Proops, Greg Proops
By Alma
The air was heavy and damp; the smoke from his cigarette was stubbed into an ashtray, "a cigarette a day keeps the doctor away; I’m calling it a night." He said to himself while he wiped his black-framed glasses. Then he noticed a package on his windshield, "shit, not again, I thought I was out of the spy business," he moaned as he opened it and saw a tape and a tape player.
As he drove he played the tape from the package. "Good evening, mar. Proops, remember you’re not out until we buzz you out. Your mission is to retrieve the golden burnoose, which is known to give the great powers to whom ever wears it. But… you will be having some competition with a worthy advisory who is also after it. His name is Brad Sherwood." "How can that be? He thought, "I thought he was on our side." Brad was once a member of the organization, until the great twiglett accident of 94, which drove him insane. You must retrieve the burnoose before he can lay his filthy monkey paws on it. Good luck, Mr. Proops. This tape will self-destruct in 5 minutes. BE KIND REWIND." Greg threw the tape out the window; as he sped off heard an explosion behind him "they got to use less explosives in those tapes."
* * *
In the organization’s secret laboratory stood empty expect for Agent Proops and Head Scientist Mochrie.
"Mr. Proops your mission will be treacherous. I’ve made a few helpful tools that will assist you along the way. Such as these black-framed glasses similar to your own yet a few upgrades so to speak. When you push this small button on the right side they can magnify 1000x more. And when you press the left button they become able to see through solid matter; and don’t try looking through peoples’ clothes it just disappointing." As Greg was examining them and looking at Colin he could see why; Colin was wearing pinky fluffy underwear and a matching bra, he immediately found the off switch. Colin continued, "This Hugo Boss black suit is lined with a bullet proof material that can withstand any armory and it’s even stain proof, dry clean only. And this cigarette case also encases a small computer so you can report back to the organization."
Next to the cigarette case was a pilot pen which Greg noticed, "and this pen does it contain a small camera or microphone?" "No, I just thought it looked nifty and see it even comes with a light. Oh I nearly forgot, the Host thought you maybe needing some transportation," Mochrie said as he pulled a lever revealing a sleek dark sapphire-colored Jaguar. "I assume you know how to drive one?" "Why of course, what do I think I am a rookie?" "Your mission will first take you to Sherwood’s latest sighting, the Bellagio Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. I suggest you equip yourself with you tools; your flight will be in a few hours."
* * *
Bellagio Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada—9:37 p.m.
Agent Proops, walked to the high roller’s blackjack tables were; unless you were dressed for the game, you wouldn’t be caught there. Unless, you were willing to argue with the awkwardness of being there in a loud Hawaiian shirt and Bermuda shorts. Greg was dressed to kill in the Hugo Boss suit and a blue dress shirt and the black-framed glasses that Mochrie had provided for the mission.
"Is this seat taken?" he asked a man dressed in an Armani charcoal-black suit and dark red dress shirt; "no, go ahead, by the way name’s Brad Sherwood." His voice had a tinge of hostility yet glossed in sugary syrup. "Proops, Greg Proops." "Take your bets, gentlemen?" asked the blackjack dealer; the dealer was a woman of around 30, jet-black hair and eyes just as deep as ice cravens. Greg put down 10,000; Sherwood did the same. The dealer dealt their cards giving Sherwood 20 and Greg 18. "Any hits, gentlemen?" Sherwood signal stand while, Greg said, "hit me" while, he had touched the left side of his glasses.
"Are you sure sir?" "Yes." The dealer hit me and as if in slow motion the card pelted onto the table giving him 21. "I am truly amazed with your daring risk." Sherwood complemented, which sounded more as a threat. "Lucky, that all it was." "I guess lady luck was on your side." The night grew on as dark began to lighten; they both won and loss, more on the side of Brad for he did not have lady luck’s x-ray vision. So, they began to say their ado’s. "So long Mr. Proops I hope we will meet again." "Sooner then you think," Greg thought; "Good night and goodbye, Mr. Sherwood."