eclipse of the knight : reborn - commentary edition <style>  </style>  </head> <body bgcolor=black lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='tab-interval:.5in'> <div class=Section1> <h2>K N I G H T<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>R I D E R<br> <span style='font-size:20.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt'>eclipse of the knight</span><br> <span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt'>written by Scott Kirkessner<br> <br> </span><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:red'>Well folks, here we are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In spirit of DVD commentaries, hi there, this is Scott Kirkessner, author of the new Knight Rider fan fiction series Eclipse of the Knight, and former author of the Knight Rider 2000 fan fiction series.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></h2> <h2><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family: Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></h2> <h2><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family: Arial;color:red'>No, I do not use a pen name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I don’t really have a reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have nothing against online handles or pen names, I just didn’t feel like using one when I first started writing fiction, and it stuck with me.<br> <br> I’ve been in this fan fiction game since 1998 (eight freakin’ years, can you believe it’s been that long).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A few of you long timers remember my journey onto the web (Janeway, Tomy and Knightshade for sure) and some of you might have read my KR2K series that I finally retired.<br> <br> Eight years ago, I was an abysmal writer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If anyone remembers the “lost” (aka deleted and forgotten) first original KR2K fic “Into the Storm” it was a horrible 14-page nightmare of a story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A few of the others that followed weren’t that much better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Yes, I am my own worst critic.<br> <br> But as we all learn in this world, we pick up new things, and one thing I picked up in high school was some creative writing classes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I also picked up a creative writing minor in college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So as I continued writing, things got a little bit better, a little easier to read, and even won some of those Edwards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Of course the KR2K stories I was most proud of came near the end of the series.<br> <br> The last KR2K canon story was published in 2003 and in plans since almost 2000, if not earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I didn’t have time or motivation to write following that story (busy college man was I).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“From the Stars” was written for my creative writing class, and I just happened to throw in Bonnie while I was at it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After that, silence for almost two years.<br> <br> I graduated college and during the massive job hunt, I found myself with some free time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was in July, when Stu Phillips released his Knight Rider soundtrack CD that I got the inspiration to write this story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As I listened to the music for the pilot that he wonderfully scored, I caught myself imagining, on more than one occasion, different scenarios to match the music from the pilot.<br> <br> One night, I sat down at my computer and started writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The ideas and inspiration poured out from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I treated this as a secret project up until two weeks before the publish date.<br> <br> I realized that I had a good momentum going when I was doing KR2K and to my surprise, a fair fan following.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I wanted to see if I could recapture the essence I had when I was a writer, and also do something original.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Something that the fiction community hasn’t seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So how do I do this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>By rewriting the damn pilot.<br> <br> Ha!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In essence, that’s what it kinda boils down to (although this isn’t a rewrite).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After seeing Batman Begins earlier in the summer, it had such a bold new approach to the franchise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It wasn’t a prequel, it restarted the Batman franchise, and even that movie used Batman Year One for it’s inspiration.<br> <br> A little bit below, I explain why I chose the original KR pilot for my inspiration.<br> <br> Instead of backpedaling and trying to recapture what I had with KR2K by either continuing that series, or even starting it over (I realized that I had a bold opportunity to really establish some history for the new characters, and while I think I did a little bit, it wasn’t enough, and KR2K just didn’t seem worth redoing for another try), instead I went wayyyyy back to the original Knight Rider with a vision of a darker Knight (you’ll see me talking about the darker tones of the story in this commentary) and a unique approach to an established franchise, story, and a cast of characters.<br> <br> I realized that as I am going along, I am creating history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am making something truly mine, and starting over with the ultimate in fresh slates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That adrenaline kept me going (much like it kept Michael going at the end of this story) and the words just flowed from there).<br> <br> Enough intro, and enough explanations, it’s time to get on with the show!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></h2> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#FFCC00'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=right style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:right'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#FFCC00'>[ rated PG-13 for some violent content, sensuality and adult language ]<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=right style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:right'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#FFCC00'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=right style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:right'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#FFCC00'>[ based upon “Knight Rider” aka “Knight of the Phoenix” by Glen A. Larson ]<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=right style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:right'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#FFCC00'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=right style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:right'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#FFCC00'>[ project start date: July 25, 2005 ]<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=right style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:right'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#FFCC00'>[ project complete date: October 17, 2005 ]<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=right style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:right'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#FFCC00'>[ proof read by Michelle Gardner ] <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=right style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:right'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#FFCC00'>[ final word count: 32,770 ]<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=right style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:right'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#FFCC00'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=right style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:right'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#FFCC00'>[ Knight Rider and characters are © 1982, Glen A. Larson and NBC/Universal ]<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal align=right style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:right'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#FFCC00'>[ Las Vegas and characters are © 2003, Gary Scott Thompson and NBC/Universal ]</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic";mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;color:#FFCC00'>r e b o r n<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Big Ed” Deline tried his best to navigate the casino floor without his hosts or Miss Mancuso seeing and stopping him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There was way too much on his mind to deal with comps or the new owner’s bullshit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Not only was the Montecito playing host to the United States Defense Contractors Conference, an absolute security nightmare that spelled out many long shifts for Ed and his staff, but the FBI, not the most favorite people of his and the feeling was definitely mutual, came to him a week ago and informed him they were planning a sting in plain sight in the middle of this damned conference.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>By all rules and definitions, this story is considered a crossover with Las Vegas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But for real intentions, the characters and the lovely Montecito were used mainly as a jumping off point for the action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>More on this below…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>He had to run that through his mind once more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the midst of the Defense Contractors Conference, a national security event at his casino where he had to work with the Secret Service to ensure complete security, the FBI was planning a sting to bust a group of people with their minds set on industrial espionage.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>The new Montecito had been stretching her wings and getting back on her feet since her rebirth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thanks to new owner Monica Mancuso, this hellish event was thrown onto Ed’s plate as she decided such a conference would breathe new life into the Montecito.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Yeah, great event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The casino had virtually been taken over by the Secret Service to prepare for the conference, and during the conference, all attendees had to wear computerized badges, and any public patrons of his casino had to pass through metal detectors and were subject to random searches.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Ten floors of the resort were closed and reserved for conference attendees.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Worst of all, the topless pool was going to be closed down during the conference.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Ed dealt with people scrutinizing the security of his casino, despite millions of dollars worth of security, surveillance, anti-theft and other pieces of equipment that made the Montecito the most secure casino on The Strip. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>That wasn’t good enough for the Secret Service.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>This line was originally referring to some plans I had to write the complete story as to how Ed and the rest of the Montecito staff had to prepare the casino for the Defense Contractors Conference, and dealing with the Secret Service and other agencies to make the casino the most secure spot in the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I had some pieces of this part written, but realized that this story would be almost twice as long, half Las Vegas and half Knight Rider… I decided that it might be more pleasing to the KR fans to get right into the action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The above lines and some pieces below were modified with the cutting of the prelude story.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>And now… the FBI was here to conduct a covert mission in the middle of it all to prevent the leak of sensitive information.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>How could this day get any more hectic?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Ed!” yelled a voice he was trying his best to avoid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He looked to his left and Monica was hurrying to catch up to him, “I got wind of something big going down in the middle of the conference,” she said, “do you know anything about that?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I am on my way to find out now,” Ed lied, “An agent from the FBI is waiting for us.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“That’s where I’m going too,” Monica said as they walked, “where’s Danny and Mike?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Dealing with something, they’ll meet us there,” Ed said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Monica stopped Ed, “Dealing with what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I thought we agreed I would</span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>be kept in the loop when I took ownership.” <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Ed turned to Monica trying his best to keep an annoyed look off of his face, “I’ll keep you in the loop, Monica.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will forward every incident report to you my staff deals with, from purse thieves to old ladies falling down the brand new stairs that are claimed to be up to code.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Shit, I’ll even give you the reports that come out of the new parking garage you built that is supposed to be safer with wider spots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You know we’re holding bets to see if dings or bums rank higher in the garage?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Ever since rich-bitch Monica Mancuso took over, the Montecito wasn’t the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Monica looked at Ed straight-faced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>With that face, he knew Danny would want her on his poker team, “Well it looks like we have everything under control,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Yes, <b>we</b> do,” Ed replied beginning to walk again, “although it seems the Secret Service has all but fired us and taken over my facilities.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Oh relax, Ed, I gave up ten floors of rooms, the topless pool, most of the casino and our new conference center, you can stand to share your surveillance office,” Monica said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“That reminds me,” Ed said before going into the conference room, “I’ll be sure to give you a report of any illegal activities my team might have missed because we are baby sitting the nation’s secrets.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Ed and Monica pretty much hated each other, and this hate comes to a point in an episode of Las Vegas shortly after this story was published.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>The two were at a standstill for a few moments before they walked into the room.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Two of Ed’s staff, Danny McCoy and Mike Cannon were already sitting in the room watching the FBI agent begin his presentation.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Danny and Mike would have had a much bigger role in the extended version had it been written.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:17.25pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Ed eyed the FBI agent suspiciously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>One would think an FBI agent in charge of a security sensitive mission in the middle of one of the nation’s most public places would be in a suit with his badge proudly hanging from some piece of cloth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Instead, the man was in business casual attire with a hairstyle that might be reserved for someone ten years younger.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Next to the man, on the massive screen on the front wall of the room was the face of a middle-aged man with a rough-and-tumbled look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>No smile, if there were any muscles in such a hardened face to produce the expression.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“This man,” said Agent Paul Taylor speaking with a slight Southern drawl, “is Fred Wilson, the chief of security for Northrop-Grumman, which just happens to be one of the Armed Forces defense contractors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Wilson and his staff will be accompanying Grumman’s CEO, Mr. Charles Acton to the conference to provide security.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Taylor pressed a button and a picture of a man and woman came on the screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“The man here is Acton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The girl in the picture is his new girlfriend; a girl named Tanya, we believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>But we all know who Tanya REALLY is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is setting up the fact that the FBI has got it all wrong and should have been concentrating their efforts on Tanya.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Unfortunately, Wilson isn’t interested in any kind of security at all, instead he is infiltrating the company from the inside out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He’s hired his own staff and after tomorrow night’s opening ceremonies for the Defense Contractors Conference, him and his staff will rip designs for the Tomcat-X, Grumman’s newest jet-fighter to replace the Navy’s Tomcat fleet.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Northrop-Grumman is the company that produces the F-14 Tomcats for the US Navy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They are also the same company that built the Apollo Lunar Landers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I wanted to show that Tanya and her staff weren’t afraid to go after anyone, and especially in the midst of such a “secure” event.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“What the hell is going on, Ed?” Danny whispered, “don’t we already have enough going on?”<br style='mso-special-character:line-break'> <![if !supportLineBreakNewLine]><br style='mso-special-character:line-break'> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“We have too much going on,” Ed replied, “This is going to be a nightmare.” <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“A small team of agents from the Bureau will be conducting the takedown tomorrow night,” Taylor said, “We plan to allow Wilson’s staff to carry out the theft and we will conduct the take down before they leave the resort.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Where will you be taking them down?” Ed asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Two of our agents have been able to infiltrate the team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>According to their intelligence, Wilson and his staff will have a limousine waiting for them at the main entrance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We will take them down before they get to the limo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Six agents from the Vegas field office will be waiting in taxicabs for one of our agent’s signal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Their fare lights will only be half lit, so warn the bellmen not to hail these cabs. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“You can’t miss Wilson’s staff, he will be giving them orders the entire night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Warn your teams <b>not</b> to approach Wilson or his staff.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“If all of you understand tomorrow night’s operation, I expect you to field out the necessary information to your teams,” Taylor said, “Do <b>not</b> tell the bellmen who is in those taxicabs, just make sure they don’t hail them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Do <b>not </b>approach Wilson and his staff, and for the love of God, do <b>not</b> get in the way.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Ed shifted in his seat and was about to say something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Monica placed a hand on his shoulder and looked it him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was obvious she hated that comment as much as Ed did.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Fans of the TV show will note how protective Ed is of his casino.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is also a throw-back to the cut prelude where the Secret Service said the same thing to Ed.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Taylor continued, “In addition to the two undercover agent’s on Wilson’s staff, there will be one more agent in the resort in the guise of a support staff member, and I will be going back and forth between the casino floor and the surveillance office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Are we all clear?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Everyone nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Ed was fuming.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“My team and the agents have already been briefed, and consider yourselves briefed on the information you need to know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Dismissed.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Dismissed,” Ed whispered to Danny and Mike, “it’s like we’re in the friggin’ military.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“That briefing makes me feel a hell of a lot better,” Mike said, sarcastically. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Are they crazy to be doing this now?” Danny asked, “Why does it have to be during the conference?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Ed watched Monica leave the room, “I think Miss Mancuso is having second thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Look, we’ve had our share of attempted scams during conferences before—”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Danny interrupted Ed, “But we were the ones that stopped them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Working with the Secret Service to provide security for the conference is one thing, but now the FBI is here and they are ordering us to <b>allow</b> a scam to take place?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Any other day and any other conference, Danny, I’d tell that bastard up there to go screw himself, but I don’t want to think what would go wrong if we took control.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Nothing would,” Mike said, “that’s the whole damn point.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Ed looked out at the busy casino floor and let the noise fill his mind for a bit, “I hate the government.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Ed has a distaste and problem for government security agencies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This goes back to his sordid and enigmatic past before he ended up in Las Vegas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Also, Danny, Mike and Ed might have had bigger roles as the sting was taking place, but this idea was dropped as I wanted to focus more on Michael and not shift the action back and forth to too many places.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael Long walked into his bedroom and dropped his empty duffel bag on his bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Quickly on his heels was his live-in girlfriend Stefanie Mason.