Red-X

RED-X

O.D. Wells, Arthur Belokonov, Kirby McPhaul

AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: 1-800-839-8640

© 2011 O.D. Wells, Arthur Belokonov, Kirby McPhaul. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 3/22/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4567-4649-0 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4567-4650-6 (dj)

ISBN: 978-1-4567-4651-3 (sc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011902655

Printed in the United States of America

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER ONE:

THE ARRIVAL

CHAPTER TWO:

THE ARRIVAL

CHAPTER THREE:

THE REVEAL

CHAPTER FOUR:

THE ESCAPE

CHAPTER FIVE:

DOPPLEGANGER

CHAPTER SIX:

ALLIES

CHAPTER SEVEN:

REBELS

CHAPTER EIGHT:

THE CAPTURE

CHAPTER NINE:

RED-X

CHAPTER TEN:

THE MATING

CHAPTER ELEVEN:

A NEW GENERATION

CHAPTER TWELVE:

STRANGE BEDFELLOWS

CHAPTER THIRTEEN:

ESSENCE-TO-ESSENCE

CHAPTER FOURTEEN:

THE JOURNEY

CHAPTER FIFTEEN:

OUR EYES HAVE OPENED

CHAPTER SIXTEEN:

MANTARA

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN:

HISTORY

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN:

CHAOS

CHAPTER NINETEEN:

IMMIGRANTS

CHAPTER TWENTY:

A NEW BEGINNING

CHAPTER ONE:

THE ARRIVAL

OUR STORY OPENS IN AN art studio in a decent part of the city where James, a 35-year-old photographer is absorbed by his work. James is a serious artist and he has to complete the job he’s doing within a certain amount of time, therefore he wastes no time in doing his job. Standing at less than six feet with Mediterranean looks and a ruddy complexion, James never knew his parents; they died in a terrorist bomb blast when he was a baby so he had to fend for himself from a young age. He’s in the process of shooting Susan, a 25-year-old white girl with red hair and about as much class as a hillbilly in Tiffany’s. To be honest Susan looks cheap, a typical bimbo with the plastic fingernails, false eyelashes, and the decorated cell phone case that doubles as a pack of cigarettes. Susan looks like a hooker, but James has no choice because of the deadline he has to keep and the model he expected to show up never came. James is in decent shape for having a cushy job, maybe because he has to do a lot of crouching and laying on his back during a photo shoot; Susan makes sure he can see under her skirt when she poses.

Very good, excellent… I need more of a wild look, give it to me! James says in a motivational voice. I got it, I got it, you’re doing great.

Susan, doing what James wants looks really into it. She strikes several poses to the beat of some music playing in the background just as James stands up.

Oh shit, I can’t believe my memory card is already full! James says as he quickly begins to change the card.

Don’t worry baby, I can do this all night if necessary, giggles Susan.

Give me a second, James mutters as he struggles with the camera

Susan moves towards a coffee table, opens her purse, and spreads 2 lines of cocaine on the table while still purposely posing along the way. James does not see her as he continues with his work; he finally turns around saying: Okay, I’m ready!

I’m ready too, says Susan coyly. Join me…

I’m good; let’s get this done first.

Susan goes into a demure pout and childishly begs: Oh, you’re not going to leave me hanging, are you?

James walks over to her and sighs, ladies first!

Excitedly, Susan inhales the powder… WHOO! She passes the dollar straw over to James just as the lights in the studio begin to go haywire, blinking and throwing sparks, accompanied by a vibration wave like an invisible wind.

The ground shakes and dust comes off the ceiling; obviously it must be some sort of earthquake. James runs into the street just in time to see a fireball rising over the city and hears car alarms blaring; it was an explosion at the power plant.

Shit, James swears, the lights will probably go out in a minute!

What’s that you said honey? Susan coos as the ground rocks again. Whee!

The sound of emergency vehicles passing by drown out Susan’s voice while James tries calling someone he knows; he can’t get through.

James loses his footing and intones, what the hell? A few umbrella lights topple over, as the wave blows the powder from the table and the entire studio’s power shuts down leaving them in the dark. Damn, what else can happen?

