Synaptic Overload

by Brandy Dewinter and Tigger

Chapter 11 - Unending Complications

 

     A week later Thorson was once again approached by the redheaded
agent.  He was heading for the parking lot at the end of a day of 
classes when she intercepted him.

     "Mr. Thorson!  Wait up a minute, please!" Adams called.

     He stopped to watch as she came walking up, noting with appreciation
that she seemed to have lost a little weight.  *I wonder if it's because
she's got a corset under there,* he thought with a smile.

     His smile earned one of hers in response, as she paused for a second 
to catch her breath before speaking.  Her feminine attributes were 
displayed most attractively in a fairly tight knit top, drawing his 
attention for a long second before he managed to refocus on her face.

     Her smile broadened a bit at his obvious interest, but she had her
own face professionally neutral by the time his gaze reached her eyes.

     "Mr. Thorson, I just wanted to tell you that we've captured Maui and
Hawaii," she said.

     "Indeed?" he said with a sly grin.  "Let me guess, the attack was 
launched from Pearl Harbor, at dawn."

     "What?" she said, then caught on.  "Oh, you are just terrible.  You
know what I mean."

     He nodded, then his expression became serious as he asked, "Are they
all right?"

     "Oh, yes," she assured him.  "They actually turned themselves in."

     "And Oahu?" he asked next.

     "No word from him.  They said he had given them a ride back to the
mainland, then basically kicked them out of the plane.  He took off again
for parts unknown."

     "Well, that's at least some good news," he said, though his mind 
wasn't really on Synapse's gang.  *Hmmm,* he thought, *she could really 
use a bit of Angie's magic.  I wonder if she's doing anything tonight.  
Maybe I can get her an appointment with them, now that I'm no longer 
occupying their Friday nights.*

     "Um, Sharon, were you planning on going to the concert tonight?" he 
asked, wondering if she might have already committed to the event that had 
been the talk of the campus for weeks.  

     "No, I, uh, well, I have some other things to do," she said, thinking 
about the report she had to write on this mundane meeting.

     "Oh, well, too bad," he said.  "I'll see that Entropy gets this 
information."

     "Oh, yes, thank you." she replied.  Then she thought, *Was he trying 
to ask me out on a date?  His tone didn't have the sort of, hesitancy,  
that guys usually have when they've asked me before.*  

     She looked up from her distraction to see if Thorson's invitation 
could be reopened, but he had turned away to answer a student's question.  
She shrugged and walked away, not even sure if she'd messed up.

***************

     Thorson got back to his apartment early that day, which didn't stop
Dinger from immediately demanding to be fed.  It was easier to give in 
than to argue, so Thorson was opening a can of cat food when the phone
rang.

     "Yes?" he said.

     "Jonny, this is Angie.  Are you coming tonight?"

     "Uh, I don't know.  I mean, things seem to be pretty well worked
out.  It's not like I'm not grateful, but I hate to monopolize your time
and talents."

     "Oh, hell, Jonny, you're more like family than client.  We enjoy 
having you," she said.  Then she dropped her voice, "but actually, I'd
like you to come for another reason."

     "Yes?" he said, encouraging her.

     "I'm trying to get Janice out in casual clothes, jeans or shorts or
something.  She keeps saying she has to wear extremely feminine clothes
to pass, including things that hide what she thinks are her flaws.  I 
think she would do just fine in jeans.  Anyway, if you'll come help, I
have an idea on how to do that."

     "Sure!" Thorson agreed enthusiastically.  "That would be fun.  What
do you have in mind?"

     "Can't talk now," she whispered.  "See you at 6:00, like usual?"

     "Sure thing," he said.

     "Well, Ding, this might be an interesting evening after all," the
tall roommate said to the shorter one.

     "Mrwwoaweer," Dinger replied.  [I have plans, thank you.  There's 
this cute Persian with the fluffiest tail you ever saw . . ]

     "Don't brag," Thorson laughed.