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>The choice to include Stevie in this was an easy one to make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the original pilot, and most of the series for that matter, we never really get to see what Michael is leaving behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He acclimates to his life as Michael Knight pretty easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the next story that I am writing, you will see what happens to Michael when the adrenaline from this story wears off and he faces the fact of his erased past.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Stevie was a very intriguing character with almost no back-story except the fact that she was once Michael Long’s fiancé.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Until White Bird, we never heard of her, we never saw the side of Michael who realized what he was torn away from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This way, you (the reader) get to experience it too.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>On screen, Michael Long literally had his 15 minutes of fame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Here, we get to see him a little bit more.</span></i></b><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Stefanie, whom Michael liked to call Stevie, sat down on the bed and looked up at Michael.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If Michael did not have his back to her, he would have quickly noticed a definite sparkle of fear emanating from her striking blue eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael was filling his dopp-kit and did not look at Stevie once as he turned to place it in his duffel bag and moved over to his closet.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>He was in his early 30s, and standing at 6’2” moved gracefully with long strides of legs Stevie playfully said never ended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He kept his light-brown hair well-trimmed and spiked, never once letting go of the military hair regulations that seemingly followed him since his discharge from the Army four years after the first Gulf War ended.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Michael, of course, had to be modernized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If we had a Vietnam vet, we’d have a crimefighter ready to collect pension in a few years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Naturally, things were modified for the new 2005 timeframe.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Around this time in the story (early September, 2005), Michael was 33.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He joined the Army in 1990 as soon as he turned 18 and was shipped directly to Iraq.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>He had a chiseled face, as if Michelangelo sat down and spent three decades crafting it himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His facial features were imposing, giving a natural glow of leadership and authority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He had piercing green eyes that would often change to grey when he was either angry or concentrating…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Concentrating on <i>anything</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Which is why Stevie would often request illumination during their love-making.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <h4><span style='color:red'>Here, you also get to see the love that was between these two.<o:p></o:p></span></h4> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Her eyes followed Michael as he darted around the room in preparation for his red-eye flight to Las Vegas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was a full five minutes before he noticed her sitting there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>By the time he did, he could see the look in her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Stevie?” he asked with a touch of concern in his voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michael loved her – it was obvious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In his heart, he knew he would do anything for Stevie.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Almost anything…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I don’t want you to go to Las Vegas,” Stevie said, looking at him while slowly spinning the diamond-ring Michael placed on her finger two weeks ago. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I can’t do that Stevie,” Michael said as he packed his bag, “we’ve been working too hard on this case,” he stopped and turned to her, “We’re going to break it wide open tomorrow night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are going to catch them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Besides, I don’t have a choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ve been in communication with the criminals for a few weeks now, and I am supposed to meet them in Vegas to be one of their new musclemen.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He flexed and Stevie laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael grabbed his wallet and dropped it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The outer flap flipped open to reveal his FBI identification.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Stevie picked it up and looked at it.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <h4><span style='color:red'>I decided to switch Michael’s full time job as a cop to the FBI because, again, it seemed to be a modern thing to do. <o:p></o:p></span></h4> <h4><span style='color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></h4> <h4><span style='color:red'><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>History lesson: Michael came home from Iraq shortly after the first Gulf War ended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Because of his wounding (details later) he assigned to the Army reserves and was able to go to college and obtain a degree in Criminal Justice and Forensic Science.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In 1995, he was discharged and he joined the FBI.<br> <br> You’ll learn more about his experiences in the FBI as the series continues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><br> <br> The above scene shows Michael getting ready to leave for his fatal mission and establishes the fact that he was able to infiltrate the criminal outfit and get hired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This also shows us (a little) as to how Michael got into the group in the first place (as in the pilot, he’s already there).</span></h4> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“When we first met I had you pegged as a loser… a career Army man with nothing left after the service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>No good ole war for you to serve in, the glory days spent in the desert over… I couldn’t have been more wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I never would have thought that you were a G-Man,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“You never were good on first impressions,” Michael teased, “you thought my brother was my father.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Stevie laughed again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She stood up to face Michael, despite her forehead just reaching his nose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“I have a bad feeling about this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You know I have these sixth sense feelings about things.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“One visit to a soothsayer at the Delaware State Fair and you are convinced you are one,” Michael said, smiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This time, Stevie wasn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>This sets Michael’s current location to be Washington DC, instead of the West Coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This was done to also show more of Michael’s history, and the life and climate he is losing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>(Because we all know that East Coast residents can’t survive on the West, haha!)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>She put her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“I still don’t want you to go.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I know,” he said with a voice that melted her heart, “but we can’t afford to lose this case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There is too much riding on it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>He kissed her.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“What am I supposed to do while you are gone?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael picked up his full duffel bag and stood in his bedroom doorway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Well when you go into work at the Pentagon on Monday, tell those generals not to let the defense contractors have conferences in Las Vegas.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Just barge right into the general’s office?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“This isn’t the 80s, babe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Send an email,” Michael said with a wide smile.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>This was a subtle jab illustrating that this is not your old Knight Rider.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Stevie grabbed Michael’s backpack and walked with him through their Victorian-style townhouse and out to the street.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Once his car was packed, he went to her for the dreaded traveling-goodbye.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I love you, Michael.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Please be careful,” she said while hugging him tightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She could feel Michael’s head pull back in a way she knew he would exactly tell her that he would be fine and for her to not worry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Before he could, she stopped him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Please Michael… please be careful.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael kissed her on the forehead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“If I got out of Desert Storm alive, I am sure I will get out of an FBI sting in Las Vegas.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>A foreshadow, perhaps?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You’ll read later about Michael’s wounding in Desert Storm… this kinda sets the two stories side by side and illustrates to us the fact that Michael IS a survivor.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>He got into his car and started the engine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Stevie quickly kneeled beside the driver-side window with a look of concern still in her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I left something for you in the kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ll be back in a few days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I love you, Stevie,” Michael said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Stevie put her hand on the door in a last ditch attempt to somehow stop Michael.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Or at least slow him down.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I’ll be back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I promise,” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He kissed her again, a few seconds longer, and put the car in gear and drove away.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Stevie let a single tear escape her eye before she walked up the stairs to their Georgetown home.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Sitting on the kitchen counter was a bouquet of fresh roses of all different varieties and vibrant colors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>On their third date, Stevie told Michael she never could pick a single rose to enjoy and loved them all.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Also on the counter was a slim white box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Stevie opened it and gasped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Inside was a gold heart-shaped necklace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>On the inside of the lid, Michael left a note for her:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Something to remember me by.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>The scent of roses lingers... always.</span></i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>This of course is the necklace that we Stevie wearing in the original series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Once again, this is more sappy stuff foreshadowing and illustrating Michael Long’s departure, and Stevie’s apprehensive feelings, knowing that something is wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Four hours later Michael was in one of the Montecitos’s standard hotel rooms overlooking the Las Vegas Strip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He was the last agent to arrive to the sting as Lonnie was already in place with their target, Muntzy was undercover with the resort staff, and Taylor was the agent-in-charge, coordinating their operations with hotel security.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Agent Lonnie Sullivan was the first to know the main details of the operation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She was the first to infiltrate Wilson’s team once the FBI heard of the planned coup from a Grumman insider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Bureau hadn’t heard from Lonnie in a month before she sent a quick text message to Taylor, warning him to get ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She was going to be the one responsible to steal the designs for the Tomcat-X.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>In the original script of the Pilot, Lonnie was Michael’s partner, instead of Muntzy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was also implied that her and Michael were lovers too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I wanted to explore the original partner premise that was changed in the final version of the 1982 Pilot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Here, we get to see how the agents infiltrated Tanya’s outfit (or as they think, Wilson’s) and how the operation was supposed to go down.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>I wanted to convey the fact that Michael was uncomfortable that Lonnie was in so deep into the operation, but I don’t think that came through here as strongly as I hoped.</span></i></b><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>That was two weeks ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Lonnie was easily able to pull Michael into the organization to be part of Wilson’s security staff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>No one on Wilson’s staff except for a man named Gray, Lonnie, and Wilson himself were to know about the operation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michael and the other security officers were supposed to be extra beef to give the illumination of a security officer caring about protecting the company.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Here it is explained how Michael was able to get into the organization.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael looked out the window at the Strip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He could make out the Luxor beam amid the neon glow of resort hotels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He took an assortment of cards out of</span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family: Arial;color:white'>his wallet and studied his new credentials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He checked into the hotel and was known among Wilson and his staff as Michael Roesler, an ex Green Beret turned mercenary of fortune.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael just settled in to fall asleep when a heavy knock sounded on his door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He quickly got up and grabbed his FBI issued Beretta 92FS and walked over towards the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He looked through the peephole and saw Lonnie standing outside with another man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was Wilson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He stuck the handgun behind his back through his belt and opened the door.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Michael!” Lonnie said, bouncing in and giving him a big hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Play,” she quietly whispered in his hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She released him and looked at Wilson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Mr. Wilson, this is Michael Roesler, your new security guard.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael nodded and looked at Wilson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Good to see you in person, sir,” he squarely said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Wilson, to Michael’s surprise, extended his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michael shook it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Shaking this hand, Mr. Roesler, you’ve just accepted a contract and agreed that the only orders you follow come from me, and just like the Army, you follow the orders without question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Understood?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Clearly, sir,” Michael said, tempted to salute.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Good,” Wilson said, “The conference’s opening ceremonies begin at 6 tomorrow night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>From there on, everyone will be mingling about in the casino.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Your job is to work with Gray and the rest of the security staff keeping a close eye on Acton and looking around for anything suspicious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Also, Mr. Roesler, Acton hates to cash in his chips from gambling if the casino is crowded, so if he insists on taking them up to his suite, you stay on his heels until he does, understood?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“We begin tomorrow, report to me in room 3019 for a final briefing with the security staff,” Wilson said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He turned to leave and took Lonnie with him before Michael had a chance to speak with her.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael hated the fact that Lonnie had been out of touch for so long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She must have been kept so close to the operation, or had the feeling she was being closely watched, she couldn’t have given them any more information than what they were working from.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>There’s some of Michael’s uncomfortable feelings toward Lonnie being so buried and out of touch.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>He had half a mind to go look for Muntzy, but decided against it to avoid blowing the agent’s cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Muntzy would be in place in front of Acton’s suite to keep an eye on Lonnie as she went in for the theft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He would give her a two-minute head start before he moved to the casino floor to assist in the bust.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Once Lonnie had the Tomcat-X designs, she would return to a specified meeting point with Wilson and Gray, and they would leave the casino, ditching Acton, his girl, and the oblivious security staff.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael, Muntzy, and Taylor would be in communication with each other on a coded frequency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Once they found Lonnie, Muntzy would tail her while Taylor and Michael would wait at the front entrance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When they reached the limo, Michael would give the signal to the agents waiting in the cabs and the operation would be over.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael went to sleep that night thinking the operation would be absolutely fool proof.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He didn’t know he would be completely wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>That last line seems unnecessary and cliché now that I read it again.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>After the opening ceremonies of the conference, there was a mad dash to the casino floor, mainly poker tables, craps tables, and blackjack tables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael walked around the casino and observed the action at the tables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The essence of the conference was a poker game in itself as there were many players from either side trying to be dealt in, some begging to be dealt out, and others just simply watching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Contractors from numerous companies mixed business and social talk with representatives from the Department of Defense as they played a few hands of the games.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Agent Jordan Muntzy was a short black man around the same age as Michael.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He wore maintenance clothes and carried a toolbox in one hand, and a ladder in another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He was walking down the hallway when he noticed a security guard standing in front of Acton’s suite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Unwavering, he kept walking until he reached a lighting fixture one door in front of the suite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He flashed a smile to the guard and began to set up shop.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Lonnie and Muntzy never had first and last names respectively in the TV pilot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Here, I gave them some.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I wanted to flesh the characters out a little bit more here as well, so in the next couple scenes, we get to see some things from their points of view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Here you get to see Muntzy at his finest, presented with something he wasn’t expecting, and walking straight into it without flinching.</span></i></b><b><i><span style='font-size: 10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“That light looks fine to me,” the guard said with a suspicious tone in his voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“It looks just fine to me too,” Muntzy said, “but we’ve had reports on it flickering over the past few days.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I’ve never noticed anything,”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I’ve been up here five times to fix it and it looked just like it does now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It must be an electrical problem, so I may as well look at it before it turns into something worse.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>The guard grunted.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael found Wilson and Lonnie, walking the casino arm in arm posing as a couple, and keeping a close eye on Acton and his girlfriend who Michael met earlier that night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Her name was Tanya Walker and there was an air about her Michael couldn’t place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He looked at them again and noticed Lonnie was watching Tanya more than Acton himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Here is some foreshadowing showing how much Lonnie knows and how desperate she is to try to convey the message to Michael without blowing her cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Lonnie knows that Tanya is in control, and she is powerless to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>I tried to do a few of these where Lonnie tried to inconspicuously grab Michael’s attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think I ended up keeping two.