Susan skitters around the toppled furniture and practically dances in a small circle. Wow James don’t you see, is this a sign or what?

James gives her a look that says he is not in the mood but she is so high she ignores the obvious and wraps her arms around his neck in a seductive manner.

Susan, James sneers, cut it out.

Don’t you think it’s perfect? Susan squeals as she hikes her skirt to show her new love panties, Let’s do something else.

James maneuvers her to the couch where reluctantly, she is deposited. Be still baby, he soothes as he grabs a flashlight, I don’t want my place to burn down and you with it… Don’t worry, I’ll be back! Fearing the worst James clicks on the flashlight and quickly leaves the room.

Susan crosses her arms, pouts, and crosses her legs in disappointment. Why is it that when a woman wants a little attention she has to jump through hoops, but when a man wants it we have to instantly lay down and pretend to get off when he’s finished in five minutes? She eventually reaches for her purse and gets out a cigarette, which she sparks alight. After taking a long puff Susan exhales a cloud of smoke. My husband couldn’t keep his pants on and James can’t get his off; damn!

Meanwhile James enters a smoke-filled basement door with his flashlight in hand; he stumbles over some of his stuff that has been tossed onto the floor by an unseen force and nearly falls down the stairs. He reaches the floor and notices that the breaker box on the wall is throwing sparks; a toasted rat is embedded in the box.

What the hell? James grumbles as he looks for a stick to open the box with; he eventually trips the switches and nothing happens. This is just great… James hears the sound of a woman moaning behind him in a pile of fallen stuff. At first he shucks it off as his imagination until he hears it again, then he shines the light towards the sound and picks up a monopod to use as a weapon. He slowly approaches where he thinks the sound came from. Hello… who’s there?

The moaning continues as James clears a path between him and the sound until he removes a cardboard reflector to reveal a girl lying in a fetal position on the floor. He puts down the monopod and notices a pool of translucent red blood beneath the victim and plastered all over her body. Her body was covered in raised scars, not unlike tattoos, but with a slight glow emanating from them similar to the scales on a snake; blood was still leaking from her body’s orifices. James gingerly approaches the woman and taps her with the toe of his sneaker.

Ma’am, ma’am, are you okay?

He finally attempts to turn her over and receives an electrical shock.

Damn, he swears, what the f… he intones as his light goes out.

After that the glowing scars begin to vanish until she has perfectly normal looking skin. She begins to move with pain.

Who the hell are you, how did you get in here?

James shines his light on the girl just in time to see that she has a strange facial bone structure and one fang-like claw growing from each wrist. Just as he sees her James’ light dies. James bangs on his flashlight to get it to work again but when it comes on he can really see that she’s an alien. The girl looks to be about 25 or so years old; she opens her eyes as she turns to face him and tries to speak.

Hold on, don’t try to move… I’m going to call for help!

James checks his pocket for his cell phone and realizes that he left it upstairs. He begins to yell: Damn… Susan! Get the hell down here and bring my cell phone you lazy whore, SUSAN!

Susan, who is high as a kite and sitting on the couch with her arms and legs crossed, begins filing her nails when she hears James calling her. Two can play the waiting game as well as one, she sneers.

The alien looking girl begins to shake like popcorn on a hot grille. James does not know what to do and he doesn’t want to leave the basement; he finally kneels next to the woman and says: Whatever the heck you are, just stay alive!

His words are wasted as the alien woman painfully stares at him and her strange looking tongue comes out with her last breath.

Oh hell no, this can’t be happening, he gulps and then leans in the direction of the stairs. Susan you lazy bitch, where the hell are you?

In the distance James can hear Susan coming down the stairs. James puts his ear to the girl’s bloody chest and listens for a heartbeat… there is none.

Shit!

Susan stumbles her way down the stairs pretending to care. James, James, did you call me, are you there? She burns her finger on a lighter she is using to find her way. Shit, she exclaims while James takes the opportunity to cover the girl with the reflector again. He makes his way towards Susan and shines the flashlight in her face.

Damn it James, I just burned my finger and now you’re trying to blind me too, what’s going on down here?

