TavernTales 7: Home Visits

[BreakABone]

For those of you who don't know, I actually write these stories while bored at work and my boredom at work far surpasses the amount of time I have on the computer so I am several stories ahead, but to break up the boredom of writing the same characters/scenarios, I tend to jump around in storytelling. This is one of those cases where I will sidestep for a second.

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Home Visits
The Professor had just finished explaining his plan to Aladuf and Flunkie. They stared at him for a minute before Aladuf spoke up, "How do you know so much about the GAMES HQ?"

"A man of my stature does not go long without his sources in all major areas in this country," was the Professor's response.

"I see," Aladuf still puzzled asked," but why us?"

"You both possess certain skills that will come in handy during this mission."

Flunkie finally broke into the conversation, "But you won't tell us what part of the mission?"

"As much as I know about the GAMES HQ, I know even more about its leader. And it is in your best interest to go in unprepared. Only then will you have the abilities to counter his cunning."

"Okay then tell us one thing," Aladuf wanted to get something out of this before agreeing, "why do you hate Bond so much?"

The Professor let back an evil laugh that both frightened but intrigued Aladuf and Flunkie. "Hate Bond? No, no, no! I don't hate him. I respect him. I admire him, but I need to crush him."

The Professor's mind went back to the events over 10 years ago. His last home visit.
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The Professor let out a sigh as he stared at the stack of papers on his desk. It would be another long weekend. The wife would be upset, but these days when wasn't she. The Professor poured so much of his life into his teachings that there was little time for much else. But his wife said, this year was different. She had never seen him so focused.

The Professor could not admit to her she was correct nor could he tell her the reason why. It was a bit startling even to himself. Since the very first exam, one student had caught his attention like only a handful before him. This student showed such creative skills and unique thinking that the Professor looked forward to reading his papers and grading his exam.

While nothing in Bond's background would suggest his superior skills, the Professor knew there was something different about him. He knew that under the right guidance the sky would be his limits. But he had to make sure before he approached Bond with this prospect.

This is why the Professor took Bond's report aside. He would read it on his way home and make his call then.
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"Bond, wait up! Hey Bond!" Bond was once again so lost in his books that he hadn't heard his friend shouting for him from behind.

Finally Jeepnut caught up with Bond and tapped him on the shoulder. "You deaf? I've been chasing you down for like 2 minutes."

"Were you? I didn't hear you."

"Of course you didn't, always have your head in these books. What is it this time?"

Bond hid the book, "Promise you won't laugh?"

"Bond, do I really need to? We've been friends for how long now?"

"Okay okay. It is a book about how to join the CIA, but not the boring divisions. I want to be a field agent. Busting heads and stuff... like in the movies."

Jeepnut excused himself for a second so that he could snicker in a corner. When he returned, Bond looked at him upset. "You promised you wouldn't laugh!"

"I know I know, but the thought of you being a field agent? You have always been a more strategic guy then an ass kicking one, if you know what I mean."

"I get it, but I still want to... you know what nevermind. What were you chasing me down for anyhow?"

"Oh! I almost forgot. I came across something while working in my lab again." Bond's eye grew large. While Bond had an impressive mind, Jeepnut was a master mechanic. His skills around vehicles were surpassed by none, and if he was excited about something; Bond knew it had to be good.

Jeepnut dug through his bag, dumping his books and belongings along the school's floor. "Aww here it is!" He pulled out a document. "You won't believe this." Then he went silent.

"Won't believe what?" Bond inquired curiously.

"That's much better. Not going to have a huge build-up and you not pay attention to it. Anyhow, I've discovered a way to use Pepsi as a fuel source for cars." He shoved the specs into Bond's face.

Bond studied the sheet back and front. Of course, he could not make heads or tails of it, but if what Jeepnut said was true it was quite the breakthrough. "That's awesome man!"

"Yeah, I know the paper doesn't impress you. Come by my house tomorrow and I will show you it running. I have to go. More testing to be done." Jeepnut gathered his belongings and ran off.

Bond just stared at his friend while he left. He made some interesting alliances.
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[Fyacin]

I'm having trouble keeping track of the characters, but I think that's because I read them too late at night. The writing is good though.

[BreakABone]

I'm having trouble keeping track of the characters, but I think that's because I read them too late at night. The writing is good though.

Other than not reading them at night, anyway I could help?
I mean what's confusing, the sheer number of them?

[BreakABone]

Work fun meant I couldn't even get on the comp yesterday and took the day off today since hadn't really had one in 2 weeks. And I am a little bored so here goes.
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2
This was it! This was all the proof the Professor needed. He had reached his stop on the train.
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Bond arrived home exhausted. He tossed his stuff onto the couch by the door. As he entered the room fully, he had a single bag in his hand. He walked over to a cage on the far right side of the room and began to speak to his pet owl.

"How's my little buddy doing? He said as he reached into the bag and pulled out some fish. "I bought you some snacks. I know you will enjoy." He opened the cage and gently laid the fish down.

Bond was not always a bird person. When he first got his pet owl, he named him Archie after a bumbling comic book character he use to read about. But as he feed the bird, he gained a certain fondness for it. Now, the owl was his closest companion in the world.

"Mom, I'm home." Bond finally declared after feeding his owl.

"Good. Come in the kitchen there is someone here to see you." She responded. Bond was confused; he hadn't expected company for dinner. No it was a Friday, most of his friends were probably out. Who could it be.

Bond turned the corner into his kitchen and was startled to find his teacher... The Professor sitting down at his dinner table. He stood with his eyes wide staring at the figure. It had to be his imagination. The Professor was never seen outside of school. No one dared egg his house or pull any practical jokes on him. He was given a lot of freedom other teachers didn't get. Bond always wondered if it was related to his other nickname. One no person called him to his face.

