McMillan Tech Industries Lake Point Branch, Marketing Department
The commotion outside came from the cubicle center of the Marketing department, where Peggy Pegany was still duct-taped to a chair as punishment for her earlier malicious use of the Mime Gun. Samantha Duncan stood nearby, carrying her Restoration Gun, which she had just used to restore Peggy Pegany from being transformed into a mime herself after Samantha gave Peggy a taste of her own medicine.
Peggy, however, was not grateful, and upon getting her voice back, unleashed a verbal tirade full of epithets, insults, and foul language. Samantha winced as Peggy cursed out Samantha and her friends, MTI's board of directors, and just about everyone other than herself and Martin Stragey in a rant that Samantha was sure would have every other word bleeped if it aired on regular television.
Larry Eastbrook, Carrie Brierton, and Arnie Amspoker watched in stunned silence nearby, alongside Mr. Adaway's secretary Ms. Hitchens. Near Samantha stood Teresa Talton, Milt Smukmeyer, and Research and Development Department Head Doug Sallow, also staring in astonishment.
Dr. Anissa Fairlane cautiously opened the door to Stragey's office, and she and the female ninja Roman Coakley cautiously stepped out to observe the situation.
Peggy at last had stopped with her rant, and seemed to be pausing for breath.
"There, have you got it out of your system?" Samantha said. "If you promise to behave yourself, I'll lessen the restraints enough so you can have a glass of water. We can work things out."
Peggy glared at Samantha. "Just let me go so I can go home to my daughter. She's probably worried about me."
"Peggy, we're in uncharted territory here." Samantha replied. "People could end up pressing charges for what you've done. Before we let you go, we have to be sure you won't try any more crazy stunts. And that goes for Stragey, too."
"Fine." Peggy glared. "Just give me my phone so I can tell Penny I'm going to be late coming home."
"Your daughter's name is Penny?" Milt Smukmeyer asked.
"Yeah. She's on the cheer squad at Forestville High and is one of the most popular girls there. She's made me proud." Peggy said, with a smile. Her smile turned quickly again to a bitter glare when she added "Not that it's any of your business."
Samantha nodded. She knew that a great many Forestville High students had parents who worked at MTI, just as a great many Lake Point High students had parents who worked at MTI. Forestville was Lake Point's closest neighboring town.
She had to wonder what sort of role model Peggy was for her daughter, but now was not the time to bring that up. Instead, she said "Ms. Hitchens can find your phone for you. And we'll have a security guard provide proper restraints until it's decided you can go home. Is that good enough for you now?"
"Fine." Peggy said. "But unless you're going to actually have me arrested, you will be letting me go home some time in the next few hours. Got it?"
Samantha nodded.
Doug Sallow spoke up. "That's a decision we'll make after we return from the Legal and PR Departments. Their Department Heads aren't in the building right now, but we owe it to them to sort things out there before they arrive."
Seeing that the spectacle was over, and things had calmed down, Larry and Carrie escorted Coakley back to the waiting area near the meeting room while Anissa returned to the office.
Peggy was quiet for a while, having for the moment run out of things to say.
"Okay, are we done here?" Teresa Talton asked.
"I think so." Samantha said. Samantha then turned to Arnie and Ms. Hitchens. "Milt and Teresa and I are going upstairs with Mr. Sallow to the Legal and PR Departments. Ryan and Rachel are in charge until we get back."
"Got it." Arnie said. "I'm happy staying here. I've had enough zapping and being zapped for one day."
It was just then that an Asian nurse began rushing past them. It was Stragey.
Just thirty seconds earlier, Larry and Carrie had released Stragey from his/her handcuffs. Unfortunately, the former Marketing executive now in the form of an Asian woman saw her opportunity to bolt, after trying to seize Larry's Restoration Gun and being shoved aside. She bolted away from the waiting area and down the hall, past the cubicle area where Peggy Pegany was still taped to a chair.
She had no time to try freeing Peggy even if she wanted to. At the moment, there were too many people present. She would have to find another opportunity to steal a Restoration Gun later.
Larry and Carrie rushed after Stragey, shouting "Stop her!"
Samantha turned to Doug Sallow. They had a choice to make. Should they chase after Stragey, or should they just continue with their mission?