Nothing, he replies in a hurry, let’s just go upstairs.

Huh? You called me down here just to go back upstairs, what’s on your mind bad boy? Susan says as she grabs his hand and it feels that it’s slippery.

I already told you, nothing.

Susan pulls his hand into the light and grimaces. Then what’s this? She then looks closer and nearly screams: You’re bleeding!

James tries to pull away from her, It’s not mine…

Then who’s is it?

I think it was a rat or some animal that exploded on the breaker box.

Susan recoils in disgust, letting go of James’ hand. Ew… I hate those things; they’re disgusting, let’s get out of here!

Susan begins to walk with James up the stairs as James looks briefly back at the pile of junk that marked where the alien woman was hidden. There were many thoughts going through his head as he hid the fact that something wonderful if not strange had happened in the basement of his studio. He thought about calling the FBI, but with that annoying Susan hanging around there’d be more questions than he’d care about answering. He had to get rid of that stupid broad before she started to nose around where she didn’t belong.

Uh, Sue, James suddenly blurts. I have a lot to do and this place is a mess at the moment…

Say what? Susan sneers as she puts her hand on her hip.

You have to go, James finally sighs, touching her with the slimy hand so that he can get her to recoil.

Yeah, maybe you’re right…

James escorts Susan to her car as she tediously keeps wiping her hands with wet napkins. Are you sure we don’t have to go to the hospital for some shots. I don’t want to get rabies.

Don’t worry, just go on home, take a sleeping pill and relax.

C’mon James, why don’t we go to my place?

I’ve got to get this cleaned up by morning or I’ll be in a world of trouble.

You’re going to call me right James?

Sure, just drive safe…

James leans into the window of the car and briefly kisses Susan on the cheek.

She looks disappointed and snarls: You bastard…

Susan rolls up the window and screeches away. As soon as she is out of sight, James looks serious and begins to poke the buttons on his cell phone.

At the same time across town at the power plant: The fire Marshal and an FBI agent by the name of Darren Xavier are on the scene as some workers make a grisly discovery.

What have you got? Fire Marshal Royce Rolex asks as he enters a huge gas pipe behind a worker; Darren follows close behind.

They come to a section of six-foot pipe with a huge rip in it, Royce peers at it with a trained eye; Darren comments: Is this ground zero?

Yeah, replies Royce, you can tell by the outward tearing of the hole in the pipe and the upheaval of earth.

Do you think terrorists did this?

Royce sniffs some ash and then tastes it. Hmm, there’s nothing strange here, and I can’t taste syntax, claims Royce as Darren wanders further into the tube.

HOLY CRAP! Darren blurts as he stumbles backwards in shock.

What is it?

Darren points to a burned woman embedded in the wall of the pipe and with her are two melted metallic boxes. Upon closer observation the woman is deformed and has strange features on her face and body similar to a reptile. Have you ever seen anything like this before? Darren gulps.

Royce examines the wall and says: This is truly amazing, her molecules have been merged with the carbon fiber of the pipe…

You mean she’s not just stuck through the wall?

Royce goes outside and looks behind the pipe; he sees the naked back half of the woman on the outside of the tube in perfect condition, but she obviously is not a human. There are scales on her back that look like tattoos and she has twelve toes. I don’t know about you, but this thing is probably what caused the explosion, states Royce with a bit of fear in his voice as he shows Darren an alien pistol. Look at this thing, I think it’s some kind of weapon.

This area is now officially sealed, snarls Darren. I don’t want so much as a cockroach to have access here; got it?

Yeah, I got it, sighs Royce.

Across town in the VIP room of the local strip club, Max, a fat little man with thick glasses, curly long hair, and a 80s style disco suit reaches for his blackberry. A pair of dancers that moonlight as call girls are with Max with nothing better on their minds except milking Max of all his hard earned money. Max is a childhood friend of James; they were in the same foster home for five years before they went their own ways. Max became a systems analyst while James took up journalism in trade school on a scholarship. James always seemed to be able to score the women because of his good looks but Max wasn’t so lucky. James turned down more potential girlfriends then Max could ever hope to date yet James never had casual sex with any of them. Max paid for female company on a regular basis and tonight was no exception; there he was with Alice, your typical white-trash Las Vegas hooker in her middle twenties and Capri, a mixed race tramp a couple of years younger than Alice. Despite their jobs, both women were considered good looking but Alice was model material.

