The Mysteries of the Q Files #2: Screens are Cursed Windows

Chapter Two - Burrito Briefing

At least I'm getting a lunch out of this, Trick thought dismally as he got out into the rain. It was coming down harder than before.

The ground was slippery with wet, dead leaves. Los Robertos shown through through the autumn gloom with its brilliant neon rainbow signs. The friendly sign of a portly Mexican chef beckoned patrons in to enjoy some great Latin American cuisine and a bad case of Montezuma's Revenge. Trick had had the opportunity to experience both twice before. However, the food was too good to not forgive the imposed bowel movements. But today, he was not feeling the joy of excellent Mexican food; Agent Conturbatio, the Sphinx, was him to work with a geek to solve a case.

Yeah, he could work with Naomi, but that was because she was cool and spoke her mind unlike many of the other nerds he had met. All the others had the tendency to beat around the bush, drag others into long lectures about things that had no real weight in reality, and traded in a sense of fun for extra brain space. If he agreed to this case, which he hadn't yet, he would have to deal with all three of those annoyances. At least his mother could agree with him. One of the few things they could agree on.

Gritting his teeth, Trick entered the restaurant. The Sphinx was easy to pick out in the sparsely patronized establishment: His trench coat, flashy tie, and shades stuck out like a sore thumb. He stood up as Trick and his mothered entered and gave them both handshakes.

"Thank you for making the time to come and meet with me," He said genially. "I understand that most people at this time are getting ready for the holidays, but I do have a bit of an urgent case on my hands."

"That's okay. It was a boring day at school anyway. How can I help you with this new case?"

"Come over here and order first. My treat! Whatever you want."

Trick decided that if he was going to suffer diarrhea, he might as well suffer it in style. He ordered the the chalupa with the works and extra hot sauce. The soda he drank along with it really didn't do anything as the tip of his tongue burned with the tasty contents of the chalupa. His mom enjoyed a taco while the Sphinx chowed down on a burrito and a side of nachos.

"Yum! I love burritos! The idea of wrapping an entire meal into a piece of flatbread bespeaks an enlightened people," Conturbatio said happily.

"Hm, yes. This place does have great food," Trick agreed. "But now then, what is it that you wanted to discuss with me?" Please let it not be befriending socially inept nerds!

"Excellent! Now then, Naomi is being caught up by Agent Miles. I believe they're at McDonald's at the moment," Conturbatio mused.

"Really? I could have gotten her! Those two don't see eye to eye," Susan said angrily.

"And that is why they needed to meet," the Sphinx explained. "They need to know how to communicate and overcome their differences in order to work well together. Learning this skill is essential to a successful investigation now and a prosperous and happy life down the road."

"Did you find that wisdom in rolled in your burrito," Trick joked.

"No, but it should be. In any case, I hope that Naomi will be joining us. In fact, I am certain that she will. Now then, to business," The Sphinx said around another bite of burrito. "You have probably heard of the supposed terrorist attack in Provo, Utah. Well, I think that there is more to the whole situation. Though the Department of Homeland Security for the moment has a solid case with those young men having connection to people in Africa, who might be terrorist affiliated, and that they were supposedly carrying a dangerous toxin, there is more to the story that the official reports have not taken into account.