The Night of the Vacation

[MissRedhead]

Author's Note: This was yet another assignment for the same Creative Writing class. The assignment was to write a piece entirely of dialogue

[MissRedhead]

The Night of the Vacation


“Whew, I’m glad that’s over with.”

“Yeah, that was a pretty tough assignment.”

“Hey, I’ve got an axe I want to grind with you.”

“Who me?”

“Yes, you.”

“All right. Go on.”

“You know James, if you keeping running out in the middle of things, one day I’m not going to be able to pull you out of the fire because I don’t know where you are.”

“Artie, sometimes there’s just not enough time. You always find the message I get out to you or if a message isn’t possible then I know you’ll come looking for me.”

“But what if I’m not able to come find you huh? It’s not that I don’t have faith in you, it’s just that one day you’re going to slip up and it’s going to cost you.”

“Artie.”

“It’s nothing personal Jim; just that I don’t want to break in a whole new partner. If I lost you…”

“Artie! All right! Hey Artie, will you get that?”

“Yeah, sure James.”

“Hey Jim! We’ve been recalled back to Washington. Colonel Richmond is giving us a hard earned, well deserved vacation. Isn’t that great Jim?”

“Yeah, that’s uh, that’s wonderful Artie.”

“The Chancy Theatre Company is in town, I’ll be able to go see some of their performances. Maybe Christine will allow me the pleasure of a night on the town. Of course I’ll have to hit the Jefferson Winery.”

“Uh, sounds great Artie.”

“What are you going to do with your week of freedom Jim?”

“Oh, I dunno. I guess I’ll think of something.”

“You guess you’ll think of something? Jim! It’s a whole week off! It’s almost too good to be true! A whole week to put your duties behind you and indulge your wildest dreams and all you can say is you guess you can think of something.”

“There is the Holster Tavern.”

“A tavern for your big get away? Come on James, dream!”

“I could take Julie dancing.”

“That’s it Jim! What have you always wanted to do?”

“Oh, I don’t know.”

“You don’t know what you’ve always wanted to do? You don’t have any dreams at all?”

“Well, our job is pretty exciting Artie. I’ve went up against five other men and single handedly fell them all. I’ve swung on chandeliers. I’ve kissed good girls and bad girls. Then I tied up the bad girls. We’ve seen great performances under orders. We’ve been to outstanding parties under orders. We’ve been across the country and back numerous times. What else is there to do?”

“So you’re just going to sit here on the train until the week’s up?”

“And go to the Holster Tavern and take Julie dancing, yes. What’s wrong with just relaxing?”

“Fine. You can go to the tavern, take Julie dancing, and just sit here until I return but when I get back and tell you all I did you’re going to resent not getting out of this box.”

“What if I take the train somewhere and not come back?”

“The government owns this train and I know you wouldn’t dare.”

“You’re right Artie, I wouldn’t. I just had to ruffle your feathers a bit.”

“Like I’ve said you’re going to be green with envy that you didn’t get out and have some fun and I come back with a ton of wonderful tales.”

“If I did get out and have some fun as you put it, would I still have to listen to your tales?”

“Well, that depends on what you call fun and how much of it you have.”
“There goes the telegraph again.”

“Maybe Colonel Richmond is extending our vacation?”

“What’s the matter Artie?”

“Disregard previous message. New assignment, will get details later.”

“Gee, um, that’s too bad Artie.”

“But the Chancy Theatre Company is in Washington only for a short while.”

“Maybe they’ll be back next year?”

“There has to be a mistake. Maybe the message was meant to be for Mike and Sam.”

“I don’t think so Artie.”

“Maybe the Colonel just got used to sending everything our way and he telegraphed us instead of them.”

“Nah. We’re the best the president’s got. Isn’t it great to be at the top?”

“Yeah, the best. Wonderful.”

“Come on Artie, duty calls. Our nation needs us.”

“Yeah, you’re right Jim. I’m just being selfish. Hey maybe we’ll get our vacation back after the mission’s over!”

“Probably.”

“The Stravinsky Orchestra will be in Washington in two more weeks and they’re going to be there for a whole month. You and Julie can join Christine and I for the concert!”

“Oh, that’s all right Artie. I wouldn’t want you to feel obligated to making sure I have a good time.”

“And then we can all go dancing and then dinner at the most expensive restaurant in Washington.”

“There’s the telegraph again. I’ll get it this time Artie.”

“Well? Something wrong Jim?”

“We are to escort the Italian ambassador’s two daughters sightseeing around Washington, to the theatre to a special performance by the Chancy Theatre Company, take them to dinner at the best restaurant in Washington, and to a special ball given by the governor. Looks like you get your vacation after all huh Artie?”

“Uh, Jim?”

“Yes Artie?”

“Did you say the Italian ambassador’s daughters?”

“Yes.”

“I think I’m coming down with something. Maybe Mike or Sam could go in my place?”

“Artie, what’s come over you?”

“I have this awful headache and it feels rather cold in here. Yes, I think I had better telegraph Colonel Richmond so he can get Mike to go in my place.”

“Artie, before you were practically pushing me to join you on a night such as this and now suddenly you are ill?”

“You haven’t met Rosalind and Juliet have you?”

“No.”

“Perhaps you should get me a cup of tea.”

“Artie, will you tell me what’s going on?”

“I’ve caught a bug, that’s all. I’m sure I’ll get better.”

“You can’t fool me Artie. Anyway, what was it you were lecturing me on earlier?”

“All right James. You’re my partner, you deserve to know what you’re getting into.”

“We’re. You’re not getting out of an assignment this easy.”

“I’ve had the pleasure of meeting those two charming young girls. Remember last year when I was recalled to Washington while you and Frank were on that case with the strange pink glasses?”

“Yeah. You seemed ecstatic to be back on the Wanderer afterwards.”

“Yeah well, I had almost the same assignment then, only it was the opera instead of the theatre.”

“Didn’t you enjoy having two whole weeks with two women with such fine upbringing?”

“All they did was whine about how hot it was, the wine was too cold, the seats were too hard. All they did for two whole weeks was whine, nag, and complain!”

“I think I just may have the same affliction as you, Artemus. I’ll telegraph Colonel Richmond telling him that we’re confined to bed rest and I’ll send him our regrets to give to the two fine young ladies.”

“Good idea James.”