirror as he now has his brother’s scent. 

Garrett’s Instagram is full of him and his suited friends at various happy hour at bars.  He’s been studying and scouring his brother’s social media for weeks now, noting details like friends, location, comments and what he wears. His brother definitely has a very preppy, conservative style. Garrett mockingly thinks of it as  ‘Harvard in your face’ look but loves embracing it. It makes it easy for the new Garrett to duplicate his brother’s persona.

Jason never owned a good suit—one that costs more than $200 but the new Garrett loves his wardrobe. It’s full of very conservative, expensive Tom Ford, Brooks Brothers, Polo and Brioni suits. He scans his suits, looking for something that screams ‘Garrett Cook’.  He pulls a few suits off the rod and holds them in front of himself as he studies himself in the mirror. A charcoal suit catches his attention and looks really familiar—it’s a Tom Ford 3 piece suit. He remembers pics of him wearing this same suit a few weeks ago. It’s fall and today is probably the coldest day of the year so far, so this is the perfect choice. He pulls it off the rod then focuses on a tie…. A Harvard tie of course. 

On the wall next to his shirts, is his collection of Harvard ties, all crimson in color with either a crest pattern or collegiate rep  pattern. There must be 30 Harvard ties, and quite a few bowties. He selects one that’s clearly visible in a few recent Instagram pics and drapes it around the suit neck.  For the shirt, he goes with his Ike Behar custom blue shirt with contrasting white French cuffs and collar, and ‘GMC’ monogramming on the sleeve. For shoes, Garrett sticks with his black wingtips he wore last week in Wisconsin. 

Garrett lays everything out on his bed, double checking the outfit to make sure it says ‘Garrett Cook’.  The image is the easy aspect to master since his brother purchased all the clothes in the closet. The new Garrett has to maintain the image and not do anything out of character. When he was staying with his brother a few weeks ago, he noticed his brother’s love for colorful socks and noticed his drawer had only a few pairs of solid dark color socks. He selects a pair of his brothers Under Armour boxer briefs and charcoal/gray stripe socks to start his outfit.

Slowly the new Garrett gets dressed for a typical day in the office. He steps into his pants, pulls them up then notices a belt is not needed—the suit has adjustable side tabs and no belt loops. The pant waist is a perfect fit with no need for adjusting the tabs. He wiggles into his untied wingtips that feel great on his feet. Garrett pulls on the dress shirt without a t-shirt, per his brother’s lifelong routine. It’s tapered for his waist and again, a perfect fit for him. He tucks it in, then realizes he needs cufflinks.  At his jewelry box, he selects Harvard cufflinks and adds them to his cuffs. It takes a little getting use to since Jason never wore cufflinks. While at the jewelry box, Garrett finds a beautiful white gold Rolex and snaps it on his wrist with care. In the mirror, he pulls on his lapel vest, grabs his Harvard tie and duplicate his brother’s method. It takes him a few tries to produce the knot his brother usually ties with little effort but he’s satisfied with it. He makes final adjustment of the tie, buttons up his vest and confidently pulls on the suit coat.

In front of the mirror, the new Garrett Cook, chief of staff for Senator Gehris, stares at himself. Garrett checks out every little detail for his first day back at work. He runs his hand through his hair and realizes it’s perfect. He checks his cufflinks, adjusts tie knot and smiles. His new Rolex and class ring completes his image. As he’s adding his wallet and phone to his coat, he notices his name stitched in gold, inside the jacket.  He smiles at himself, then reviews his appearance from head to toe. Something is missing, Garrett opens up his Instagram and spots it immediately—his Senate lapel pin he always wears. He searches for it in his jewelry box, then on his dresser then finally finds it on the lapel of the suit he wore a week ago before heading to Wisconsin. Back at the mirror, Garrett carefully adds his lapel pin taking satisfaction that his image is perfect, down to the smallest detail.

He arrives at work an hour early, the first person in the office, anxious to get started. Garrett hangs his coat in his closet but leaves on the lapel vest. The computer is booted up and connected to the network. His calendar, full of hearings, staff meetings, election strategy meetings and training opens up automatically. Garrett preps for events weeks and even months ahead which really helps the new Garrett. On his computer are reams of notes for upcoming hearings.  

People start strolling in, popping into his office or greeting him at the coffee machine. He greets them one by one, recognizing and putting faces to the names that litter his texts, emails and phone conversations.  Things start falling into place. Garrett has access to Senator Gehris’ schedule which is important to the ‘team’, but also for his new job. They overlap a lot, including an invitation to the Whitehouse for dinner with the president and the prime minister of the United Kingdom. In his drawer he finds the actual engraved invitation and admires it. 

Since Senator Gehris is out of the office golfing with Tesla executives, he’s in charge. There’s an email from the senator reminding Garrett to do a few things like the Chamber of Commerce speech. He uses his intern Steve, to help with some items, while Garrett attends a hearing on veterans benefits. On his computer are previous meeting notes he typed up, all he has to do is add to the notes following his brother’s succinct style. 

Lance stops by thanking him for his support last week and they grab lunch in the Senate cafeteria. He follows Lance’s lead at the cafeteria, letting him go first though the line and picking a table.  Thanks to weeks of listening to Garrett’s phone call and chats, he easily converses with his friend. At the judicial hearing, he has this overwhelming sense of history and self importance—Senator Gehis is counting on him. He sits in the hearing, taking notes and making a few statements on the Senator’s position. Back at his desk he discovers a print out of the Senator’s Chamber speech in his inbox`. His brother was kind enough to have already critique it and make notes in the margins to raise with Senator Gehris. This makes that discussion really simple now. 

Garrett passes on happy hour and works till 7pm —the first to arrive, the last to leave. He was on edge all day but did a great job keeping it together and nobody seemed to notice anything or raise in eyebrow. In his desk drawer is a bottle of Crown Royal whiskey and shot glass. He helps himself to a shot and packs up. 

Back for Information

Garrett heads to the farm after work to meet with the Team, report on his first day and get information from ‘Jason’. He still doesn’t have a clue who he’s working for but it doesn’t matter—he needed a new life and this is perfect. He’s enjoying every aspect of being his brother.

Jeffrey greets him at the door as dinner is being served in the dining room. 

“Garrett, good to see you, how was work?” 

“Very busy as usual, with Robert out of office, I was running the whole office and his re-election campaign. I’m whipped.” He uses Garrett’s typical altitude and expression easily.

“Any problem fitting in?” Todd asks.

“Not at all, I keep a very detailed schedule and notes for upcoming events, weeks in advanced so I just picked up where I left off last week. It felt really natural for me.” Garrett grabs a plate, helps himself to some dinner.

“We watched and listened in all day,  your performance was dead on as Garrett.” Jeffrey notes.

“Great, how is ‘Jason’ doing? I need some information from him.” Garrett asks.

“He’s upset, he was watching CSPAN earlier and saw himself live in the veterans benefits hearing. It was a shock seeing himself on live TV.” Todd adds.

“Really, I didn’t even notice any cameras, too busy taking notes for Senator Gehris who was out golfing all day. I get to meet him face to face tomorrow but I had a perfect phone conversation with him yesterday. I need more details about my personal relationship with the Senator—how they interact in the office, have lunch together, their routine when meeting.  Also, I’ve been invited to the Whitehouse dinner for the new prime minister of the UK. Think he’ll help me?” Garrett ponders.

“Well, if he won’t, we can fix that with some truth serum.” Jeffrey promises.

“He doesn’t know his fate does he?” Garretts asks.

“No, he thinks this is a temporary scam and he’ll get his life back. I’ve been hanging with him, getting to know him, being his pal to help you with details.” Todd explains.

“Good, he’ll be willing to help me be him then. I’ll play that angle that I’m a little nervous meeting Robert tomorrow for the first time, and don’t want to mess up ‘his’ life.” Garrett explains.

“If he gives you any problems, let me know and he’ll be begging to help you.” Rod, the resident ‘muscle’ offers, cracks his knuckles and grins.

“I know my brother and his image is extremely important to him. When we were growing up, he sweated over having the perfect hair, outfit and image he presented to others. I couldn’t care less, now look at me. Thanks guys.” Garrett jokes with his friends.

Face to Face

Garrett heads to the basement but stops in the bathroom to check his appearance. When he opens the door, his brother’s mouth drops, seeing his double.

“Judging by your expression, I must have your looks nailed bro.” Garrett boasts as he confidently strolls in.

“What the fuck Jason, just let me go and we’ll forget this ever happened.” He yanks at a chain that tethers him to his heavy duty metal bed frame.

“What fun would that be? Remember how we’d swap places in high school? You used to enjoy letting your hair down and pretending to be me. Remember when I had the flu and you took Maria out as me, fucked her in the back of my car. I found out days later. This is pay back. Oh, Jennifer bought some new lingerie and shared with me on FaceTime last night. She is sooo hot bro.” Garrett shakes his hand like he just touched a hot object.

“How long are you going to play this little game? What if you get caught?  You’ll go to jail.” Jason tries to scare Garrett.

“Just a few months bro, after I collect my money, I’ll disappear and you’ll never see me again. You better hope I don’t get caught. If I do, you’ll be the fall guy, which is why I’m here. You’re going to help me be a better you. Not that I need much help but there are still some details only you know and I need to know.”

“Why should I?” He says in a pissed off tone.

“The sooner my friends get what they need, the sooner you’ll be free. It’s that simple, I promise.” Garrett lies though his teeth.

“What do you need from me?” He offers quietly.

“Robert is coming back tomorrow after golfing with Musk today. How do you interact with him? What’s your routine with him? Do you do lunch every day? Coffee?  Memorable events you share? What jokes do you share? Everything to be you with the boss. We talked yesterday as I was heading home. He gave me pointer for today’s hearing, then talked about reviewing his Chamber speech and Wisconsin first thing tomorrow.”

Jason begrudgingly spills his guts. Garrett pulls out his portfolio and takes notes on top of his hearing notes from earlier. The conversation is also being recorded from bugs planted around the room. Jason talks for hours about his friend and mentor. Garrett gets a really good appreciation for their history and routine. He excuses himself and heads to the security office where Todd is waiting for him.

“How did it go? It looks like he’s being honest with you?”

“Yeah, I know my brother and I know when he’s lying. He was never as good of a liar as me. The biggest reason he’s helping is he doesn’t want me messing up his perfect life.” Garrett laughs.

“Good, what else do you need from him?”

“I’m going to get some personal details off him. Things like his style, work habits like lunches, happy hour friends. I need more about Jennifer, how they met, their first kiss, sex and other personal information but I think it’s best to wait a few days, not push him for too much.” Garrett explains.

“Good thinking, I’ve been hanging with him during the day, talking, being friendly to him. We aren’t going to let him shave or cut his hair though. And we’ll change his fingerprints once we are through with him. When they heal, Jason Cook will have a car accident.”

“Good, there’s still a lot he can help me with and as long as his useful, let’s keep him around. Do you have a key for his handcuffs? It might help him feel safer and cooperate if we allow him a little freedom. He really can’t escape with all the cameras and Rod, Nick and Tony on guard.” Garrett notes. 

“Sure, we’ll see how he does.” Todd opens up the desk drawer nearby and tosses it to him.

Garrett re-enters the room, fixing his zipper.

“Are they treating you okay bro?” Garrett asks, trying to sound sincere.

“Food is okay but being handcuffed is uncomfortable.”

“Ha! Those were my thoughts exactly. I got the guard to agree to this.” Garrett uncuffs Jason preparing to be attacked, then realizes his brother is just a wussy political hack without a back bone. Jason rubs his wrist, then heads to the bathroom. 

From the bathroom with no door, Jason yells out. “So I saw myself live on CSPAN today in the Senate hearings on veteran's benefits.”

“Really? I didn’t see any cameras?” Garrett fakes ignorance.

“Yeah, they’re always there but unlike the old days, the cameras are state-of-the-art fiber optics, built into the wood trim. I had a tour the first day I started. They can zoom in on a nose hair but don’t worry, you looked fine today, actually you looked almost just like me.”

“That’s the point bro. Hey wait, what do you mean by ‘almost’? I nailed it, just look at me.” Garrett walks over to the mirror, smiles and admires himself in the mirror. After only a day as Garrett, he’s gotten an appreciation for custom suits and his new professional image.

“I have to admit. The transformation has been amazing. Weeks ago when I first saw you, I thought how different we had become. Now I’m shocked by how identical we are.” Jason acknowledges.

“Yeah, I had to give up fast food completely. And I’m working out like you, with Randy now. I’m even having your breakfast shakes but I’ve notice you haven’t kicked the coffee habit. Thank god, because I couldn’t be doing this if you had.” Garrett complains and jokes with his brother.

“Coffee is the only thing that keeps me going on those 14 hour days. Just wait, you’ll be begging me to take my life back, it’s hardly glamorous.”

“Maybe, the job seems crazy and your schedule is daunting. But parts of it I’m really enjoying. The cyber with Jennifer is so hot bro.”

“Oh yeah, and the sex is even better.” He lets it slip.

“I never realized how awful my wardrobe is. I’m loving the suits.” Garrett jokes to lead the conversation where he wants to take it.

“You fucker, you’re wearing my best suit, my favorite suit.” He berates his brother. 

“It’s a good look on you, on me. I saw it on Instagram and just had to wear it. It’s a perfect fit and adds credibility to my identity.” Garrett checks his tie and shirt cuffs and cufflinks. He faces his brother and confidently runs his hand through his cowlick as is common for his brother.

“You’re not keeping it, don’t even think it and don’t get any stains on it.” Jason warns Garrett, then notices something. “Fuck, that’s my Rolex, isn’t it?”

“Well technically, mine for now. When did you get a Rolex?” Garrett flashes his wrist.

“It was a gift from Robert, for coming up with his campaign slogan and helping him win his Senate seat. It means the world to me. Don’t wear it.” Jason reveals some great personal details Garrett would never know.

“Wow,  what was the slogan, do I know it?” Garrett changes the topic and probes more.

“A New Voice for New York.” He brags.

“Fuck, I did hear that one, that was all you? Even the jingle?”

“Yes, all me.” He sings the jingle for a second.

“Wow, I’m impressed bro, wondered how you were using your law degree. Now I know, doing marketing.” Garrett laughs keeping the conversation light and directing it where he wants it to go.

“Well, It pays better and I’m a natural at politics.”

“Yeah I saw your interview on Fox, how did they put it? Oh yeah, ‘Senator Gehris is a long shot for president though. He doesn’t even have a slogan’.” Garrett gently pumps.

“He hasn’t even announced a run. I'm laying the groundwork for it quietly. I do have the slogan for it, just not sharing it.” Jason points out.

“Yeah but he will. What's the slogan?” Garrett knows because of the bugs in their offices.

“We’re just setting up field offices, the Iowa caucus is six months away, anything can happen but I’m thinking ahead. ‘A New Voice for a New America’ and using the same jingle but on a national level, changing the cities, industries et cetera.” Jason brags his campaign ideas and life away without knowing it. 

“I’ll let you worry about that. If I play the part right, you’ll be back in place to deal with that BS without anyone knowing and no harm done to you.” Garrett lies.

“How long will that be?” Jason asks

“A few months at the most, faster with your help. I want to be on a beach, far away by Christmas.” Garrett lies and makes more false promises. 

“What else do you need to know?” Jason takes the hook.

“Things only Garrett would know so I don’t get discovered.”

“Like what?” 

“Best friend in office? Do you have favorite cufflinks? What you do for lunch every day, with whom, where, what you talk about? All the little stuff you probably don’t think twice about is driving me crazy. All the little stuff.”  Garrett pushes for and gets. 

“You picked the right tie but that knot sucks, who taught you how to tie a tie?”

“You did, when we were 14, remember?” Garrett fires back.

“Oh god, do you even know what a Windsor knot is?” Jason disparagingly questions his brother. 

“I’ve heard of it. I’ll google it tomorrow, is that the only knot you use?” Garrett questions back. 

“Yes, it goes with all my spread collar shirts. Thank god Robert was out of office today, he would have noticed.” Jason goes over to his brother, loosens his tie, pulls it off then pulls it around his neck and ties a perfect windsor knot without a mirror. Garrett is shocked he does it so easily and pays close attention.

“I’ll have to practice that.” Garrett promises.

Jason carefully removes the tie over his head, goes back to his brother, flips up his collar and helps him perfect his Garrett Cook appearance.  Garrett tucks it back in his vest, fixes his collar back down and adjusts his knot.

“Notice the difference?” Jason mockingly asks. "I see you didn’t forget the lapel pin.” 

 “Wow, yes, huge difference bro. I’ll make you proud tomorrow man. Yeah, I almost forgot your Senate lapel pin this morning.” Garrett is learning so much about his new life.  

Jason comes up to him and rotates the lapel pin. “The ‘United States’ should be on top. If you don’t push the clutch in tight, it’ll rotate like it was a minute ago.”

“Wow, you are a stickler for detail aren’t you?”

“You’re not fucking up my life if I can help it.” Jason reveals what matters to him and Garrett picks up on it again.

“I’ll try not to. So what should I wear for tomorrow then?” Garrett is testing his anal brother.

“First thing, never wear the same suit twice in the same week. I have plenty of suits to go a month without that happening. I’d go with my medium gray Brioni with slight pinstripe, Silver/Crimson rep tie and ‘my’ shoes you’re currently wearing.”

“Your favorites?” Garrett wiggles his foot. “Do you ever wear a normal tie?”

“Yes, they’re my favorites but get them polished, there’s a shoe shine station on the north side of the building that’ll do them in 10 minutes for $20. I have ‘normal’ ties for a wedding or night out but rarely in the office, it’s always Harvard colors, it’s my signature look, my work uniform. Besides, crimson goes with any suit.”

“Hey, what about Robert tomorrow? Any pointers?” Garrett pushes a little more since Jason is concerned about maintaining his life.

Jason is silent while trying to answer. “That’s tough, he’ll want to talk about Wisconsin and adding other states quietly. He really needs backing from Silicon Valley, so Musk is a must. You have a campaign Webex set up for 10am, my slides are in  my campaign folder on desktop. It’ll be you, Lance and Tracey.”

“Yeah, I’ve seen your canned presentation and practiced it many times.” 

“Okay, know it all. He’ll push you for slogans but don’t, that’s my glory and it’s way too early in the campaign, I want to think about it more, have a few more options for him.”

“Wow, okay, I promise I won’t steal your glory bro.” 

“Since it’s his first day back, he’ll want to take everyone to Monocle, a restaurant nearby but call Steve Walker, his driver and he’ll take you all. The Philly cheesesteaks are the best in DC. I always get one and a diet Coke or Ultra beer.”

“Hey, you’re doing dinner at the Whitehouse?” Garrett asks.

“Yeah, it’s black tie and Jennifer is looking forward to it. Fuck, I won’t be back by then will I?”

“Sorry bro, I’ll be attending that.” Garrett smiles.

“You fucker, it’s my first invitation to the Whitehouse. I even purchased a new Tuxedo that I need to pick up at Brioni.”

“Oh, that’s what this is?” Garrett opens wallet and pulls ticket from it.

“Yes, it should be ready.”

“Sweet, I’ve never worn a tuxedo before.” Garrett teases.

“I was so looking forward to this. I’ve never been to such an event and I’m a huge fan of the prime minister.

“I am too, I love the new trade agreement and I memorized his commons speech. He’s my idol, I’m so thrill to be meeting him.” Garrett grins deviously.

“So you listened to my chats with Jennifer, studied my bookmarks but can you even play the part of a politician?”

“Easily, just look at me.” Garrett stands up, buttons his jacket and straightens his posture.

“You’ll need pumps too, not dress shoes.” He responds defeated.