     He reached the Inner Truth salon just ahead of schedule and headed
toward the back door "family" entrance.  When he got inside, he was 
surprised to find his Entropy costume laid out, and to find Janice wearing
a white leotard and black tights that looked almost like a costume of her 
own.

     "What's going on," Thorson asked easily.

     "Angie had an interesting idea," Janice explained.  "She thought it
would be a good thing if you had some pictures taken with Entropy."

     Thorson didn't get it, yet.  "So, you're going to dress as Entropy?"

     "No," Janice laughed.  "There's only one Entropy.  We're going to do
a little photo manipulation."

     Angie chimed in with the rest of the story.  "Most photo manipulation
gives itself away in shadows, or too-sharp contrast with the background,
that sort of thing.  What we want to do is take pictures of you with 
Janice, she's the same height as Entropy, then have you switch places 
with her dressed as James and you as Entropy.  That way, when we merge
the two images, the shadows and background will line up perfectly."

     "I, uh, see," Thorson said, though he didn't really.  

     In a short while, though, he understood.  Angie, as the photographer,
draped Janice over him in most "cuddly" poses.  At first, Thorson was 
uncomfortable at the idea of hugging a guy, but Janice's carefree humor
soon cheered him up and he began to laugh and flirt with her, blowing
kisses and pretending to let his hands drift in sensual ways.  At least,
for him it was pretending.  The real challenge came when they switched
roles.  Janice took off her long wig, but Angie wouldn't let her take 
the time to undress completely.  She just handed Janice/James a pair of
blue jeans and a shirt not too different from the one that Thorson had
been wearing.  

     It took a lot longer, of course, to recreate Entropy.  But they had
been through that drill often enough that they worked well together and
in a reasonably short while, it was Entropy being draped over a still
shapely James.  Angie used her authority as photographer to pose them
in positions matching her first set of shots, shown on her monitor.  
So the flirty fun that Janice had enjoyed with Jonathon needed to be
resurrected in Entropy's attitude.  It was even harder for her to do
it from the female side, but James' good humor and Angie's teasing
soon had her laughing again.

     When Angie pronounced herself satisfied, she started merging the
electronic photo images together while they watched.  It was pretty
amazing, really.  In just a few minutes, if you hadn't known the images
were merged, you really couldn't tell.  She even zoomed in to the 
individual pixel level to make sure there weren't any discontinuous 
shadows.  When she was satisfied, she started a set of prints on photo-
quality paper.

     James was helping Entropy out of her costume when Angie interrupted.
"I'm hungry.  Let's go get something to eat."

     "I think it would cause a bit less notice if I changed first," 
Entropy said.

     "Yes," Angie agreed, sending her a silent request to play along, 
"but only into Janie.  Leave your corset on."

     "Oh, um, okay," the blonde agreed.  Once she had her skin-tight
costume off, she looked around for feminine clothes to wear.

     "Look, why don't we just go casual, tonight," Angie said.  Casually.
"Janice is already in jeans, and so am I.  We'll find you something 
similar."

     "I'm not going out in jeans," Janice said.  "You know I need more
help than that."

     "Why?" Janie asked.  "You were just in a superhero costume and 
looked terrific.  Believe me, there's nothing else you could wear that
would be more difficult to pass in."

     "Look who's the expert all of the sudden," Janice snorted.  

     "Hardly all of the sudden," Janie said.  "I've been trained by
experts."

     "Come on, Janice.  Don't be a party pooper," Angie teased.  "Find
a nice wig and let's go."

     "Couldn't I at least wear a skirt and pantyhose?" Janice pleaded.

     "Um, no," Janie said, thinking quickly.  "We're going to a concert
at the University.  Classical music in the park.  People sit on blankets 
and things.  I don't think you want to be flashing all those college
guys, do you?" 

     "Classical music?" Janice said, not very pleased at the idea.

     "Yeah, you know.  Beach Boys, Buddy Holley, Three Dog Night.  It's
not the original bands, of course, just local groups, but they do this
every year and they're pretty good.  Best of all, it's free."

     "So you'll do it?" Janice asked Janie, still not convinced.

