Secret agent Maxwell Smart heads to Blackpool, England. He and fellow CONTROL agent Charlie Watkins pose as dancers competing in the British Open Dance Championship. They must prevent a rocket scientist from handing over American defense secrets to Charisma, the beautiful but deadly KAOS agent. Part 2 of 2.

by Laurie S.

Located in the north-western coast of England on the Irish Sea, Blackpool was a resort town of about 150,000 people.
After London, Blackpool was ranked as the second most popular location for visitors in Britain. Some of its well-known attractions were the 500-foot high Blackpool Tower, seven miles of long sandy beach, a huge amusement park known as Pleasure Beach, and events like the British Open Dance Championships.

Maxwell Smart looked over the Pleasure Beach brochure. According to the pamphlet, Pleasure Beach was Britain's most popular tourist attraction, drawing over 6,500,000 visitors a year. After this case was over, if Max had time, he'd make a point of checking out 'the Woodies.' At first, the 'Home of the Woodies' reference had confused Smart, not knowing if it referred to forests or erections, but it simply referred to the amusement park's 5 classic wooden roller coasters, and some 'steelies,' including the largest one in Europe.

Next, Max looked at the British Open Dance Championships information. Apparently, the Dance World regarded it as the most prestigious crown because it attracted so many competitors from all over the world. Unlike the world championships, where only one couple per country was allowed, the Blackpool Dance Festival was truly 'open.'

The British Open Dance Championships were held annually in late May at the Winter Gardens. Originally opened in 1878, the grand Winter Gardens featured many different attractions, spread over a four and a half-acre site. These venues included a skating arena, an exhibition hall and Britain's largest theatre, the Opera Hall. However, of more interest to Max was the huge ornate Empress Ballroom, which could hold up to 3,000 people. The photo of the Empress Ballroom looked impressive! Max wondered if the picture did it justice.

From his fifth floor room in the venerable Philbeach Hotel on the South Promenade, Max could see, a short distance away, the recently refurbished grand Winter Gardens and the Blackpool Tower, a cast iron needle built in 1891 to rival the Eiffel Tower.

Maxwell Smart checked the clock radio on the night table beside his bed. It was 9:15 a.m. on a beautiful sunny Saturday morning. He checked his appearance in the mirror one last time. Dressed in figure hugging black pants and a tight fitting shiny black rayon shirt with puffy sleeves, Max admired himself in the full-length mirror. The shirt was cut to reveal his well-developed pectoral muscles and slim waist. His hair was styled in a curly afro. Plus he wore a bushy moustache. He looked like Justin Timberlake's French-Canadian Le Coq character in The Love Guru. The dental prosthesis had given him a different smile. Max was a reasonable facsimile of Henri Doucette, the thirty-something Canadian representative at this British Open Dance Competition.

Max wondered if the resemblance to the 'Le Coq' character extended even further than Max had intended. He noticed that since he had stopped taking the Propecia pills a few days ago, his youthful sexual libido had been restored instantly. His balls ached to be released from their pent up fury. It was like he was on IV drip Viagra. Should he go back on the Propecia? Or should he live with the constantly stiff reminder of his restored youth?

Charlie was expecting him at 9:15.

The telephone in Max's suite rang. 'I hope it's the Chief,' thought Smart. "Bonjour."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I must have the wrong number," said the male voice on the other end of the line." There was a loud click and then a dial tone.

'Was that Larabee's voice?' thought Max as he put the receiver back on the cradle.

Max was running late. He had to hurry. He checked to see that he hadn't forgotten anything. Wallet, cell phone/palmtop computer/camera, bugging device, earphone, transmitter, carrying case, room access card, and . . . What was he forgetting?

The telephone rang again. On the second ring, Max/Henri picked up the phone.

This time Max said nothing.

"Hello, Max?"

"Hi Larabee, I thought it might be you. Did you just try phoning me a minute ago?"

"Yes, but I got the wrong number. Some French guy answered."

"Larabee, remember I'm undercover. I'm Henri Doucette. I'm supposed to be French-Canadian."

"Oh, sorry Max. I forgot you were what's-his-name."

"That's okay Larabee. So what have you got to report?"

"We've been on Dr. Chau's tail since he got here. By the way, he's in the suite across the hall from me and you're in the room next door."

"That's very convenient."

"Unfortunately we haven't been able to bug Chau's room yet. Later I might get an opportunity when the hotel staff changes the sheets and cleans the room. But is Chau ever a funny man! When I was monitoring him at MD Technology, he was constantly admiring himself in the washroom mirror and he was always practicing his dance steps!"

That touched a nerve. Smart also did the same thing. "Has Chau been in touch with anyone?"