Several drinks are on the table and the girls are doing their jobs quite well. Max’s Phone rings, he ignores it, but it rings again and this time he sighs saying: I’m sorry babe but I have to take this."

Honey bear, can’t it wait? Alice whines in a disappointed tone.

Give me a sec… he continues as he turns his attention to the phone. Hey dude what’s up? I thought you were busy…

Hey Max, the voice of James pipes from the phone, I’m in big trouble.

Dude, is it that redhead again?

No Max she’s cool, it’s something else.

If it isn’t pussy then how important can it be?

Very important.

Dude, don’t get me wrong but, I’m in the middle of something. You know me, I don’t get no pussy unless I spend a wad on party favors.

The coke and booze can wait, I really need you, James pleads.

What is it James…

Max, I can’t tell you, you have to see it.

Okay dude…

Before Max can utter another word the phone emits a ring tone, indicating that James has hung up.

Oh man…

You don’t want to leave us now do you? Capri whines in a fake voice.

Don’t worry girls, my friends here will keep you company until I get back.

Max whips out a few hundred-dollar bills and waves them in the faces of the strippers and shoves some in each of the girl’s bras.

But they’re not going to replace you baby… Alice sighs.

Max squeezes their boobs and pinches their butts before pulling his car keys from his pocket. I won’t be too long, besides I need some help.

Max hops in his car and drives across town to the two-story brownstone that has been converted into a townhouse/studio. As Max pulls into a parking lot toward the rear, James is pacing the floor under the light of the back door. Max gets out the car, and approaches James.

Dude, what’s got you so wired? And why are you wearing out the street?

Because, James explains loudly, I didn’t want to be inside.

The bulb over the back door suddenly explodes and James covers his head to protect it from flying glass.

Whoa, dude… Max blurts in surprise.

James looks spooked as he rolls his eyes towards the back door.

Dude, and what’s inside?

Come here, you won’t believe this! James spits as he grabs Max by the arm and yanks him into the door. When they get inside James grabs a flashlight, pushes Max to another door, and then leads Max down the stairs into the basement.

Dude, Max suddenly blurts, what happened to the lights?

"I think she had something to do with it."

Max looks at James with a strange look.

She… Dude, who is she?

Just promise me not to freak out, okay Max?

It’s the redhead, isn’t it?

No, I told you she was cool, James snarls.

Then who is here?

I don’t know, but be prepared to throw out everything you believe. James removes the reflector to reveal a mannequin lying on the floor. He picks it up to expose water on the ground and one of the arms missing. Tah-duh!

Dude, you mean I left two hot babes for this? What the hell are you on?

James opens his eyes and focuses on the broken dummy; he looks confused as he rummages through some debris in search of the alien woman.

Max, you gotta believe me, there was a girl right here bleeding, and she died in my arms!

James kneels down and begins to touch the wet spot.

Man, I’m sorry about your girl, but it was an accident. You could not do anything; you have to let it go.

What are you talking about Max? James growls as he touches the wet spot and then smells his fingers.

Ashley, you’re still blaming yourself for her death.

No Max, I’m talking about someone else, she wasn’t even human…

James starts throwing debris around the room in an effort to find the missing women again.

She’s probably still here Max, help me find her! James pleads.

Max puts a calming hand on James’ shoulder, stopping him and says: Dude, you have to stop doing that, do you know how you sound?

James grabs Max by the lapels and begins shaking him violently as he spurts: Max, you have to believe me!

Dude, let’s get out of here, I got a couple of Barbarellas waiting come on…

James keeps looking around as Max coaxes him from the basement. After they leave, a pile of rubble begins to shift and beneath it is a similar girl but with green eyes named Zodoo. She is 23-27 years old and identical to her predecessor, Teea, except that she is wrapped in a piece of cloth. She searches for a metal case, opens it, pulls out an injector, and inoculates herself in the arm. She grimaces from the unexpected pain and drops the robe, which is irritating her sensitive skin.