     Janie took as deep a breath as her own corset would allow, then 
nodded.  "I will if you will."  

     "Then it's settled," Angie said quickly.  "Janie, you can wear that
other wig that suits you so well, the ash-blonde, smooth one that comes
to the middle of your back.  Janice, dear, how do you feel about being 
a redhead tonight?"

     The pixie dominated the taller women by sheer force of personality, 
hurrying them through their final preparations before either could back
out.  Janice did insist of wearing a more feminine blouse with a flounce
around the shoulders baring a rather noticeable area of smooth skin.  
That was really superfluous, though.  By the time they were ready to go, 
the skin-tight jeans all three wore left little doubt of their 
shapeliness.

     If Janie had found the ride a bit more comfortable when not squeezed
within a stiff corset, or even when flying, she didn't say anything.  And
if she didn't complain, then Janice didn't feel she could either.  They 
were both grateful for the chance to unbend though, when they finally got
to the campus.  Angie cheerfully spread out their blanket in a relatively
smooth spot while the other two took advantage of the opportunity to 
breathe a bit more easily.  

     "Looking foxy tonight," a grinning student said as he walked by the
statuesque pair.  After that it was race to see who could blush first, and
most.  

     "See, I told you!" Angie crowed in a sharp stage whisper.  

     Janice was the first to recover.  She had wanted acceptance all her
life, but had never really believed in herself.  She had believed in her
skill, and that of Angie, but she had never believed in her own 
femininity.  The offhand comment of a passing admirer had broken down a
wall in her heart that she had never considered important, until it was
gone.  The confidence that filled her caused her to lift her shoulders,
stand proudly, and light up their little corner of the campus with a smile
as hot as any of Entropy's beams.  

     Janie was not as quick to recover.  She asked, "Why did he say that?"

     "Because it's true, dolt," laughed Angie.

     "No, I mean, why did he just say that and walk on?"

     "Why not?" Angie asked back.

     "But he just said it, like, well, like he meant it.  I mean, like
it didn't have to mean any more than that.  It's not like he was, well,
hitting on us or anything."

      Angie laughed.  "Well, if you'd have said something back, he might
have shown interest quickly enough.  But he was just appreciating a couple
of pretty girls.  It doesn't have to be a 'line', the first step in a 
path into your panties."  

     Angie stood up from where she was working on the blanket and said, 
"Look, there's nothing wrong with bringing a bit of beauty into the world,
and there's nothing that says a man can only appreciate it if he's horny.
Consider it the appreciation someone might have for a pretty painting, and
be grateful you can do it so well."

     Janie didn't say anything, but the concentration behind those bright
blue eyes lacked none of the intensity Entropy had ever employed.  

     "How about a coke?" Janice asked, breaking in on Janie's thoughts 
before she withdrew completely.  "I'll buy."

     "No," Janie said with a smile.  "You drove.  I'll buy the cokes."

     She looked around for a vendor, spotting a row a few hundred yards
away.  Angie leaned over to whisper in Janice's ear, perhaps confirming
the happiness she saw on her soulmate's pretty face.  Leaving the two 
of them to each other, Janie strolled toward the vendors' booths.  A 
low whistle followed her at one point, and she nearly stopped to peer
into the gathering gloom for the source.  But some strange impulse caused
her to put a little more strut into her stride instead, earning a repeat
whistle that was full of humor and appreciation.  

      Janie was trying to get her hand inside the front pocket of her
sprayed-on jeans, where she had stuck a few dollars, when she saw Sharon
Adams heading for the same area.  She almost called out to the diminutive
redhead, but remembered just in time that though the agent knew her as 
both Entropy and as Jonathon Thorson, she was neither of those people
that night.  Instead, she fell in behind Adams in the line for cokes.

     When Adams ordered only one, Janie spoke to her, "Are you here 
alone tonight?"

     The redhead might have spurned an opening like that from a guy, 
but coming from a pretty girl, it seemed harmless enough.  "Yes, I was
hoping to see someone here, but I guess he didn't make it."