"I've only observed him through the peephole in my door. He just left for the Winter Gardens a few minutes ago."

"Thanks Larabee."

"You're welcome Max . . . I mean Ornery."

"You mean Henri."

"That's what I said."

"No Larabee, you said ornery, not Henri."

"Run that by me again."

"I said Henri. The French-Canadians pronounce it like On-ree."

"I think that's what I said Max. I said ornery."

"Not ornery. Henri. On-ree."

"You don't have to get mad Max."

"Not Max--Henri."

"Okay Max, I got it. Or-ner-y."

A frustrated Max said, "I've got to go, Larabee. Charlie was expecting me five minutes ago."

"All right. Ciao."

"Chau?"

There was a click as Larabee hung up.

Max tried to recall what he was doing before Larabee called . . . Right! Max was preparing to leave. Then Max had the feeling that he'd forgotten something. Max tried mentally listing the items he had to take with him. But whatever Max was forgetting, he'd have to do without.

Just as Max opened the door to leave, he thought, 'Oh, right. The phony passport for Henri Doucette.' He should take that along.

A moment or two later, Max knocked on the door of Charlie Watkins' hotel suite.

She had demanded her own room because of all the extra luggage she had insisted on bringing. In fact, Federal Express had handled the paraphernalia-packaging problem.

Max could hear approaching footsteps behind the door.

When the door finally opened, Smart's jaw almost dropped to the floor!

A dazzling platinum blond vixen stood before him!

"Bonjour Henri! Come on in for a moment, mon amour," 'Gisele Renault' said in a musical French-Canadian lilt.

She was dressed in a short silver dress that showcased magnificent Betty Grable gams, a delectable derriere, a tiny waist, and Lara Croft-like breasts. Her angelic face had high cheekbones, a small pert, slightly upturned nose, pearly white perfect teeth, a radiant complexion, high-arched eyebrows, and large mesmerizing clear blue eyes.

'Gisele' did a pirouette for Max. The silver dress was short in length, to showcase Gisele's marvelous legs. The dress was split in the front from the waist up. The two triangular shiny silver strips of fabric covered both breasts and the straps joined together around the neck. The back revealed beautiful bare skin.

The dazzling diamond and silver necklace, earrings and bracelets simply brought out the sparkle in 'Gisele's' sapphire eyes.

"Well, what do you think Henri?"

"Magnifique! You are absolutely breathtaking!" Max's penis sprang to attention. He hoped Charlie hadn't noticed the sudden bulge in his pants.

Max reached for Charlie's proffered hand and kissed the back of it, and then climbed up her arm as he lavished a few more kisses higher and higher on her smooth bare forearm.

"Oh Henri, control yourself," Gisele admonished. "I'm flattered, but we don't have time for this now."

Reluctantly Max/Henri let go of Gisele's hand. It seemed that Smart's life was a long, long string of ill-timed opportunities. However, Smart was a cool, capable and professional secret agent.

"Now, before we go, Gisele, please remember to stay in character."

"I'll try, mon cher."

"A little slip with the accent could give us away. For example, French-Canadians say eh a lot in the same way as Americans say huh. Also, a word like have becomes 'ave. A name like Helen changes to 'elen. The French-Canadians drop the H sound faster than Shania Twain dropped John 'Mutt' Lange."

A few minutes later, Charlie and Max were walking along the Promenade toward the iron frame of the Blackpool Tower. The smell of salt air was in the gentle onshore breeze blowing from the Irish Sea. At the south end of the large sandy beach was a large pier jutting out to the sea, with a Ferris Wheel and other amusement park attractions silhouetted against the horizon.

Charlie and Max, in their Gisele and Henri guises, attracted countless admiring glances as they walked past many impressive turn-of-the-century buildings.

When they turned up Church Street, they could see the magnificent façade of the Winter Gardens, a huge complex consisting of a variety of entertainment venues.

Once inside the grand entrance, Charlie and Max walked through a large hall to the home of the Blackpool Dance Festival. The Jewel in the Crown of the Winter Gardens was the Empress Ballroom. Built in 1897, it was quite an engineering feat for its time. Large enough to hold 3,000 guests, an impressive feature was its vast, sweeping barrel-vaulted ceiling. Beautiful gold-toned frescoes, ornate gilded plaster adornments, crystal chandeliers, and two levels of balconies for the spectators created a breath-taking environment for the Dance Championships.

Many of the dance competitors wore glamorous eveningwear. A feast for the eyes! It was an orgy of color, feathers, boas, tassels, fringes, sequins, gold and gemstones. The women wore such a variety of eye-catching gowns, ranging from colorful Carnival-style bird of paradise plumage to shimmering sequins with dazzling jewelry to classical, elegant designer evening gowns down to glitzy Las Vegas showgirl stripwear. The men wore an assortment of outfits, ranging from stylized tuxedos to chic, elegant, sexy black shirts on black pants to colorful Caribbean Calypso costume to male figure skating style puffery.