“Okay, you’ll buy a pair tomorrow, something conservative of course. I need to type up the summary from today’s hearing and get to bed. Busy day tomorrow.” Garrett grins at him. 

“Oh, you have happy hour tomorrow at the Union Pub with Lance, Mark and Jonathan. I never miss it.”

“I know, I’ll get there early as usual and grab our normal table near the giant menu board. I’ll order a few drafts of Ultra, have some chips/salsa, maybe steal a wing off Lance.” Garrett smiles.

“Wow, you’ve done your homework.” Jason is in shock by the amount of details his twin has about his former life.

“Like I told you, not homework. We’ve been doing happy hour at the Union Pub for 5 years almost.” Garrett brags and leaves.

Todd and Jeffrey are anxiously waiting for Garrett when he gets upstairs. 

“Garrett, that was amazing. He couldn’t stop talking about himself.”

“Yeah, I guided him exactly where I needed to go. Tomorrow will be easy.” Garrett confidently smiles. “Guys, I’m exhausted, need anything from me?”

“No, we just need you to be Garrett Cook.” Jeffrey responds. 

“Okay, I’ll be busy all day tomorrow as you probably heard. Todd, find out what it’s like to be dating a Hollywood star for me, I’m sure he’ll brag about Jennifer. He loves ‘guy talk’ and will get in the gutter.” 

Before Garrett leaves, he heads to the bathroom, takes a piss and smiles at himself in the mirror. He opens up his jacket noting his stitched name, eyes his perfectly positioned lapel pin and windsor knotted tie. ‘I’m Garrett Cook, nice to meet you’ He quietly says to himself. On the way home he stops at the Union Pub and has a drink to familiarize himself with the restaurant, he does the same for Monocle. By the time he’s ‘home’ it’s after midnight but he stays up completing his hearing notes.

Second Day of Work

Garrett wakes up at 6:30 am, his standard time. Like the day before, he does cardio with his Peloton coach, makes himself a protein shake, showers and grooms himself to perfection. He follows his brother’s advice, selecting his medium gray pin stripe Brioni suit and crimson rep tie.  The pants are lined to the knees as he pulls them on, he wiggles into his wingtips then pulls on the shirt after inserting some Harvard cufflinks he found in his jewelry box match his tie.  While drinking his shake, Garrett watches a few YouTube videos on how to tie a Windsor knot.  A few tries and minutes later, his tie has a perfect Windsor knot with the same dimple his brother agonized over. After pulling on the suit coat, he adds his lapel pin making certain the orientation is  correct and the clutch is holding it firmly in place. 

Garrett Cook stares in the mirror, fusses with his hair, cufflinks and tie clip, making sure nothing is out of place.  He adds his Montblanc pen to his shirt pocket then buttons his top suit button. To maintain Garrett’s style, he clips his cherished Tag on his wrist instead of the Rolex. He grins at his image and thinks to himself. “You’re Garrett Cook, Garrett Marcus Cook, no, I’m Garrett Marcus Cook, Chief of Staff for Senator Gehris. I’m dating Jennifer Hasting, the hottest woman in movies. We’re the talk of TMZ and the gossip rags. Guys want to be me but I’m the only Garrett Cook.” 

Garrett clips his Senate ID onto his suit jacket, puts his wallet, iPhone and keys in place and soften his grin to a smile. He’s the epitome of Garrett. With his brother locked up securely, he’s the only Garrett Cook with his unique finger prints and dental records to prove it. No amount of scrutiny could prove he’s not.

It’s raining outside so Garrett slips his Burberry trench coat on over his suit, grabs an umbrella and heads out the door for another day. Once passed security, Garrett tracks down the shoe shine station his brother recommended. Like yesterday, he beats everyone in, hangs up his coats and makes himself a coffee.  He’s not happy having to drink black coffee but it’s what he drinks now, just like his protein shakes and kale salads.

The day starts right after Garrett’s first sip of coffee when Senator Gehris storms into the office and pops his head into Garrett’s office. No one else is there yet.

“Good, I was hoping you’d be in early.” Robert greets his new employee.

“Just had my first sip but I’m ready.” Garrett jumps up and follows Robert into his office. This is the moment Garrett warned him about—very private confidential discussion with information on people, plans, gov’t programs and strategy. Jason actually prepped Garrett perfectly for this moment, telling him what concerns to raise, how to challenge him and details about the topics.

“Shut the door.” Robert orders Garrett. “First thing, Mitchell is going to cave, talk to him and get him to swear allegiance to me. Tell him there’s a spot in my cabinet for him.”

“Will do.” Garrett replies knowing his brother’s usual pitch of ‘Senator Gehris would really appreciate blah blah blah and would be in debt to you’.

“Second thing, Elon is backing my candidacy, good for millions and promising full Silicon Valley support. I had to let him win.” Robert smiles.

“That is fantastic. I’ll be out to California in a few weeks.” Garrett responds, as Jason was expecting this. 

“You’ll be out in California fucking your girlfriend, not accomplishing anything for me. I know you, I can see she’s changing you already. You’re not as intense.” Robert observes.

“Relax Robert, I’m still the same old Garrett.” He promises but knows better.

He’s there for a few hours reviewing issue after issue, making suggestions, taking notes  and Senator Gehris doesn’t suspect a thing. Garrett attends a social security funding meeting with him, taking notes and offering opinions.  

Garrett calls Todd at the farm to get Jason on the phone for guidance on a few items the Senator is asking for. His brother doesn’t think twice about helping Garrett, under the belief that he’s protecting his career, not pounding nails into his own coffin. With this help, the new Garrett handles his new life easily. Lunch at Monocle and happy hour at Union Pub was easy and like his brother, his new friends gave him grief for his low carb beer and carrot sticks.

After a busy day of successfully assuming Garrett’s identity with his boss and his first happy hour with friends, Garrett enters his home very pleased with himself. He makes sure to not let his guard down for a minute, keeping with his brother’s habits—getting his mail and opening it, taking off his suit but leaving on a slight loosened tie, and having a diet coke. At 9pm, Robert calls to review tomorrow with his chief of staff. Garrett has been listening to these calls for months and interacts with his boss as he always does, knowing all of the issues. After hanging up with Robert, Garrett changes out of his suit and FaceTimes his girlfriend.

In bed Garrett tosses and turns, thinking about his new life, work issues, upcoming events like the Whitehouse dinner. If someone would have told him months ago that he’d be doing this, he would have laughed. But laying in Garrett’s bed, checking the time on his Tag, and admiring his Harvard class ring, he is Garrett Cook. This all feels so natural for him after only a few days. 

Girlfriend Details

Garrett is nailing his new life with help from his locked up brother. The hope of being released soon and not wanting his life screwed up, makes Jason very cooperative. Garrett talks to him via Todd’s cell phone getting everything he needs. Garrett’s new life is nothing like he expected though—he’s working long hours and constantly on the go. On the other hand though, he loves being Garrett, living his life, sexting his hot girlfriend and getting away with it. 

The biggest challenge so far, has been the many new people in his life, then add Senator’s contacts, and many are strangers to him. The surveillance of Garrett’s home, office and phone helped but everyday there’s someone new calling him that he’s expected to know. Without his brother’s help, someone would notice the changes in him. That’s why he is making it a point to visit his brother often, stringing him along with false hope, so his personal information keeps flowing to him.

Wednesday afternoon is spent at the Pentagon with Robert dealing with defense spending. He’s worried about  security but like the Senate building, his gov’t ID and fingerprints give him easy access. Garrett is exposed to top secret documents and meet with many key military staff. He doesn’t have to do much though—just take notes and share his opinion with Robert.

After the meeting, Robert drops him off at his townhouse so he doesn’t have to use the Metro system.  Garrett is happy with the change as it’s early, giving him more time to spend with his brother. Tonight is critical to get his brother’s detailed history about Jennifer. He’s been bragging to his new ‘buddy’ Todd about the sex but little about personal details.

Garrett enters his brother’s cell and finds him watching TV.  He has an iPad also but it’s limited to only download information, there’s no way to add apps, send emails or text messages. 

“Hey Bro, hope you haven’t seen me on TV again.” Garrett jokes.

“I did see some can footage of me with the Robert that was taken months ago but nothing recent. It was enough of a shock seeing myself live on CSPAN.” He chuckles.

“So how are you being treated?  They promised to treat you well.”

“Yeah, the handcuffs and chain are gone, the door is still locked. They’re even making me protein shakes and gave me an exercise bike.  It’s not Peloton but keeps me in shape.” Jason points to the bike in the corner.

“God, I hate Peloton and Randy, his workouts are killing me but I don’t want to lose my new definition.”

“Todd asked me if I wanted a Big Mac the other day for lunch, he saw the look on my face and knew instantly he was putting his life at risk just asking. I haven’t had fast food in years. I usually get a salad with protein.”

“Yeah, I messed up at the Pub last night when I grabbed a wing out of habit, a bad habit.”

“I do that now and then.”

“Yeah, I know bro. That’s why I did it, and Lance threw a carrot stick at me.” Garrett wickedly grins at him.

“You’ve done your homework. How’s my life?” Jason questions anxiously.

“Your life is insane, fucking constituents, hearings, reports, Robert, your staff, the campaign, keeping up with every piece of legislation, all the backroom deal making and that’s just handling your life. Throw Robert’s life into the mix and I won’t be able to handle much more of this BS.” Garrett sounds exhausted, but he’s not. He’s enjoying every second of his new life, things couldn’t be going better but if his brother feels he’s struggling with his impersonation, he’ll be more helpful with information. He falls on the chair, kicks out his legs, throws out his arms, pretending to be whipped.

“Hah,  I knew you’d be whipped. I knew it wouldn’t be that easy stepping into my life. There’s a lot more to it than just looking like me but you’ve got that handle. That outfit is me completely.”

“Instagram man, you can learn a lot from it—where to hang out, friends and what to wear.”

“Never thought of it like that.”

“So your girlfriend is coming back on Saturday. I really need your help here. I’ve never dated anyone famous.” Garrett pouts. 

“Relax, it’ll be easy, we’ve only been dating a few months, and she’s been gone half of that. Just fuck her for a few days straight, like I handled Amy when you went off to camp.” He snickers at his comment.

“She was my first girlfriend, and you had sex with her first. Telling her ‘I’ gave up my spot for my dear brother was brilliant on your part. This will make us even.”

“Even? We were 17 at the time, I was horny and it was for a week. We’re grown men now and you’re illegally impersonating me.” Jason complains.

Garrett ignores his whining and sounds panicked on purpose. “There’s more to your relationship with Jennifer than sex.  Where did you meet? First date? First kiss? Who initiated it, First time having sex? What she was wearing? Secrets shared? What does she like in bed? Pillow talk?”

“I guess you’re right but when she gets off the plane, she might just fuck you on the tarmac.” Jason laughs.

“Oh yeah, wouldn’t that look good in the press for you and Senator Gehris.” Garrett laughs,  dangling the carrot of freedom.

“You’re sounding like me, like you’re finally growing up.”

“Don’t get your hopes up on that one. When I collect my millions, I’m outta here and having no strings sex on the beach the rest of my life. You’ll have to deal with the mess if I fail.” Garrett warns and dangles more. 

“Okay, okay, I’ll tell you all about it from my perspective, then tell you her side and you’ll have the full picture.”

Jason goes into great detail on how David Geffen introduced them, how he spotted her as soon as she walked into the backyard, they went swimming naked after the party and spent the night together in David’s guesthouse down the hill near the stables. He goes on for hours talking about her, so long that Todd brings dinner in for them. 

“Bro, you’re marrying her, it’s obvious she’s the one. God, now I’m going to feel guilty fucking her but I don’t have a choice.” Garrett tries to sound sincere while concealing his hard-on.

“Yeah, if you don’t fuck things up for me, I’m planning on asking her to marry me.”

“What?  After 5 weeks of dating? You’re such a sap! You’ve lost it completely but don’t worry, I’ll be the Garrett Cook she loves and hardly knows.”

“When you know, you know and after our first night I knew. Hope you don’t mind but I’m planning on giving her Mom’s ring.”

“I forgot all about mom’s ring. I don’t mind at all. She wanted it given to whoever gets married first. That will definitely be you. Where is it at? I haven’t thought about that in years, I’d love to see it.”

“I don’t know bro if I should tell you this.”

“What is it? Bro, I just want to see it, not steal it, it’s all your’s for Jennifer. Besides, when I’m done here, I’ll be set for life. When have I ever stolen anything from you?” Garrett thinks of his new stolen life. 

“It’s nothing like that. It’s in Robert’s safe in his home office. When I first moved into my place there was a break-in next door and it freaked me out. It’s the safest place I know of, almost as secure as his Senate office safe.”

“You have to ask him to get it for you?”

“Of course not, I watch Robert’s dog and house while he’s traveling. I have his combination for the safe and passcode for security system. You don’t need to see it do you?” 

“I’ll need to know the security system. Just today he mentioned heading to West Palm for a long weekend and me watching ‘Pebbles’ for him. Don’t worry I would never steal from him or get you in trouble.”

“I don’t know the codes off the top of my head and really don’t feel comfortable with you having them.” He hesitates. 

“Oh my god, what’s in the safe? The nuclear codes? The hope diamond?  I’ll need the house codes to pull off being you while he’s away.” Garrett reasons with him.

“They’re in my phone, in my notes.” He begrudgingly reveals.

He opens the phone notes and scroll through them untill he sees some weird letters followed by number.  “This must be them.”

Garrett shows Jason the phone and he relents. “Yeah,  RHA is Robert’s Home Alarm, RHS is Robert’s Home Safe and ROS is Robert’s Office Safe.”

“Bro, that’s too fucking complicated. How about I do this—Robert is having a dinner party Friday night.  What if I just ask him to get it for me, then I’ll put it in your jewelry box in the bedroom. You do realize your Rolex is probably worth way more than that ring.”

“It’s not the dollar value, more the sentimental value. Go ahead, that makes sense.”

“True, she wanted it in the family. Hey, what are Robert’s parties like?” Garrett asks an open ended question to siphon more information.

“A lot of work, just like everything Robert does. Get there at least an hour early to help with security, valets and the caterer. Zach, from Senate security handles Robert’s parties. It’s a side business for him.  He’s done this before so you really don’t have to do much. Ask him about Amber, his newborn since you’re impersonating me. You will see the ugly anal retentive side of Robert — it won’t be pretty. Don’t ask about the ring until everyone leaves, trust me.”

“So you never really get to enjoy the evening?”

“Of course not, I’m always on duty. Don’t drink, I usually have a beer and glass of wine for dinner.” He complains for once.

“What should I wear? Suit? Tie? Guess I could just go there straight from work?”

“No! You’ll need to run home, change into ‘dressy casual’, no tie. Fuck, I might as well dress you.  There’s a new super soft tan cashmere Ermenegildo Zegna sport coat I picked up last spring at Bergdorf Goodman. I only wore it once and this redhead came onto me, feeling it. Pair it with my black Tom Ford dress shirt and charcoal dress pants. Don’t wear my wingtips, wear my black Prada slip-ons, and no Rolex, Tag or Omega will do. I was thinking of wearing it  to one of his parties and since it’s cooling down fast, it’ll be perfect.”

“Maybe I’ll get lucky.”

“No! Don’t you dare! If that gets back to Jennifer, she’ll drop me instantly.  Her last boyfriend cheated on her and devastated her. Behave yourself, you’ll have plenty of fun with her Saturday when she gets back.”

“You weren’t that worried about cheating on her a few weeks ago but I’ll behave. The cyber has been incredible, I can’t imagine real sex.” Garrett reminds his brother.

“Oh that was a set up, don’t deny it, that girl looked too much like Jennifer! The actual sex is a million times better. Can’t we just switch back for the weekend?” He jokes.

“Before Christmas is the plan. They keep promising I’ll be on the beach by then” Garrett lies.

“Please don’t fuck up my life Jason, I’m begging you. I’ve worked hard to get to where I’m at. It’s the only reason I’m helping you.”

“Don’t worry, your life is in safe hands. Just hope I don’t get caught. I’ll stop by Saturday morning to update you. Oh one last thing.” Garrett opens his iPhone and shows him some pics of him in his new Brioni tuxedo.

“Oh yeah, that is perfect for the Whitehouse. The standard collar and bow tie, nothing trendy looks great on me. One other thing, stop wearing my Rolex everyday, I only wear it for special occasions like the Whitehouse or important meetings. Stick with my Tag or Omega. It’s just that I see you’re wearing it again today.”

“Sure thing bro, thanks for the pointer.” Garrett responds but thinks to himself. ‘I’ll wear what I want including my Rolex’.

Garrett leaves, heads up stairs and is immediately accosted by Todd and Jeffrey.

“Garrett, that was fantastic. The information about the Senator’s safes and security system is exactly what we need. Open your phone, pull up that note so we can take pics of it. Also, here’s some cameras and microphones you need to install in the Senator’s home as soon as you can.” Jeffrey praises Garrett and hands him an Apple iPhone box full of electronics. 

Garrett opens his phone with face ID and AirDrops the Senator’s security codes to Todd’s phone.

“Gotta run guys, tomorrow is packed with a bill signing ceremony, luncheon with Lance and friends to discuss the campaign, and a hearing on funding homeland security.”

“You sound just like Garrett Cook.” Jeffrey jokes.

“I am Garrett Cook!” Garrett strongly corrects him. 

What a Weekend

‘Thank god it’s Friday’ Garrett thinks to himself.  One week down and the rest of his life to go he smirks to himself. He cuts out of work a little early to get home, change and make it to Robert’s house for the party. 

Garrett quickly strips out of his conservative Brooks Brothers suit and jumps in the shower. He jerks off, thinking of his cybersex with Jennifer last night, hoping it’ll keep him from doing something stupid if some hottie hits on him at the party. He’s been so horny since taking over his brother’s life. Part is due to Jennifer and the anticipation of fucking her, but part is the sense of accomplishment in becoming Garrett and getting away with it.

He’s now familiar with his brother’s closet, easily finding the tan cashmere sport coat and the rest of his outfit. Everything is laid out on the bed and checked for any faults.  The original Garrett is anal and the new one performs each of his habit as his own, even when no one is around to notice.

Garrett pulls on a pair of boxer briefs and crazy yellowish stripe socks to match the sports coat. He pulls up the pants, adds a belt and slips into the black shirt. He steps into the Pradas, from the jewelry case he selects his Omega watch, then puts on his class ring and watch. The sports coat is confidently slipped on and completes his image for the night. It’s so hot knowing he’s dressed exactly as his brother would have been. No one will doubt his identity. 

On the way to Senator Gehris’ home, Garrett calls Todd to get Jason on the phone for a few more pointers.

“Bro, you’re right, this outfit is amazing, super sharp. Thanks for the pointer.  I need some more help.” Garrett almost begs of him.

“Yeah, I saw the outfit in GQ and tried to duplicate it.  What do you need?”

“Where to park,  layout of the place, what to drink, eat and talk about.”

“You should be the first one there, so park in front of his garage door, on the far right side is where I alway park. The middle Homelink button in your car operates his garage door, so enter through there.  That leads to the laundry/kitchen. Robert’s office is behind the huge fireplace in the living room, his bedroom is the first door on the right at the top of the stairs. Bathrooms are across from his bedroom, and half bath next to the right side of the stairs. Make yourself at home, keep your coat on till everyone leaves. He keeps Michelob Ultra in fridge for me. Use a glass from above the sink. You’ll be the last one to leave and sometimes you crash in the spare bedroom.”

“Thanks bro, I’ll be you easily now.”

Todd jumps back on. “Hang on Garrett, while I get upstairs.” Garrett hears the door slamming shut.

“I told you we could use him. I need his help for a few more weeks.” Garrett explains. 