</span></i></b><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“What’s going on, Michael?”</span></i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:white'> Taylor asked over Michael’s virtually hidden earpiece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Paul Taylor, a new and original character, was supposed to be a behind-the-scenes man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Originally, I did not plan to have him more involved in the story later on, but as I was writing these initial pieces of the story, he came out stronger than I anticipated and deserved a bigger role.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>This works to my advantage as we see a changed man when he meets Michael later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Instead of calling the shots from behind the curtain… well you’ll see.</span></i></b><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Wilson’s security guards did not have any kind of communication equipment, as they were all watching Acton in close or distant proximity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michael had to turn a certain way and pretend he was examining a slot machine to reply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He looked up and saw Wilson whisper to Lonnie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He handed her a card-key and a piece of paper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Within seconds, Lonnie left his side.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Wilson just sent Lonnie somewhere,” Michael quietly said, “can you get her on camera?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Where is she going?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“She’s headed towards the elevators, I think she is headed your way, Muntzy.”</span></i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael looked up and saw Wilson put away a cell-phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“I think Wilson just called someone.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>There were a</span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family: Arial;color:white'>few seconds of silence before Muntzy’s voice came over the band.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><i>“He must have called the security guard in front of Acton’s door, because that dude just left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Said something about going to the casino floor.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“It’s happening,” Michael said, “Wilson just cleared the way for Lonnie to get the designs from Acton’s safe.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Be careful down there Michael, you’re in a bed of snakes,”</span></i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> Muntzy said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>You’ll see some throwbacks to the original pilot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In all actuality, I did not write this with the TV pilot playing in the background so I could keep grabbing quotes and story ideas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I used a very small bit of it for some reference points, and used the Fourth Draft and Ninth Draft scripts over at </span></i></b><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><a href="http://www.knightriderarchive.com/">http://www.knightriderarchive.com</a></span></i></b><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> for reference as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I picked up some scenes that we didn’t get to see on TV, modified others, and kept writing as much as I could.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>In essence, Knight of the Phoenix is a stable platform to really launch the series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I wanted to pay homage, but also realized that it has a strong plot and virtually a timeless setting.</span></i></b><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Not as much as Lonnie is, Muntzy, keep an eye on her.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Lonnie felt overdressed for such an occasion, but nevertheless, looked stunning in her violet gown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She had long flowing brown hair that ended in curls and was accented against her white skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She saw Muntzy working on the light in the hallway but didn’t say anything–didn’t even look at him as she opened Acton’s suite and entered.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>She quickly moved to the safe in the walk-in closet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She took out the piece of paper Wilson handed to her and entered the combination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The safe instantly popped open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She took out four mini CD-ROMs from the safe and set them on a shelf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She opened her purse and grabbed a portable CD scanner/data storage.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Does this technology really exist?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m not sure… but it sure as hell is a lot better than a tiny 1980’s camera, lol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This also shows how deep Tanya wormed her way into Acton’s life… she got the combination to a top secret safe and gave it to Wilson.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>It took her just a few minutes to scan the discs and save the data.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She put the discs back into the safe and made sure she didn’t disturb anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She took out a cell-phone and called Wilson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“I scanned the discs, I have it all.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>I took out the whole idea of the walkie-wrist talkies out of the scene (if that’s what she was talking into in the TV pilot) and, again, modernized it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Now that cellular phones are popular tools and some can be scrambled to be untraceable, it made sense for Lonnie to place a call.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>While futurized technology is what made Knight Rider pretty cool, I wanted to set a few limits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For awhile, I was thinking of replacing Michael’s wrist communicator with a cell-phone… but… nah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I figured a watch with BlueTooth would work the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Hehehe.</span></i></b><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Excellent work, Lonnie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Did anyone see you?”</span></i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“There’s no one around except for an electrician in the hallway.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“An electrician?”</span></i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> Wilson said with alarm.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“It’s fine, I’ve seen him around here before, don’t worry,” Lonnie replied.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Okay, well meet me at Acton’s craps table, you can’t miss it once you get to the casino.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The bastard’s winning big.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class=MsoBlockText><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:white'>“See you soon,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Muntzy was still working on his light when Lonnie left the suite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Nice night, isn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoBlockText><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:white'>Lonnie smiled and looked up at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“You could say that,” she replied, walking down the hall.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>The exchange here between Muntzy and Lonnie was much longer and was entirely said in code.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It would have Muntzy asking if Lonnie was OK and assuring her that they were watching her, and Lonnie telling him that she was just fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Muntzy would then tell her to get ready for the bust.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>I took it out because it was too complicated, and if I left it in, people would wonder why she didn’t tell Muntzy in code that Tanya was the boss, not Wilson.</span></i></b><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Muntzy wasn’t comfortable giving Lonnie the original two-minute head start, so he counted a few long seconds before he started to follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“I’m on her tail,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Be careful, Muntzy, I lost Wilson,” </span></i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael replied.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Relax, Agent Long, I’m the original man of steel,”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Wilson’s at the craps table with Acton and Tanya.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Acton’s winning big, look for the giant cheering crowd,” </span></i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Taylor said.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Lonnie showed up by Wilson’s side at the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michael started to make his way over.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“There’s been a change of plans, Lonnie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Take these keys and go to the top level of the parking garage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There is a silver Z.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Get into the car and wait for us to show up,” Wilson said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>This scene was up for some question as to whether or not Wilson knew that they were being followed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My intention was to show that their outfit was pretty much ready with any kind of contingency plan and never shared all the details.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Lonnie nodded and started walking towards the parking garage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michael passed her as he just arrived to the craps table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She looked at him and then back at Acton… or Tanya.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Before he could process it, Wilson approached him.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <h4><span style='color:red'>More of Lonnie trying to warn Michael…<o:p></o:p></span></h4> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Acton’s winning big,” Wilson said to Michael, “so stick with him.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“All right,” Michael replied.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>The table cheered as Acton rolled a seven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“I can’t lose tonight,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Acton’s girlfriend, Tanya Walker, a platinum blonde stunner with dark-brown eyes that looked out of place, warned him against jinxing his luck.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I make my own luck,” Acton said, kissing her.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Wilson stepped away from the table and began walking towards the parking garage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Just ahead of him, he saw a black man in a utility jumpsuit dash out of an elevator and into the parking garage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Damn it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Gray, they burned her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A maintenance man is on her tail, take care of him.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael watched Wilson disappear around the corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Apparently Taylor watched the same thing on the cameras.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><i>“All units, get ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We have a broken play; they are headed towards the parking garage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>All other agents, wait for my signal.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael was anxious to run to the parking garage to back up his team, “Muntzy, be careful, I think they’re on to you,”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Lonnie opened the car door when someone called out her name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was Muntzy.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Lonnie!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s time, we have to—” Muntzy was cut off by a gunshot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He fell to the ground, dead with a bullet in his back.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Lonnie screamed and looked up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Gray was standing behind Muntzy, holding a gun.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <h4><span style='color:red'>Someone’s in deep shit now…<o:p></o:p></span></h4> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>The gunshot came over loud and clear over the radio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michael flinched well enough for a few people to notice, including Tanya.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There was too much at stake for Michael to remain undercover, and he blew it in front of Acton and Tanya by speaking to the agents on the other end of the frequency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Muntzy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Muntzy!”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Man down!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>All agents to the top level of the garage, man down!” </span></i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:white'>Taylor yelled.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael wasted no time in ditching Acton and Tanya and darted off to the garage.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Acton looked pissed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He yelled after Michael.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Where the hell are you going?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Tanya took off, running after Michael.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>By the time they got to the garage, Lonnie, Gray and Wilson had just sped out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael ran over to Muntzy who was face down on the cement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Oh God,” his voice trembled as he approached his partner, “Muntzy?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He examined Muntzy’s bloody wound and felt for a pulse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He never found one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Shit!” he yelled, slamming his hand on the concrete.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>At that instant, Michael knew Lonnie was in grave danger.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>He leapt across the hood of a cab and flashed his FBI badge to the driver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He got in and noticed Tanya was behind him in the backseat.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>This is supposed to be one of the cabs that was going to be used in the bust in the porte-cochere of the Montecito.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Here we get to see Michael’s sense of loyalty and diving into a situation to share his partner.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“All agents hold off pursuit, they’re mine,” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michael turned to Tanya, “Get out.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Michael, what the hell is going on, you’re being paid to protect Charles, not ditch him in the middle of a casino.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Instead of replying, Michael opened his wallet, ripped out the phony credentials and held the window of his wallet with his FBI badge up so Tanya could see.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“FBI?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What for?” Tanya asked, surprised.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I’ll explain tomorrow, damn it, now <b>out!</b>”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“No, I’m going along, you may need some help,” she protested.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There was no time to argue, he hit the gas and hoped he could find Lonnie before it was too late.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Tell me now, Michael.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What is happening?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Acton’s Chief of Security just ripped off Grumman of the Tomcat-X plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Or at least he thinks so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Lonnie and Muntzy are FBI agents too, she infiltrated the team months ago on a tip we received, and he’s undercover as hotel staff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We have six months in this and I was supposed to be right behind them,”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I don’t believe you,” Tanya said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Your boss killed my partner back there, I was supposed to be covering him, Tanya!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Add murder charges onto industrial espionage,” Michael yelled.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“There they are!” Tanya said, pointing at the windshield.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <h4><span style='color:red'>The Montecito sits across from Mandalay Bay and borders McCarran Airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It only takes a car a few minutes to leave urban Vegas and end up in the desert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></h4> <h4><span style='color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></h4> <h4><span style='color:red'>The following part of the chase-scene is a different version of what I wrote.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The first version involved a chase on the Strip (which would have been complicated considering it’s now often times a frustrating parking lot), and it ended in Downtown Vegas on Fremont Street.<br> <br> While this would have been pretty cool, it would have been wayyyyy too public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Too many people would have seen Tanya blow Michael away in cold blood and kill Lonnie, and that just wouldn’t have worked because then everyone would be looking for her.<br> <br> A gunfight would be a good way to explain the situation, but with Gray and Wilson in the car with Lonnie, it would have been hard for her to get to Michael’s side.<br> <br> Yet another murder in the Las Vegas desert… I wonder how many bodies are out there.</span></h4> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael could see the tail-lights of the Z in front of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They must have been caught in traffic considering the distance advantage they had over Michael, and now he was able to catch up to them in the Vegas outskirts.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Do something, Lonnie, Michael thought as he pursued them deeper into the desert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Lonnie must have sped up or hit the brakes because Michael’s vision was obscured by a large amount of dust in front of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He had to squint to see through the cloud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michael knew he couldn’t catch up with her unless she slowed down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His Dodge Caravan taxicab was no match for the Z she was driving.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>The newly redesigned Nissan Z was one of the final candidates for the new KITT, which you will see later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Since I was a fan of the car, I put it into this scene, and only realized that in the original pilot, Lonnie drove a new Z as well.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>His concentration was broken</span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>when his cell-phone rang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Taylor was on the other end wondering where Michael was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“I have Lonnie in my sights right in front of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Turn on the taxi’s GPS and send backup,” Michael said, not taking the time to talk any longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He put the phone in his coat pocket.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>It’s subtle here, but I wanted to show that Michael left his phone on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I wrote a scene showing Taylor listening to everything and reacting to the two gunshots (Michael’s and Lonnie’s) instead of showing them getting shot.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>The tail-lights of the Z suddenly brightened and then went out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But right before they darkened, Michael could see a slight swerve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He knew Lonnie ran</span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family: Arial;color:white'>the car off the road, and prayed she didn’t hurt herself in the process.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>When Michael reached the Z, he was relieved to see it in one piece and upright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Gray was already out of the car, and Wilson was pulling Lonnie out of the car.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>I originally was going to have the Z flipped upside down and Lonnie already dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michael would have discovered that she was dead from a gunshot instead of the rollover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michael then wouldn’t have had time to react much as Tanya would have shot him right there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I actually preferred that method as I was trying to make this story more original and unique… we would have seen more of Michael’s anger at finding out Tanya was the mastermind from Wilton instead of the clichéd Hollywood revelation.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael hopped out of the taxi and raised his gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Hold it right there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If anyone moves, I fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Take out your weapons and toss them over here,”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>The two men did as they were told and slid their guns towards Michael.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Wilson’s gun hit Tanya’s foot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He tightened his grip on Lonnie’s arm.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Looks like we made a mistake,” Wilson said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Just an underestimation,” Michael replied, “what did you plan to do with the designs?