Zodoo uncovers the body of Teea; she examines her, and shakes her head as if it is a loss, then pulls out an injection device. She injects Teea in the shoulder and turns her head away. In about a minute Teea begins to dissolve until nothing is left except a puddle of distilled heavy water. She takes what looks like a small imaging device from the case and activates it. On the screen is showed our solar system and the relation of the earth to the planets. It zooms in on North America and eventually on a large metropolis. Red dots appear on the (Space Positioning System - SPS), indicating that she is not alone.

Max and James pull up to the strip club and Max quickly pulls James from the car in an effort to get him to hurry. After tipping the bouncer they go inside where Max has a private booth. Within seconds Capri and Alice is with them and Capri is rubbing up on Max; James obviously is not in the mood for Alice.

Hey girls, I kept my word by bringing my friend, now it’s your turn to keep your end of the bargain, snickers Max.

Sure honey, Capri giggles, let the show begin!

Alice and Capri begin an exotic dance in front of the men, eventually leading to a semi-nude female interaction. It is obvious that Max is enjoying the show; he finally reacts by nudging James with his elbow.

Hey dude, which one lights your candle? Take your pick I’m not choosey.

I’m not in the mood for this Max…

Come on, at least have a drink with me!

James nods while Max smiles and pours them all a stiff drink. He motions for the girls to stop dancing and they come over to the table. Capri sits on Max’s lap while Alice takes a seat next to James. They pick up their drinks and begin to raise their glasses.

Here’s to better days for all of us! Max announces.

After touching glasses Max and Capri begin to interact closely, as a matter of fact Max is all over her like horseflys on dog shit and Capri is enjoying it.

Alice looks uncomfortable as she begins briskly rubbing her upper arms. Do you mind? This place is like a freaking meat freezer and I’m cold.

Alice moves even closer to James, she puts her arms around him and sits on his lap, James does notice that she actually is cold. He finally says: I can give you my jacket…

I appreciate it but it’s against house rules, however if you pour us both a drink that’ll suffice.

Sure…

Just as James reaches for the bottle Max grabs it first and begins to reload the glasses. Dude, now you’re talking… Max blares, I got it! Let’s toast!

Okay, James sighs, I might as well…

Meanwhile back at the art studio…

Zodoo is walking around the dark studio in a robe looking for something to eat. She eventually finds the refrigerator and begins rifling through it, tossing various food items to the floor as she samples each with one bite. Finally she opens a container of milk and takes a sip, she finds it satisfactory and begins drinking it. She has plenty of time to explore the place, and eventually she happens upon a photo of James with his late girlfriend Ashley. She is captivated by the photo and touches the picture of James with deep curiosity. She sighs and puts it back with a look as if he has somehow intrigued her. Zodoo seems a bit troubled as she unexpectedly looks into a full-length mirror that was behind a door, She slowly touches the sharp alien features of her face: the bone ridges on her brow, the extended bridge from her nose to her forehead, and the rough patches of skin on her shoulders and back. Somehow she seemed to be contemplating her fate as if she were waiting for something.

Back at the club…

Capri is straddling Max’s lap, facing him and giving him plenty of face while laughing. In the meantime Alice is slurring her words as she is in the process of continuing a story that really happened to her.

…I’m telling you, let’s go to MY home, Alice is saying.

Go to your home? James questions.

That’s what I said to the cop!

Okay, I get it…

Don’t butt in, let me finish, she slurs. So then I was looking at this cop’s boots, you know he was one of those motorcycle cops and I didn’t have my purse. I said to this guy that if he could follow me home we could work something out…

You mean you were going to do it with that guy to avoid a ticket?

Shut up and let me finish! So anyway he follows me upstairs to my bedroom, I got out my purse and the next thing I knew it was morning. Shoot, I saw my wallet lying on the bed and some of the cash was missing from it… you know why? That cop took the amount for the ticket and left me a freaking receipt! Wasn’t that funny?