“Definitely, the pic of his security codes was incredibly helpful.”

“Yeah, I memorized them this afternoon while at work.”

“One last thing I forgot to mention. Inside the box with the cameras and bugs is a USB drive. Find his security system panel and there should be a USB port you can plug it into.  It needs to be plugged in for 10 minutes.”

“What does it do?” Garrett asks.

“It’ll give us control of his system, including his security cameras.” Todd explains.

Garrett pulls up to Robert’s place and is impressed. He thought his place was swank for DC  standards but he’s now feeling poor in comparison. Robert’s home is a new contemporary townhouse with a garage on ground level and three floors above it. The HomeLink opens the garage door as Jason promised, revealing a BMW 550i.

Garrett strolls in, yells ‘Robert’ then helps himself to a beer, making sure to pour it into a glass. 

“Hey, you’re early.” Roberts walks out from his office seeing his Chief of Staff leaning on the kitchen counter having his usual beer.

“Yeah, Please don’t tell the boss but I skipped out a little early. I didn’t want a last minute ambush from Welsh like last week. I swear that guy lurks outside the office till just before 5 to come in with a crisis and ruin the weekend. Who’s all coming? Sell out crowd?” Garrett nails his brother’s sense of humor and plays his part perfectly.

“Actually, it’ll just be a handful but Benjamin is showing up so this is our opportunity to pry him with liquor, get him behind us. He called me 30 minutes ago.”

“Fuck, that’s great. He hasn’t returned a single call this week.” Garrett complains.

“Well, he’s been busy with the Speaker, traveling.”

“I don’t care, I’ll use that to shame him . He owes me.”

“I need to change, keep an eye out for the caterer or we’ll be ordering pizzas. They’re late.” Robert excuses himself.

“Relax, just by a few minutes. They’ll be here. Trudy confirmed with them a few hours ago.” Garrett calms him.

Once Robert is upstairs, Garrett takes advantage of the moment, runs into his office and places a miniature microphone in his desk’s lampshade, and camera on the other side of the room on a bookshelf. He does the same around the rest of the first floor before Robert comes back down. Inside the entryway he finds the security panel and plugs the USB stick into it.

Garrett enjoys the evening, easily playing his part with the guests, using the back and forth conversations to learn more names and faces. During desert Jennifer calls with the arrangements for tomorrow’s flight. Garrett is excited, whispers to Robert that it is Jennifer and excuses himself. He heads upstair for privacy but also to plant bugs in Robert’s bedroom and bath.  When he gets back, he and Jennifer are the main topic at the table.

It’s after midnight before everyone clears out leaving just Robert and Garrett. Robert has a good buzz working while Garrett barely drank two beers. Garrett is staring at the fire and Robert comes up to him.

“What are you thinking about so deeply?” Robert probes.

“Can you keep this secret?”

“Come on, what do you think? You’re my best friend, confidant. What’s going on?”

“I need my mother’s ring from the safe.”

“Oh fuck, that can only mean one thing.” Robert is surprised.

“No, no, no… don’t jump to any conclusions.” 

“Well, I can’t help it. I remember you telling me your mother wanted you to give it to your future bride someday.  Why today?” Robert probes.

“I just don’t want to burden you with it any longer.” Garrett slyly smiles.

“Oh, You dog you. Fine, but you're not fooling me at all.” 

Robert gets up and heads to the office, Garrett follows him. Garrett would have never found the safe—it’s built into the floor with an oriental carpet covering a hidden tile. Garrett is impressed once again by this house. Robert invites him to crash in the spare bedroom but Garrett graciously declines so he can head to the farm first thing in the morning. 

Saturday Prep with Brother

“Wow, you’re early Garrett I wasn’t expecting you till later.” Jeffrey greets Garrett at the door. 

“Busy day and busy night coming up. My girlfriend is coming back this afternoon. I haven’t seen her in a month, I’m so horny.” Garrett gives him a sly grin.

“You’ve never met her.” Jeffrey fires back.

“She’ll never know, I’ve cybered with her as much as my brother has now. I just need to see him, pick his brain some more, keep stringing him along. All his information has been spot on and priceless with becoming him.”

“I’ll say, his information with the security system and the bugs you placed last night will really help with our mission.”

“Am I ever going to find out what the mission is?” Garrett asks.

“All you need to do is be Garrett Cook. Trust me, it’ll get easier and soon you won’t be needing the imposter in the basement.”

“I’m almost at that point. It’s hard to think of myself as anyone but Garrett. I’m loving the job, friends and life. How is he doing?”

“He’s been asking about you, curious what you’re doing to his life and when he’s getting it back.”

“I’ll deal with him. I know how to play him, always have.” Garrett promises then makes his way down to the cell. Jason jumps up from playing with his iPad.

“You’re early bro, wasn’t expecting you for a few hours. How was the party?”

“You were right, it was easy. I got there early, had a beer and kept an eye on things. I got the ring back for you, it’s in the jewelry box, behind the Rolex.  But now, Robert thinks you’re going to ask Jennifer to marry you.”

“Well, I probably will when I get out of here. I’m in love with her. My heart actually aches for her, first time ever. You better treat her like a lady, sweep her off her feet like I was planning.”

“I will bro, I promise. I’ve got reservations at Marcel’s, then a walk to Judy’s for desert and then home to make love all night long.” Garrett brags.

“Bro, you’re killing me! You don’t know me or Jennifer.”

“It’ll be romantic, I promise you.”

“No, Marcel’s sucks, it’s over priced, pretentious and not her kinda place. She’ll never get to relax there once people notice her. She may be a huge star but she grew up in Columbus. She loves simple things. Did you just pick it from a Google search?”

“It has 5 stars.”

“Oh god you did.” Jason mocks him.

“What were you planning?” Garrett made up the horrible scenario to get Jason’s plans since he knows Jennifer and Washington. 

“She didn’t mention anything about the Nickel to you?”

“Just that it sounded like a place in Columbus near the Ohio State campus and she’d love to check it out. Something like that, it was after our last cybersex and I wasn’t paying attention.”

“Oh god bro, you’re going to ruin me. She just spent four weeks in Rome, being treated like royalty, eating real Italian with pretentious stars, having her ass kissed and being chased by the Paparazzi. I was planning on picking her up, not letting her take a limo to my place, having sex right away, then having her meet my friends at the Nickel. Surprise them and her.” 

“Like burgers and wings? Ruining my figure?”

“One night a week is a ‘free night’ where I eat all the shit I want. I don’t go crazy but I do eat junk food occasionally. What were you planning on wearing.”

“I really liked your outfit from last night, especially the coat, so something similar?” I question my decision for him to decide.

“Well, at least that make sense. Tone it down with jeans, chukka boots and my black turtleneck sweater.”

“Do you really think she’ll like the Nickel?” I push for more details.

“Yes, and after flying for 7 hours, even on Geffin’s private jet, she probably won’t want to be out late. Keep it simple. Let her decide and go at her pace.”

“I’ll consider it bro. Thanks for the advice.”

Girlfriend Fun

Garrett took his brother’s advice completely and added a few twists to it. He’ll pick up Jennifer at the private hanger at Dulles and take her home. As she walks off the plane, he’s holding a handmade ‘Jennifer Hastings’ sign and holding a dozen roses, her favorites.  As soon as she sees him, she sprints over to him, embrace him, then kisses him slowly. It’s a major turn on for him and in seconds, he’s throbbing for her.

“God I’ve missed you so much.” She takes a break from kissing him to whisper in his ears.

“Not as much as I missed you.” He whispers back. From everything he’s learned about her from media and his brother, he feels like he knows her intimately. 

The staff loads all her luggage into his BMW while Garrett helps her into the passenger seat. Back at Garrett’s place, they rush to the bedroom where the bed is covered with rose petals and lit with candles. Garrett quietly kisses her and he slowly starts undressing her, she does the same for him. He gently guides her onto the bed, his erect cock oozing while she’s pulling him on top of her. Thanks to his brother, he knows she’s on the pill and doesn’t think twice entering her gently. She moans and groans as he starts fucking her—gentle at first, then progressively faster and rougher. She’s loving it and starts loudly screaming, then the moment Garrett has been wait for.

“Ohhh fuck ‘Garrett’, fuckkk.” They climax at the same time. Garrett follows up with kissing her deeply, then sucking on her nipples. Sex is beyond anything he was expecting with her and she loved every moment of it too. 

The couple falls to sleep spooning, waking a few hours later. Garrett doesn’t want to get out of bed, but Jennifer is starving and wants to meet his friends that she’s heard about but never met. They jump in the shower and have more sex until the hot water runs out. He thinks to himself how lucky of a man he is to be with such a gorgeous woman.

Later on they meet up with Garrett’s friends at the Nickel, taking over a few tables near the stage where karaoke is happening. Garrett was afraid of mobs accosting them but Jennifer dressed in jeans, hoodie and hat. When Garrett saw her disguise, he adapted with a Harvard hoodie and baseball cap. No one recognized her, even on stage singing karaoke  with Garrett. The gang closed the bar then went out for breakfast at an all night diner. The evening was ordinary but it was just what Jennifer needed—a night out with ordinary people. Back home, the happy couple fucks a number of times, sleeps in till noon then heads out for lunch and shopping. They dress up but Jennifer hides behind big glasses and a floppy hat, while Garrett dresses in khakis, Chelsea boots, sweater and sports coat, a typical outfit based on his Instagram. 

They have brunch, then stop at Tom Ford nearby to pick up Jennifer’s gown which was specially delivered to that location. Tom Ford personally scheduled the fitting—all in preparation for tonight’s Whitehouse dinner. Garrett picks up a pair of Tom Ford ‘evening shoes’ to go with his new Brioni tuxedo. Afterwards, they’ve back at the townhouse in bed, fucking like bunnies, sharing their lives. Jet lag finally hits Jennifer and she crashes in Garrett’s bed for hours. He can see what his brother see in her and thinks she could be the one for him also. 

While Jennifer is sleeping, Garrett is googling how to tie a bowtie for tonite. There’s pics of Garrett helping Mark with his bow tie months ago, and knowing how anal his brother is, his tie has got to be perfect. When Jennifer gets up, she’s greeted by a bubble bath and candles surrounding it. Garrett makes love to Jennifer in his oversized tub with him in the water and her on top. When she screams out ‘Garrett’ at the top of her lungs, he empties his load into her. The sex is more than his brother promised him—the best sex he’s ever had in his life.  

Garrett and Jennifer take the Whitehouse like royalty. Senator Gehris and Amy,  his ’beard’ pick them up in his limousine and they’re dropped off at the Grand Foyer, greeted personally by the President and First Lady. The evening was a dazzling success for Garrett Cook—a stunning woman on his arm, meeting the President and Prime Minister of the UK and executing his new identity flawlessly. Thanks to Garrett’s anal nature, he had a dozen bookmarks on his computer just about the Prime Minister, and a list of questions on his iPhone in the notes.

Back home Garrett and Jennifer ravage each other out of their formal wear, right on the floor. Just like Saturday night, he he brings her to orgasm multiple times.  He had warned Robert that he’d be taking Monday and Tuesday off. They spend most of their days in bed, going out only to meet some of her friends. On Wednesday Jennifer heads home to New York to start publicity for her movie. Garrett works all day, catching up on emails and making plans to visit other states to set up campaigns. It’s been four days since Garrett last visited Jason at the farm. He has no need to visit Jason because after all his training and help from Jason, he’s 99% Garrett Cook.

Chit Chat

After work on Wednesday, Garrett heads straight to the farm to see Jason. He’s in a 2 button windowpane gray suit and a Harvard bow tie, and Burberry trench coat due to rain. Todd takes him down to his brother. The video display outside the door shows his brother sleeping peacefully. Garrett enters quietly, takes off his trench coat, uses the bathroom and double checks his appearance in the mirror.

“Bro, come on, wake up.” Garrett heads over and gently shakes him. 

“Heeyyyy, long time no see.” He mumbles and stretches from his slumber.

“I’ve been busy man, you warned me about your life and I was skeptical. Now I’m a believer.” 

“How is Jennifer?” He perks up.

“She’s fine, I had fun with her. She’s in New York promoting her new movie. You’re right, the sex was good, but she’s high maintenance.” Garrett really downplays his time with her, while thinking that if this keeps going this well, he’ll be the one using his mother’s ring. 

“What are you talking about, she’s incredible in the sack.”

“Oh, don’t get me wrong, we fucked quite a lot and she was clueless, but I’ve had better, much better. We had a blast at the Whitehouse and the Prime Minister was really interesting.  I started reading your bookmarks, then saw the notes and became really impressed. “ Garrett opens up Instagram on his phone and let him scroll through pics of the last few days.

Jason calmly says. “I want my life back.”

“Bro, all I know is that I need to keep this up for another few weeks.”

“What are they asking of you?” He pries.

“Right now, just copies of the Robert’s speeches, drafts, any personal writings or notes. I also bugged his home. It’s nothing really.”

“Nothing really? Jason, Are you working for the Russians? Chinese?” 

“I’m working for $25m, nothing more. If I do my job right, I’ll be rich and you won’t be suspected of doing anything I promise.”

“Literally, my fingerprints will be all over this and you’ll be long gone.” He yells.

“So you better hope I don’t get caught.” Garrett warns again. 

“What more could you possibly need? You have everything of mine—my career, my girlfriend, my friends, my entire fucking life.” He yells louder.

“Well, now that you ask… I’m still uncomfortable around Robert.” Garrett lies and pulls out from sheets from his breast pocket that contain notes. “He made reference to a snowstorm? Drinking at Club 122?  Fishing trip off Santa Cruz?��

Jason angrily grabs the sheets and starts filling in more personal details for Garrett. He borrows his brother’s Montblanc pen and starts writing in answers while Garrett is listening. The whole conversation is being recorded by the cameras located in all the corners. Dinner is brought in for both of them. Garrett easily guides the conversation thanks to some drugs in Jason’s food to relax him. It’s basically a truth serum. Garrett peppers him with additional questions, asking for clarification and more details. He doesn’t realize how he’s being manipulated. Jason doesn’t realize he’s hammering the last nails into his own coffin.

It’s after 11pm when it’s obvious the drugs are wearing off. Jason is beginning to lose focus and asserting himself again. Garrett is enjoying this game with his brother—stringing him along, letting him think he’s getting his life back. 

“So I see you’ve mastered my bow ties.” Jason stares at him and snidely comments.

“You approve? I mastered the bowtie for my tuxedo. It took a lot of google time and practice, then I noticed your Harvard bowties you wear occasionally on your Instagrams. It’s a very dapper look and it’s a great look on me, I got a lot of positive comments today.” Garrett hands him his iPhone to show him pics from his first week. The room is shielded to prevent the phone from sending or receiving calls or data. 

“It’s ‘my’ look. You’ve never worn a bowtie in you life. You use to make fun of me for wearing them.” He strongly corrects.

“I’ve had a change of heart and like the eclectic style. Besides, to the world I’m Garrett Cook. I’ve worn many bowties over the years, just check ‘my’ Instagram and you’ll notice. So ‘my’ look since I picked out this outfit myself based on my style and closet. For your information, I also purchased a few new suits for work. I kept them ultra conservative, including a new 3-piece suit.” He assumes his brother’s identity easily—sounding just like him, with the same attitude. 

“Honestly, I didn’t think you were smart enough to pull off this charade but this is me, you’re me.” Jason begrudgingly admits and continues scrolling through pics on his phone.

“It has been a lot of work, more than I ever imagined but I have a great team behind me, and you’ve helped quite a lot which surprised me really.” Garrett lies.

“I’m only doing it because I don’t want you fucking up my life. I’ve worked too hard to get where I’m at.” He scrolls through pics, then starts in on text messages. Garrett keeps an eye on him to make sure he’s not texting anyone. “I see you got a haircut too?”

“I kept my normal appointment with Colette. She does a great job, even gave me a manicure after she reminded me it’s been a while. That girl was clueless and just wanted to talk about my girlfriend and what she’s like.”

“Yeah, I noticed that too. I’m a mess.” He notes.

“I’m actually loving this bro. I never thought I’d enjoy being you but I am.” Garrett gets up, walks to table and checks himself out in the mirror. “Bro, this is an awesome suit and any of my Harvard ties go with it perfectly.”

 “Are you listening to yourself? It isn’t your suit or Harvard bowtie, you don’t know where you bought the suit and you’ve never been to Harvard.” Jason is getting upset.

“I bought this at Tom Ford last October while I was in Miami on vacation.” Garrett’s brother is shocked at his knowledge. 

“Wow, you’ve done your homework. You know Robert went to Harvard?” Jason is surprised. 

“Of course, Harvard School of Business, graduated 10 year ahead of me. It’s one of the reasons we clicked. It’s not homework. I’m just Garrett Cook and these things come naturally to me, things I would know.” He smiles at his brother.

“You’ve done your homework and gone through my receipts.”

“I also watched a ton of your videos—TV interviews, Instagram, CSPAN, Youtube, conventions. Oh here, I almost forgot, I have some videos for you. One is a Fox panel from the other night, The other you’ll recognize.” Garrett grabs his iPhone back, opens up the videos on his phone and hands it back to Jason.

The first one is ‘Garrett Cook’ on Fox News talking to Rob Schmitt a few days ago, then it changes to video of ‘Garrett’ fucking Jennifer. When Jennifer yells out ‘Fuck, Garrett!’, Jason puts down the phone disgusted. 

“You’re stealing my fucking life bro.” Jason complains.

“More like borrowing it. It’s like watching yourself, isn’t it? Just admit it, I’m good at it.” Garrett gets up, takes back his pen and phone. “Yeah, I’m heading Chicago next week, meeting with Brad Stauch from our Midwest office. While there, I’ll stop at Tom Ford and add a few more items to my wardrobe.”

“Take it from your $25 million, not my bank account.” Jason tries to order.

“So it’s not only one of my favorite suits and bowtie, it’s my life. Just face it Jason, I’m a better Garrett.” He jokes with his brother as he tugs on his sleeves and faux model for his brother. 

“Just finish what you’re doing and get lost. I’m tired of this place and you living my life.” Jason mumbles disgusted. 

“Oh by the way, I spoke to professor Aungst. I did some horse trading with Senator Barwick, with Robert’s approval, and got him funding for his project. You have a meeting with him in a few months in Cambridge. You’re welcome.”

“That’s what I was hoping to do exactly. He’s a good friend, my favorite professor.”  Jason perks up.

“Yeah, his corporate law class was my favorite. He’s still missing Betsy, his wife after the cancer. So sad. Hey bro, I’ve gotta get home, just sit tight.” Garrett says leaving.

Jason’s mouth is hanging open after hearing Garrett sounding just like him, with knowledge that’s impossible for anyone else to know. Upstairs Garrett meets with Jeffrey and Todd. They’re thrilled with the entire operation and think of their protégé as the real Garrett and he does also.  

“Garrett, he’s about useless now unless we spike his food.” Jeffrey notes.

“After tonite, I can’t think of anything else I could need from him. Doing his job has been seamless thanks to our spying but also my brother keeps very good notes, something I’m adopting as well. His friends haven’t noticed anything either, and Jennifer is in love with the new Garrett. She was the easiest since she didn’t know my brother long and I had a very detailed briefing from the idiot describing their first meeting.”

“I’ve listen in on some of your phone calls and there’s no discernible differences between the two of you. The way you carry yourself, your grasp of the issues and reasoning skills, all mimic your brother exactly.” Todd adds.

“I was thinking… when you do his fingerprints, make sure to add the tattoo.” Garrett raises his concern.

“Already done. When you were under the knife, the first thing we did was a full body scan. He’ll be indistinguishable from you a few months ago, including the body fat.”  Jeffrey explains.