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Sell them to the highest bidder, of course,” Wilson said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I’d call that treason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It draw’s the death penalty, you know,” Michael said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He looked at Lonnie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The light from the taxi flooded the desert scene, including her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There was a look in her eyes that made him think she was trying to tell him something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He had a good idea that the two men were still armed, and it might be awhile before backup arrives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Tanya, pick up that gun.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“No Michael!” </span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Lonnie screamed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Wilson punched her and threw her to the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She was out cold.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Here I wanted to convey an “Oh Shit” moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>While fans who saw the original story knew that Tanya was in on it, I still wanted to show the anguish from both of the agents that they were chasing the wrong man (literally).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Lonnie realized there was no real need to keep a cover and warned Michael in a last resort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It would have been a POV violation, but I wanted to show that Lonnie knew she was pretty much dead at this point.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Not necessary, Michael.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have my own,” Tanya said, taking a gun from her purse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She stepped forward and aimed the gun close-range at Michael’s head.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael’s stomach dropped and his mind raced.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>He looked at them again and noticed Lonnie was watching Tanya more than Acton himself...<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Stevie laughed again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She stood up to face Michael, despite her forehead just reaching his nose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“I have a bad feeling about this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You know I have these sixth sense feelings about things.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Lonnie nodded and started walking towards the parking garage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michael passed her as he just arrived to the craps table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She looked at him and then back at Acton... or Tanya.</span></i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:white'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I believe the underestimation is on your head now, Michael,” Tanya said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Give me that gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If you all cooperate, I can pull some strings.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I’ve disappointed you, haven’t I?” she asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>I never really liked this line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I don’t know why I kept it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think this line would have fit better in the original pilot as Tanya and Michael knew more of each other than they do here.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Among other things, Tanya.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Give me the damn gun.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Without a word, Tanya pulled the trigger and fired point-blank at Michael’s face.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Here, I wanted to show that Tanya was more cold-hearted and ruthless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She didn’t hesitate as much as she did in the pilot with the “I intend to line.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>A violent white flash and searing pain consumed Michael’s entire world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He reached his hands up to his face only to discover he was clutching just muscle, blood and bone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The force of the bullet pushed him back onto the hood of the taxi and he grotesquely rolled onto the desert floor, blood draining from his massive bullet wound into the sand.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>I wanted to describe as much as possible without being too violent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In essence, Michael has his face <u>blown off.</u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is supposed to mirror what happened to him in Iraq, which you will see later.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Michael described in Knight Rider 2000 that his rebirth as Michael Knight was his second life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Here, I see it as his third life, because we see him get wounded in a very similar fashion in Iraq later on in this story, and leads a different path on life following that wounding.</span></i></b><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Tanya tossed the gun onto his back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“It’s all yours,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>As he was losing consciousness, Michael could faintly hear the action around him.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Where are the designs?” Tanya asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“She destroyed them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Erased the data storage.” Wilson replied, “What should we do?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Get out of town quick,” Tanya said, “what other choice do we have?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“And what about her?” Gray asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Waste her,” Tanya said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>The last thing Michael Long heard was the gunshot that killed Lonnie.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Bye-bye, Lonnie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When I wrote this, I was considering showing Lonnie regaining consciousness, and then erasing the data, exchanging her life to protect the country’s secrets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But I wanted to keep the action focused strictly on Michael and from his point of view as he was dying.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Stevie’s tear-streaked face was seen only in the street-lights that danced through the windows of the car that was speeding towards the hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“I told him not to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I told him,” she said in between sobs.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Taylor met her at the airport after the FBI rushed her to Vegas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Stevie was easily in a state of panic when he gave her the news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He would have preferred to wait to tell her what happened until they got to the hospital, but when he called her 5 hours ago, she screamed into the phone, demanding to know what exactly happened.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>I wanted to do a scene where Stevie gets “the call” but I didn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Taylor was left speechless in the wake of the tragedy, and tried his best to console her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Word of Agent Muntzy and Sullivan’s deaths and Michael’s wounding reached the Bureau in no time, and everyone was shaken up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Despite it being 4am in DC, a group of assistant directors called a meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>The attending physician in charge of Michael’s care was waiting for Stevie and Taylor when they arrived at University Medical Center’s ER.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He took the time to explain Michael’s grave situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Michael’s in critical condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We have nurses and doctors watching him around the clock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He was shot point-blank in the head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The bullet was on a trajectory that was headed right for Michael’s brain, but a metal plate deflected it,” the doctor said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“He got that in Desert Storm,” Stevie said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>The doctor nodded grimly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“That plate deflected the bullet through Michael’s face,”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Meaning?” Stevie asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Michael’s face was completely destroyed, Ms. Mason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The bullet shattered several bones, damaged a number of arteries, caused extensive damage to his sinus system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We don’t even know if he still has vision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We speculate there is severe nerve damage but we can’t tell right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We can’t tell half of the trauma induced until his condition stabilizes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Stevie cradled her head in her hands fighting back her tears.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Ms. Mason, I’m sorry to say this, but the odds of your fiancé surviving are less than 30 percent,”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>That sent Stevie over the edge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The lump in her throat swelled to an extent that the only thing she could do was cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She longed for all of this to be just a dream, where Michael would wake her up, kiss her and tell her everything would be OK.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>This was no dream.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>This is definitely a radical move from the original pilot, where Michael was conveniently intercepted by Wilton Knight and brought immediately to Knight Industries to be treated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Here, we get to see how Michael was being initially treated and stabilized and gives us a clue that Knight was waiting for Michael’s condition to partially stabilize before stealing him away.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>This also gives us a chance to see the new characters at their worst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Stevie, the anguished fiancé, facing the possibility of losing Michael, and Taylor, the agent in charge who is and also feels responsible for the botched sting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>By the end of this hospital scene, he will face the notion that an entire team of agents under his command were killed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This leads to the change you will see when he pops up later.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>I like this version better because once again, we get to see more of Michael’s world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am sure time constraints was a big issue for the writers in 82, but of course the beauty of the written word is that there are no limits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You aren’t bound by a running time of 90 minutes plus commercials and I took advantage of that freedom.</span></i></b><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael was moved into the ICU 72 hours later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Taylor walked in and found Stevie dozing at Michael’s bedside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>It was hard to look at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For the first 36 hours, Michael needed constant watch as his facial wound kept bleeding and his dressings needed to be changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Tubes and machines were connected to him in</span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>every which way imaginable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Stevie looked horrible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Taylor chided himself for thinking that, but she hadn’t</span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>slept since she arrived in Vegas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He tried, but maybe caught 4 hours in the past three days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Too much was on his mind concerning this case and Michael’s condition.</span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>His bosses were not pleased that despite the fact Wilson and his team were foiled in their attempts, two agents were killed and another was seriously wounded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael left his cell-phone on the entire time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Taylor heard everything, and was fuming to find out Tanya Walker was the mastermind behind it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His supervisors were just as elated as he was.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Here is where it’s verified that Michael left his phone on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Leaving his phone on made it possible for Michael and Lonnie to be found, and the fact they knew Tanya was the boss.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Of course, some of you may wonder… If the FBI now knew they were after the wrong person, why didn’t they issue warrants because now they were wanted for murder and accessories for murder, and they had proof of industrial espionage?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Well, going public with such a crime would embarrass the hell out of the Secret Service, and the FBI of such a screw up, and after such embarrassments such as Ruby Ridge and Waco, they would rather say covert about Tanya and her staff and look for them quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>And now that Tanya and her team were nearly busted, they learned to be a little quieter when they moved to ComTron.</span></i></b><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>He kept wondering what the hell went wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Had Walker and Wilson known all along?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Did Muntzy jump the gun by following Lonnie too soon?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Or were they never planning to meet at the front entrance, just in case?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Too many what-ifs were running around in his mind.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Hi,” a voice said that broke him from his thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was Stevie.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Hi,” Taylor replied, sitting down across from her on the other side of Michael’s bed.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Stevie could sense something was wrong, “What is it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I’ve been suspended,” Taylor said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>This also begins the degradation of the once strong agent in charge.</span></i></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Stevie began to cry again, “No,” she said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“You can’t be suspended, Paul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Who is going to find them?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Someone has to find them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You’re the only one who knows who they are.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Before he could answer, the room erupted into chaos as a bunch of doctors and nurses burst into the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They pushed past Stevie and Taylor and surrounded Michael, all speaking at once.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>A nurse quickly came and escorted Stevie and Taylor out of the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Stevie strained to try to hear what the doctors were saying, but all she could make out was medical terminology mixed around the words “crashing, trauma, bleeding out, emergency surgery.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Before she could catch what was going on, the swarm of doctors was wheeling Michael out of the room.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“What’s going on?” Stevie asked, frantically.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“We got a signal at the nurses station,” a nurse said who Stevie didn’t recognize, “they’re taking him up to emergency surgery.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>This of course is a nurse from Knight Industries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The doctors are too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s implied but not explained that they were able to infiltrate the hospital’s night shift, trigger a false alarm at the nurse’s station and then rush to Michael’s bedside.</span><span style='color:red'><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Oh God,” Stevie said, rushing after Michael.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>A female doctor stopped her at the elevator doors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“We need to take him upstairs right away,” she said, “the nurse will take you to the waiting room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We’re taking care of him, Ms. Mason, I promise,” the doctor gave an assuring smile as the doors closed.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>The nurse could see that Stevie was entering panic-mode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She assured her that things would be just fine and walked her to another elevator to take her to the OR waiting room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Taylor turned around and followed them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Had he not turned around at that moment, he would have noticed Michael’s elevator skipped the OR-floor and went straight to the rooftop helipad…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Again, while not explained, we can assume (via my intentions) that the body that had duplicates of Michael’s teeth, injuries and fingerprints was waiting on the helipad and was switched and then transported to the OR where attempts to revive it were unsuccessful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s not that important to the story, but it’s cool to know how Knight got away with it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;tab-stops:424.5pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Stevie sat at their dinner table staring at the folded American flag some unnamed Army general presented to her this morning at Arlington.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The gunshots from the 21-gun salute and the sound of bagpipes echoed in her mind repeatedly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>The flowers he gave her eight days ago were dead, the necklace he gave her was still around her neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She fingered it absently as she read the note he left:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>The scent of roses lingers... always.</span></i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“If I got out of Desert Storm alive, I am sure I will get out of an FBI sting in Las Vegas.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Why did you have to go, Michael?” she asked, halfway expecting a reply;</span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family: Arial;color:white'>instead the necklace felt warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Stevie looked up and around the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Their Georgetown home felt more than empty.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>I don’t know about Stevie’s line talking to herself… it seems too much like the ending of Sixth Sense.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>For the first time since she was rushed to Vegas, Stevie exploded in grief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She grabbed the vase and tossed it across the room, screaming and crying as it shattered on the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She cleared the table in one sweep of her arm, sending the jewelry box, the American flag, sympathy cards, and a plate of food she barely touched flying everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She tore off the necklace and fell to the floor, clutching the necklace as hard as she could.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>This still was not a dream.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <h1><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial; color:white'>“I’ll be back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I promise.”<o:p></o:p></span></h1> <i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:white;mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA'><br clear=all style='page-break-before:always'> </span></i> <h1><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family: Arial;color:red'>The dream concept of course plays with Stevie and Michael, as we see them in initial anguish wishing it was a dream, and then later on realizing that it’s all real.<br> <br> I also wrote a large part of Michael’s funeral but it seemed to come across better with the tell-tale 21 gun salute echoing in Stevie’s head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Other than the line of her talking to herself, this is largely a non-verbal scene showing Stevie’s grief, her emotional trauma, and the breakdown/release that was 8 days overdue.<br> <br> The final line that is heard in her mind is up to your interpretation and I wrote it that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It could either foreshadow their paths crossing in a later story, or Stevie reflecting on a broken promise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You decide.<o:p></o:p></span></b></h1> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:17.25pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“His scars are nearly healed,” a man said, with a clipped British accent.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Mmm-hmm,” another man replied.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Doesn’t it strike you that there is an uncanny resemblance between him and you as a young man?” the British man asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>The other man grunted.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Just my imagination, I suppose,” the British man replied.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Stick to your task,” the other man replied with a gruff and raspy voice, “have you found them?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“We’re still working on it, we’ve narrowed it down to three companies in two states,”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“And the Knight 2000?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“It could be ready within a month,” the British man said, excitedly.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Excellent!” the other man said, “I just hope I have a month left in me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“What have the doctors said?” the British man asked with a concerned tone.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Never you mind what the doctors said, Devon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ll worry about them… and Michael Long,”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>A lot of dialogue here between Wilton and Devon is mixed from various different scenes from the original pilot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Again, the Fourth and Ninth Draft scripts were used as points of reference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This scene introduces us to Wilton and Devon, who both share similarities with their original series counterparts but have their differences as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You’ll see.