Everybody busts out laughing except for James.

Alice has another drink and blurts: Any of you guys got some good stories?

Max notices that James looks less than enthusiastic about talking, so he waves his arms and makes a suggestion. Hey everyone, I have a great idea! Why don’t we go back to my place where we can make a story of our own?

I’m in! Capri yells.

It’s already morning guys, James sighs, I have to get back to the studio. I’ve got a deadline to meet and the model I hired didn’t show up. Not only that, many of those designer dresses are on loan and I have to give them back tomorrow; you can’t believe the stress I’m under right now.

Hey James, Alice suddenly intervenes, do you mind if I go back with you to your place? I’d like to check out those designer dresses you told me about earlier…

I don’t think so, James grumbles.

I also know a bit about modeling, she says while doing a runway walk. I didn’t always work the clubs you know, maybe I can help you.

James looks her over and sees that she has some skills. Well…

That’s a great idea dude, an excited sounding Max blares, it is right along the way! I’ll drop you off and pick you up when you get finished. RIGHT? He nudges Capri and moves his eyebrows up and down.

Capri picks up on his facial signal and agrees: Sure, we can do that!

James tosses up his hands in resignation. When do we leave?

A short time later James and Alice are exiting Max’s car and strolling arm and arm down the street towards the studio. The both of them are feeling the effects of the alcohol but James is a bit more sober than Alice. James and Alice enter the studio just before the sun rises. James reaches for a switch and turns on the lights, which to his surprise works. Alice covers her eyes and motions for him to turn them back off.

God, what are you doing? Alice complains, You’ll ruin everything!

That’s weird…

What’s so weird? I can’t take all that bright light…

James turns them back off and looks at Alice. I’m sorry it’s not what I meant; the lights were not working right before.

Don’t worry, everything works right when I’m around… So big guy, you have anyplace where we can get more comfortable?

Yeah, let’s go upstairs.

Alice drops her purse on the table, grabs hold of James’ arm, and lets him lead her to the upper level where James shows her the spare bedroom.

You can sleep here… he yawns.

Alice wraps her arms around his neck. What? You don’t like me or are you just playing hard to get?

I like you, but we’ve been drinking a lot and I don’t want you to think that I’m going to take advantage of you…

Suddenly Alice gets stiff and shoves James onto the bed.

Take advantage, what do you think I’m here for?

Alice straddles James as she works her way up his body towards his face. She leans over and kisses him and he responds. She pulls open his shirt, jumps to the side and opens his belt, then yanks down his pants in one move. I got this… Alice straddles him again and begins kissing her way up his body until she reaches his ear. She whispers. You got any condoms?

Uh, I’m not sure… James moans. I had some in the bathroom…

Not to worry, just wait here. I’ll be right back.

Alice hops off of James and heads downstairs, while at the same time his eyes begin to close. In less than a second or two James is fast asleep. She finally reaches her goal, which is a large bag that she left on the couch. Alice rummages through her purse until she finds her cigarettes. She lights one and then pulls out her cell phone to call Capri. In a matter of seconds the connection is made and Alice whispers.

Where are you?

I just got home, replies Capri.

What happened with that buffoon, Max?

The usual, he passed out with a bottle in his hand. What about you?

I might be here a while…

Don’t tell me… you actually like him?

Give me a break, James is no Valentino, whispers Alice. And he’s not rich.

I hope you didn’t forget about our regulars from New York, adds Capri.

It’s tomorrow night. Right?

Yeah but we still have to get our hair done.

I’ll be there, assures Alice.

No, I’ll pick you up.

Okay then, I gotta go, sleep tight.

Alice puts out the cigarette and examines the condom package she is about to remove from her purse, as she picks it up the traffic ticket falls from her purse and she grumbles to herself: Damn, what a day.