“Great, I’m tired of seeing myself when I talk to him.” Garrett snidely orders.

Emergency Meeting

Garrett’s third week on the job is going better than ever expected. He’s got his staff under control and his schedule is now of his own making. Garrett and the team are amazed how seamless the takeover has been with no issues at all. Robert was in this morning running around gathering up reports, pelting Garrett with things to do for the defense committee and the campaign. Garrett is extremely busy and Robert is heading to Camp David with others for a secret strategy session the president called for. He had Lance clear his schedule for a few days. Before he left he stopped in Garrett’s office.

“Garrett, you’re in charge. Keep a lid on things, I’ll be back Thursday. If anyone calls, I’m in a meeting and will get back to them. Text me if it’s important. Also, would you mind watching Pebbles.” He says it with the door open so Trudy and everyone hears his wishes. 

“Sure thing, not a problem.” His dutiful Chief of Staff replies as usual.

Hours later Garrett pulls up to his boss’ home, opens the garage and is greeted by Pebbles, Robert’s dog.

“Hey Pebbles, you hungry girl?” Garrett asks the little dog.

“I just fed her.” Robert walks into the kitchen and greets his chief of staff.

“Robert, I didn’t think you’d be here.” Shocked that his boss was home.

“Same, but last minute change, leaving tomorrow. Sorry I forgot to call you but it’s good timing you’re here. Let’s grab a bite.” Robert grabs his suit coat off the back of his bar stool, his car keys and phone off the counter and lead Garrett to Monocle. At dinner Robert talks the politics of a few bills, then Jennifer, getting very personal with his chief of Staff.

Garrett continues to amaze himself, sitting here with Robert Gehris, impersonating his brother easily and getting away with it. He’s still learning things though, it’s like being on stage 24/7.  After dinner, Robert drives them to the Senate office where they can ‘talk privately’. Garrett and Robert are known for secret conversations but Jason has been helping with lots of personal information. Robert takes off his suit coat and hangs it on the back of his chair, and gestures to Garrett to have a seat.

“Remember what you told me in Buffalo at my first debate?”  Robert tosses a question at him like he’s leading to more.

“Hmm, not exactly, not off the top of my head. Remind me.” Is all Garrett can say.

“Imagine Tracy is debating you in her underwear.” Robert laughs and Garrett joined in. “How could you forget that?”

“Long day here, had two morning Webexes with MN and WA staff, then Cooper’s hearing.”

“Oh, I thought it was because you’re not actually Garrett Cook.” Robert just stares at him and Garrett’s stomach just plummets.

“Ha, what are you talking about Robert? Is this a joke?” Garrett laughs and tries to recover. 

“Not a joke ‘Garrett’, I noticed something when you got back from Wisconsin. You were different but I couldn’t put my finger on it. You looked the same but it was the little things I noticed. So who are you? Where is my chief of staff?” Roberts demands bluntly. 

“Robert, it’s me? This joke isn’t funny any longer.” Garrett is getting sick to his stomach.

“Okay, fine.  Let’s get to the bottom of this game. The FBI is waiting outside the office for you. They’ll take care of this.” Robert informs him. 

Garrett is squirming and sweating now, shocked he’s been discovered. Just then his cell phone rings showing its Robert. He’s calling at 9pm, his regular time he’s known to call to talk about his needs for tomorrow. Garrett looks at his phone queerly, then at Robert who’s sitting across from him and who’s not on his phone. He answers it.

“Robert? You’re the last person I was expecting to hear from.” He stares at the Robert sitting across from him.

“You’re joking right? I want to make sure you take care of O’Neil first thing, don’t let him weasel out of his commitment.” The Robert on the phone orders.

“I’m on it boss. I’ve got to go, talk to you later.” Garrett hangs up and stares at Robert who’s looking at him.

“That was you. Who are you?” Garrett fires at Robert who has a sly grin on his face. Seconds later Todd calls him.

“Hey, Todd, so this is the plan?” Garrett yells at Todd for the first time ever.

“Calm down, we just wanted to mess with you some, and since Robert was gone for a few days, we thought ‘Robert’ could meet his chief of staff.”

“I thought I was going to jail. I think I shit my pants!”

“You should have seen the look on his face Todd.” The fake Robert yells laughing.

“You both are bastards. So this is why I was brought on?”

“Lets talk about this at home.” ‘Robert’ suggests.

Senator Gehris and his chief of staff lock up the office and head out to his car, saying goodnight to security.  On the way back, Garrett keeps turning to check out his new boss.

“Still in shock?” Robert questions Garrett.

“Ah yeah? I just can’t get over it, I never would have known. Dammit, you were in his house, playing with Pebbles, dressed as he was this afternoon, finishing a drink like you owned the place.” Garrett says stunned.

“That’s the point right? Thanks to you, we knew he was leaving for a few days, so it was the perfect time to test myself. He got home, changed, packed quickly and was picked up by a limo.  As soon as he was at Dulles, I was dropped back off by an identical limo. Pebbles came running over when I walked in the door, sniffed me and licked me, so I fooled a dog and you.” He laughs and pulls into his garage.

Back at the Senator’s place Robert greets Pebbles, gives her a treat and takes off his suit coat just as he’d seen the real Robert do a few times. Garrett helps himself a beer out of the fridge and Robert leads them into his living room to chat.

“I’m here because of you Garrett, I owe you.” The Senator thanks him.

“Me?”

“Yes, we’ve been trying to get close to the Senator for many months. I’ve been on hold. When you were discovered and accepted, the pieces fell into place. With his chief of staff under our control, we finally had our way in. You provided the schedule, reports, security codes et cetera.” Robert sits down on his sofa and Pebbles jumps on his lap. 

“Are you Robert’s twin?” Garrett questions.

“Unfortunately no, I went through many months of painful plastic surgeries and training. I’ve been going crazy waiting. When Robert’s trip to Camp David came up, and knowing no one would know where he was, except for you and Lance, I begged to get out of captivity and the team agreed.” Robert gets back up and nonchalantly pulls himself another Scotch.

“I never suspected a thing.” Garrett admits.

“And neither will anyone else.” Robert boasts.

“When?” Garrett asks.

“Well, replacing the Senator will be a lot more challenging. The government does fingerprinting and retinal scans of Congress people. I still need cornea implants to completely be him. Next house party, you’ll get him drunk, drug him, spend the night and scan his eyes.”

“That’s not for a few weeks when he has a campaign exploratory meeting at home.”

“That’ll work fine. It just needs to be before the secret service provides protection or it’ll be impossible for me to assume his life and I’ll be having more plastic surgery to change back or into someone else.”

Day of Reckoning

Jason wakes up groggy and confused. He can’t remember what happened—one minute he’s having a protein shake, then he’s in and out of sleep for days? He’s not sure what day of the week it is but according to the alarm clock, it’s 6am.  There’s dull pain in his mouth, his knee, shoulder and hands. His entire body aches and his stomach growls from hunger. He tries to get up but realizes he’s chained to the bed. He passes out again, waking at 7pm to blurry images.

“Jason, wake up.” He hears a familiar voice and things come into focus slowly.

“What happened?” Jason asks groggily and realizes he’s talking to his brother.

“You had some surgery, had a rough couple of days.”

“Surgery? For what?” Jason becomes more alert.

“We had to take care of a few details.”

“Details? What are you talking about? I feel like I lost a boxing match with Mike Tyson.” He groans.

“Simply, there can only be one Garrett Cook and that’s me.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” He’s fully alert. 

“Do you really think I went through all this to be temporary?  I changed my fingerprints and body. I studied ‘Garrett Cook 101’ for months, listening to every chat, reading every email and text message.  It was alway meant to be permanent but you wouldn’t have helped me with the fine details if you knew you were handing me your identity.” Garrett sneers.

“What the fuck did you do to me?” He groans.

“Honestly bro, it was a little creepy having to see a copy of myself every time I visited.”

“What are you talking about?” He screams.

“I know you always wanted to be me but that’s the problem. See, there can only be one Garrett Cook, and obviously that's me. I don’t need an imposter running around, impersonating me.”

“You’re pretending to be me.” Jason yells.

“Not pretending, let’s get something straight—I’m Garrett Cook. That better sink in fast bro. We were too similar and I didn’t want people confusing you for me. My fingerprints and dental records all confirm my identity.”

Jason lifts up his hands and see they are bandaged. “What the fuck did you do?” Jason screams then reaches over to his arm and tries to rip the bandage from his arm but the bandages on his hands prevents it. His brother gets up and gently lifts up the bandage to show him his new tattoo.

“Looks really good bro, they used a special cream that speeds the healing process. In a few days, it’ll look like it’s been there since college when you got it on spring break. Damn, I remember when you got it, and tried talking me into getting a matching one. It looks ridiculous on you still.” 

“You think I’m going to go along with you taking over my life?” Jason yells.

“You already have. It’s not all that bad bro. On the plus side, the tattoo looks great and you no longer have that nasty scar on your knee. On the negative side, you’ve really gained some weight bro. You didn’t notice those protein shakes were carb shakes? Oh, did you know it’s possible to transfer fat from twin to twin. Thank god doc saved my fat for you. It only works for twins because we’re genetically identical. Good to know right? Oh I’ve been saving this one ‘My loss is your gain’.” He laughs out loud at his own joke.

Jason struggles with his wrapped hands but manages to pull up his hospital gown, revealing a belly. “You fucking bastards!” He screams at his brother, then flips his blanket off  his legs revealing his bandaged knee.

“Oh you want to see how your knee is healing?” Garrett goes over and carefully pulls the bandage up.

“See bro, you’ll never know there was a scar there. They did a great job.”  Then he puts his foot on the edge of the bed and pulls up his pant leg. “Damn, I’ve had this scar since I was 8 years old when I was learning to ride a bike and fell. Dad rushed me to the hospital and I had to have 15 stitches. I spent the night but had plenty of ice cream from the nurses. I should have it looked at but I’ve had it so long, it’s part of my identity.”

“Jason, you’ll be caught and I’m through helping you. If you’re that great, you don’t need it.”

“Jason? My name is Garrett, you know that Jason. Even my boss will swear to my identity and he’s known me longer than anyone else since college.”

“Yeah right, without my help, he’ll spot you as a phony in a few weeks.”

“You think so? It’s been 5 weeks already and no one has the slightest clue.” Garrett confidently replies while Jason stays silent.

“Oh, I'm thinking of asking Jen to marry me over Christmas, or New Years Eve? You were right, she’s a keeper. We’re heading to Hawaii. What do you think?” Knowing he’d get a reaction out of him.

“You sick fucker, you fucking bastard!” Jason screams wildly yanking on his chain.

“Now Jason, calm down you need more time to heal. Sorry, not sure when I’ll be back to see you, hopefully you’ll be in a better mood. I’m just so busy at work.” Garrett heads out the door and meets with Jeffrey and Todd in Jeffrey’s office.

“That went really great Garrett.” Todd snickers.

“You seemed to enjoy it.”  Jeffrey notes.

“Guys, you can’t imagine what you’ve done for me.  Did I really look that bad months ago?” 

“Ah yeah, honestly when I first met you, I had my doubts this would work.” Jeffrey confesses. “The transformation and your performance is remarkable. We’ve been scanning all the conversations from the bugs you planted and not a single remark questioning your identities. There have been complaints about how demanding you’ve been lately, and they blame the Senator’s campaign you’re juggling on top of your regular job.”

“Who’s been complaining?  I’ll flog them later.” Garrett jokes. “That’s great, it’s been a very easy transition. My only concern is not getting caught and having him around puts my new life at risk.”

“We’ll take care of Jason, he just needs a few weeks to heal. If there’s an autopsy, he’s got to be you physically with no telltale signs of healing.” Todd explains.

“Hang in there Garrett, he’ll be gone and there’s probably more to learn from him.” Jeffrey says. 

“He won’t be helpful unless we drug him at this point. What about Robert’s double?” Garrett asks. “Having him in place would really help with ensuring my safety, since the real Robert knows Garrett best.”

“A few more details like the eyes and he’ll be ready. Just relax, Senator Gehris has no concerns about who you are Garrett.” Jeffrey tries to ease him.

“Garrett, You’ve got nothing to worry about, just look at yourself. You’ve been flawless in every aspect of your new life.”

Bad News

A few weeks later, Garrett Cook is in his office early which is a new habit for him, that only a few people have noticed. The extra time helps him get in the proper state of mind and learn all he can in peace before Robert storms in and all hell breaks loose.  The job is really becoming routine for Garrett—every day has a standard flow that Garrett has adapted to.

When Robert is in town,  Garrett has a two hour face to face every morning, which then turns into marching orders for Garrett’s staff. Garrett is traveling every other week for the campaign—meeting with state campaigns, talking to major donors and lining up events. He’s basically duplicating what was done by his brother 4 years ago. 

After his meeting with Robert today, as he gets back to his office followed by Lance, his phone rings. It’s a call from upstate NY, from the Albany area.

“Garrett Cook.” He answers naturally.

“Mr. Cook, Hello, this is captain Marshal from the Albany police department—“ 

“How may I help you captain?”

“Mr. Cook, I have some bad news for you. Your brother was killed in an automobile accident last night.”

“Oh my god….” Garrett pauses and gasps like he practiced.

“I’m sorry for your loss sir.”

Lance sees a drastic change in a Garrett’s demeanor but Garrett was putting on a show. “When? How?”

“He was drinking and appears to have lost control of his car. It looks like it happened really quickly, he was killed on impact.” The captain explains. “Your name was in his phone under ICE. His ex-girlfriend has identified the body.”  

“I’ll be there as soon as I can. Do you have his girlfriend’s name and phone number?”

Garrett was prepped for this happening—not the date or details.  That information was held back on purpose to provide a real element of surprise. Lance being with him was perfect timing and Garrett played it perfectly. He’s actually in shock that the team took care of it so quickly when he was expecting it in a month. It didn’t matter to him though. He had everything he needed from his brother. 

Garrett informs Robert and takes the week off to handle the funeral. Not one of Garrett’s friends knew he had a twin brother and he was certain to just call Jason his ‘little brother’. Jason didn’t want a funeral or any fuss but Garrett had a memorial dinner with a few of his brother’s friends. It was good to know he was missed. Garrett’s girlfriend was the same person who posed as his girlfriend many months ago. They comforted each other a few times during the week as they both stayed in his old home. 

Garrett wasn’t interested in much of Jason’s junk, taking only a few items. Back in Washington DC, a great sense of calm comes over him and he’s the most relaxed he’s been in months. After his first day back, he heads to the farm for a meeting on Phase II. At the front door, he’s greeted by the future Senator Gehris.

“Garrett, welcome back. Hope your week wasn’t too stressful. We’re just sitting down to eat, join us.” Robert leads his chief of staff into the dining room. 

“Not at all, in fact, it was great for closure with my brother. I feel completely at ease now, I'm my own person now.”  Garrett responds confidently.

“You seem really relaxed.” Jeffrey adds and hands Garrett a glass of red wine.

“I am.” Garrett shakes his head and smiles. “Sorry Robert, I left you just 40 minutes ago and you beat me here.”

“He’s where he needs to be almost, except for his eyes.” Jeffrey chimes in.

“I’ve gotta say Robert, you look fantastic. I thought what I went through was tough but I had a twin. You started from scratch.” Garrett lifts his glass to him.

“I’m getting antsy being cooped up here.”

“I’ll get those eye scans for you next week. It’s for my benefit too—having you in place would put me at ease. We can help each other and I’ll be less on edge, less fear of ever being discovered.”

“It works out for both of us.” Robert celebrates. “A toast to my best friend, trusted chief of staff and my new career.”

Todd points out that ‘Phase One’ is complete and working as planned. ‘Phase Two’ will be completed in a month. The takeover of the United States government is becoming reality. 

Hours later, Garrett Cook strolls into the Nickel, sees his gang at their usual corner table and greets all his friends. He apologizes for being late but explains that he was working late for the Senator—his usual excuse that no one doubts.

[jaybear1701]

The Outpost is, without a shred of doubt, a shithole.

And Ellen Waverly secretly loves it, even though her fellow ASCANs frown at the tavern’s dilapidated exterior. Anybody who’s anybody knows about the dive bar frequented by astronauts, engineers, and other NASA staffers. Spoken about with hushed reverence, the Outpost is hallowed ground, a right of passage, and a frisson of excitement courses through Ellen as they pause just outside its entrance.  

“This is it?” Dani Poole eyes the peeling red paint of the watering hole’s sign, uncertainty lacing her voice as she clutches the strap of her purse.

“Yep.” Molly Cobb lights a cigarette dangling from the corner of her lips. She pulls the door open, hinges squeaking, and the odor of cheap beer and stale smoke wafts out. “You gonna stand out here gaping all night?” Molly strides in without waiting for a response. Patty Doyle’s right on her heels, as usual. 

Neither bothers to check if the others are following, but Tracy Stevens manages to catch the door before it swings shut again. “Let’s go, ladies.” She ushers the others inside. “Can’t let Cobb and Doyle have all the fun.”

The stench, now mingled with sweat and other odors barely concealed by fading cologne,  intensifies the second Ellen sets foot inside the dimly lit bar. She wrinkles her nose and, as her eyes adjust, they walk past a beat up cigarette machine into a tightly packed space where all eyes immediately fall on them. Ellen thinks she recognizes some of the men from around the halls of JSC, but in all honesty they blended together in a uniform mass of white oxfords, skinny black ties, and thinly veiled disapproval. They were all just waiting for them to fail.

“Same shit, different toilet,” Molly mutters under her breath. Still, she throws her head back high, cocksure, and swaggers toward a pool table with Patty. Her heavy boot steps draw even more attention, not that Molly pays it any mind, acting as if she’s frequented The Outpost all her life. Like she belongs there.

Ellen does her best to follow Molly’s cue, straightening her spine and making her way around a jukebox that’s seen better days to the last empty table. “First round’s on me,” she announces, surprising even herself. 

“That’s mighty generous,” Dani says as she and the others take their seats. The legs of their chairs scrape across the slightly sticky wood floor. They all pretend they don’t see the little brown insects that scatter from beneath the table.

“What would you like?” Ellen asks before any of them decide to hightail it outta there. 

“Round of JD,” Tracy responds. “Least that’s what Gordo has when he’s here. If that’s all right with y’all, of course,” she adds to murmurs of assent.

“Coming right up.” Ellen beelines for the bar, continuing to ignore the stares from around the room that make the tips of her ears burn despite her carefully curated air of indifference.

She manages to find a small opening between the occupied, but is disappointed when no one’s there to serve drinks. The bartender probably took a quick break, she thinks, focusing her attention on the black-and-white astronaut photos that line the wood-paneled walls. Idly drumming her fingers against distressed mahogany, she wonders if her picture would ever be prominently displayed alongside the likes of Armstrong, Glenn, and Aldrin. Of if she’ll wash out, as her mother seems to be expecting.

An unsubtle cough interrupts Ellen’s musings, and a man leans an elbow on the bar to her left, a little too close for comfort. 

“What’s a pretty thing like you doin’ in a place like this?” He slurs out the oh-so-creative pickup line, alcohol sharp on his breath.

It takes all of her willpower not to roll her eyes in disgust. Instead, she pretends not to hear him, but he persists. “Never seen ya before. Y’all tourists or somethin’? Sightseein’?”

Irritation spikes in Ellen, who has half a mind to correct him, nondisclosure agreements be damned, when another voice cuts in. “Jimbo, what’d I tell you about scaring new customers?”

Ellen turns her head to the right and… Oh.

She’s not quite sure what she expected when it came to The Outpost’s barkeep. Based on the decor, she wouldn’t have been surprised by someone schlubby and indifferent and borderline antisocial. But Ellen most certainly isn’t expecting one of the prettiest women she’s ever seen, with strawberry blonde hair pulled back in a careless ponytail, bangs hanging just above eyes as blue as a cloudless sky. And just like that, Ellen’s starting to understand the appeal of the place. 