Maxwell Smart and Charlie Watkins surveyed the huge hall. Some of the competitors were already warming up on the polished parquet hardwood floor. Others were lining up at an official table to get their competition numbers that would be placed on the backs of the gentlemen. Some spectators were trying to save a front row spot. There were well wishers offering encouragement to the dance competitors.

While Gisele/Charlie went to put their belongings away in a locker, Henri/Max got into the registration line to get a number for the dance competition. But, Henri kept his eyes open for Ho Lee Chau and his partner, Michelle Kwai Chang. At the same time, he hoped that no one would recognize Henri Doucette and come over to talk to him.

As Max stood in line, he had time to look at the delightful detail of the Ballroom. Behind the official's table, was a theatrical stage. His attention was drawn skyward. Above the stage, he noticed an inscription. With his improved 20/20 vision, he could read the inscription. "Bid me discourse. I will enchant thine ear." Shakespeare

Since the queue was moving quickly, somebody urged Max to "Please move up."

When Max turned around, he was surprised to see a face that he recognized from CONTROL's files. Smart's extra research had paid off. This was the KAOS agent, who went by the single name of Charisma. Dressed in a scarlet sequined evening gown, she was a bedazzling temptress. Her 'big' auburn hair, movie star smile, flawless peaches and cream complexion and perfect proportions mesmerized Max. It was lust at first sight. Max had a hard-on the size of a California redwood.

Immediately, Charlie/Gisele stepped into line beside Max. "Hi Henri!"

"Hi! We're you able to store our belongings?"

"Yes, there was no problem, but could you put the locker key in your pocket, please?"

"Certainement," Henri agreed as he accepted the offered key.

"Please keep moving," Charisma insisted.

"We're sorry. We'll try to keep moving," Gisele replied. "It's our first time 'ere, so pardon us for being a little slow."

"I understand, but I think I might be in the first group of dance competitors." In spite of her lovely feminine appearance, there was a hard brassy edge to Charisma's voice.

"Relax Charisma," said her tall dark and macho 'boy-toy' companion. "We'll make it with time to spare."

"The competition begins in twenty minutes. We have to get our number and have enough time for a decent warm up."

Max noted that the dance floor was getting busier. More couples were starting to practice their steps.

"Well, if it 'elps, perhaps we could let you in ahead of us, eh," Gisele suggested.

"Why thank you," Charisma said with a delighted smile.

"Yes, thank you. By the way, my name is John Montgomery . . . and this is Charisma."

"Glad to meet you," Gisele said with a touch of a French-Canadian nasal accent as she shook hands with the KAOS agents. "I am Gisele Renault and this is Henri Doucette."

Charlie pronounced Renault like Rei-no and Henri like On-ree.

"Nice meeting you," Henri/Max said with a firm handshake.

As the line moved forward again, Charisma stepped up immediately.

"My goodness, Charisma, where did you find such a gorgeous boyfriend?" Gisele gushed as she placed an arm around John.

"I looked long and hard," Charisma admitted.

"Long and 'ard?" Gisele asked with a knowing wink. "That's good . . . that you were able to find long, 'ard John, eh."

Henri wondered why Gisele was being so flirtatious. If it was designed to make him jealous, it was working.

" 'ave you competed at Blackpool before?" Henri asked, trying to change the topic to something safe.

"It's our first time too," Charisma said. "We're virgins."

Charlie looked over the gorgeous face and body of Charisma and thought, 'I bet you've used that lie on lots of guys, but nobody ever believed it. Not even the first time.'

One of the dance festival officials said, "Next please."

"I'm John Montgomery," said the 'Full Monty' macho man as he stepped forward to the official's table. "And this is Charisma."

There was a smile of delight at seeing Charisma's beautiful visage. Then the middle-aged gentleman scanned the list. "Ah yes, here you are on the first page. And here's your number." He handed a numbered card to Charisma. "You should attach this stick-on number, 23 it is, to John's back. By the way, you are in the first group competing in the Latin Amateur division. We'll be starting in a little more than 15 minutes."

"Thank you," Charisma said. Then she nodded good-bye to Gisele and Henri. There was a look of determination as she grabbed her partner by the hand and led him onto the dance floor.

The official, dressed in a well-fitted tuxedo, processed Henri and Gisele in the same manner.

They also were in the same performing group as Charisma and John.

After Henri and Gisele thanked the official, the beautiful couple moved onto the dance floor.

