Rex

Now I have to think of a way to talk the Doc out of this wardrobe disaster. I immediately went to go see her with Bobo trailing behind me still clearly upset about the whole leash idea. I saw Doc doing a science experiment that looked complicated while working on her computer as well. But when she saw me she stopped and just handed me another duffle bag. 

"Here, wear it in good health," she said in her usual chipper tone.

I knew that tone meant she was close to having a breakthrough with something but I still needed to talk to her. So when she handed me it and moved away to face the computer again I said, "Um yeah... about that, don't you think the clothes are a bit too formal."

She didn't even look up to respond to me and said, "Rex, I don't have time to debate with you on the reason why you should have formal wear. Be aware that Bobo's papers are also in there and you two better hurry if you're going to make it before dark."

She already began waving me off so I knew there would be no reasoning with her now. Well, I would take it but they can't make me wear it when I'm thousands of miles away. But I wasn't ready to be the only one carrying around stuff I wouldn't use just for myself. "What about the leash for Bobo? Or wait maybe even a flea collar?"

Bobo clenched his fist and began waving it at me and said, "I got your flea collar right here." But it was already said and I was smirking now.

"It's all in the bag, now goodbye and have a safe trip. Bring back something exotic, later." The Doc was used to both of us messing with each other. She then got up while saying that and practically shoved both of us out of the lab following the sliding door shutting.

Well, whatever she was working on sure had her busy. I almost felt bad that it was me going on this vacation and not her. Well almost, but I'm sure I'll get over it. I opened the bag and found the leash attached to a collar along with what looked like reading glasses right on top of the neatly folded clothes. I took out the leash and smiled at Bobo who instinctively tried to snatch it out of my hand. But I held it up higher than he could reach."Oh no you don't, I'm saving this for when the time is right."

Though he was still hopelessly hopping to get to it he replied saying, "You gotta put the bag down and sleep some time kid. I don't do leashes so just put it away."

Then he stopped hopping, folded his arms, and turned away not making eye contact anymore. Wow, he seemed serious about it, in fact, I don't think I've ever really seen him this serious about anything. So I put it back in the bag as he said and he walked away heading in the direction of the hanger. I almost felt bad for doing it, was it that big of a big deal?

I turned away from watching him to take a final look at this place. Huh! I might miss this place but it's not like it's going anywhere. But if I want to get anywhere in my life I have to leave for a while and maybe figure things out. Do I really want to belong to a job for my entire life even now that the real threats are over?

Since I had everything else I needed I went to the hangar where the carrier planes and jets were to meet Kenwyn. She seemed to have just gotten the jet ready. Then Bobo came out from behind where a carrier plane stood wearing his sunglasses and colorful flower pattern T-shirt with cream-colored pants he normally wears. He sure wasn't doing this vacation halfway. 

"See being a mascot has its perks! No dress code." I said to him with a smile.

"Yeah I guess, wait I'm not talking to you," He responded in a tone that lacked his normal sense of humor with sarcasm and said.

I knew what he was upset about but the why escaped me."Oh, come on, over that whole leash thing. If you're that sensitive about it then-" I had to somehow make it up to him but he cut me off.

"I am not sensitive! I just don't like leashes."

Wow, he was really angry so I put up my arms in defense to show that I meant no harm in it.

"OK that's fine, I don't like 'em either. No leashes, got it and to solidify our agreement how about I'll buy you a pizza when we get there then, cool."

"Make it two and you've got yourself a deal" At least that response meant he was still talking to me even if it meant stiffing me with a food bill. I agreed to it and then he went straight into the jump jet and tossed his bag to Kenwyn which she caught. "Make it snappy flat foot, you're main passenger is ready to- oof!"

I laughed so hard as he was cut short in his sentence to her responding by throwing his bag at his head at a speed and force that threw him inwards into the plane. You even heard a soft moan sound after. Of all the times to not have my phone out, it would have been golden to have gotten a video of that. I could tell that attitude of his acting entitled irritated her as she dusted her hands off.

She then took a look at me and the two bags I had. I'm not going to make the same mistake as Bobo even though I can probably dodge it. But it's not smart to pick a fight with your pilot. I'm on vacation, if I wanted to pick a fight I would still be with Providence. "You can put the larger bag in the back but you can carry that smaller one with you. If it's something fragile I can put it in the back for you where it won't get damaged."

I went in the direction of the back of the jet to put my bag away as I told her, "Yeah I think I've got it for myself. It's mostly just clothes anyway. So are you doing the flying? Where are the other agents?"

"I'm the only agent onsite that you will be in contact with. Will that be a problem?" She answered.

"Uh no."

She nodded and said, "Good cause you once told me that when any agent calls for backup, they send you."  I glanced at her momentarily as I thought about it because it did sound like something I would probably say in mid-battle but I honestly have no memory of saying it. She then shifted her attention to Bobo who had now managed to get up. He was still dizzy as he held on to a part of the jet for support as he stood up. It's strange how a bag could have taken him out for so long,"Dude, what was in that bag?" I asked him.

He shook his head left and right before replying, "Ugh! Mind your own business." 

"It felt heavier than usual, so it can't just be clothes,"  Kenwyn said.

Then it all made sense, of course, he wasn't packing clothes a while ago in our room. I said to him in an Eureka moment, "I knew it was weird to see you packing. What are you carrying?"

"Nothing of our concern, now if you will excuse me I'll put away my own bags in the back." He gave the answer I expected.

As Kenwyn was watching him go to the back with his bag wabbling she said, "If you would have waited for me to ask you, you would have avoided this entire ordeal. When you're finished I have an ice pack in the jet for emergencies."

What type of emergency would involve us needing an ice pack? Well, maybe I shouldn't know. By the end of that conversation, I had already put away my bag in the back and taken out the glasses from it. Then as I had gotten into the jet Bobo came also. On seeing that, Kenwyn got into the pilot's seat and took out the ice pack to give to him. Then she started the engine and said, "OK everyone our ETA is 4-6 hours in this jump jet."

Bobo asked in a pestering way, "Does that involve bathroom breaks?"

"You don't have to worry about that Bobo, you'll be ok as long as you have on that diaper or what do you call it again?" I decided to pester him a bit more.

"It's a Simian Undergarment! Not a diaper. Wake me up when we get there at least I'll get to be around people who appreciate me," He got defensive and said.

Kenwyn sighed softly and asked me, "Is he going to be like this the whole mission?"

"Yep but once he finds something to do while we're there he'll relax and then we probably won't hear from him again for the rest of the trip," I nodded my head and said.

"So just like last time then?" Kenwyn let out a short chuckle before saying.

That was probably the first time I ever heard her laugh so she has lightened up since the last time we met. "Yeah last time, but he came through when it really counted... at least for a short while he did."