“C’mon now, Pam,” Jimbo drawls, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. “Jus’ tryin’ to be friendly.”

“Uh huh.” Pam cants her head to the side, unconvinced. “Get outta here before I call your wife.” After he slinks away, Pam gives Ellen an easy smile, bracing her hands on the bar. “Sorry ‘bout that. What can I get for you?”

It’s not until Pam’s closer that Ellen remembers to breathe, the influx of oxygen allowing her to regain control of her faculties and notice the pin fastened to Pam’s maroon t-shirt. It reads in bold white letters against a black background bespeckled by stars: A Woman’s Place Is In Space. 

Ellen’s stomach swoops in delight. 

“You okay?” Pam asks when Ellen doesn’t answer right away.

“Oh, er,” Ellen intelligently answers in a manner befitting a future astronaut. “Yes, sorry.” Heat rises in her cheeks. “Drinks?” She vaguely gestures toward the other candidates, and the pool table where Molly’s lining up a shot that sends a striped ball straight into a corner pocket. “For me. And my…” Her what? They aren’t exactly friends. Rivals would be closer to the truth, but that would sound weird. And she’s already being weird. She eventually settles on, “Colleagues.” 

“Drinks,” Pam repeats, eyebrows disappearing beneath her fringe.

“Yes, um, please.” 

“Sure thing.” Pam nods, thoughtfully observing the other women for a moment before fixing her gaze back on Ellen. “Got something particular in mind? Or should I surprise you?”

Ellen somehow manages not to smack the heel of her hand to her forehead. “Sorry. Jack Daniels for, uh, seven.”

“You got it, space cadet.” With a wink, Pam pushes off the bar to fetch a set of lowball glasses and arranges them in a neat row.

It takes a few seconds before Pam’s words catch up with Ellen. Was Pam referring to Ellen’s embarrassingly delayed response or… “Space cadet?”

“You all are the female astronaut candidates, aren’t you?” Pam reaches past several rows of bottles to fetch the whiskey. 

“What, uh, what makes you think that?” Ellen nervously brushes her hair behind her ear. No one’s supposed to know who they are until they graduate. If they graduate.

Pam shrugs, the tip of the bottle’s spout poised above the glasses. “Groups of women don’t really wander in here. Plus, some of you match the scuttlebutt I’ve heard here and there.”

“Scuttlebutt?”

“NASA types like to talk, especially after they’ve had a few.” 

“That’s…  not unsettling in the slightest.” Ellen tries and fails to tamp down a swell of unease, wondering if they’d all be bounced from the program if word got out.

“Relax.” Pam chuckles, as if reading her mind. She tips the bottle forward, expertly eyeballing  two fingers of brown liquor per glass. “What’s said here stays here. Unless you’re a reporter, then I’m sworn under our unofficial Baldwin rule to kick you out.” 

“Definitely not a reporter,” Ellen says, recalling Ed Baldwin’s very public misstep in calling out NASA after the Soviets landed on the moon last summer. Relief eases some of the tension between Ellen’s shoulders. She shifts from one foot to the other, curiosity getting the better of her. “So, what have they been saying? All good things, I’m guessing,” she jokes weakly, all too aware of the rampant sexism among many, if not most, of her male counterparts.

“They wouldn’t dare say anything negative within earshot of me.” Pam taps her equality button. “Would never get a drink otherwise.” 

Ellen can’t stop herself from smiling as Pam finishes pouring, sets the bottle down, and crosses her arms.

“Let’s see, I’ve heard that two of them were in Mercury 13. Have chips on their shoulders.” Pam nods toward Molly and Patty playing pool. “I’m guessing they’re the ones over there acting like they own the place.” There’s an underlying current of respect in her voice as her line of sight drifts toward the lone table surrounded by women. “The blonde? I’d bet all my tips that she’s Tracy Stevens. Got those Hollywood looks that’d be Gordo’s type.”

Ellen has to admit she’s impressed. “And me?” She asks before she can stop herself.

Blue eyes darting across Ellen’s face, Pam appraises her in a way that sparks flutters against her ribs. “I’m afraid I haven’t heard about you, Ms...?”   

“Waverly.” Ellen sticks her hand out. “Ellen Waverly.”

Pam grasps her hand, grip firm yet gentle, palm warm and smooth. “Nice to meet you, Ellen Waverly.”

“And you’re Pam.”

“That’s right.” Neither of them moves to let go. “Pam Horton.”

Another patron accidentally jostles Ellen’s shoulder and she immediately drops Pam’s hand. “Can I get a couple of beers, Pam?” He asks.

“Just a sec.” She says, transferring the whiskey glasses to a round serving tray.

“So, uh,” Ellen clears her throat as she reaches for her purse. “What do I owe you?” Pam waves her away. “First round’s on the house.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that.”

“It’d be my pleasure.” Her smile is genuine, radiant. “It’s the least I can do for the first American women heading to space.”

Ellen ducks her head, pleased yet embarrassed. “We haven’t passed yet.”

Pam looks her straight in the eye, and says without hesitation, “You will.”

Warmth blooms inside Ellen’s chest from Pam’s sincerity. “I… thank you." She hopes her face isn't as red as it feels. "We’ll make it up to you.”

“Prove all the assholes out there wrong, and we’ll be square.” Pam pulls out two beer bottles, swiftly pops off their caps, and hands them to the man. She inclines her head toward the tray of Jack Daniels. “I’ll have these out to you in a jiffy.”

With one last nod, Ellen makes her way back to the table, heart pounding and already vowing to return to the shithole that wasn’t so shitty after all. 

[smuggsy]

Hey, Leti! I saw you wanted some flyboys prompts. I'll give you two so you can pick between them if you want? How about for Words: “I’ll always be here when you need me,” or for Actions: "for one muse to help the other clean blood off of themselves." <3

You really hit the nail with the second one, it's like you're inside my mind asksjsisnsk but really, this idea wouldn't leave me alone today. I said over on discord I wanted conflict...

Collins breaks about sixteen weeks into his service. It's the first time he loses his nerve, regrettably, because he lets his new wingmate buy him one too many drinks. He's just trying to make a good impression, Jack knows, but he doesn't care for it. Not when Tony got shot down only yesterday and he's been grounded on account of it.

So he can mourn.

Fuck that.

He's only thinking about it more, now that he doesn't have to fly and the day seems never-ending. He lets the new cadet take him out for drinks only because Farrier isn't around.

There's a Royal Artillery regiment off duty occupying half the tables, and Collins almost turns on his heels and heads back to base when he sees their soft-brown uniforms all over the place. But Robert goes on, none the wiser, and Collins has no choice but to follow suit being the older, more experienced one and all.

In the end, it's the rookie who keeps his cool against the harsh words and teasing and Collins the one being held back.

"Oi, pretty boy!"

It's late and he's tired and Robert has money to spare and he keeps leaving pints in front him. 

"Yeah, you in blue, why doncha buy us a round?"

"You gotta be joking!" Robert laughs, half-turning on his seat next to Jack at the bar, wearing his pristine new uniform that looks like was unboxed just this afternoon. He's a perfect target for worn-out soldiers temporarily off the line. Collins is already drunk and their presence at his back set his teeth on edge.

"Why? Your lot sit there all day long while we do your bloody job, seems right t'me you'd show a bit of gratitude, right boys?!"

Jack sets another glass softly on the counter and locks eyes with the bartender that looks at him like he's the one stirring up the pot. It's the only reason why he turns his head towards his chatty companion and mutters: "leave it," because the old man is kind enough to accommodate them every time they come round and lets them run a tab.

Robert scans his unfriendly frown and slowly sits back down on the stool, sending Jack a furtive glance.

That would've been the end of it.

"Look at that, not even me mum's got boots as shiny as yours," this voice is closer, and it's a different one.

"Fuck off," Collins mutters under his breath, hand wrapped around his half-empty pint and itching to turn around and bash the idiot's head in.

"What?"

Now he gives him the courtesy of turning around and standing up to say it to his face.

"I said fuck off, I see yer bleedin' deaf as well as thick."

He likes to think it wasn't his words that set it in motion, but the little chuckle Robert couldn't suppress right next to him. 

What's-his-name, with his perfectly gelled-up hair and an unbuttoned khaki shirt, sends the new cadet a killer look and Collins wishes he'd gone for it, right there. He wishes he'd gone for his mate so he would've been able to blame his actions on the undying stupid rivalry between Army and Air Force. But he doesn't make a move towards Robert, and instead gives Jack a once-over and a sneer.

"Why don't you sit back down?" he offers, with a mellowy voice that makes Collins' blood boil, "you look like you're about to fall."

To his credit, Jack is swaying on his feet, except that's also the same reason why the cocky gunner ends up with a bleeding nose just two minutes after.

"That's what you get paid for, after all!" is the last straw, a high-pitched mocking voice coming from the sea of men that Collins can't really pinpoint, "t'keep your sorry ass down on a chair."

What comes next is more missed blows on Collins' part than he'd like to admit and more blood on his face and collar than he'd like to explain. Robert comes out unscathed save for a crinkled uniform when some by-stander had the sense to keep him out of the ruckus, but he doesn't stop babbling all the way back to headquarters.

Collins only hears half of it, mind too foggy by an ache both physical and emotional, and bites his tongue one or two times when he turns to acknowledge the boy's existence and sees the face of his dead wingmate instead.

Farrier finds him two hours later, lying on his upper bunk bed in full uniform except for his jacket, which he briefly had the sense to hang before climbing up. Collins hears him come in, close the door and approach, but doesn't move.

He stares at the wall and breathes slowly through the mind-nulling pain taking over, feeling a sore cheek and a lip cut open and thinking that he deserves it, that it grounds him, that it keeps the thought of Tony's silence through the intercom and the sight of his Spitfire hitting the water with a distant thud away.

Was he dead by then? Did he die in the air, or was he conscious all the way down, unable to do anything to stop it? Collins hopes one of those bullets got to him. He knows that's how he'd rather go down if it came to it. When it comes to it.

"What happened?" 

Collins stays still and pretends he's not there. 

It's not very difficult to imagine, really, because Farrier is never around lately. It's probable that the only thing that brought him up to his room at this hour was Robert's big mouth, surely going on about his new mentor standing up to a room full of soldiers, drunk and out for blood like a fucking lunatic.

Perhaps a little less self-deprecating account of it. More on the heroic side, because Robert's got that naive look about him. Collins hates to think of it: that it is probably a foreshadowing image of what's to happen once he goes up in the air and has a fucking nazi on his tail.

"Collins," Farrier calls again with a quiet voice. Jack feels one of his hands coming to rest behind him on the mattress, like he wants to place it on his waist instead and turn him over but doesn't dare, "you can talk to me."

"There's nothing to talk about."

More silence.

A sigh.

"Don't ya have somewhere else to be, anyway?"

He feels like a dick the moment he says it.

Luckily for him, Farrier isn't so easily swayed. That same hand finally lands on his left shoulder and tugs insistently until he's turning on his back - when he does, Farrier takes a deep breath in, those ones he takes when he wants to lash out at someone but swallows his words instead. 

Collins isn't sure he likes that look of anger directed at him, but he stares back defiantly because the influence of alcohol isn't completely gone and because he hates Farrier being this persistent.

Green eyes survey every inch of his battered face and if they stop for a moment too long on his lips, Collins pretends he doesn't notice. Farrier winces and then runs a hand over his face and looks away, again biting his tongue to prevent himself from talking. 

Jack wants him to talk, wants him to tell him off so he can answer. 

"Come down," Farrier asks, taking a step back from the bed and making a hand-gesture that is a bit too authoritarian for Jack's taste. He half-wants to hop off the bed, stand to attention, make a salute and bark out a yes, sir! only to annoy him, "Collins, don't be a child. Come down and get that shirt off before it's unsalvageable."

His irritation bleeds heavily through the words this time and when Collins looks back at him from the top bunk, he does feel like a little boy being told off. 

He only sits up, yanks his tie off, takes his shirt off above his head without unbuttoning it and knowing full well he's only beating up a hornet's nest, makes it into a ball and throws it at Farrier's face with force.

Only then does he jump off and land in front of him.

"Anything else?" he asks through gritted teeth, as Farrier holds the shirt to his chest and looks at him the same way he looked at that gunner back at the pub.

But he stays silent. Farrier doesn't take a step forward and punches him in the face like he did to that poor sod. The annoyance gives place to something else and Collins doesn't know what to do when Farrier doesn't move, because he'd been counting on him turning around and striding off after that outburst. 

And he needs him to, quick, because there's a lump forming down his throat.

"No?" he asks, shaking his head, confrontational.

Farrier just stares at him, his poker face the antithesis of Jack's. He only sniffs, crosses his arms on his chest and shifts his weight on his feet comfortably, like he's planning on just staying there standing guard.

Collins feels like he walked right into his trap. Can't climb back up now, show him his back and stare at the wall and ignore him until he gives up and leaves.

"Are you done?" Farrier asks when he looks away. 

He doesn't give an answer and sits on his roommate's made-up bed instead because he can't feel the chilly air down there as much. 

He probably should wash that shirt before the crimson red becomes a permanent stain, if only to avoid being told off by his superiors. He really doesn't find it in him to care for a stupid blood-spluttered collar when Tony's dead, he's dead.

Farrier sits next to him and brings a damp cloth to his lip without warning. Jack flinches away before he notices it's only his handkerchief soaked in water and has the decency to turn towards him this time, the will to put up a fight all but gone.

"I'm sorry..." he starts, trying to get the words out but failing.

"It's alright."

"No," he chokes out, "sorry."

Farrier presses the wet cloth softly above the cut on his brow and looks him in the eye with honesty.

"No need to be."

Collins disagrees, but he stays still for a couple of seconds and lets Farrier slowly wipe the dried blood off his skin with the utmost care and tries to think only of this moment.

"That's a nasty bruise," Farrier says, conversationally as if the silence makes him uncomfortable and the close space between them makes him nervous.

Jack doesn't trust himself to open his mouth without bursting out crying in his face, so he doesn't say anything and just avoids his gaze again.

The silence stretches on for another minute.

"All done."

He bolts upright soon as Farrier is off his personal space and makes for the metal wardrobe in the corner to fish for a tank top, because it's that time of day when the sun is completely gone and he may as well have an early night in.

Anything to get Thomas off his hair.

"Thanks," he throws over his shoulder, tugging at his belt hoping that's enough of a dismissal for Farrier, "I'll wash that shirt," he adds, noncommittally.

Farrier stays there for another quarter of a minute.

"Yeah, you do that."

When the door closes behind him Collins braces himself against the wardrobe and holds onto it until his knuckles go white, feeling like he can't take enough air in.

[lackofhonor]

lackofhonor’s List and Recs

This is a list where I keep the bits and bobs I’ve written. Just drabbles and thoughts mainly. 

Duck Hunting - One shot with Steve Murphy and Javier Peña bonding. Set after Narcos and inspired by the scene. You know, the one with the pigeons flying away from La Catedral? Escobar has been caught but Javi hasn’t moved on from the events in Columbia. Boyd invites his friend and former partner for some R&R near his hometown. The following events ensue.

Garbage Can - Drabble.  Triple Frontier guys on a trip together a year after the events of the movie. Frankie Morales centric. Indulgent mishmash at the moment.

Housesitting - Drabble. Frankie Morales centric. Sorta funny. Indulgent mishmash. 

Distillery Tour - Drabble. Agent Whiskey centric. Indulgent mishmash. It’s Derby week and Kentucky trots out its best for all the visitors. Jack is a senior Statesman Agent, but also a senior Sales Exec. So who else would Champ drag along to this boring schmooze the Governor was hosting to encourage investment in Kentucky businesses, but him? 

RECCOMENDATIONS

These are fics I return to again and again. I adore them and I hope you do too! This list is by no means finished and I am adding as I can find good links.

The Mandalorian/The Book of Boba Fet

Stay Safe by @concussed-to-pieces - Din x Reader

Of Gorgons and Gardens @concussed-to-pieces - Din x OC x Ezra (Prospect 2018, Pedro Pascal) "Your Mandalorian employer accepts a bounty for a new target."

Midnight Special by @maybege - Boba Fett x Reader "After an exciting fling in a bar, you and Boba enter a secret relationship that mostly takes place in motels where you pay for the hour. But when your friend invites you to her family's BBQ, you meet under drastically different circumstances."

Saviin'ika by @stubbychaos - Paz Vizsla x OC "The mandalorian had come to the clinic and she was determined that she would help him. He ended up helping her endure by giving her hope."

Asterism by @plexflexico - Pax Vizsla x OC "He had been a semi-regular customer for the last cycle or so, coming in every few days. A Mandalorian, huge and heavily armored in blue. At first it was just for a drink, taken through a drinking tube pushed up under his helmet. After a few months, likely after he learned more about you through the grapevine that seeds gossip in any town like yours, he started paying you for information along with his fiery beverages..."

The Diva and her Bodyguard by @primarybufferpanel - Paz Vizsla x OC "Diva Loysia, an interplanatary-famous dancer who is failing at the retiring thing, gets a Mandalorian bodyguard. Paz gets a job. It has some excellent benefits."

Rough Day by guardianangelcas - Din x OC "Who knew that agreeing to babysit a bounty hunter’s weird, green little child would be so full of surprises."

Clone Wars/The Bad Batch

Coriolis Effect by @uponrightful - Crosshair x OC "Crosshair is a master at his craft. A marksman of impossible finesse, who can account for any complication should one arise. After all, a sniper has to make one shot count. But even the most renowned sniper of the GAR can't account for everything. That just happens to be the Weapons Director stationed in Kamino."

Welcome Company by @uponrightful - Commander Wolffe x OC "Commander Wolffe experiences something he won't ever forget about."

Dinner by Cowardice - Commander Fox x Reader "Commander Fox needed caf. You worked part time as a barista. Somehow, you both ended up on your couch that evening."

Gar Cabur by @wanderinginksplot - Alpha-17 x OC "You were assigned to do some administrative tasks on Kamino, writing a full series of reports about this clone army. No one warned you that the young cadets would be so friendly... or so flirty. Alpha-17 takes pity on you and helps you scare the troopers away."

Sanguine by Glimmerglanger - Commander Cody x Obi Wan Kenobi "A canon AU with vampire Obi-Wan Kenobi detailing the events of the Clone Wars. Everyone said synth was just like real blood. The Healers in the Temple had said so from the time Obi-Wan became aware that his dietary requirements did not align with those of his crèchemates. That realization had coincided neatly with an awareness of the fact that, perhaps, his crèchemates met his dietary requirements."

From What We Cannot Hold by theboldsnake - Jango Fett x Reader "Having been born and raised a slave on Tatooine, you’ve come to accept the hand life has dealt you. Until a series of unfortunate events has you joining the mysterious Jango Fett to take on a job you never expected to have. Now, you’ve got a whole new job and a stoic bounty hunter who’s come to mean a lot more to you that you’re willing to let on."

Meticulous, Compulsive, Perfect by brindletygr - Dogma "He didn't want to be Dogma anymore."

Jaded by RubyStiff89 - Crosshair X Reader - "This started as a one-shot between everyone's favorite war criminal and a nurse who matches him pound-for-pound but has since become MASH in Space with a good dosage of angst given where it happens in the timeline"

Written In Ink by RubyStiff89 - Tech x Reader - "A Tech/Reader fic in which Reader is a Journalist for the Coruscant Free Post but has a sketchy history as she is originally from Raxus. Tech is an avid reader of her work as she speaks out against corrupt senators. Reader is sent on a secret mission Padme Amidala where she meets Tech and the ultimate long burn ensues because I cant imagine my characters touching hands before 50k words or kissing before 100k. Fic is set just before Umbara and ends after Order 66."

