And suddenly the door burst open on Black Fist. He was seated, as usual, at the dining-table in the center of his control room, amidst the flashing colorful displays of his computers. As usual, he was gobbling his spaghetti with the passion of a vicious man granted the immense pleasure of slitting the throats of all his annoying relatives from ear to ear.
Oscar stopped just inside the doorway, took a deep breath for courage, then plunged on in.
"Mr. Black Fist, sir, I have the latest medical report on our...our guest."Unbelievably, Black Fist paused in his passionate pastime to actually reply, "Well?" with that note of shrill fury that was never absent from his voice.
"Well, sir, I'm afraid that ... " Oscar was afraid of how Black Fist would take this, " ... that he's beginning to suspect."
"Humph. Just see to it that Tornado Girl's kept away from him."
Oscar was amazed to see how calmly he taking it. What a relief.
"Is there anything else?" Black Fist added."Uh, yes, sir. Wildwood's late in checking in again."
"That damned incompetent. When he finally does call in, tell him to make damned sure the President and that fat, stupid, ugly daughter of his continue annoying the Element Kings. We can't have that bunch finding out anything about Ratland."
"Yes, sir. Also, Freedman's called to say he's coming to see you ... he didn't say about what."
"We'll see about that. Now get out of here and let me finish eating."
"Yes, sir."
Fat chance of that, Oscar thought as he gratefully retreated. That fat slob's never finished eating.