"It's so small she'll never notice it." Said Rutherford.

"It's the size of a freckle and unnoticeable to the naked eye. It'll attach to her ID badge and we'll be able to hear everything that happens. The camera feature is still being worked on so we'll have to rely on the sound," Replied Mr. King.

Marjorie was leaning in close, her hands pressing the headset into her ears causing the edges to turn bright red against the pressure. Her brown chair squeaked as she moved closer to her dented up desk almost knocking her knees into its already damaged top drawer.

Shoot. I can't hear. Stupid headset. Wait they said no video. Yes! Perfect. Without eyes, Carly will be able to pass the message on easy peasy. 

Marjorie jotted down a few of the options on her notepad before removing her headset. 

Marjorie scanned her options and thought to herself, Too risky. Not that one. Wow, I should get some sleep. Silly. Not worth it. That leaves the paper delivery. Why was that so hard? I should be less elaborate with my ideas it's not some sort of spy novel. Ha. 

Circling her option Marj leaned back in her chair and basked in the victory for a moment. 

Time to call the cavalry.  

Marjorie reached for the phone to her left pressed several numbers and leaned back into her chair. The phone rang for several moments until there was an answer.

"Hello?" Said the voice on the other side.

Surprised and slightly confused Marjorie replied "Joanie? I thought you would already be back."

Clearing her throat Joanie replied. "Well I would have but I called in sick today. Did you need to speak to Sal?"

Right. Ehm. Sick. Right. 

Marjorie couldn't resist asking "So, you're sick?"

"Not really, but Sal insisted that I needed a mental health day." Replied Joanie

Oh so Sal insists and you listen. I say you need a day off and I'm being crazy. Well then. Somethings never change.  

"Ohhh, ok," Marjorie replied as a smile grew across her face. She slumped back in her chair crossing her right arm across her chest. She flexed her legs as she waited for Joanie's response.

Watch. She's about to get defensive. Act like I'm the crazy one. 

"What? You don't think I need a health day?" asked Joanie a little flustered.

"No. No. Joanie, you deserve a mental health day. You just don't normally take days off. I didn't mean to upset you I was just surprised." Replied Marjorie as she shifted back into an upright position in her chair.

Surprised. Ha. Figured this would happen. At least they aren't ignoring each other. That was a horrible twenty years. 

In the background, Sal spoke up. "Who's that?"

Covering the phone with her hand Joanie whispered, "It's Marj."

"Here let me see the phone." Replied Sal reaching out for the phone.

Great. Now she going to hold the phone out and be all sarcastic. 

Sarcastically holding out the phone Joanie waved the phone at Sal and replied. "See."

Figures. These two. So predictable. 

"That's not what I meant Jo." Sal replied looking at Joanie with a face that said 'you're funny'.

Shrugging Joanie mocked as she continued waving the phone at Sal, "Oh well, sorry guess you're out of luck it seems I have the phone."

Walking towards Joanie, Sal replied, "You're a nut."

Joanie backed away from Sal keeping the distance between them. Joking Joanie replied "Name calling Sal? Really I thought you were better than that."

Sal leapt forward with his arms extended outwards as Joanie stumbled a bit. Turning Joanie broke out into a run with Sal hot on her trail chasing after her. She ran up the stairs laughing as Sal tried to keep up. Sal was right behind Joanie as she reached the top of the stairs. Turning around to mock Sal, Joanie tripped over herself and fell to the ground.

At least they aren't arguing. Yet. 

Out of breath, Sal caught up to Joanie, sounding concerned Sal asked. "Jo? You ok?"

Joanie just laid at the top of the stairs laughing her head off. Leaning over Sal sat down next to Jo as she began to sit up. 

And they've forgotten I'm still on the phone. Better speak up before this gets awkward. 

Wrapping her arm around his shoulders Joanie whispered, "I haven't laughed this hard since—"

"Guys? Hello? Guys? Is anyone there?" Marjorie muffled voice came from the phone on the floor.