Translation Error by @cyber-nya - Commander Wolffe x Reader "Commander Wolffe doesn’t do well with protocol droids or relief efforts. He’d rather be out on the front line, fighting the war. Instead, he’s stuck delivering supplies to outer-rim planets who have requested the help of the Republic. General Plo Koon says they’re orders, says that it’s a necessary part of war. Wolffe knows this, but it also means he’s stuck working with a blasted protocol droid... until you show up."

Fate's Twisted Humor by allisgalaxy - Commander Wolffe x Reader "You owe a debt to Jedi Master, Plo Koon, yet you never thought the Jedi would actually call in your favor. At this point in your life, while you're in the midst of taking down an evil man from your past while learning how to control your terrible ability, this call from Master Plo is not appreciated. What's even worse than being taken from your sanctuary and forced into the midst of a war is the domineering, arrogant commander you're forced to work with. Sometimes the cruel gods of fate despise you."

Fox and Mouse by @detroitbydark - Commander Fox x OC "Secretary!reader finds herself wanting to help her Commander. It’s her job. It certainly is not because she’s got a foolish crush. The Commander certainly doesn’t feel the same…"

Tell Me That Your Soul Lies Now by @detroitbydark - Scorch X OC X Sev "A surprise acquisition leads to questions in Kyrimorut. Sev, Scorch, and Wal'buir are left to question the meaning of family, loyalty, and love."

Infinite Errors by @detroitbydark - Crosshair X OC "A series of pieces focusing on the things we say and the things we don't -or- Crosshair doesn't see it coming until it's too late."

Listen Real Closely by @priortoallthoughts - Delta Squad x OC "Delta squad was tasked with destroying the anti-aircraft bunker during the first battle of Geonosis. Mission parameters change slightly when they find a woman and have to get her out alive so they can discover why she was there in the first place. They can do it, but what will it mean for them in the long run?"

Don't Mess with the Commander's Caf by @priortoallthoughts - Commander Fox x Reader "What is supposed to be a night out at 79s turns into a night in the drunk tank, and the morning starts a startling new relationship with a certain Coruscant Guard Commander. All over a cup of caf."

Pedro Pascal Characters Misc

With Cherries On Top by @ithinkhesgaybutwesavedmufasa - Max Phillips (Bloodsucking Bastards) x Reader "After countless late nights and giving up important things in your life for a job and a man that refuses to promote you, your family begs you to quit when you break it to them that you have to miss your grandmother’s 85th birthday. Max Phillips may have left the country an American citizen but he came back an undead vampire, meaning his status in the States is no longer valid. In order to not get deported to Romania, he tells immigration that the two of you are getting married and he strikes a deal to make it worth your while."

Late July by @concussed-to-pieces - Agent Whiskey (Kingsman: The Golden Circle) x Reader "Upon hearing about you from Tequila, Jack Daniels seeks you out with a full set of emotional baggage to work through. You happily oblige, helping him craft a scene that just might grant him some peace of mind."

Waxing Gibbous by @chews-erotically - Ezra (Prospect 2018)xReader "You are a nurse on the Green moon contracted to care for a group of prospectors. An act of violence forces you to flee your camp. Ezra finds you."

They Were Roommates by @f0rever15elf - Pero Tovar (The Great Wall) x Reader "A dangerous night leads to an interesting living arrangement between you and one grumpy Spaniard."

I Couldn't Do This With Anybody Else by @longitud-de-onda - Frankie "Catfish" Morales (Triple Frontier) "Reader, dealing with the lasting effects of her family's abuse, has a panic attack while dealing with some other issues and building a shed, and Frankie comes to help."

Force Majure by @plexflexico - Frankie "Catfish" Morales (Triple Frontier)X OC Paz Vizsla (The Mandalorian) X Agent Whiskey (Kingsman: The Golden Circle) x Ezra (Prospect 2018) "force ma·jeure /ˌfôrs mäˈZHər/ Definition: An irresistible compulsion or greater force."

To Tell You The Truth by @concussed-to-pieces - Ezra (Prospect 2018) x Reader "Our story begins in the Green, after a certain meeting that culminates in an explosive Truxican standoff..."

[dreaming-about-fanfictions]

Laughing and Knitting - Jim Kirk (AOS) x Plussize!Reader

Summary: You have the biggest crush on Jim but he doesn’t seem to feel the same. After years of having no contact, you see him again.

Request by: @morganofthecoves1 “Hello! Would it be possible for you to do a Kirk (aos) X plus size reader??? If so could you do like a super fluffy image/one shot where Jim and the reader went to the academy together and sat next to each other in one of their classes. They became fast friends, Jim acting like a dork around the reader, always hugging her and telling jokes to make her laugh. Maybe they don't see each other for a long time and then the reader starts to work on the Enterprise. Anything really. Thanks” --> I hope you like it! Enjoy <3

A/N: I forgot how much I love writing Star Trek imagines! This was so much fun!

Words: 2853 Pairing: Jim Kirk (AOS) x plussize!Reader Warnings: fluff fluff fluff and some insecurities

„James Tiberius Kirk, late as always.”

You looked up from your notes when the seminar got so suddenly interrupted. Your professor leaned against his table, arms crossed, a disappointed – yet not surprised – look in his eyes as he stared at Kirk who had just tried to sneak into the room.

Your classmates gave each other amused looks, some chuckled. This happened at least twice a week.

The blonde cadet let go of the door handle and slipped into the room. “Would you believe me if I told you –“

“No,” the professor interrupted him. “No, I would not. Now sit down. There are some people left in this class who take their education seriously. Even though you are sadly not one of them.”

“I’m very serious about my education, Professor,” Kirk replied with his usual smile on his lips and walked towards one of his friends who was sitting in the first row and looked just as disappointed at him than the professor did. Was it Coy? McCoy? You were sure that you had spoken to the man before but couldn’t quite remember his name. “Otherwise I wouldn’t have skipped my morning shower and my breakfast to get to your class, right?”

Some people laughed, you rolled your eyes. It was almost a miracle that Kirk was still allowed to attend Starfleet Academy.

“In that case you can stay right there,” the professor simply replied. “No shower equals no place in the first row,”

Right there meant your row, you realized when Jim turned towards you – and even worse, it meant next to you. Oh god.

James or how his friends called him, Jim, Kirk started attending Starfleet Academy the same year you did. You had noticed him already on the first evening when he boasted to everyone who would listen that he would be Captain of a Starship in only three years. Granted, this happened after five beers in a student bar in downtown San Francisco. Nevertheless, the arrogance of this guy made you hate him. There were other people, people like you, who had studied hard to get into this program and someone like him just showed up and got accepted? It made you furious. 

Those feelings didn’t last very long however. In fact, the anger turned into a full-size crush pretty soon. After a few weeks you got to see his other side – his funny, charming, always-a-smile-on-his-lips side. He still annoyed the shit out of you, don’t be mistaken, yet you couldn’t help but laugh when he cracked another one of his jokes in class.

Kirk was fully aware of his effect on women. At least, it always seemed that way. So his reputation was quickly established. He flirted shamelessly, changing his girlfriends faster than his underwear. It was one reason why you never acted on your feelings and preferred to watch him from afar, being content with your daydreams staying daydreams. The other reason was your fear of rejection. Kirk would never go for a woman like you. Not because of your looks – your rolls and curves weren’t making you less attractive. Quite the opposite actually, you knew how to flaunt them. Feeling comfortable in your body was something you had worked hard for and one man’s opinion wasn’t going to destroy that. No, the women he dated or even just hooked up with were … fierce. They were exciting and knew what they wanted. You couldn’t keep up with that and were convinced that men like Jim Kirk didn’t notice you. You simply flew under their radar.

“May I sit here?”

You flinched and nearly dropped your pen at the sound of his voice. “Yeah, sure.”

Kirk didn’t move. After two seconds passed you looked up at him, a confused look on your face. He furrowed his brows when you didn’t react and the confusion grew. Then he finally bent down, grabbing your jacket that was still on the chair next to you and handed it to you.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” Your face grew hot and you quickly tucked the jacked away in your backpack.

“Don’t worry,” he sounded friendly and you were sure he was smiling again. However, you were still embarrassed and kept your gaze focused on the presentation the professor presented to the class. “I’m Jim,” he continued.

“I know,” you mumbled and instantly regretted it. Why was your brain not able to come up with proper responses?!

Jim chuckled. “Of course you do. My name just got announced to everyone.”

Sure, that was the reason.

You cleared your throat and finally turned your head. Leaning against the back of the chair, legs spread out, he seemed more than comfortable. He looked directly at you as if he was waiting for you to say something. “I’m Y/N,” you finally introduced yourself.

“Nice to meet you, Y/N,” Jim held out his hand with a big grin.

You let out a nervous breath of air, concealing it with a soft chuckle, before you shook it. “Nice to meet you, Jim.”

 ***

 Two days later …

It was raining like someone was emptying buckets outside. You sprinted the whole way from your dorm to your classroom and practically fell into your chair, completely out of breath and soaking wet.

“Rough morning?”

To your surprise, Jim was already sitting next to you. You looked at your watch. Were you late? No. “You’re early,” you stated.

He shrugged. “I’m always one for surprises.”

“Did you miss your shower again?” You asked when you got out of your jacket. 

“What?”

“No shower equals no place in the first row,” you quoted your professors and used the sleeve of your pullover to wipe away the raindrops from your face.

“Oh!” Jim exclaimed and laughed. “No, no. I just like the view I have from here.” He winked at you.

You blushed and quickly bent down to rummage through your backpack so he wouldn’t notice it. The last time he sat next to you, the two of you hardly spoke. You were too nervous and didn’t know what to say. He occasionally commented on the lecture and caused you to laugh at the most impossible times but nothing more happened. You thought that was it. Your one chance to talk to him, to act on your crush and you were too shy to do so.

Apparently that was not it.

“Your scarf is great.”

“What?” You looked up at him, thinking you misheard.

Jim pointed at your neck. “Your scarf. Did you make it?”

“Oh,” you felt your cheeks growing hot again not sure if he was joking or not. You had knitted the scarf last year when you visited your parents home and were quite proud of it. “Yes, actually. I sometimes … make things.” You made things? Damn, your ability to articulate yourself was on point today. 

“It looks great, seriously.”

“Thanks,” you smiled softly. 

Then the door opened and your professor strutted in, a cup of coffee in his hands. “Good morning everyone!”

 ***

 Two weeks later …

“What’s that?” Jim asked when he sat down, curiously eyeing the package on his table.

You shrugged, playing dumb. “Who knows. Open it and see for yourself.”

You barely finished your sentence when he ripped it open. “No way!” He exclaimed so loudly that two students in front of you flinched. “That’s so cool!”

You smiled widely as you watched him pull out the scarf. It looked similar to yours, except for the darker color.

“You made that?” He asked you and put it on immediately.

You nodded, feeling flattered.

“Thank you!” It sounded so sincere and he looked so happy, you were taken a little aback by it. All of a sudden, he leaned in and pulled you into a tight hug. “No one ever made anything for me.”

 ***

 From this point on, the friendship between the two of you developed quickly. Soon you sat together in almost every class. You met up for lunch and study sessions. He crashed on the floor in your dorm more than once when was locked out of his room again and even had dinner with your parents when they came to visit you once.

Of course, nothing more happened. As you had suspected – men like Jim Kirk didn’t go for women like you. He never made a move, never gave you any clue that he was interested in you. So you didn’t say anything either. You stayed quiet, enjoying his company and his stories that never failed to make you laugh. The feelings didn’t go away, no. If anything, they grew stronger with every day you saw him and he pulled you into a tight hug. Jim was extremely touchy – hugs, grabbing your arms, touching your hair, it was all a normal part of being his friend. You didn’t mind though. Quite the contrary.

Your friends declared you crazy after a few months. “How do you put up with this?” or “Do you enjoy suffering?” or “Doesn’t it make you feel miserable?” were common questions. You didn’t have answers to any of them. Being around Jim never made you feel miserable. Of course, you sometimes wished you were brave enough to ask him out, to make a move. You dreamed about him realizing that you were more than just a friend to him and confessing his love to you.

It never happened though and you respected it. So you kept quiet and enjoyed the friendship between the two of you. If this was all he could offer you then you gladly took it.

 ***

 Three years later …

It was your first day on the Enterprise. You walked into your room, tired, exhausted, happier than ever. You still couldn’t believe it. When you received the call and they told you that you’ve been accepted, you were convinced it was a prank call. It wasn’t. Starfleet wanted you to transfer to the Enterprise, the most prestigious ship in the entire fleet. It was by far your proudest moment in your career.

After you changed out of your uniform and into something more comfortable, you fell onto your bed, sinking into the soft pillows. As you let the day pass by in your mind once more, you smiled. The crew had been great, welcoming you with open arms. You already loved your job and were excited to officially start the next day.

Would he you see him tomorrow? The thought crossed your mind all of a sudden and you opened your eyes, staring at the ceiling. You knew he was the Captain of the ship. Everyone knew. After all, he was the first one to become Captain in only three years. Oh, how loudly you had laughed when you heard about it in the news. No one believed him on his first day and he did it anyways.

However, Jim and you had fallen out of contact shortly after that faithful day when the Romulans attacked Vulcan. He got promoted quickly afterwards and his life turned into this adventure you didn’t seem to have a place in it. It hurt. Even now, you flinched when you thought about it.

You sat up when you suddenly heard two short knocks on the door. “Come in,” you called out and got up from the bed.

When the door opened, your heart skipped a beat.

“I hope I’m not disturbing you.” There he was. Captain James T. Kirk in the flesh, wearing his golden Starfleet uniform, his hands crossed behind his back, his signature smirk on his lips.

“Jim!” You exclaimed before remembering who he was and quickly clearing your throat. “I mean … Captain.” He looked like the Jim Kirk you knew but at the same time he didn’t. Something about him had changed. He seemed more sure of himself, his composure, the way he spoke – he had matured. It was an almost scary sight.

Jim rolled his eyes. “Please, I’m still Jim to you.” Stepping towards you he continued: “I knew, I recognized that name when Spock told me about our new crew members. It’s so good to see you again, Y/N!” He opened his arms but then paused for a moment. “May I hug you?”

You stared at him. “Yes, yes, of course, Jim!” You finally replied and walked towards him.

He wrapped his arms around you, pulling you into a tight hug. You breathed in his familiar scent and closed your eyes. It had been so long. Too long. “I missed you,” you mumbled into his shoulder.

“Same here,” he whispered.

You laughed. “Yeah, right.”

Jim pulled back at your reaction. “You don’t believe me?” He asked, his brows furrowed.

“I don’t know,” you shrugged. “You’ve been so busy I don’t think you had time to miss me that much. At least it seemed that way since you never called or anything.”

He lowered his gaze, a painful look on his face. “I’m sorry, Y/N,” his apology sounded sincere. It wasn’t good enough for you though. “I really am. I meant to call but …”

“Then why didn’t you?”, you interrupted Jim, trying not to sound too heartbroken about it which seemed almost impossible. “I tried to reach you but you never replied.”

“I know,” he sighed. “Honestly I thought it was the perfect opportunity to get some space.”

Ouch. That hurt even more. Space? Why did he need space? Had your friendship been more one-sided than you realized? “Space?” You asked. “What do you mean?”

Finally, he looked at you. He raised his eyebrows as if he didn’t believe what you just said. “Oh, come on, Y/N. As if you don’t know what I mean.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about?!” You shook your head, growing more and more annoyed by the second.

Jim scoffed before blurting out: “I had the biggest possible crush on you from the day I sat down next to you in class!”

The words felt like a punch in the gut. They left you breathless and your brain wasn’t able to understand the true meaning behind them for a few seconds. “What?! You … what?” You stammered.

“Yeah! I was so in love with you!”, Jim repeated himself and grabbed your hands, holding them tightly. “As if you didn’t notice. Leonard – Dr. McCoy – he still makes fun of my behavior back then. I was hopelessly in love with you.” He let out a short laugh when he thought back.

No words came from your mouth. You were speechless. Confused you looked back and forth between his face and your hand that was resting in his.

Jim watched you. And then – it dawned on him. “Wait, you really didn’t know?”

You just stared at him.

“Oh.” Something happened that you never thought possible: Jim Kirk blushed. “Well, this is embarrassing.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?” You asked softly. All of this felt like a dream. Working on the Enterprise, Jim Kirk confessing his feelings for after so many years – you expected to wake up any second now.

Jim shrugged. “You didn’t seem interested. And I didn’t want to ruin our friendship.”

“You’re such an idiot.”

“What?”

A big grin suddenly appeared on your face and before you knew it, you started laughing. “Oh, Jim,” you managed to get out, grabbing your waist while giggling like a schoolgirl. “We’re both such idiots.”

Jim looked at you confusedly. Had you lost your mind completely now? Then he started to realize. Oh no. “Wait…”

You raised an eyebrow, still grinning like an idiot.

“Please, don’t tell me you felt the same,” Jim groaned.

You nodded and the both of you started laughing again.

“Unbelievable…”, Jim exclaimed after a few seconds. “Why didn’t you say anything?!”

It was your turn to shrug this time. “I don’t know. Same reason, I guess. I thought you weren’t interested and didn’t want to ruin what we had.”

Jim let out a long sigh. “I don’t believe it. How did we miss that?!”

“I have no idea,” you mumbled. “We wasted so much time.”

For a while no one said a word. It was just you and him, standing in the middle of your room, holding hands, looking at each other. It seemed too good to be true and you never wanted this moment to end.

“Do you still feel the same?” Jim finally asked, his voice barely a whisper.

“Do you?”

He didn’t reply, instead his gaze wandered down to your lips. “May I …?”

“Yes,” you whispered, a shudder running down your spine. “You may.”

Jim Kirk leaned forwards, gently cupping your cheek with his hand, as his lips locked with yours – and in that moment, everything you ever wanted became true. The kiss was soft and slow, loving and longing. You never wanted it to end.

When it did end, you sighed.

Jim smiled at you. “I still have the scarf, you know.”

You chuckled. “Oh, really? Well, I can make you a new one now. I’m much better at knitting now.

“No,” he shook his head. “I want to keep it. You made it for me.”