     "Oh, a guy, huh?  Did he stand you up?"

     "No, in fact, it's more like the other way around.  I think he was
fishing to see if I'd come to the concert with him, but I didn't take the
bait soon enough," admitted Adams.

     "I'm Janie," the blonde introduced herself.  "I'm here with some
friends, if you'd like to join us."

     Adams refused, though she looked wistful.  "Uh, no, I don't think so.  
I wouldn't want to be the odd one out."

     "Oh, it's not like that," Janie assured her.  "Not a boy in sight.  
Well, at least, not in our group."

     "Oh, well, maybe for a while," Adams said.  "By the way, I'm Sharon."

     "Pleased to meet you, Sharon," Janie said, lifting the extra cokes in 
her hand by way of excuse not to shake hands or something.  

     While they walked back to the blanket, Sharon said, "I'm sorry, but
I have this feeling we've met somewhere.  Should I know you?"

     "I don't think so," Janie lied.  Or maybe it wasn't a lie.  She sure
hoped that the trained agent wouldn't be able to penetrate her disguise.

     The got back to the blanket before Sharon had the chance to press the
point.  Janie still didn't feel like trying to bend in her tight corset,
so after she completed the introductions, she stood with Sharon, looking 
over the crowd.

     "Can I ask who you were looking for?" she asked Sharon.  "Maybe it's
someone I know."

     "Uh, well, I guess so.  It's one of the instructors here at the 
University.  Professor Thorson."

     Janice had a sudden coughing fit, spitting up some of her coke.  
Angie was a bit luckier and didn't have anything in her mouth at the
time.  She just started laughing instead.  Both reactions were too
noticeable to escape an explanation, but both were afraid to step on
some story that Janie might have started so they looked to her to 
settle things.

     She took a breath to give her time to collect her thoughts, and
then started spinning her tale with a question, "You're Sharon Adams,
the FBI agent, aren't you."

     "Well, yes, how do you know?" she answered.

     "Because Jonny Thorson is my cousin," Janie said.  "Well, some sort
of cousin anyway.  One of those second cousin once removed things or 
something.  Anyway, my mother told me to look him up when I got to 
this area, and we've talked a few times.  He's a couple of years older 
than me.  He told me about you, but I didn't make the connection until 
you mentioned his name."

     "Ah, so that's why you look familiar," Sharon said.

     "Yes, I suppose so," Janie agreed.  

     Then she pulled Sharon aside a bit and whispered to her.  "Look,
I don't want to get Jonny in trouble, but he was asking my opinion on 
something, and this is too good an opportunity to pass up.  He told 
me that Entropy told him . . . "

     "You know Entropy?" Sharon asked sharply.

     "I've met her," Janie said quickly, then continued, "Anyway, Jonny
told me that you thought you might need some help with clothing and, well,
makeup styles.  I think you look nice, but you might want to know that
Angie is a makeup designer, and Janice is a fashion consultant.  I've used
their services and I can promise you they're top notch."

     "Yeah, right, like you needed any help," Sharon said disdainfully.

     "Believe me, I didn't always look this way," Janie said, letting
lots and lots of easy-to-access conviction into her tone.  

     "Do you think they could really help me?" Sharon asked.

     "Absolutely," Janie said, "you've got a wonderful basis to build
on, much better than I had."

     Sharon's expression showed her disbelief, but there was also hope
in her eyes.  Taking that as a sign of agreement, Janie took Sharon by
the arm and pulled her back to the blanket.

     "Janice, Angie, I think I just found you a new client," she 
announced.

     Janice looked quizzically up at her, and said, "We don't usually
take on clients who are that, um, pretty to begin with."

     "Jonny was telling me how much he thought Sharon's self-image would
improve if she had a touch of your expertise.  That's what you do, isn't
it?  Help people feel better about themselves?  That's what you did with
me."

     "Did we?" Janice said softly, standing up.  

     "Yes," Janie confirmed, realizing in her own heart the truth of that
agreement even as she made it.  