Laughing Joanie handed the phone over to Sal. "Hey, Marj. What did you need?"

Sal nodded along as he listened to Marjorie and responded "Ok. Ok. I hear you. I understand. I will let her know. Sounds like a great plan I'll run it by Jo."

Sal hung up the phone and turned to speak to Joanie.

"So what did Marj say?" asked Joanie.

Sal replied "Well the bug worked well and she has a plan on how to deliver the message. She says that the Mill won't be able to see anything, but they'll be able to listen in with their device. Marj says Carly should deliver the message on paper. She thinks Carly should be able to add in an extra sheet that contains the message for the wife to "sign" as a part of the paperwork. What do think?"

Thinking for a moment Joanie nodded, "That sounds like our best option, but she'll need to include a message so that Megan doesn't speak."

"You're right I'll let Carly know the plan and get her thoughts on what she should include," Responded Sal.

"Sal? Don't you have to go to work today?" asked Joanie

Laughing Sal answered "No, I'm on vacation this week. You would know that if you that if you weren't so caught up in your work. You know I miss working with you."

Quietly Joanie responded "I know, I try to keep busy nowadays. It's how I've coped."

Sal probed for more, "That working for you?"

Of course not. 

Lowering her head Joanie replied, "No, but it's the only way I know how to handle it all."

Reaching out his hand Sal squeezed hers slightly, "You know I was always there and I always will be."

Sure. But you left and I had to deal with it alone. 

Joanie laid her head down on Sal's shoulder and said, "You remember the day we met?"

"God, how could I forget. I was a disaster," Sal responded as he shook his head and put his face in his hand.

Laughing Joanie answered, "Yeah, but I wouldn't change what happened."

"Haha, I wouldn't either," Replied Sal.

"Sal you--- you--- I can't even," Marjorie said laughing hysterically as her brother's face remained red hot.

Still, flustered Sal asked Marjorie, "Who was that?"

Gasping for air Marj wiped away the tears streaming down her face before responding, "That was Joanie from my History class. I've told you about Jo. She is a real goofball but she won't take any of your cheesy pick-up lines."

Sal was craning his neck to follow Joanie with his eyes. He thought to himself. Joanie Huh? God, I'm an idiot. That Joanie is. She's—She's amazing. You idiot you have to make this right.

Sal excused himself to the men's room. Seeing Sal leave Jo went to check on Marjorie.

"So Marj, who's the wise guy with you? Certainly not a date. I hope," Inquired Joanie leaning against the booth Marjorie was sitting in.

Laughing at the idea Marjorie replied, "Oh god no. That's my brother. He's a real character, but he's not a bad guy just not the best at flirting with women. He tends to speak before thinking."

Coming out of the restroom Sal ran into the wall when he saw Joanie talking to Marjorie. Marjorie noticing her brother's struggle laughed while he regained his balance.

"I can see that he is quite literally falling for you." Said Marjorie laughing at Sal's stumbling.

"I see that." Replied Joanie smiling at the fumbling man.

Sal made his way to the table without destroying the entire restaurant. Taking his seat as Joanie smirked at his awkwardness Sal tried to remain calm. He looked like a child caught with their hand in the cookie jar. He was rubbing his palms together trying to compose himself before speaking. Reaching his hand out Sal knocked over his glass of water soaking Joanie in the process. Standing up to apologize Sal's knee hit the table causing Marjorie's drink to fall into her lap. Now with both women soaked, Sal stood with a napkin in hand trying to dry off Joanie's clothes. Joanie stood in shock with her arms dangling out soaked in water while Marjorie was cackling at the entire scene not even bothering with her own soaked clothes.

"I'm so sorry Miss. I don—I don't--- know what's wrong with me." Stuttered Sal as he continued to dry Joanie's clothes.

Joanie jokingly replied "Nothing is wrong with you I just seem to have this effect on people. They can't contain themselves you see. It's truly a curse and a blessing."

Smiling Sal looked at Joanie and replied, "Ah, now who's the cocky one?"

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