***

My Star Trek Masterlist

My Tag List: @imoutofmyvulcanmind​ , @whatif-animagineblog​ , @groovyenby​ , @dancingwith-thesunflowers​ , @zizzlekwum​ , @spacewitchqueen​

Message me if you want to be added to my tag list! <3

[mysticalhearth]

F

Fack ju Göhte – Das Musical - Munich, Germany - July 14, 2018 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Max Hemmersdorfer (Zeki Müller), Johanna Spantzel (Lisi Schnabelstedt), Elisabeth Ebner (Frau Gerstner), Lukas Sandmann (Danger), Rebekka Corcodel (Chantal), Silvio Römer (Burak), Susi Studentkowski (Zeynep), Robin Cadet (Jerome), Sandra Leitner (Laura), Jennifer Siemann (Charlie) Falsettos - Broadway - January-February, 1993 FORMAT:  MP4 (SD) CAST: Mandy Patinkin (Marvin), Stephen Bogardus (Whizzer), Barbara Walsh (Trina), Chip Zien (Mendel), Andrew Harrison Leeds (alt Jason), Heather MacRae (Dr. Charlotte), Maureen Moore (Cordelia) Falsettos - Broadway Revival - October 28, 2016 (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Christian Borle (Marvin), Andrew Rannells (Whizzer), Stephanie J Block (Trina), Brandon Uranowitz (Mendel), Anthony Rosenthal (Jason), Tracie Thoms (Dr. Charlotte), Betsy Wolfe (Cordelia) NOTES: Beautiful HD capture of the Revival following opening night. Such a talented cast and the chemistry amongst them is incredible. Beautifully executed and not to be missed! A Falsettos - Broadway Revival - December 30, 2016 (Matinee) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Christian Borle (Marvin), Andrew Rannells (Whizzer), Stephanie J Block (Trina), Brandon Uranowitz (Mendel), Anthony Rosenthal (Jason), Tracie Thoms (Dr. Charlotte), Betsy Wolfe (Cordelia) Falsettos - Broadway Revival - January, 2017 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (SD) CAST: Christian Borle (Marvin), Andrew Rannells (Whizzer), Stephanie J Block (Trina), Brandon Uranowitz (Mendel), Anthony Rosenthal (Jason), Tracie Thoms (Dr. Charlotte), Betsy Wolfe (Cordelia) NOTES: Filmed in January 2017 and aired on PBS on October 27, 2017. Can be found on BroadwayHD to stream. Falsettos - Hartford Stage (March Of The Falsettos & Falsettoland) - September-November, 1991 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Evan Pappas (Marvin), Roger Bart (Whizzer), Barbara Walsh (Trina), Adam Heller (Mendel), Josh Ofrane (Jason), Andrea Frierson (Dr. Charlotte), Joanne Baum (Cordelia) NOTES: Good for its age Falsettos - Off-West End - September, 2019 (hitmewithyourbethshot's master) FORMAT:  MTS CAST: Daniel Boys (Marvin), Oliver Savile (Whizzer), Natasha O'Brien (s/b Trina), Joel Montague (Mendel), Albert Atack (Jason), James Williams (Jason), Gemma Knight-Jones (Dr. Charlotte), Natasha Barnes (Cordelia) NOTES: View partially obstructed throughout, James takes over as Jason mid-act 2 Falsettos - Second National Tour - April-July, 1994 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Michael Rupert (Marvin), Stephen Bogardus (Whizzer), Barbara Walsh (Trina), Chip Zien (Mendel), Sivan Costel (Jason), Heather MacRae (Dr. Charlotte), Carolee Carmello (Cordelia) NOTES: The same video that has been titled 1993 Los Angeles. Dates confirmed via contemporary reviews (ie: Variety) April 28-July 3, 1994 Falsettos - Third National Tour - February 16, 2019 (Highlights) FORMAT:  MP4 (SD) CAST: Max von Essen (Marvin), Nick Adams (Whizzer), Eden Espinosa (Trina), Nick Blaemire (Mendel), Jim Kaplan (Jason), Bryonha Marie Parham (Dr. Charlotte), Audrey Cardwell (Cordelia) NOTES: Highlight running almost five minutes long, includes What Would I Do? only. Filmed from the rear orchestra, there's a decent amount of washout and obstructions, but very clear audio. 1080p YouTube rip, gifted upon request. Falsettos - Third National Tour - April 13, 2019 (Highlights) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Max von Essen (Marvin), Nick Adams (Whizzer), Eden Espinosa (Trina), Darick Pead (u/s Mendel), Jonah Mussolino (Jason), Bryonha Marie Parham (Dr. Charlotte), Audrey Cardwell (Cordelia) NOTES: 1080p YouTube rip. 4 clips lasting approx 13 mins. Bar partially obstructs stage Falsettos - Third National Tour - April 19, 2019 (thehouseonsunset's master) FORMAT:  MOV (SD) CAST: Max von Essen (Marvin), Nick Adams (Whizzer), Eden Espinosa (Trina), Nick Blaemire (Mendel), Thatcher Jacobs (Jason), Bryonha Marie Parham (Dr. Charlotte), Audrey Cardwell (Cordelia) NOTES: Pretty much the full show. Missing the last 15 mins of Act Two. Ends at the Bar Mitzvah Scene. Occasional head blocking the right of the stage. Fame - 8th UK Tour (30th Anniversary Tour) - October, 2019 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Stephanie Rojas (Carmen), Jamal Crawford (Tyrone), Molly McGuire (Serena), Keith Jack (Nick), Albey Brookes (Joe), Hayley Johnston (Mabel), Jorgie Porter (Iris), Simon Anthony (Schlomo), Alexander Zane (Goody), Louisa Beadel (Lambchops), Mica Paris (Miss Sherman), Katie Warsop (Miss Bell), Duncan Smith (Mr Scheinkopf), Spencer Lee Osborne (Mr Myers), Courtney George, Daisy Edwards, Lauren Crooks, Morgan Jackson, Ryan Kayode, Serina Mathew, Tom Mussell NOTES: ProShot released on BroadwayHD Fame - First National Tour - January 27, 1999 FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Natasha Rennalls (Carmen), Jenn Gambatese (Serena), Gavin Creel (Nick), Jose Restrepo (Joe), Dioni Michelle Collins (Mabel), Amy Ehrlich (Lambchops) Fame - Madrid - 2009 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: - Fame - Netherlands - 1999 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Nurlaila Karim (Carmen), Gino Emnes (Tyrone), Eva Poppink (Serena), Albert Klein Kranenburg (Nick), Jim de Groot (Joe) NOTES: little generation loss. Fiddler on the Roof - Broadway (2004 Revival) - December 4, 2005 FORMAT:  VOB (no smalls) (SD) CAST: Harvey Fierstein (Tevye), Rosie O’Donnell (Golde), Rita Harvey (u/s Hodel), Jacob Fishel (Motel), Paul Anthony Stewart (Perchik), Sally Murphy (Tzeitel), Nancy Opel (Yente), Tricia Paoluccio (Chava) NOTES: Direct from the master, includes NY1 segments. Fiddler on the Roof - Crucible Theatre, Sheffield (Pre-West End) - January, 2007 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Henry Goodman (Tevye), Beverly Klein (Golde), Alexandra Silber (Hodel), Gareth Kennerley (Motel), Damian Humbley (Perchik), Frances Thorburn (Tzeitel), Julie Legrand (Yente), Victor McGuire (Lazar Wolf), Natasha Broomfield (Chava), Michael Conway (Fyedka), Steve Fortune (Constable), Vincent Pirillo (Rabbi), Adrien Mastrosimone (Fiddler), Juliet Alderdice (Fruma Sarah), Tomm Coles (Mordcha) Fiddler on the Roof - Sixth Broadway Revival - December 29, 2015 (SJ Bernly's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Danny Burstein (Tevye), Jessica Hecht (Golde), Samantha Massell (Hodel), Adam Kantor (Motel), Alexandra Silber (Tzeitel), Alix Korey (Yente), Adam Dannheisser (Lazar Wolf), Melanie Moore (Chava) NOTES: First couple minutes of Act Two are blacked out, but the show is otherwise complete; a few scenes are very dark, but the actors' faces can be seen; slight washout in the brighter scenes. Excellent picture otherwise and clear sound; good video. Finding Neverland - Broadway - April 30, 2015 (NYCG8R's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Matthew Morrison (J.M. Barrie), Laura Michelle Kelly (Sylvia Llewelyn Davies), Kelsey Grammer (Charles Frohman/Captain James Hook), Teal Wicks (Mary Barrie), Carolee Carmello (Mrs. du Maurier), Aidan Gemme (Peter Llewelyn Davies), Alex Dreier (Michael Llewelyn Davies), Christopher Paul Richards (Jack Llewelyn Davies), Sawyer Nunes (George Llewelyn Davies) NOTES: Video filmed from center mezzanine with very clear picture and nice close-ups Finding Neverland - Broadway - July 22, 2015 (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Kevin Kern (u/s J.M. Barrie), Laura Michelle Kelly (Sylvia Llewelyn Davies), Anthony Warlow (Charles Frohman/Captain James Hook), Teal Wicks (Mary Barrie), Carolee Carmello (Mrs. du Maurier), Christopher Paul Richards (Peter Llewelyn Davies), Alex Dreier (Michael Llewelyn Davies), Eli Tokash (Jack Llewelyn Davies), Casey Butler (George Llewelyn Davies) NOTES: Beautiful HD capture of Kevin Kern in the role of Barrie. Also features Anthony taking over the role of Charles and a different set of the Davies children. A Finding Neverland - Broadway - February 28, 2016 (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Tony Yazbeck (J.M. Barrie), Laura Michelle Kelly (Sylvia Llewelyn Davies), Paul Slade Smith (u/s Charles Frohman/Captain James Hook), Dana Costello (u/s Mary Barrie), Kristy Cates (u/s Mrs. du Maurier), Christopher Paul Richards (Peter Llewelyn Davies) NOTES: Beautiful HD capture of Tony joining the cast with no obstructions. He gave a wonderful performance as did the understudies who were performing. A Finding Neverland - Broadway - March 31, 2016 (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Alfie Boe (J.M. Barrie), Laura Michelle Kelly (Sylvia Llewelyn Davies), Kelsey Grammer (Charles Frohman/Captain James Hook), Teal Wicks (Mary Barrie), Sally Ann Triplett (Mrs. du Maurier), Christopher Paul Richards (Peter Llewelyn Davies) NOTES: Beautiful capture of Alfie and Sally joining the cast. Alfie commanded the score and sang the hell out of it. So many beautiful moments and such chemistry with Laura. A Finding Neverland - Pre-Broadway / Cambridge - August 17, 2014 (Matinee) (SJ Bernly's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Jeremy Jordan (J.M. Barrie), Laura Michelle Kelly (Sylvia Llewelyn Davies), Michael McGrath (Charles Frohman/Captain James Hook), Jeanna de Waal (Mary Barrie), Carolee Carmello (Mrs. du Maurier), Aidan Gemme (Peter Llewelyn Davies), Alex Dreier (Michael Llewelyn Davies), Hayden Signoretti (Jack Llewelyn Davies), Sawyer Nunes (George Llewelyn Davies) NOTES: Fantastic capture from start to finish with just a couple quick dropouts in act one; clear video with no washout or obstruction; filmed in 16:9, with a mix of wides, mediums, and close-ups. Finding Neverland - Pre-Broadway / Cambridge - September 3, 2014 (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Jeremy Jordan (J.M. Barrie), Laura Michelle Kelly (Sylvia Llewelyn Davies), Michael McGrath (Charles Frohman/Captain James Hook), Jeanna de Waal (Mary Barrie), Carolee Carmello (Mrs. du Maurier), Aidan Gemme (Peter Llewelyn Davies), Alex Dreier (Michael Llewelyn Davies), Hayden Signoretti (Jack Llewelyn Davies), Sawyer Nunes (George Llewelyn Davies) NOTES: Beautiful HD capture of this sensational new show headed to Broadway. The performances, actors, music, book, the comedy are all divine. I think this will take 2015 Tony and also awards for Jeremy and Laura, it was that stunning! A+ First Date - Broadway - July 13, 2013 (Preview) (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Zachary Levi (Aaron), Krysta Rodriguez (Casey), Sara Chase (Woman #1 (Grandma Ida/Lauren/Aaron's Mother)), Bryce Ryness (Man #1 (Gabe/Edgy British Guy)), Kate Loprest (Woman #2 (Allison/Google)), Kristoffer Cusick (Man #2 (Reggie/Aaron's Future Son/Edgy Rocker Guy)), Blake Hammond (Man #3 (Waiter/Casey's Father/Friendly Therapist)) NOTES: Excellent HD capture of this charming and fun show. Both Zachary and Krysta are adorable in the roles, as is the supporting cast! A First Date - London (Crazy Coqs) - October, 2020 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Simon Lipkin (Aaron), Samantha Barks (Casey), Danielle Steers, Nicholas McLean, Oscar Conlon Morrey, Rufus Kampa NOTES: Livestreamed virtual performance Fleabag - West End - September 12, 2019 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  M4A (untracked) CAST: Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag) NOTES: Proshot - National Theater Live Flower Drum Song - Broadway Revival - February 26, 2003 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Allen Liu (Harvard), Alvin Ing (Chin), Hoon Lee (Chao), Jodi Long (Madam Liang), Jose Llana (Ta), Lea Salonga (Mei-Li), Randall Duk Kim (Wang), Sandra Allen (Linda Low), Ericka Hunter NOTES: Broadway debuts for Allen Liu, Hoon Lee, Rich Ceraulo, Marcus Choi, Telly Leung, Daniel May, and Ericka Hunter Yang Flowers For Mrs Harris - Chichester Festival Theatre - September 29, 2018 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Clare Burt (Ada Harris), Joanna Riding (Lady Dant), Joanna Riding (Madame Colbert), Gary Wilmot (Major), Gary Wilmot (Monsieur Armande), Luke Latchman (Terry), Claire Machin (Violet), Louis Maskell (Bob), Louis Maskell (Andre), Rhona McGregor (Flower Girl), Rhona McGregor (Dressmaker), Mark Meadows (Mr Harris), Mark Meadows (Marquis), Laura Pitt-Pulford (Pamela), Laura Pitt-Pulford (Natasha), Nicola Sloane (Countess), Nicola Sloane (Sybel Sullivan) NOTES: Multi-camera setup, soundboard, professionally done. Follies - Madrid - June 14, 2012 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (SD) CAST: Muntsa Rius (Sally Durant Plummer), Vicky Peña (Phyllis Rogers Stone), Pep Molina (Buddy Plummer) NOTES: Recorded for Archival purposes. Follies - National Theatre - November 16, 2017 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  Other video (see notes) CAST: Imelda Staunton (Sally Durant Plummer), Janie Dee (Phyllis Rogers Stone), Peter Forbes (Buddy Plummer), Philip Quast (Benjamin Stone), Tracie Bennett (Carlotta Campion), Di Botcher (Hattie Walker), Josephine Barstow (Heidi Schiller), Dawn Hope (Stella Deems), Adrian Grove (Sam Deems), Geraldine Fitzgerald (Solange LaFitte), Norma Atallah (Emily Whitman), Liz Izen (Dee Dee West), Gemma Page (Sandra Crane), Julie Armstrong (Christine Donovan), Gary Raymond (Dimitri Weismann), Billy Boyle (Theodore Whitman), Bruce Graham (Roscoe), Zizi Strallen (Young Phyllis), Fred Haig (Young Buddy), Adam Rhys-Charles (Young Benjamin), Emily Langham (Young Carlotta), Aimee Hodnett (Young Hattie), Alison Langer (Young Heidi), Leisha Mollyneaux (Young Stella), Sarah-Marie Maxwell (Young Solange), Kate Parr (Young Sandra), Barnaby Thompson, Edwin Ray, Emily Goodenough, Jeremy Batt, Jordan Shaw, Liz Ewing NOTES: London’s National Theatre production, broadcast live to cinemas around the world. The National Theatre revival is the first fully staged major London production of Follies to present the original Broadway version of the show. Sondheim and Goldman revised large parts of the show’s script and score for its 1987 London premiere, toning down the underlying bleakness of the Broadway original, and offering a more hopeful finale for its central characters. Director Dominic Cooke revisited early drafts of Goldman’s script, restoring original dialogue and moments that have not been seen in the production since its 1971 Broadway run. Follies - Paper Mill Playhouse - 1998 FORMAT:  MP4 (SD) CAST: Donna McKechnie (Sally Durant Plummer), Dee Hoty (Phyllis Rogers Stone), Tony Roberts (Buddy Plummer), Laurence Guittard (Benjamin Stone), Ann Miller (Carlotta Campion), Kaye Ballard (Hattie Walker), Carol Skarimbas (Heidi Schiller), Phyllis Newman (Stella Deems), Liliane Montevecchi (Solange LaFitte), Natalie Mosco (Emily Whitman), Billie Thrash (Dee Dee West), Laura Kenyon (Sandra Donovan), Ann Cunningham (Christine Crane), Eddie Bracken (Dimitri Weismann), Donald Saddler (Theodore Whitman), Danette Holden (Young Sally), Meredith Patterson (Young Phyllis), Billy Hartung (Young Buddy), Michael Gruber (Young Benjamin), Jillana Urbina (Young Carlotta), Krista Lepore (Young Hattie), Carol Skarimbas (Young Heidi), Pamela Jordan (Young Stella), Jean Marie (Young Solange), Julie Connors (Young Sandra), Pascale Faye (Young Emily), Temple Kane (Young Christine), Karen Lifshey (Young Dee Dee), Arte Phillips (Young Theodore), Peter Davenport (Young Roscoe) NOTES: Different recording than the PRO SHOT Footloose - North Shore Music Theatre - August, 2011 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: John Jeffrey Martin (Ren McCormack), Chelsea Morgan Stock (Ariel Moore), Matthew Dorsey (Willard Hewitt), George Dvorsky (Reverend Shaw Moore), Maureen Brennan (Vi Moore), Gwen Hollander (Rusty), Marissa Rosen (Wendy Jo), Sean Watkins (Chuck Cranston), Marci Reid (Ethel McCormack), Stephen Berger (Principal Clarke), Gary Lynch (Uncle Wes) Footloose - The Netherlands - March 15, 2009 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: William Spaaij (Ren McCormack), Kim-Lian Meij van der (Ariel Moore), Roy Kullick (Willard Hewitt), Jeroen Phaff (Reverend Shaw Moore), Marleen van der Loo (Vi Moore), Talita Angwarmasse (Rusty), Nicky van der Kuyp (Wendy Jo), Nadine Nijman (Urleen), Richard Rodermond (Chuck Cranston), Joyce Stevens (Ethel McCormack), Vincent de Lusenet (Travis/Cowboy Bob), Evert Jan Korving (Lyle), Michel Sorbach (Uncle Wes), Britt Lenting (Eleanor), Britt Lenting (Irene/Betty Blast) NOTES: Official DVD version Footloose - West End - 2006 (House-Cam's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Derek Hough (Ren McCormack), Lorna Want (Ariel Moore), Stephen McGann (Reverend Shaw Moore) NOTES: Recorded through the house camera, so it's a stationary full-stage shot with sound patched in directly from the soundboard Fosse - Amsterdam, The Netherlands - 2002 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Simone Kleinsma (Ann Reinking), Stanley Burleson (Performer), Pia Douwes (Dancer & Singer) NOTES: Sung in English. Missing the first few minutes. Frankenstein (play by Nick Dear) - National Theatre - March 17, 2011 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MKV (HD) CAST: Jonny Lee Miller (Victor Frankenstein), Benedict Cumberbatch (The Creature), Ella Smith (Gretel/Clarice), John Killoran (Gustav/Constable), Steven Elliott (Klaus), Karl Johnson (De Lacey), Daniel Millar (Felix de Lacey), Lizzie Winkler (Agatha de Lacey), Andreea Padurariu (The Female Creature), William Nye (William Frankenstein), George Harris (M. Frankenstein), Naomie Harris (Elizabeth Lavenza), John Stahl (Ewan), Mark Armstrong (Rab) NOTES: Proshot for National Theatre Live. Frankenstein (play by Nick Dear) - National Theatre - March 24, 2011 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MKV (HD) CAST: Benedict Cumberbatch (Victor Frankenstein), Jonny Lee Miller (The Creature), Ella Smith (Gretel/Clarice), John Killoran (Gustav/Constable), Steven Elliott (Klaus), Karl Johnson (De Lacey), Daniel Millar (Felix de Lacey), Lizzie Winkler (Agatha de Lacey), Andreea Padurariu (The Female Creature), William Nye (William Frankenstein), George Harris (M. Frankenstein), Naomie Harris (Elizabeth Lavenza), John Stahl (Ewan), Mark Armstrong (Rab) NOTES: 24 March: Jonny Lee Miller (Creature), Benedict Cumberbatch (Victor) Frankenstein - A New Musical - Union City, New Jersey - 2001 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Shuler Hensley (The Creature), Ivan Rutherford (Dr. Frankenstein), Rita Harvey (Elisabeth), JC Hoyt NOTES: Innovative Demo Video In 2001, the team undertook a bold step to try to launch the show’s professional future: a full-length video demo that was produced and directed by Jeff Jackson and titled Frankenstein, The Musical. Staged over a four-day shoot in a rented Union City, NJ theater, the production starred Tony Award®-winning actor Shuler Hensley (Oklahoma) as The Creature and featured Broadway veterans Ivan Rutherford (Les Miserables) as Victor Frankenstein and Rita Harvey (Phantom of the Opera) as Elizabeth. The production was a hybrid of a film and a live show. Shot cinematically out-of-sequence with multiple cameras and without an audience, the show was nonetheless filmed on a single stage with traditional theatrical lighting. The final product was published on DVD in 2002, but only screened privately for potential backers of future productions. - wikipedia Freaky Friday - First National Tour - May 2, 2017 (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Heidi Blickenstaff (Katherine Blake), Emma Hunton (Ellie Blake), David Jennings (Mike Harper), Chris Ramirez (Adam), Jake Heston Miller (Fletcher Blake), Jessie Hooker-Bailey (Savannah), Jeannette Bayardelle (Journalist/Ms. Meyers/Officer Sitz/Ensemble) NOTES: Excellent HD capture of the new musical on tour, based on the Disney film. Such a fun show with great music and cast. Heidi is at the top of her game and a rare master comedic actress with matching voice! She really knocked the role outta the park, as did Emma! Frozen - Broadway - May 3, 2018 (NYCG8R's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Caissie Levy (Elsa), Patti Murin (Anna), Greg Hildreth (Olaf), Jelani Alladin (Kristoff), Andrew Pirozzi (Sven), John Riddle (Hans), Robert Creighton (Weselton), Timothy Hughes (Pabbie), Olivia Phillip (Bulda), Ann Sanders (Queen Iduna) NOTES: Great capture from the Broadway transfer and a few minor changes from the Denver run. Nicely captured from the balcony. Frozen - Broadway - February, 2020 (StarCuffedJeans's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Ciara Renée (Elsa), McKenzie Kurtz (Anna), Anna Rae Haller (Young Elsa), Charlie Tassone (Young Anna), Ryann Redmond (Olaf), Noah J Ricketts (Kristoff), Adam Jepsen (Sven), Ryan McCartan (Hans), Kevin Del Aguila (Oaken), Robert Creighton (Weselton), Donald Jones Jr (Pabbie), Tracee Beazer (Bulda), Tyrone L Robinson (King Agnarr), Ann Sanders (Queen Iduna), Robin Masella (Head Handmaiden), Jacob Smith (Bishop), Anthony Sagaria, Austin Lesch, Bronwyn Tarboton, Cajai Fellows Johnson, Charissa Hogeland, Charlie Williams, Claire Camp, Ellen Marlow, Harris M Turner, Jacob Smith, Jake David Smith, Julius Anthony Rubio, Kate Bailey, Keely Beirne, Michael Fatica, Nina Lafarga, Spencer Clark Frozen - Broadway - January, 2020 (StarCuffedJeans's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Alyssa Fox (s/b Elsa), Patti Murin (Anna), Suri Marrero (Young Elsa), Fiona Morgan Quinn (Young Anna), Chad Burris (t/r Olaf), Harris M Turner (u/s Kristoff), Andrew Pirozzi (Sven), Joe Carroll (Hans), Kevin Del Aguila (Oaken), Robert Creighton (Weselton), Jeff Pew (u/s Pabbie), Keely Beirne (Bulda), Tyrone L Robinson (King Agnarr), Alicia Albright (u/s Queen Iduna), Robin Masella (Head Handmaiden), Brian Steven Shaw (s/w Bishop) NOTES: Stunning HD capture of Alyssa as Elsa, Chad’s temporary residence in the company and one of Harris’s first shows as Kristoff. Filmed from the left orchestra with a mix of wides, mediums, and many closeups. Frozen - Broadway - March, 2019 (mynewfavoriteday's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) |  TRADER'S NOTES: Act 1 only CAST: Caissie Levy (Elsa), Patti Murin (Anna), Jenna Weir (Young Elsa), Leila Rose Gross (Young Anna), Ryann Redmond (Olaf), Noah J Ricketts (Kristoff), Andrew Pirozzi (Sven), Joe Carroll (Hans), Kevin Del Aguila (Oaken), Robert Creighton (Weselton), Zach Hess (Pabbie), Olivia Phillip (Bulda), Nicholas Ward (King Agnarr), Alicia Albright (u/s Queen Iduna) NOTES: HD capture of the new replacement cast members. Filmed from center mezzanine, Act One is blind shot until "Reindeer(s) are Better than People," and Act Two is fully aimed and filmed. There are great closeups and wide shots, but there can be a bit of spotlight washout at times. Frozen - Broadway - October, 2019 (StarCuffedJeans's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Charissa Hogeland (u/s Elsa), Patti Murin (Anna), Winter Donnelly (Young Elsa), Fiona Morgan Quinn (Young Anna), Ryann Redmond (Olaf), Noah J Ricketts (Kristoff), Andrew Pirozzi (Sven), Joe Carroll (Hans), Kevin Del Aguila (Oaken), Robert Creighton (Weselton), Donald Jones Jr (Pabbie), Tracee Beazer (Bulda), Nicholas Ward (King Agnarr), MaryAnn Hu (Queen Iduna), Robin Masella (u/s Head Handmaiden), Jacob Smith (Bishop), Adam Perry, Anthony Sagaria, Austin Lesch, Cajai Fellows Johnson, Claire Camp, Jake David Smith, Jeremy Davis, Joe Beauregard, Kate Bailey, Keely Beirne, Lauren Nicole Chapman, Nicholas Edwards, Nina Lafarga NOTES: Beautiful HD capture of Maryann's last show, filmed from the right orchestra. Act One starts with Patti Murin singing at the door right before Charissa Hogeland’s entrance. Act Two starts during Hygge. Please do not post screenshots of this video on Twitter ever. Gifs on Tumblr are okay after the NFT date, but don't go linking things to actors and shows. Frozen - First National Tour - November, 2019 (Highlights) (StarCuffedJeans's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Caroline Bowman (Elsa), Caroline Innerbichler (Anna), Alyssa Kim (Young Elsa), Stella R Cobb (Young Anna), F Michael Haynie (Olaf), Mason Reeves (Kristoff), Evan Strand (Sven), Austin Colby (Hans), Michael Milkanin (Oaken), Jeremy Morse (Weselton), Tyler Jimenez (Pabbie), Brit West (Bulda), Kyle Lamar Mitchell (King Agnarr), Marina Kondo (Queen Iduna), Caelan Creaser (Head Handmaiden), Michael Milkanin (Bishop), Berklea Going, CK Edwards, Daniel Switzer, Hannah Jewel Kohn, Kelly Methven, Kyle Lamar Mitchell, Michael Allan Haggerty, Michael Everett, Naomi Rodgers, Zach Trimmer NOTES: Stunning HD capture of the First National Tour of the hit Disney stage show. The video is Act One only and starts with “Do You Want to Build a Snowman” between little Elsa and Anna. Caroline Bowman and Caroline Innerbichler both fill the lead roles very well. Please do not post screenshots of this video on Twitter ever. Gifs on Tumblr are okay after the NFT date, but don't go linking things to actors and shows. Frozen - Pre-Broadway/Denver - August 17, 2017 (Preview) (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  VOB (no smalls) (SD) CAST: Caissie Levy (Elsa), Patti Murin (Anna), Ayla Schwartz (Young Elsa), Audrey Bennett (Young Anna), Greg Hildreth (Olaf), Jelani Alladin (Kristoff), Andrew Pirozzi (Sven), John Riddle (Hans), Kevin Del Aguila (Oaken), Robert Creighton (Weselton), Timothy Hughes (Pabbie), Olivia Phillip (Bulda), James Brown III (King Agnarr), Ann Sanders (Queen Iduna) NOTES: First Preview! The set malfunctions about 10 minutes into Act 1. Thomas Schumacher comes out to give a speech to pass the time. Act 1 then resumes. No set problems with Act 2. Audience is extremely receptive and the cast is absolutely spectacular. Frozen - Pre-Broadway/Denver - September 30, 2017 (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  VOB (no smalls) (SD) CAST: Caissie Levy (Elsa), Patti Murin (Anna), Greg Hildreth (Olaf), Jelani Alladin (Kristoff), Andrew Pirozzi (Sven), John Riddle (Hans), Timothy Hughes (Pabbie) NOTES: Second to the last day. Sometimes the rail can get in the way of the shot Frozen - Pre-Broadway/Denver - October 1, 2017 (Closing Night) (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  VOB (no smalls) (SD) CAST: Caissie Levy (Elsa), Patti Murin (Anna), Greg Hildreth (Olaf), Jelani Alladin (Kristoff), John Riddle (Hans), Timothy Hughes (Pabbie) NOTES: Beautiful capture of the Final Performance in the Pre-Broadway Denver Tryout. Some wonderful powerful vocal variations by Caissie. There are a few blackouts, and a few parts in Act 1 has something blocking the right side. But other than that, zooms and quality is perfect! Fully Committed - Broadway - May 14, 2016 (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Sam and others) NOTES: Jesse Tyler Ferguson stars in this one man comedy where he works a red-hot reservation line at one of New York’s trendiest restaurants. Excellent HD capture with no obstructions and so much fun! A Fun Home - Broadway - March 29, 2015 (Preview) (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Beth Malone (Alison), Emily Skeggs (Medium Alison), Sydney Lucas (Small Alison), Michael Cerveris (Bruce), Judy Kuhn (Helen), Roberta Colindrez (Joan), Oscar Williams (Christian), Joel Perez (Roy), Zell Steele Morrow (John) NOTES: Great HD capture of the Broadway Transfer. Performed mostly in the round, the actors are all over the stage. Judy's performances are so layered and beautiful, as is the entire cast! A- Fun Home - Broadway - April 12, 2015 (Preview) (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Beth Malone (Alison), Emily Skeggs (Medium Alison), Sydney Lucas (Small Alison), Michael Cerveris (Bruce), Judy Kuhn (Helen), Roberta Colindrez (Joan), Oscar Williams (Christian), Joel Perez (Roy), Zell Steele Morrow (John) NOTES: An okay HD capture of Original Broadway cast. There are around seven minutes of blackouts total and it is filmed around heads as best as possible. Still some great footage for fans of the show. Fun Home - Broadway - June 23, 2016 (SJ Bernly's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Beth Malone (Alison), Emily Skeggs (Medium Alison), Gabriella Pizzolo (Small Alison), Michael Cerveris (Bruce), Judy Kuhn (Helen), Roberta Colindrez (Joan), Joel Perez (Roy) NOTES: Great capture of the performance. Instead of where Sunset recorded, SJ recorded it from the other side of the stage. Fun Home - Broadway - June 23, 2016 (SJ Bernly's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Beth Malone (Alison), Emily Skeggs (Medium Alison), Gabriella Pizzolo (Small Alison), Michael Cerveris (Bruce), Judy Kuhn (Helen), Roberta Colindrez (Joan), Joel Perez (Roy) NOTES: Great capture of the performance. Instead of where Sunset recorded, SJ recorded it from the other side of the stage.  