Alice turns around and is suddenly snatched by the throat by someone unseen in the room. Alice drops the condom as she is held in a two-handed choke by the alien Zodoo. Blood oozes from the neck of Alice as she silently struggles to break free from the powerful grasp. In a minute Zodoo is lowering her lifeless body to the floor where she scans it with a device. Zodoo presses the device against her own belly and pushes a button, an explosive wave in the shape of a circle hits her like a punch to the gut, Zodoo falls to her knees and the small light that is in the room momentarily dims. Zodoo is still kneeling next to Alice and the tattoo-like scars have started glowing, now Zodoo slowly touches her own face, which has taken on the likeness of Alice. The glowing finally stops and the electrical interruptions cease to affect the lights. Satisfied that everything has worked, she takes an injector from her case and squeezes it against Alice’s body. A bubbling sound becomes audible that is followed by a hissing, and in a few minutes there is a puddle of water on the floor.

Zodoo grabs a special case with her instruments in it and heads upstairs, but just as she is about to do so she see’s a cockroach drinking from the puddle that had been the real Alice just moments ago. Zodoo raises a bare foot over the insect just as it stops what it’s doing but she doesn’t kill it. Instead she lets it go and she then gets Alice’s clothes and runs upstairs. Zodoo/Alice quietly sneaks into the room where James is sleeping; she creeps up next to the bed, stops, and slowly reaches out for his bare chest. She touches him and a static electrical charge causes her to recoil.

James flinches and turns over to face her. Zodoo pauses for a moment and then eases herself into the bed next to James. She props her head up on her arm so that she can watch him as he sleeps.

A cell phone is ringing in the distance, which wakes James up. As he shakes off the grogginess, he thinks he hears someone in the shower. James sits on the edge of the bed and as the sheet slides off he realizes he’s naked. He scratches his head and puts on his pants that have the ringing phone in them. When he gets the phone it stops, so he checks to see who was calling him as he walks towards the bathroom.

When he looks up he runs into Alice/Zodoo as she is stepping out of the shower. He instantly backs up and turns away.

I, I’m sorry… he apologizes.

What’s wrong?

I didn’t expect to see you.

I was just taking a shower, she replies. I’ll be gone soon, how do you feel?

My head feels like it was used for an anvil… What about you?

I’m okay, she continues while drying herself off.

Can I ask you something?

Sure.

Did we do the horizontal mambo?

Alice/Zodoo looks at him strangely. Did we what?

You know… James begins as his phone starts to ring; he answers it. Yeah?

Alice gives him the what-the-hell look and starts tapping her foot.

Sorry, he says. I got to get this.

Yeah, okay.

While James is blabbing on the phone Alice/Zodoo starts rummaging through the clothing racks until she finds a couple of sexy dresses; she shows them to James and motions that she wants to try them on.

James covers the mouthpiece on the phone and says: Take what you like and don’t bother me until I get off the phone.

James walks away from Alice/Zodoo while talking on the phone to Max.

Hey Max, what’s up?

Dude, how was it?

I don’t remember…

Don’t remember? Max says, I paid her two times the going rate, you should be celebrating how good it was.

Paid?

Dude, what do you think she is?

James gasps: Why didn’t you tell me she was a hooker?

I didn’t want you to worry.

Thanks Max, now I have to worry about where to find a good doctor.

Why, what’s wrong?

Because I think we did it without protection.

Dude, I’ve been dealing with her and her friend for awhile and they’re pros; I guarantee you there’s nothing to worry about. Besides, we still have a ticket to ride that pussy train again tonight and you’ll see that I’m right. Broads like that cannot afford to get sick, it’s bad for business; if it happens they can’t work here again. We’ll see them tonight and then you can ask her all about it.

I just tried asking her.

What, you mean she’s still there?

Yes.

Dude, she probably likes you, now you can get her for free!

Max, I don’t want her, I have to work.

You lucky piece of shit. Dude, keep her busy, I’ll be over soon.

Max…

I know, I know, just do this for me James, okay?

The doorbell starts to ring and James heads for the stairs.

Okay Max, but you owe me. I have to go now.

James walks past Zodoo/Alice just as she finishes straightening out the dress.

How do I look?

James stops for a second to look her over. Wild, very wild!

I’m glad you like it.

In the distance James can hear a key turning the lock; it is Bill entering the studio from the front entrance. Shoot… Excuse me!

Bill, a graying fellow with a large