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Awake.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Who was talking?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Were there really voices or was it a dream?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>He couldn’t figure out how long ago it was when his world plunged into darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Today, it still was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But something was different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He could feel it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Hell, he could actually feel for once.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Almost…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>The last thing he saw was the explosion from Tanya’s gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The last thing he felt was unimaginable pain.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Indescribable.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Unbearable.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Not only did he feel the searing pain from the bullet exiting through his face, his head was throbbing from the impact his plate took from deflecting the bullet.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>This let’s us know that Michael has been unconscious ever since he was shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The elapsed time between his wounding and today is just around a month plus a week.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>When Michael was shot, we pretty much saw how he was shot but didn’t know what he was feeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The descriptions of being shot were cut and modified from that scene and then placed here as Michael wakes up and remembers.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>He reached up to feel his face not knowing what to expect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The last time he felt his face, he could feel the edges of his skin where it was torn apart by the bullet, his muscles, bones… much more than a person is not supposed to feel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This time, he felt… skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael quickly sat up, opening his eyes and looking around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He squinted, having not seen light in two weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <h4><span style='color:red'>Two weeks?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That’s a blooper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Oops!<o:p></o:p></span></h4> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>He let off a quick scream, startled at the presence of two men at his bedside.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Who the hell are you?” he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Hello Michael,” the first man said, “I’m Wilton Knight, and this is Devon Miles,” he said, gesturing to another man.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Both men were older than Michael.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The owner of the British voice, Devon, had to be in his late 50’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His grey hair was kept neat and he looked like he was born in the black and silver three-piece-suit he was wearing.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Wilton, looked to be 15 years older than Devon, his hair was sparse and he was dressed casually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Had it not been for an oxygen tube feeding into his nostrils and a voice that made Michael want to clear his throat, he would have looked just as healthy as Devon.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>My original plans for Wilton Knight were much different than you see here or what you saw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the original pilot, we saw Wilton Knight limping around on a cane, and was merely showing his age, instead of the signs of a debilitating illness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Here, I added an oxygen tube and baldness to convey the cancer that he was afflicted with, however, I originally planed for Wilton to be stricken with AIDS instead.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Devon never changed and always was going to be this clipped, prim and proper British man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>However, I did add some pompousness into his demeanor and had him judge Michael more harshly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This will add to some more animosity in later stories.</span></i></b><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Or anyone for that matter.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“How are you feeling?” Devon asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoBlockText><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael was still rather disoriented to answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“How long have I been here?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“About a month,” Devon replied.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael shot out of bed, and stumbled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He had hardly any energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“A month?” he asked, irritated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“I gotta go, I gotta get out of here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I gotta get back to the Bureau, call Stevie—”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Here we get to see that Michael was dedicated to his job and his love.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Devon looked at Wilton with a frown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Michael,” Wilton said, “there’s a great deal we have to explain to you—”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Explain?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>No,” Michael said, looking for his clothes and walking towards the sink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He splashed water on his face and looked up, “I don’t have any time to—”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael’s blood ran cold when he saw the face staring back.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael couldn’t believe his eyes… literally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Instead of his green to grey eyes, they were blue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His eye sockets were slimmed down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His hair was no longer light brown and spiky, instead it was dark brown, wavy and out of regulation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His long cheekbones were more subdued, and his teeth were whiter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The face in the mirror definitely wasn’t Michael Long.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>To imagine the transformation from Michael Long to Michael Knight, picture a very square and bristled face, and round it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A good comparison would be Benjamin Bratt to a cleaned-up Dave Navarro.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“My face… Oh my God,” he said, “what happened to my face?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He spun around to face Wilton and Devon. “What the hell did you do to my face?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>This line is taken from the 2<sup>nd </sup>Season Episode, Knightmares.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I suppose you want some answers,” Wilton said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>I want the truth!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You can’t handle the truth!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sorry, I had to indulge myself.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“No shit, otherwise I wouldn’t be asking questions,” Michael replied.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I promise I will tell you everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Trust me, son, we are not here to hurt you,” Wilton said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Not here to hurt me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You’ve <b>destroyed</b> me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What the hell have you done to my face?” Michael yelled, noticing his new eyes matched Wilton’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>The vain Wilton Knight, seeking an heir to the throne, crafted Michael Knight to resemble a younger version of himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Of course he also duplicated Garthe’s face…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>An attempt to erase a mistake, perhaps?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Will we see Garthe and KARR in my new series?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I don’t know yet.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“You’ll be much happier with this face,” Devon said, “unless you wish to walk around with the face of a man who could be killed… all over again.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“What?” Michael asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Everything will be explained to you in time, Mr. Long,” Devon said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I’m trying to tell you, I don’t have time—,”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“You do, Michael, more than you know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Get dressed,” Wilton said,</span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“and I’ll explain everything.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael was about to protest when Devon cut him off, “You’ll find clothes and other necessities in the drawers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ll take you downstairs when you are ready.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>An alternate scene of the events below was Michael finding himself locked in his hospital room and trying to escape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His mind would wander back to his days in Iraq when he escaped from the prisoner camp with his fellow soldiers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It would then be during this escape that he was wounded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That changed, obviously as I wrote along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I also didn’t want to flash back to too many moments in Iraq, just enough to parallel the two stories.<br> <br> Instead, I described what happened, and modified it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>The two men left, and Michael was alone again.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>What the hell was going on?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Images flooded Michael’s mind from over a decade ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He was in Iraq as part of the 4<sup>th</sup> Brigade Combat Team of the 101<sup>st</sup> Airborne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His battalion came under heavy fire as they went through what they thought was an abandoned town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>A sequence of errors quickly followed, and Michael found himself captured along with some other members of the battalion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They were merely hours away from one of Hussein’s torture camps before they were able to engineer an escape.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Him and a squad of 3 soldiers were able to overpower a team of Iraqi captors.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>I’ll be damned if I can’t get away from here, he thought.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Then, in almost an instant of panic, he tore off his t-shirt and looked in the mirror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His muscles were still there, but what was missing made his stomach drop and heart skip more than a few beats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His Screaming Eagle’s tattoo was gone, completely erased from his body.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>I didn’t write about the Screaming Eagles tattoo earlier when Michael was packing with Stevie, but I wanted to show how Michael Long was slowly being erased.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael sunk his head low, wishing it was all a dream.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Where am I?” Michael asked Devon, as they left the hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He squinted, having not seen sunlight for over a month.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“You’re in the Wilton Knight Hospital and Medical Center on the Knight Industries campus,” Devon replied, “Wilton was the man—”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“My face might be different, but my memory isn’t, give me some credit, Devon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He’s also one of the world’s most richest men and popular philanthropist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What does he want with me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I’m afraid that is for Mr. Knight to explain,” Devon replied, as he walked over to a black golf-cart with the Knight Industries logo on the side.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>The circular logo was the image of a medieval Knight’s head, set on an orange background with a black border.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>This logo is the same one that appears on KITT’s steering wheel from the original series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It serves as the logo for all of Knight Industries, eliminating the chess-piece.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Nice wheels, Devon,” Michael said, sarcastically, “the old-man doesn’t pay you enough?” he said, getting in.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Devon shot a look at Michael.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Dear boy,” he said half-laughing, “despite Mr. Knight’s generous philanthropy, I still get a paycheck, which is none of your concern, I may add.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Where are we?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How big is this place?” Michael asked, looking around.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“We’re across the bay from San Francisco,” Devon replied,</span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“and we encompass a large number of acres with enough ‘breathing room’ if you will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Plus, a view to admire.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael looked across Devon and saw a sweeping view of the Pacific Ocean as they drove along a cliff side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Not bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Not bad at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What’s with the mansion?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Let me guess, the old man lives there.” he asked, gesturing towards a large mansion in front of them.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Devon grunted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“<b>Mr. Knight</b> lives there, yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But that is also the headquarters for the Foundation for Law and Government, Mr. Long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Your new workplace,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I beg your pardon?” Michael asked, in an accent mocking Devon’s.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Devon grunted again as they approached the mansion.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>During the final minutes of their trip, Michael tried his hardest to pull out information from Devon as best as he could, but Devon merely grunted and repeatedly told Michael that Wilton Knight would explain everything to him when he got there.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael hated being out of the loop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Christ, that’s why he joined the FBI in the first place, to be on the inside, to be a part of the intelligence community.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Of course at that moment he realized the interrogation training he received too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Not only was it his job to know information, but it was his job to <b>retrieve</b> information.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>But before he was able to corner Devon into anteing up some answers, The Old Man was slowly walking out of the grand entrance to his mansion towards them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Devon stopped and Michael got out.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Good morning, Michael,” Wilton said, extending his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michael shook it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Glad to see you up and about.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Barely,” Michael replied, “I still need to get back in shape,” he said, stretching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michael had been nearly immobilized for the past month and felt the toll it took on his body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He was definitely out of shape, as if he was in a body that was not his own… and definitely wearing a face that didn’t belong to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“You’ll have time for that,” Wilton said, “plenty of time.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“What am I here for?” Michael said, narrowly escaping out of Devon’s way as he drove off.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Wilton looked out towards the sweeping view of the Pacific Ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He looked up at the sky and inhaled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“It’s a lovely day,” he said, “let’s take a walk outside.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>The two men started walking down the path running along the cliff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michael couldn’t help but look down on occasion at the mighty drop to the jagged rocks on the other side of the railing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After a few endless seconds of not speaking, Michael began asking questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Wilton, instead, shushed him off, telling Michael to enjoy the day and their surroundings, informing him that he would spend a great deal of time here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michael begrudgingly obliged.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>I wrote Wilton to be a mix of eccentric and enigmatic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At first, he would leave Michael with more questions than answers, and reveal them later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Here, he wants to enjoy the clear sunny Northern California day, possibly one of his lasts.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>This next section of the story elaborates on Wilton telling Michael about the events surrounding him and the new chance at life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We never got to see this in the original pilot (nor the scripts) and it was something I definitely wanted to write.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>After 45 minutes of walking the grounds of the estate, Wilton spoke.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I suppose you have plenty of questions for me, Michael,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Damn right,” Michael sharply replied.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Well to start off, I am saddened to inform you that you are dead,” Wilton said, bluntly.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael stopped, grabbing the old man by the arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“What the hell are you talking about?” he asked, sweeping some wind-blown hair out of his face.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Michael Long was involved in a shootout in Las Vegas during a botched FBI mission to prevent espionage within a defense contractor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He died at University Medical Center in Las Vegas last month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His funeral was held two days later.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>While Wilton is a man of power and resource, he doesn’t flaunt it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Here he reveals that he’s been keeping an eye on Tanya the entire time, and not interfering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We later learn that it was because of his distrust of the government’s law enforcement.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael gave a cheeky grin and turned his back to Wilton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He grabbed the railing and looked out to sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Unbelievable.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Don’t believe me, Michael?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“No, I believe you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I know what people like you can accomplish,” Michael said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“People like me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Powerful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Rich.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Donated so much to the world, got power in exchange.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I just want to know how you did it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“And why, I assume?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“You weren’t far from death, Mr. Long, I must say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Your condition was all over the place, and doctors fought to keep you in an induced coma until the swelling around your brain subsided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That metal plate in your head saved your life and bought us the opportunity we needed.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Opportunity for what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I don’t know what you are going on about here, but I just want to get on with my own life.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Your own life, Michael?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You’ve been declared dead, given a few face…”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael turned to look at Wilton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Then what the hell am I here for?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“A chance for a new life,” Wilton quickly said,</span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“an opportunity that might be hard to refuse.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“You sound like the Godfather,” Michael said, beginning to walk away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Wilton hurried to catch up.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“You have the chance to walk away, Michael, but do you want to?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When your killers are still on the large?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael stopped and spun around.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Wilton smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“I knew that would get your attention.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“What do you know about them?” Michael asked, as he began to pick up stones and throw them over the cliff.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Enough to know how dangerous they are,” Wilton replied.