Fun Home - Broadway - July 20, 2016 (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Beth Malone (Alison), Emily Skeggs (Medium Alison), Gabriella Pizzolo (Small Alison), Michael Cerveris (Bruce), Judy Kuhn (Helen), Roberta Colindrez (Joan), Cole Grey (Christian), Joel Perez (Roy), Zell Steele Morrow (John) NOTES: Excellent HD capture of the shows final weeks before closing. Garbriella does a terrific job taking over the role of Alison, while the whole cast is still perfection. A Fun Home - First National Tour - November 3, 2016 (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Kate Shindle (Alison), Abby Corrigan (Medium Alison), Alessandra Baldacchino (Small Alison), Robert Petkoff (Bruce), Susan Moniz (Helen), Karen Eilbacher (Joan), Pierson Salvador (Christian), Robert Hager (Roy) NOTES: Great HD capture of the newly launched tour. Some really beautiful performances from the entire cast. Staged differently from the Broadway production to fit touring theaters. A Fun Home - First National Tour - November 4, 2016 (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Kate Shindle (Alison), Abby Corrigan (Medium Alison), Carly Gold (alt Small Alison), Robert Petkoff (Bruce), Susan Moniz (Helen), Karen Eilbacher (Joan), Pierson Salvador (Christian), Robert Hager (Roy), Lennon Nate Hammond (John) NOTES: Terrific HD capture of the tour with the alternate actress playing Small Alison. Terrific work from the whole cast. Kate really is stunning in the role and doing amazing work! A   Fun Home - First National Tour - March 1, 2017 (SJ Bernly's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Kate Shindle (Alison), Abby Corrigan (Medium Alison), Alessandra Baldacchino (Small Alison), Robert Petkoff (Bruce), Susan Moniz (Helen), Karen Eilbacher (Joan), Pierson Salvador (Christian), Robert Hager (Roy) NOTES: This is one of the recordings of the tour cast with really nice closeups. Filmed in 16:9 and includes playbill scans. This is one of the last recordings of SJ before she stopped. Fun Home - Victory Gardens, Chicago - September 21, 2017 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Danni Smith (Alison), Hannah Starr (Medium Alison), Sage Elliot Harper (Small Alison), Rob Lindley (Bruce), McKinley Carter (Helen), Danielle Davis (Joan), Leo Gonzolez (Christian), Joe Lino (Roy), Preetish Chakraborty (John) NOTES: includes introduction by Janine Tesori and Lisa Kron. Exists as 1.5 GB file (720p) and 6.25 GB (1080p) Funny Girl - Manchester - August, 2017 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  VOB (no smalls) (SD) CAST: Sheridan Smith (Fanny Brice), Chris Peluso (Nick Arnstein), Rachel Izen (Mrs. Brice), Joshua Lay (Eddie Ryan), Zoe Ann Brown (Mrs. Meeker), Myra Sands (Mrs. Strakosh), Nigel Barber (Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.), Jennifer Harding (Emma), Abigayle Honeywell, Alexandra Waite-Roberts, Alexandra Wright, Bronte Lavine, David McIntosh, Flora Dawson, Gillian Parkhouse, Joseph Dockree, Kit Benjamin, Lloyd Davies, Nova Skipp, Peter Nash, Rhianne Alleyne, Sam Wingfield, Tom Partridge NOTES: Professionally filmed live at the Manchester Palace Theatre. There's two common copies of this being traded, one is lower quality and windowboxed (see 1st screenshot), the other is 1080p (file is 10GB)

[tra-pp-ed]

Hidden ☮

Alex was used to being the “invisible” one ⎯ she could creep around silently without being seen, slip away easily whenever certain situations became heated, and usually kept her mouth shut unless she was spoken to or addressed. She felt naturally drawn to Bridge and often stood by his side, or sat with him while he played video games, or tried getting him to open up to her with the surprising ability to choke up whenever she touched upon anything personal. 

(A/N: These stories will come in no particular order. Also a possible trigger warning there will be mentions of smoking, substance abuse, family violence, and mild vulgar language. We’ve all grown up, right?)

There was no argument. 

When it came to being locked away in jail or becoming part of the Space Patrol Delta, the something bigger Z always talked about, Alex already knew her answer: “Yes! I mean, yes sir. I’ll accept the job. Is it okay if I call you big guy?”  Cruger growled, narrowing his eyes at her. “No you may not.”

Alex dropped her eyes to her feet, “Alright. Maybe some other time, sir.”  “Come! Follow me so I can show you to your new room and introduce you to your new teammates. While you are here, in training, I expect you to be on your best behavior. No stealing, no smoking, and you watch your language around here. I heard you during the fight with my cadets. Are we clear with each other?”

“Yes, sir!” 

. 

Alex kind of felt bad. She’d jumped at the chance to say yes while Z asked for time to discuss everything over with Jack. Jack gave her the cold shoulder for the first time since they became friends, looking away when she glanced back at the two of them behind bars. Z smiled while she followed after Cruger, although it didn’t stay on her face very long, and turned to face Jack.  Hopefully she could reason with him. He was quite bullheaded. 

“I think you’ll fit in just fine, cadet Gardener.”  “You think so? A thief like me?” “Trust me, cadet, you haven’t got a free pass. No matter how good your intentions were.” 

. 

Sky, Syd, and Bridge were out in the quad training with other cadets. For a split second Alex thought everyone was doing yoga. She kept her mouth shut though, her eyes forward, and followed behind Cruger. Overhearing the conversation going on between the three, extremely familiar rangers-in-training.  “Cadet Tate, cadet Drew, cadet Carson! I would like to introduce the three of you to your newest teammate. Alexis Gardener, I’ve selected b-squad to take you on as one of our own. Follow their lead, keep your nose clean, and you’ll do just fine.”  Alex gave the three cadets a toothy smile and held out her hand in greeting, “Hi! I mean it’s not that much of a surprise to see you three again, but still, sorry about before. You know? The fighting. Jack and Z tend to get overheated easily.”  The one in blue raised a skeptical eye, “If I were you I wouldn’t be so perky. You got lucky Cruger has a soft spot for charity cases.” He was very rude.  The girl in pink was staring at her outstretched hand as if it were a snake about to bite her, “Commander Cruger has a soft spot? I had no idea.” 

Alex laughed, “I could tell that. He just exudes a warm, fuzzy feeling. Don’t he?” She dropped her hand.

The green one smirked, but blue and pink just shook their heads. “That was actually pretty funny. Coming from a thief, you know. I have a question?”  Sky and Syd both groaned, “No!”  “Shoot,” came Alex’s reply. She was clearly amused.  “Where did you go? The first fight, you know? When we caught you and your friends stealing. I almost had you and you just disappeared, poof! Are you like us too? It was so cool! You had me fooled. Or did I fool myself and you just ran away? Is your power super-speed?” 

For a moment Alex stared at Bridge, blinking slowly as she attempted to process his word garbage, then said slowly: “No. Did you feel a sharp burst of wind when I went ‘poof?’ I mean, I’m pretty fast, but you’d be able to see me running away.”  Syd’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion, “So how did you do it?” 

“You wanna see?” Alex grinned at the three cadets and took a step back. Before their eyes she stood there for a second in her uniform, a cascade of auburn curls falling down her back, startling emerald eyes sparkling with mischief, then in a flash of bright light disappeared  ⎯ just like before!  With a gasp Sky staggered backward, “Whoa! Where’d she go now?”  Bridge grinned, “She can turn invisible! Or did she just teleport somewhere? Or maybe she becomes invisible and then teleports? Is she still here?”  “She’s not THAT impressive,” grumbled Syd. 

Sky growled, “She better be here still! She’s not gonna skip out on training. Everyone else has to, she’s not that special.”  All of a sudden Bridge began to laugh, bent over the waist, and swatted at thin air. “I think I found her!” He spun around and lunged for what he thought was Alex, instead he fell to the ground, “Maybe not. Guys! We have a ghost on campus.”  “Or it’s just Alex messing around,” Sky retorted. He narrowed his eyes, glancing around him, “The fun’s over. You can make yourself visible again.”  Syd yelped in surprised when something tugged at her hair and ran over to the other side of Sky, “Yeah! So not funny anymore. Please, don’t touch my hair!”  Laughing Alex reappeared before the three Rangers, standing in the middle of Bridge and Sky, and wriggled her fingers at them with a smile on her face. 

“But it’s so pretty.” 

Bridge stepped in front of Alex with a grin on his face, holding out his hand for Alex to take.  “Hello, I’m Bridge. These are my friends Sky and Syd. Also, please don’t touch me again either.”  “And what’s your power?”