     The ever-cheerful Angie chirped in to get things back on a lighter 
note.  "Then I guess it's settled.  Sharon, we'll even give you our 
friend-of-a-friend discount."

     Before Sharon could commit one way or the other, an obviously-
inebriated Terhune lurched into their group.  

     "Agent Adams," he called out cheerfully,  "caught any crooks 
lately?"

     "Not tonight," Sharon answered.  She tried to turn away to give
him the impression he was not welcome, but that led Terhune's attention
to Janie, standing next to her.

     The sight of the shapely blonde seemed to draw the breath from 
Terhune for a long second.  After he started breathing again, he was a lot 
closer to sober.  Unfortunately, while that gave him greater control over
his balance and his elocution, it did nothing to restore any sense of
inhibition.  He focused directly on Janie and started quoting in 
grandiloquent oratory.

     O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!
     It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night
     Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear;
     Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!

     Janie almost laughed at his obvious attraction.  *If he only knew,*
she thought.  Playing along for the pleasure of tweaking him, she said, 
"I am hardly a snowy dove trooping with crows."

     Before Terhune could say any more, Janie turned to Sharon and said, 
"You know, Sharon, there may be a crook around for you to catch.  I've 
heard that there's a English Literature professor here on campus who
likes to get, um, up close and personal with some of the female students.
Now, I'm not a student, and neither are you, but, well, don't you think
such a man, if one exists of course, should be, uh, dissuaded from 
such a pastime?"       

     Neither Angie nor Janice understood what was going on, but Sharon 
knew right away what Janie was saying.  She laughed and picked up on 
the theme.  "Oh, absolutely.  Why, if I found a professor accosting a
young lady on this campus, I'd just have to, what did you say?  Dissuade
him."  

     Terhune's face took on a hue that was three parts embarrassment and
two parts alcohol, but he knew when he was headed for more trouble than
he needed.  He stood a bit straighter and completed the quotation as he
walked off with all the dignity he could manage.

     Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight!
     For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.

     Janie and Sharon couldn't control their giggles at his wounded 
manner, and like most laughter it was infectious.  Angie and Janice
joined in, which soon had them all laughing with full-bodied humor
right up until the opening notes from the first band.

     The bands were too loud for easy conversation, and the music was
really pretty good, if a bit old fashioned so they didn't talk much for a
while.  During one of the lulls, Janice leaned over to Janie and said, 
"This is going to be complicated."

     Janie just nodded.  

**************

     Thorson had to go by campus the next morning and he happened to 
stop by the faculty lounge.  He found Terhune at a table, TV again 
going.  However, the English professor didn't seem to be making much
progress on whatever work he had spread out.  His head was down on his
hands and he seemed almost asleep.

     "What's the matter, Rick?" Thorson asked.

     "I feel lower than snake shit," Terhune moaned.

     "Ah, well, that's probably fair," Thorson laughed.

     "Huh, what?" Terhune said, struggling to focus.  

     "Too much partying last night?" Thorson asked with a grin.

     "No, that's not it," Terhune claimed.  "It's just that I met this 
woman, the most beautiful woman in the whole world, and she wouldn't 
have anything to do with me."

     "Oh, smart, too, huh?" Thorson said.

     "I don't need this sort of grief from you, Jonny," Terhune growled,
but his heart wasn't really in the warning.

     "I thought you had the hots for Entropy." Thorson reminded him.

     "Who?  Oh, her.  Well, she's certainly pretty, but she's kinda, 
you know, distant.  I mean, you'd never just meet her walking in the
hallway or something, right?" Terhune asked.

     "Oh, I don't know about that," Thorson asked, trying very, very 
hard not to laugh.  

     "What?  Uh, never mind.  Anyway, I met a girl last night that is
even more beautiful than Entropy, and she's well, real.  You know?"

     This was too much, and Thorson had to pause while he swallowed
laughter that just wouldn't go away.  When he could, he carefully said,
"If you say so."

     Then he beat a hasty retreat to let the laughter within him bubble
out, echoing off the walls of the staid old University.