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Thursday, October 25, 2012

Amsterdam and Berlin

As promised, here's the video Chuck and Sarah watched at the airport.  Aerox has warned that the translation isn't quite right in a couple of places, but I think you'll get the point.


See?  It's dusty, isn't it?

And for all you Framy shippers out there, this is the pendant Fred gave Amy at the train station.


D'awwwwwww.

The KaDeWe (pronounced kah-dey-vey) buffet on the seventh floor.


Thursday, October 11, 2012

Adventures in Amsterdam, Sneak Peek

I have enlisted Frea O'Scanlin to tell the story of what happens after the close of chapter 26.  A preview for you of things to come.

“We’ve secured the perimeter, sir,” Barstow said. He was reporting to Bartowski as Agent Walker had already retired for the night—or so she claimed. The noises from the living room upstairs sounded suspiciously like dinosaurs and also like Walker. He’d learned early on not to comment on the most feared agent to ever come through the farm and her proclivities toward being silly around young children. He respected Walker, and he liked Bartowski, which was why he cleared his throat before holding up the evidence he’d bagged this morning. “The men, ah, found this in the kitchen. I thought you should know.”

Bartowski took one look at the skivvies in the bag and turned the color of a ripe cherry. “Oh. Right. Of course. Good work.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Did you have a safe flight? Things all checked out for Berlin?” Bartowski nipped the evidence away and hid it behind his back.

“Everything is in place and ready to go for tomorrow.”

“Does that mean you’re signing off for the night? Going to explore Amsterdam?”

Barstow had only had plans to clean out his SIG and review arrangements for Berlin for the fifth time before he checked in with Vegas about how things had gone with the family that day. “Yes, sir,” he lied.

“Well, have fun with that. Good night, Scott.” Bartowski took the time, as ever, to learn all of their first names. Barstow wanted to tell him to stop.

Instead, he just wished the boss a good night and headed downstairs, relieved to be off-duty. Truth be told, he liked the Woodcomb-Bartowski family, he really did, no matter how much he wished for a little more order in his life. The kids were pistols. Agent Walker was a fair boss. But he was essentially baby-sitting a family of bright children and their equally-bright parents and as charming as they all were, it led to a life of monotony. And traveling all day hadn’t helped that. He couldn’t help but wish for a little excitement after a day of navigating European airports.

“Well,” a voice from the shadows purred. Barstow turned very slowly, both annoyed something had crept up on him and because he recognized that voice. Sure enough, Carina Miller slid effortlessly from the alleyway by the front door and gave him a positively feral smile. “Hello there, Agent Barstow.”

Scott Barstow learned right then and there that it was very, very possible to regret something you had just wished a second before.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

For Frea's Birthday

It has been my great joy and privilege to get to know Frea O'Scanlin over the past year or so and become her friend.  We've made each other laugh, encouraged each other as we waded through giant stories that took over our lives (still, in my case), commiserated when life sucked and rejoiced when it didn't.  It has been a great honor to co-write a story with her (no, we haven't forgotten about Spies and Nerds), and learn from her as I strive to improve my writing.

Today is Frea's birthday and I wrote a little something for her as a present.  It's also my mom's birthday today, but she'll get a phone call from me instead.

This story is prompted by two pictures Frea made and posted on her Tumblr.  I don't remember exactly how the first one came about, but needless to say, it was one of the greatest things ever.  And the second one--well, let's just say I won that bet.  Enjoy.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

More Amsterdam

While there are elements of "International Relations" that will be left to the imagination, I did want to share a couple of things.

Yes, there really is a restaurant called "Pancake Corner."


And I would be remiss if I didn't point out that people (parents, uncles, aunts, older siblings, grandparents, babysitters-you get the idea) should read to the kids in their lives.  It's good for their brains.