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael rolled his eyes at that half-ass answer.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“First-hand knowledge, Mr. Long.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“What?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>The following explains, in detail, what Tanya did to Wilton, what she stole and how she did it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is one of the most powerful and poignant moments in the story and the easiest to write.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>One thing I definitely want to point out is the amount of extra backstory we get for some of the events that happened to these people and it personalizes them that much more…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>And makes Tanya someone you’d want to hate even more.</span></i></b><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Six years ago, Knight Industries was nearly destroyed by industrial espionage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They single-handedly toppled everything I built, everything I worked for, stole multiple project designs and sold them off to the highest bidder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I was in-line to become a defense contractor for the Armed Forces, but her espionage cost that contract.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And my marriage.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael looked at Wilton with a tiny bit of sympathy.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“She wormed her way into me every-which-way possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I should have known better, I should have been smarter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But I was 65, I was realizing the absolute terror that there were more days behind me than there were in front of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She was 28.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She was interested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Interested in what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Not some 65-year-old curmudgeon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His money?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Perhaps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What other reason was a 28-year-old woman doing with me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My power?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My secrets?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She took it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Took the most powerful projects we’ve been developing—projects way ahead of their time, projects that could have revolutionized multiple industries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In toppling my empire, she toppled me, and my projects made billions for someone else.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“It took awhile to rebuild.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She took my projects but she didn’t take my staff; the smartest people you’ll find on the planet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We continued on, rebuilding Knight Industries, rebuilding our connections, reestablishing our trust in the private sector.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If she thought I was too scared to return, she was wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I had my empire, I had my money, and I had everything you could imagine, but one thing.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Justice?” Michael asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Exactly,” Wilton said, half-heartedly punching the air,</span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Tanya and her force were off somewhere and the law enforcement agencies were helpless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They were too big.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The kind of criminals who operate above the law, nobody could touch them.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Instead, I sought to create something powerful, something to make a difference, a way to fight in the world of criminals who operate above the law—to champion the cause of the innocent, the helpless, the powerless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I created a private arm of Knight Industries, utilizing technology that is beyond state-of-the-art.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A firm that would not be controlled by our board of directors, nor influenced by government or politics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It would be a way for me to continue philanthropy work in no other way imaginable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A free-lance law enforcement agency called the Foundation for Law and Government.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>No doubt, Michael was impressed, and was finally able to relate to The Old Man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“So how do I fit into all of this?” he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“That’s up to you Michael,” Wilton said, “you’re here for a reason, it’s up to you to figure out what you want to do,” he walked away and Michael was left in thought, looking out to sea.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>This still was not a dream.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>More of the dream allusions.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Four weeks later, Wilton looked out of binoculars from his rear patio towards a track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michael was running laps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“How much longer?” he asked Devon, who appeared behind him seconds earlier.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Michael is now in his second month at Knight Industries and has been spending the time reconditioning himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>While we may think that Wilton badgered Michael day in and day out about joining the Foundation, he left him alone, knowing that the emotionally wounded man needs to come around on his pace.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“We’ll meet the deadline,” Devon said, “one more week.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Put the crews on around the clock I want it done within the next 48 hours,” Wilton said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>An alarmed look flashed over Devon’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“48 hours?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Wilton, what have the doctors—,”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Doctors say their normal medical terms and give deadlines, much as I use technical terms and give deadlines as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Don’t worry about them,” Wilton ordered.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“What have you told him?” Devon asked, as Michael came closer on the track for another pass.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I told him he fits into my equation one way or another, and it’s up to him to decide how he wants to,” Wilton said, “I told him he’s safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the eyes of the law, Michael Long is legally dead.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Stealing a body from the morgue, shooting its face off, replacing its teeth and fingerprints, placing Mr. Long’s identification on it and overnighting it to Las Vegas is not exactly playing by the rules in the eyes of the law,” Devon said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>We can assume that Michael’s dental records and fingerprints were transported from Las Vegas to San Francisco during his week at University Medical Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We also can assume the endless resources of Knight Industries who were able to create teeth identical to Michael’s, replicating his wound, and adjusting a cadaver’s fingerprints. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Hey, if they got a car to talk, they can do anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Almost.</span></i></b><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“That body was donated to the college of medicine anyway, they can get another one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Besides, I make my own rules.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If the criminals we are after operate above the law, why can’t we?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“All right, but why him?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“That’s our man, Devon,” Wilton said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“How can you be so sure?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“He has the drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The dedication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His entire world was destroyed, far different than mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He’s felt he’s failed his mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He’ll want to pick it up,” Wilton said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I still question your choice, Wilton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He’s rather young—”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“He needs to be young.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“And inexperienced.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“You’re grasping at straws that aren’t there, Devon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He has the law enforcement background necessary for this kind of job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We couldn’t ask for someone better experienced in surveillance, research, and pursuit and capture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Desert Storm was no Vietnam, but it still wasn’t a cake-walk.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“He was captured there.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“He survived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He kept fighting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It kept him living, just like me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“How did he take the fact that we knew Tanya Walker was involved the whole time?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“He was angry, no doubt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How would you feel, Devon, if you found out you were chasing the wrong person for months?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Rather upset, I suppose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I assume Mr. Long’s reaction was triple that, however.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“It was,” Wilton said, “but still understandable.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“He’s aggressive,” Devon said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“He’ll need that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I doubt our adversaries will be inviting him to talk out their troubles over a spot of tea, Devon,” Wilton said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Even Wilton can be bothered by Devon’s prissiness.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I’ll give you his ability to work in a team,” Devon said,</span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“but the majority of his work will consist of him on his own.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Every man has the ability and preparedness to work on his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michael knows the value of a team, but knows the value of one man can be a force greater than any army put together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michael Long is our man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He will be the proof that one man can make a difference.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Devon opened his mouth to speak, but was left speechless.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>The banter back and forth between Devon and Wilton was based upon a similar exchange in the scripts that was cut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It shows Devon having no faith in Michael, and vehemently begging Wilton to reconsider his choice.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“On your way Devon,” Wilton said as Michael approached.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael dashed up the stairs and collapsed on the stone bench, wiping sweat away from his brow.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Aren’t you pushing it a bit, Michael?” Wilton asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I gotta get in shape real fast,” Michael said, “I’ve been sitting around too long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I got one last score to settle,” Before Wilton could speak, Michael added a powerful blow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Alone.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Revenge?” <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Pursuit and capture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have a mission to finish.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Michael knows he’s better than revenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At this point in his mind however, whether or not he will bring Tanya and Wilson plus the others alive was up in the air.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“You aren’t an agent anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You aren’t even Michael Long anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In a matter of speaking, you aren’t even alive anymore. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I told you weeks ago that it’s up to you how you want to fit into the Foundation,” Wilton said,</span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“What if I told you that by working together, we can take down Tanya and her friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But they’re just the tip of the iceberg—”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Mr. Knight, you gave me a second chance to live, and for that I am grateful, but now comes the time where we have to part ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I blew it in Vegas; I got my team killed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You of all people should understand I can’t take responsibility for anyone’s life but my own any longer.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Michael thinks the catastrophe in Vegas was his fault, rather than dumb luck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I took out some dialogue where Wilton told him this and Michael stormed off angry.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael checked his watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It read midnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Despite the cold, he made his second pass through the campus, a five-mile run, and planned to take two more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He passed by a building that resembled an aircraft hanger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Last night, around this time, the hanger was busy with activity, and stayed busy throughout the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>During his first run tonight, he noticed a small amount of activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It looked like people were wrapping up their work.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>In the pilot, it seemed established that this giant building was right across from the mansion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Knight Industries headquarters today has a lot more space, and is a virtually an entire campus with a hospital, corporate and industrial space, and the mansion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Wilton was able to buy a lot of land for his dream.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>This time, the hanger was dark and empty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Whatever they were working on, they finished.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>It was Michael’s instincts that told him to check it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He walked towards the large set of hangar doors and approached a nested-personnel door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>After picking the lock, Michael entered the dark building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The door closed behind him and the slam echoed throughout the edifice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It also plunged him into almost complete darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>A lone, dim, spotlight shone on the floor in the middle of the warehouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michael stepped forward into it, looking around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Hello?” he asked, his voice booming in the building.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Off in the distance… or was it behind him… Michael heard a faint whirring noise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He squinted ahead of him and saw narrow red lights chasing each other, as if they were scanning the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They appeared as if they hovered in the middle of the warehouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The whirring noise seemed to correspond with the mini-floating-light-show.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>This introduction to KITT was too priceless to give up or change.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Suddenly, without warning, four lights, two on either side of the scanner, turned on and nearly blinded Michael.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>An engine roared to life and what appeared to be a car began bearing down upon him.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael stood his ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The car screeched to a halt, just inches from his legs.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Bathed in light, Michael could see he was looking at a sleek black sports car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A Cadillac XLR, to be specific.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Okay… so here it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The new KITT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Let me tell you that finding a new KITT was not easy, and required a lot of searching and consideration.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Here are some of the contenders: (All models are 2006):<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Nissan Z (which was going to be KITT in the initial planning of the original series)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Mitsubishi Eclipse<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Hummer H3<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Acura NSX<br> Dodge Charger<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Chevrolet Corvette Coupe<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>The last two rounded out the final three choices I made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I swiftly eliminated the Charger when I found out that is what the Dukes drove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Had I picked that, I am sure I would have been hung out to dry.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>The Corvette and the XLR were the two choices I had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I saw both cars on the road in person and they both had a command appearance about them, both screamed out Knight Rider.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>In fact, I initially chose the Corvette and wrote parts of this story with the Vette and then changed it halfway through.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>The Vette seemed like a natural choice since the Firebird (also made by GM) was discontinued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I wanted something that would be radically different, but also stylish and classy.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Cadillac it was.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>The XLR with its sleek and menacing appearance plus its sharp lines looks like it was born to Turbo Boost and drive very fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And while it is a convertible, it looks damn good with the top actually UP.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>And the age-old question of course is… “Why not use the newest model of the Trans Am for KITT?!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The newest model was made in 2002…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And no new models have been made since then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Why would the symbol of Artificial Intelligence breakthroughs be housed in a three-year-old car?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>The massive halogen lights in the hangar illuminated, and Michael was able to finally appreciate the size.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The building was large enough to encompass an Airbus 380 and seemed wasted on the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A retro corporate jet sat in the far corner.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Enough Devon,” a voice said, echoing throughout the hangar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michael looked behind him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Wilton was standing at the door and turned on the lights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“You’ve had your fun with our guest,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael looked back towards the Cadillac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Devon got out of the car with a smug grin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“It is impolite to sneak around uninvited,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Be gracious, Devon,” Wilton chided, “I think it’s time we explained ourselves.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“You’re damn right it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What’s going on here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What is all of this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You could put a small country’s food supply in here and still be a quarter full,” Michael said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I’m an inventor, Michael.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I like my space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That jet you see will revolutionize the corporate jet industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Your former agency is in line to buy six, I believe,” Wilton looked around, and began walking towards the Cadillac, “I don’t get to put my hands in the action anymore, however,” he said, running his fingers along the car,</span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family: Arial;color:white'>“but I still need a place to dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A place to create my crowning achievement for my newest mission.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>The dialogue and information about the jet was taken from the fourth draft script.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“So this is why people have been sneaking in and out of here at all hours of the night,” Michael said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Look who’s talking,” Devon said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Enough, both of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Let’s face the facts, gentlemen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My clock’s ticking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The car is ready for Michael.