"Aren't you going to say hello to your guest?" Bond's mom tried to wake her son out of his state.

"Do not worry yourself kind lady, Bond here is just baffled at my appearance here I assure you. It is not very often I make house calls, you see. Just give Bond some time to adjust and then we could speak. Do you mind joining us at the dinner table, Bond?"

Bond walked over to the table in a daze still not saying a word. He sat across from The Professor and continued to stare.

"Now come dear, you mustn't stare at the guest." Bond's mom was trying to get her son to show manners, but he was lost in his own world.

They consumed an entire meal without Bond saying a single word. The Professor insisted that he help with the dishes since he intruded on their dinner. While he was off washing dishes, Bond got up from the dinner table and snuck back into the living room. He consulted with Archie. There were no words exchanged but the comfort of something familar bought Bond back to his senses.

When he re-entered the kitchen, The Professor and Bond's mom were once again seated at the table. Bond stared at the Professor again, but this time only briefly before speaking.

"Sir, it is quite an honor to have you here tonight, but forgive my frankness, why are you here?"

"Do not apologize for your frankess Bond, it is one of the reasons I am here tonight. But let's enjoy some pie first and then maybe we could speak in private."

Bond sat down once again and enjoyed pie with his mother and The Professor.
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After dinner and dessert, Bond's mom excused herself from the kitchen so the two men could speak.

"Now Bond, I don't expect you to have an answer for me tonight, but just hear me out before you say anything." Bond shook his head in agreement.

"In my time as a teacher, I have molded many a great minds. Some of the brightest this world has ever seen, but even in my crop of students there are some who stand head and shoulders above the rest. Students with natural skills that surpass my wildest expectations. These students, I take a personal interest in so that I could mold then into future leaders."

Bond's mouth watered with joy. Was the Professor really going to groom him? President Bond had a ring to it, he felt.

"Now I have been watching your progress through the start of the semeste, and yet me tell you this Bond, I have never in all my years of teaching ever seen such an analytic mind like yours. I mean I suspected you were special, but your first exam blew me away. But this." The Professor said while picking up Bond's latest report, "Confirmed my suspicions and I knew I had to see you tonight."

Bond had never felt a sense of pride like he felt now. The Professor really thought he was something special. It almost bought a tear to Bond's eye but he didn't want to cry in front of the Professor.

"I know most people love having their ego's buttered, but let me get down to business. I want you to join my organization and with your mind the world will be ours!"

There was something in the Professor's tone that deflated Bond's joy. Was it the way he said ours? Bond couldn't be sure. "What do you mean the world will be ours?"

The Professor hestitated for a second before answering, this next part had to be handled delicately. "You see for too long now Bond, the world has found some way to corrupt itself worse and worse. Just when we feel there is hope for mankind, they find a way to screw it all up. So my organization, which now extends through a lot of military and political factions, is looking to reshape the globe in our image. With your help, this dream could finally be realized. Will you join us, Bond?"

Bond was not sure what the Professor expected him to say. Maybe, this was some cruel joke or a test to see if Bond was worthy of real membership. Whatever it was, it was scaring Bond, and he once again returned to his look of stunned silence.

"I understand this is a lot of information to process, and I told you didn't expect an answer tonight. It is Friday, you have the entire weekend to make up your mind."

The Professor picked up his stuff and headed for the door, "Please, think of all the good we could do." Those were The Professor's final words as he left.
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[Fox 6]

Ha his best friend is an owl. :p

[BreakABone]

I think this is the final part.
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3
Bond had already made up his mind before The Professor left his house, but there was no one he could inform him of his decision. He made preparations the night. He would need to leave town; he understood that he knew too much.

So Bond put his plan into motion the next morning. He wrote a letter to his mother explaining that The Professor had offered him an opporunity to go to a prestige school and he had to leave right away. He was sorry for not informing her sooner. Bond figured the less his mother knew the safer she was.

After he left the note where she could find it, he packed up his things. He did not care to burden his mother with his friend so he dropped Archie off at Jeepnut. Once again, he gave a story that would have the party asking as few questions as possible.

Bond went to the train station and bought a ticket as far away as possible.
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Monday rolled around and The Professor was disappointed to see that Bond did not show up for class. Maybe he needed another day to make his decision.

Then Tuesday came along and still there was no sign of Bond. Finally, The Professor grew worried on Wednesday and made another house visit. Bond's mother was hysterical when she found out that The Professor had not sent her son to a special school. The Professor was relieved that Bond did not share any information with his mother, but disappointed that he had apparently opted out of joining his organization.

Another day, he thought.
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Flunkie and Aladuf stared at The Professor. The Professor too lost in the past barely noticed them.

Flunkie finally spoke, "So why was Bond the last home visit before now?"

The Professor, "Because I never wanted another student to disappoint me."

Aladuf, "But why now?"

The Professor, "Because I have to show him that he made a grave mistake!" The tone in the Professor's voice told Flunkie and Aladuf there would be no more on the subject.

They went back to the table to go over the plan.
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A lot shorter, but eh the middle section was long.

[Fox 6]

We getting more of this storey line or switching to another GT group?

[Swan]

Not enough of the dynamic duo in my opinion

[BreakABone]

We getting more of this storey line or switching to another GT group?
As it stands right now, the next two chapters shall focus on groups we already met.
The third will switch back to the Canadian story.
I have it all written down.
Introducing new people slowly so this story can grow, but as we move further on more people will become central.

Not enough of the dynamic duo in my opinion
You folks are central, but need other storylines meeting.

[Fyacin]

Ok, so this Proffesor guy is apparently part of an evil organization, (Like Batman's League of shadows), that seeks to destroy "evil" and control the world? And Bond denied the offer to join this organization. Alright, this makes sense now.