Virlaq Kingdom

19

Prince Nick adjusted his tie in the reflective doors of Dragon Co. before walking in. Today he wore a different black suit, one that had faint, shimmery scales printedon the blazer when you looked at them in certain light. Though his dress shoes were shiny and expensive, they were also made to run in and the handle of his black suitcase was molded to fit the shape of his hand exactly. He was prepared for anything.

The moment Nick stepped through the door, he saw the receptionist desk. It was short, black, and messy with a little middle-aged woman typing away on a computer behind it. Her hair was fiery red and she had glasses that pointed on each side sunken down the bridge of her nose. The plaque on the desk read Stella Rose. Nick silently braced himself.

He walked up to her and she looked up at him, unimpressed. "Hello, sir, how may I help you?"

He glared, "I'm Prince Nicholas of Virlaq Kingdom. I'm your ruler." Was this woman intentionally annoying?

She stared at him for a moment, smacking her gum a few times before asking, "And what is the purpose for your visit in Dragon Co. today, Mr. Prince Nicholas of Virlaq Kingdom my ruler?"

He hunched over and slammed his hand on her small desk, "I think you know the reason that I'm here, Stella Rose."

"I will ask once again," she said, looking far too bored, "What is the purpose for your visit here at Dragon Co. today, Mr. Prince Nicolas of Virla-"

"Mallory!" He rolled his eyes, "I'm here to see Dwight Mallory. I have a meeting with him, where is his office?"

She pulled her glasses up to her eyes and then tapped away on her computer for a second. She hmmed and mmmed a few times before nodding, "Are you Dick Schwarz?"

He squinted his eyes at the receptionist, "You think you're funny, don't you?"

"Mr. Prince Nicholas of Virlaq my ruler, I take my job very seriously." She deadpanned, "Are you Dick Schwarz? Are you or are you not Dick?"

"You know who I am!" He threw his hands.

"I will ask once more. You're only allowed to see Mr. Mallory if you are Dick Schwarz," She said, crossing her arms, "Are you or are not a Dick?"

He should've seen that coming. The prince took a deep breath and called himself down, "I am."

A large grin spread its way across the receptionists face before she cackled, "Top floor, last office on the left."

"I hope you choke on that gum, witch." he said as he stomped towards the elevator.

Once inside with the doors closed, he crouched on the floor and flicked open his briefcase. As if it were bottomless, he stuck his entire hand inside, digging around for the item he was looking for.

Growing frustrated without finding it, he leaned down into the briefcase and whisper-shouted, "Hand me the bomb!"

A brown hand then appeared with a tiny remote operated bomb and stuck it out for Nick to take. The prince grabbed it and stuck it behind the handle on the elevator, unseen to anyone who wasn't looking. "Thanks darling."

The brown hand gave him a thumbs up before it retreated back into the briefcase. Nick then clicked it shut and pressed the button to the last floor.

***

As Dwight Mallory was working on his usual affairs, a familiar scent suddenly wafted its way through his nose. He grinned, flattening down his brown blazer and turning his swivel chair to face the wall so he could spin towards the prince for dramatic effect.