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He’s back in shape and healthy enough to carry on—”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Now Wilton starts to badger Michael about joining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Maybe he is anxious because he knows his days are numbered, or irritated that Michael wouldn’t want such a wonderful opportunity…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Carry on what, Mr. Knight?” Michael asked, slightly annoyed, “I thought I made it clear that no matter how much I appreciate your hospitality and saving my life, I need to get out there and restart it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Not to mention find those who meant the most to me and convince them I am someone who has been killed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How in the hell did you ever think of that when you built this face for me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Michael just wants to get on his life, and wants to go back to his old one.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“That’s not very grateful,” Devon said, “downright selfish.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“How can you stand there and say that when I had no control over what you did?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Mr. Knight, thank you for the second chance at life, thank you for offering your protection and a chance to work for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But I need to piece together my life and go after those who tore it apart,” Michael said,</span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family: Arial;color:white'>“If you got this car for me, I appreciate it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ll pull out of here tonight and pay you back—”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Dear boy,” Devon said, laughing, “there’s no possible way you could ever repay us for this car.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“It looks like a 2006 Cadillac XLR to me,” Michael said, trying not to eye and drool over the car too much.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“From this angle, yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>In one of the scripts, it’s clearly demonstrated that the Knight 2000 is not Michael’s car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In fact, he didn’t even drive a TransAm in the script. In the movie, he did, which then added to some curiosity and confusion as to whether or not they incorporated KITT into Michael’s car.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Here we see that this is an original car utilized for the Knight 2000.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>It’s assumed that Wilton got a hold of GM’s designs for the XLR years in advance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Much like we assume he did the same with the original KITT.</span></i></b><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Fine, keep the car, loan me bus fare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Whatever you want to do, I owe you my life, Mr. Knight, but it’s time to go.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Wilton looked anguished but kept his poise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Prepare the car for him, Devon.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>A dumbstruck look crossed Devon’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He stood there for a number of seconds before he could manage: “But… sir…”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I said prepare the car, Devon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There’s a great deal he needs to know about it before he can drive it safely,” he stumbled and caught his balance on his cane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“I must go to bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m not… feeling well,” he said, trying to walk quickly out of the warehouse.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael felt like he knocked the cane out from under the old man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Neither men spoke until Wilton was gone.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>More from Michael’s point of view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We see that he has tremendous respect for Wilton and it hurt him to tell Wilton that he wasn’t interested.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“You just struck a dying man,” Devon said, angrily.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I like that old man,” Michael said, defensively, “I owe him my life—”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“A small price to pay for what he offered you,” Devon shot back,” you wouldn’t even have a life if we hadn’t brought you here—”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“And left Lonnie to die.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Your partner was killed instantly, Mr. Long, there was nothing we could do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What we were able to do was save you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You do realize there are people out there who will kill you if they know you are still living?” Devon said, “Anyone who has met you, I imagine.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Another blooper!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Foundation didn’t intercept Michael until he stabilized at University Medical Center!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They never even saw Lonnie in the desert.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael shot a disdainful look at Devon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“I’m legally dead, Mr. Bond,” he said with a mocking-British accent, “I don’t even know myself with this face.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“So you plan on running then, laying low and not avenging your own death?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Now wait a minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I never said that.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“That’s what it sounded like to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Then get your hearing examined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I plan to take out Tanya and her friends out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My way.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>I wanted more banter between Michael and Devon, sometimes for comic relief, and sometimes for dramatic prose.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><br> Devon rolled his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Your way, Mr. Long?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If I recall correctly, your way got you and two other FBI agents killed, and destroyed the career of your team leader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If ruining multiple lives in multiple methods is your way of doing things, Mr. Long, then good luck.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Devon crossed the line there… I originally wrote Michael reacting angrily, but wanted a more sensible reaction… He was smart enough to know that Devon was trying to cut him down on purpose to agitate him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“You know where they are, don’t you?” Michael asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Devon stood silent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“We begin our work tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>6am.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“6am, Devon are you nuts?” Michael asked, looking at his wristwatch, “it’s midnight.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Then you should get some sleep, shouldn’t you?” Devon asked as he walked towards the exit, leaving Michael alone with the car.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>5:45am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michael had been awake the whole night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He strongly believed he could go it alone, but knowing Tanya and her friends, would that be wise?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How long could he last if he didn’t use the Foundation’s resources?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Suddenly, The Old Man began making a hell of a lot more sense.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael quickly got dressed and left his room in the Estate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Devon was already waiting for him downstairs with the XLR already running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Good morning,” he said with faux energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He got the impression Devon did not get much sleep either.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Good morning,” Devon replied, handing him a small thermos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“It’s a blend of tea I use to wake up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Discovered it in Greece.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Thank you,” Michael said, taking a sip, “Not bad.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>I originally had a piece here where Devon warned Michael that the tea was probably the most expensive thing he ever drank, but it felt too out of place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I wanted more banter instead of insults.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Why are we standing around?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Get in,” Devon said, gesturing towards the driver’s side.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael got into the driver’s seat and looked around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The dashboard console had been heavily modified, if not completely replaced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Digital readouts were in front of Michael displaying multiple types of information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the middle, five buttons on each side bordered a blacked out vertical rectangle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Bordering the bottom of the rectangle was a lighted yellow square reading “Normal.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Under that, a medium-sized plasma screen was displaying a camera angle from the front of the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Below the screen was a DVD-ROM drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The modified dashboard curved around so two small plasma screens and multiple buttons faced the driver.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>I tried to visualize the inside of the XLR as much as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I kept the design relatively similar to the original car with the wrap-around dash forming a work-station for Michael.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The blacked out rectangle is KITT’s voice modulator, obviously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Instead of being placed above the steering wheel, it’s now in the center console, where Hasselhoff often spoke to in the original series.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>The steering wheel wasn’t spared in the massive redesign either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Instead of a complete circle, a gull-wing wheel was in its place.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoBlockText><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:white'>“This isn’t your ordinary Cadillac,” he said to Devon who sat down in the passenger seat.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“You’re correct, Mr. Long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Welcome aboard the Knight 2000.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Thank you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What is all this?” Michael asked, gesturing towards the dashboard,</span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“It looks like Darth Vader’s bathroom.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <h4><span style='color:red'>I tried to modernize this line but it didn’t work out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But with the new Star Wars movie being the hype when I began this project, it was still appropriate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Personally, I prefer Star Trek…<o:p></o:p></span></h4> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“You’re sitting in the crowing achievement of Knight Industries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is a one of a kind car, Mr. Long, it is the most technologically advanced car in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is faster, safer, and stronger than any car you have ever seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is virtually indestructible and completely operated by a series of microprocessors that prohibit the car from being involved in any kind of collision or mishap, unless specifically ordered by the driver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In essence, the Knight 2000 can deduce predicaments that might cause harm to the vehicle or the driver and avoid those situations.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Now while I mentioned that the Knight 2000 can avoid items that might harm the vehicle, it is not the same self-preservation module that KARR was programmed with.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“You’re telling me this Caddy thinks?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My car thinks?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“We like to think of it as <b>our</b> car,” Devon replied, reaching over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Now, to propel the car forward, simply—”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I know how to drive, Devon, thanks,” Michael said, pressing the gas pedal.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>The power that came from the Knight 2000 was amazing and Michael was nowhere near prepared for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The car launched forward down the driveway and crashed through the metal gates.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Holy shit!” Michael said, slamming on the brakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Oh God,” he said, scrambling out of the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Devon got out too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michael ran to the front, looking at Devon, “I’ll pay to get it fixed, I will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It got away from me…” he trailed off, looking at Devon, who was grinning from ear to ear.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael looked at the prow of the XLR and his mouth dropped open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Despite crashing through a large gate, the car was untouched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There was not a single scratch, or dent, or chip of the paint.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Obviously some changes made here from the original pilot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The action was placed into the following day after Michael discovers the car, and the MBS is tested by Michael’s mishap instead of Devon’s hammer.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“What the hell?” Michael asked reaching forward and feeling the paint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“What kind of paint is this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It feels like baby skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What’s this car made of?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“It’s not paint,” Devon said, “and it’s not fiberglass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s a finish bonded to the molecular surface of a new substance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A specialized formula, developed right here at Knight Industries.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“It’s great the car is indestructible, but you also said it couldn’t get into an accident,” Michael said, getting back into the car.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Devon sat down next to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Only when the system is operating, Mr. Long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And for that, you must turn it on,” he said, as he pressed a series of buttons on a console between them.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“You’re telling me I can’t hit anything,” Michael said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Trust me,” Devon said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“That doesn’t make me feel any better,” Michael said, pressing the gas again.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>The XLR launched forward again, this time streaking out of the Estate and quickly off the Knight Industries campus.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>The sun was just rising as the car streaked along the Pacific Coast Highway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The ride was so smooth, Michael hadn’t noticed he was handling the break-neck curves at 80 miles per hour.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I’ll be putting this car to the test, Devon,” Michael said gripping the steering wheel harder and hitting the gas.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Be my guest,” Devon said, leaning back into the seat.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael eyed an intense curve in the road instructing drivers to slow down to 30 miles-per-hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He kept his speed at 80.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>As he neared the curve he could feel the XLR taking some control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He felt it speed up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The square reading “Normal” changed to “Auto.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He looked at the digital speedometer and saw it reading 100.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He then felt the car begin to steer itself.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“What the hell?” he said as they navigated the curve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Devon, the car just took control and steered itself!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It drove itself through the curve!”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoBlockText><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Splendid, isn’t it?” Devon asked, smiling.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I hate it!” Michael said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“I like to make my own decisions.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“The computer systems deduced you were acting in the contrary to your best and safest interests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It evaluated the appropriate measures to maneuver through the curve and executed them,” Devon explained.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Yeah, but why speed up, why not slow down?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It would have been a lot safer that way.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Devon sat silent, obviously trying to think his answer.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Devon?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Why did the Cadillac speed up?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Did I just find a flaw in your perfect machine?”<br> <br> “No… no flaw, I assure you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The car had complete control, we both felt that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s just…”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“It’s just what?” Michael asked, anxious.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“It was showing off for you,” Devon said, simply.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“What?!” Michael said, stopping along the side of the road.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Don’t blame the Knight 2000 completely,” Devon said, “I had a small part in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I could have set the system for certain conditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Such as actual road driving, pursuit driving, or…”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Or what?” Michael asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Or setting it to react to a complex network of road conditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Any conditions imaginable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It can drive itself, without an operator, if necessary.” Devon said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“So this car can take off on its own just like that?” Michael asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Devon nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“It’d suck to be working under it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“It wouldn’t do anything to harm you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>One of Mr. Knight’s commands for programming the systems was the preservation of human life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>More specifically, your life.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“By me, you mean anyone driving it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“No,” Devon said, “I mean <b>you.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michael Arthur Long.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>By 8am, Wilton was walking the grounds of the Estate, enjoying the day’s crisp weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Estate was just out of view as Wilton walked along the cliff side, watching the ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then he suddenly stopped, and gripped the railing along the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He was running out of breath, feeling dizzy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His right arm refused to let go of the railing, as the rest of his body seemed to fail and fall out from under him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As he was slowly falling to the ground, he reached around with his free hand to his neck and pressed a button on his necklace…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>I threw this scene in her to show more of the deterioration of The Old Man, and more from his point of view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This scene was a little bit longer, with more thoughts stemming from Wilton, but I think this fits well showing the fallen hero.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Sweat was all but pouring down Michael’s face as he got the Cadillac XLR up to 200 miles per hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He looked at the red glowing rectangle reading “Pursuit” under the mysterious black square.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A tense look crossed his face as it was nearing 220.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He was annoyed at Devon’s comfortable look, as if he did this every single day.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>By 225, Michael flinched and hit the brakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Two-twenty-five,” Michael said, “it wins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How fast does it go?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“You don’t want to know,” Devon said, chuckling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>The above speed-test was based off a scene in one of the scripts where Michael flinches at the enormous speed from the Knight 2000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I liked it and wanted to reintegrate it as much as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I also used it near the end in the climax…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael began driving again, at a more normal speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Why am I here, Devon?” he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“It was no random choice we saved your life, Michael.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We had been keeping our eyes on Miss Walker and her associates for some time now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We were trying to gather enough evidence to put them away for good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Catch them in the act,”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Is that why I’m here?” Michael asked, “You wanted to use me to get them?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Don’t think of yourself as a pawn, Michael,” Devon said,</span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“we saw something in you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It wasn’t your fault the intelligence was wrong—”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Lonnie knew.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>While Devon and Michael have had their shares of ups and downs in the past two months, Devon takes it upon himself to restore some emotional strength into Michael and give him a sense of purpose and the reasons as to why he was chosen for the Foundation.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>In the original series, Wilton was watching Tanya and Michael at the same time… I never really bought that concept and I changed it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>In this story, Wilton was keeping a close watch on Tanya and saw how Michael got caught up in the process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He knew his dream-car needed a driver, and saw something in the dying FBI agent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He demanded the car be completed quicker, skipped the recruiting process for an operative and determined that Michael was the one man who could make a difference.</span></i></b><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Your partner was in a dangerous situation where she could not tell you that Miss Walker was involved—”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“She tried to send me signals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I should have known them better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I underestimated Tanya and her team.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“You had drive and dedication to take them down against all odds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You still do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The operation went wrong, yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Your partners lost their lives, yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But you were spared for many reasons, Michael.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Do you want it to go to waste?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Michael still blames himself for the fiasco.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I wanted to keep this in the back of his head a little bit more than I did.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>While Michael was thinking, Devon’s cell-phone began to ring and he answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A grim look crossed his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“We must get back to the campus immediately.” <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael and Devon rushed to the Estate and into Wilton’s dimly lit bedroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He lay on his bed with his eyes closed.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“My God, we’re too late,” Michael said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Wilton’s eyes opened slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They focused on Michael.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“How was the car?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Amazing,” Michael said,</span><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“that needs to be on the market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It could save hundreds of lives.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“No!” Wilton wheezed, “I have other plans for that car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Besides, the corporations would do everything in their power to keep that car off the market,” Wilton said, angrily, and coughing in between words.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Wilton took a deep breath and looked at Michael again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Michael,” he said, “I am sorry for my distrust of your organization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s that distrust that inadvertently set you up for disaster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But please think of the chance you have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You do not exist, you are legally dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Your fingerprints have been altered, and no one can trace the source of your funds or your identity.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“But who am I?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“You’re Michael Knight.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael stood still staring at the dying old man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“You set this up?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <h4><span style='color:red'>If you remember, Devon originally throws Michael a wallet and some new ID’s and doesn’t explain much more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Here, Wilton tells Michael the plans he put into motion for him.<br> <br> He also apologizes for not tipping off the authorities about Tanya.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Wilton wants to make as many amends he can before he departs.<o:p></o:p></span></h4> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I put the ball in motion, but you set it up yourself, Michael.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Your persistence to go it alone establishes your faith that one man can make a difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Keep that spirit with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Make it your obsession as much as it is mine.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Wilton can sense that Michael is still hesitant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He knows that Michael was refusing to join not because he wanted to fly solo but because he didn’t want to face that terror again.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Picture Michael’s fear much like KITT’s in Junk Yard Dog… he’s been hurt and doesn’t want to be hurt again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He needed a push and some encouragement.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Wilton’s remaining energy is being poured into restoring Michael’s personal faith.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Mr. Knight…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I wish I could stand here and tell you I can take on the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But I don’t know… How am I supposed to stop them?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I had a whole team back there, Mr. Knight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Lonnie was killed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Muntzy was killed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Hell, I was killed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My life is over, my friends and fiancé think I am dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I wake up in the middle of the night soaking wet and shaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I see that gun going off in my face over and over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I hear the second shot that killed Lonnie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I watch my world blow up again.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“That’s what you need, Michael.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Don’t you understand that memory is what kept you alive?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is your baptism by fire into this new life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Don’t turn in fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Remember what you are here for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Tanya Walker and her group are just the beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There are many more like them out there, and it will be up to you to get them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s up to you to continue what I started.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>A smile crossed Wilton’s face and he reached out his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michael took it and fought back emotions.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>The life was obviously slipping out of Wilton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“One man can make a difference, Michael.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My adventure is over… Yours has just… just begun.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Upon re-reading, I am not sure how I feel about Wilton saying how his adventure ended…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I considered actually letting him live through this story and a few others and die of natural causes, or be murdered.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Wilton closed his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His smile faded to a look of peace and comfort.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Days later, when the media frenzy surrounding Wilton Knight’s death finally subsided; Michael was virtually racing Devon to the large garage.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Slow down, please?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m puffed,” Devon said, out of breath.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Puffed… I always liked that from the original pilot and I had to keep it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Puffed.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“The Old Man could keep up with me, Devon, and he was 15 years older than you and dying of cancer,” Michael said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Where are you off to in such a hurry anyway?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You don’t even know where you are going.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I suppose you do?” Michael asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Devon stood for a second, obviously contemplating his next course of action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“She’s in Goodyear, Arizona, working for a corporation called ComTron.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She is the executive assistant to the CEO, William Benjamin,” Devon reported.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>I should have had more of a face off between the two men before Devon divulged the info.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“ComTron?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sounds like a Disney movie rip-off,” Michael said, opening the door and entering the garage.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Devon ignored Michael and followed him inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“ComTron is another defense contractor specializing in communications equipment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is currently developing a communications system for the next generation of Army tanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The system is also being designed to be adapted for civilian use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A change that would revolutionize mass communications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We believe Tanya and her staff are after it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“If she’s in Arizona, that’s where I’m going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Today.”<br style='mso-special-character:line-break'> <![if !supportLineBreakNewLine]><br style='mso-special-character:line-break'> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Absolutely not,” Devon stated.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Are you forbidding me?” Michael asked, mocking Devon’s accent.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>A good shtick that I have recurring is Michael mocking Devon’s accent when he becomes too authoritative or when Michael just feels like riling the man.<span style='text-transform:uppercase'><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“You bet,” Devon replied.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“You can’t forbid me to go,” Michael said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I’ll take away the car.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I’ll find another one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Besides, The Old Man said last week this car is for me,”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Not exactly,” Devon said, reaching into his coat pockets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He handed Michael a car registration slip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The owner of the Cadillac was listed as Michael Knight.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Michael Knight?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Michael Long is dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I doubt you’d want to die a second time with that name.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>I don’t know if this exchange comes off as awkward or not, as Michael already knows he is Michael Knight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But I wanted to find a way to explain the car being registered to Michael and the contents of the wallet.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“How do I suddenly become Michael Knight?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I mean The Old Man said it, but—”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Devon handed Michael a black wallet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michael took it and opened it, thumbing through the contents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Drivers license… credit cards…”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“All on Mr. Knight’s orders,” Devon said, “You will need to sign the credit cards, however.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Be sure you use your new moniker.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Good to know Michael Knight’s credit score is higher than Michael Long’s,” Michael said, opening the door to the Cadillac.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Devon grunted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“There’s one possibility I’ve been reluctant to mention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It could be extremely dangerous.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>You may have noticed a few “nods” to my previous series, Knight Rider 2000 and lines from the movie.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“What?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“We’ve been speculating that Tanya might not be the mastermind behind these thefts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There might be a chance she is working for someone more powerful.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Who?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What’s his name?” Michael asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“We don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>All we do know is that our criminologists are observing a pattern she might not be, how you say, large and in charge.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <h4><span style='color:red'>I’ll talk more about the mastermind and my intentions later…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But here, Devon reveals that there could be someone else calling the shots from behind the scenes.<o:p></o:p></span></h4> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“You want me to find out who it is?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Devon nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“And stop Tanya.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Putting her and her team behind bars is your first priority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After that, we can interrogate them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“The Old Man had something long term in mind when it came to me, didn’t he?” Michael asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Against his better judgment, yes,” Devon replied. “You are to be the operative for the Foundation for Law and Government.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Operative Program is a project Wilton was creating simultaneously with the Knight 2000.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“And he wants me for the program?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That’s a hell of a job offer, Devon.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I urge you to think about it while you are after Miss Walker,” Devon said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I will.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Good, and I will use the time to hold on to the thought you will decline.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>The exchange between Devon and Michael about his new job opportunity was originally located here in the fourth draft script instead of at the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I found that idea to be so unique, I re-implemented it into my vision of the pilot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It gives Michael a longer chance to think about it instead of on the plane in retrospect at the end.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael ignored him and got into the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He pressed the POWER button on the dashboard extension to his right and the car came to life.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>In a last ditch attempt to protest, Devon spoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Please, there are so many systems of the car you don’t know yet.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“That’s all right,” Michael said, “I am a fast study.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ll learn them on the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have a long drive ahead of me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“That’s very foolhardy—”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“We don’t like each other, it’s obvious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But it was The Old Man’s wish we at least work together cordially to take out Tanya.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I can be polite, how about you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Naturally,” Devon said through grinded teeth.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Then get off my back, Devon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Old Man must have known something when he picked me as his operative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He trusts you Devon, completely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Maybe it’s about time you trusted him,” Michael said, putting the car into gear and sped out of the garage.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Michael calls Devon out, knowing how much of a friend he was to Wilton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He acknowledges that while Devon may not like him, he should go on Wilton’s faith to trust him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>After fighting traffic for more than an hour, Michael finally was on open road headed towards Bakersfield.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He was examining the elaborate dashboard and all the functions.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>The one thing he couldn’t figure out a use for was the black square above the central monitor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He hadn’t seen it light up or do anything since he began driving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The button below it read Normal, and the only time he watched that display change was when the car took over and drove itself around the curve.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“All these expensive gadgets and they don’t give you a stereo or a clock?” Michael said, believing he was speaking to no one in particular.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“The time is currently 8:45 AM, Pacific Daylight Time,” a voice said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael jumped and hit his head on the roof.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His heart must have skipped four beats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Who the hell was in here with him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“What the hell was that?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“You may access my stereo functions through the touch screen on the central monitor,” the voice said as a feature appeared on the monitor, “I am equipped to receive standard AM and FM radio signals, in addition to XM Radio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If you have a peripheral system such as an mp3 player, you may plug that directly into my port system located underneath the dual monitors to your right.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <h4><span style='color:red'>Oops… It looks like KITT forgot to talk about the DVD-ROM drive…<o:p></o:p></span></h4> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael was left speechless for a few minutes as he drove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As the voice spoke, three bars, composed of tiny rectangles, moved up and down in the once-unknown black box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They moved from the center out in both directions in conjunction with the voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>I had a few ideas of what a new voice display might look like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Including: the three bars, but solid, a vox display similar to that in KR2K, and even considered the blinking box in the original pilot.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>The three bars of little rectangles was simply a classic design.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>However, something that I didn’t really write into this… the voice display, instead of being etched and set into the dashboard is completely black when not in use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s more of a display on a monitor than old LEDs.</span></i></b><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Who the hell are you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How are you listening in?” Michael asked, loudly.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I am reading your multiple interrogatives quite satisfactorily, there is no need for raised volume,” the voice said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> <h4><span style='color:red'>I loved that line…<o:p></o:p></span></h4> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael pulled the car over to the side of the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Who are you?” he asked calmly, his heart still racing.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I am the voice of the Knight Industries Two Thousand microprocessor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>K-I-T-T for easy reference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You may call me KITT if you prefer.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>Michael watched the bars move as KITT spoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“KITT?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“You’re the car?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>“I am the voice of the centralized system that operates this vehicle,” KITT replied.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'>What the hell was going on, Michael asked himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Devon said to trust him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michael determined at this moment he would never trust anyone again.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:white'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:17.25pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family