"What the heck was all that about?" hissed Max/Henri as they took their opening dance position.

There was a puzzled look on Charlie/Gisele's face.

"You know, flirting with Long John Sliver," Max/Henri said.

"Oh Henri, mon petit, you're jealous," Gisele said with a sympathetic pout. "But don't worry. I needed to grab hold of 'long hard John' for a moment so that I could put one of our tiny bugging devices on a belt loop . . . In fact, I can hear everything they're saying right now."

Gisele touched her right ear for a moment, indicating that the earphone was hidden under her platinum curls.

"But a lady should not repeat the venomous words Charisma is using to describe me."

Gisele/Charlie and Henri/Max drew closer so that her big boobs poked him in the chest. "You are full of surprises, Gisele." Max/Henri's eyes were drawn down to Charlie/Gisele's bouncing bosom. How did Charlie create such a realistic illusion? Max couldn't help his instantaneous involuntary response. His excited penis strained to undo the zipper of his pants.

Charlie smiled as she pulled him tighter. "Henri, you are a devil."

The IGF-1 hormone was driving Max/Henri crazy. He wanted to rip Gisele/Charlie's dress off and ravage her right there on the dance floor.

"Oh Henri, don't look now, but 'oly Cow!"

Henri resisted the temptation to look in the direction of Gisele's glance. He placed his left hand in Gisele's right and curled his right arm under Gisele's left armpit and around her back. Henri counted 1, 2, 3, 4 and then began.

A moment later Henri could see Dr. Chau and Michelle Kwai Chang among the dancers rehearsing their routines.

Then an announcement came over the public address system asking everyone to clear the dance floor, as the competition would begin at 10:00 o'clock.

Chapter 11

The public address announcer introduced the dance couples by their number.

"Here are the competitors in the Latin Amateur division. Couple number one . . . number two . . . three . . . "

There was a moment of silence after the excited competitors took up their positions on the dance floor.

Max hoped he could restrain his libido for the next few minutes. It would be awkward for he and Charlie to dance with a stiff penis bewteen them. And, heaven forbid, the judges and audience might notice.

When Max/Henri and Charlie/Gisele began the Rumba, they were right on the beat! An excellent start! They floated effortlessly across the dance floor as if carried by angels' wings. Max guided Charlie with the confidence generated by hundreds of hours of practice.

The Rumba was a dance about attracting and seducing the opposite sex. The lady would lead the man on with hot, sensual moves. The gentleman would respond with interest and attempt to show his manhood through physical dominance. There was tension in the relationship. The lady would tease and then withdraw. Fire and Ice. The game of seduction was being played. But the lady was very elusive.

The song Do You Wanna Dance by Giants of Latin was at a slow enough pace that Charlie could arouse the onlookers with her erotic appeal. She beguiled the men with her sensuous suggestive sway of her hips and the expression of barely controlled smoldering lust.

Max showcased Charlie's elusive passion with a circling 'Cuban' walk, a cuddle, side breaks, a cross body lead and an open break followed by an underarm turn. His attempts to catch her proved futile.

As the music ended, all the dancers struck a pose and held it through the enthusiastic wave of applause of the audience. Then the gracious competitors bowed and curtseyed.

"You were fantastic!" Max/Henri praised Charlie/Giselle.

"Thank you, partner. That's as good as it gets." Charlie/Giselle kissed Max/Henri on the cheek.

Max wanted to do much more than kiss Charlie/Gisele on the cheek. However, it was important that he retain his self-control, but his heightened sex drive was driving him nuts.

Max tried to relieve the situation by repeating a mantra in his mind. 'Charlie is a guy. Charlie is a guy.'

Struggling to subdue his urges, Max looked around at the other couples. All of them looked excited and elated!

While the adjudicators needed a minute to assign scores to the 25 competing couples, Max decided that he should focus on the dancing and the competition. Max/Henri brought up a close call where they had almost bumped into another couple. Gisele/Charlie talked about the importance of the first few moves at the beginning of the dance.

Then the dancers took their positions for the Cha-Cha.

As the Cha-Cha began, Max smiled as he recalled the first time he had danced together with Charlie. I Will Survive had been their choice then and here it was playing again. They had connected as dance partners immediately. Could it be an indication that this was their destiny? Or was it merely coincidence?

Max and Charlie simply followed the music and their hearts.

They began with a New Yorker and a spin followed by progressive lock steps, a chase half turn, a Guapacha and quarter turn, and then side saddles.

Max and Charlie tripped the light fantastic! It was great fun!

And when the music stopped, Max lifted Charlie up in an enthusiastic embrace! They were right on! She was so sexy and beautiful! Max struggled once again with the lust in his heart--and the agonizing ache in his testicles. 'Charlie is a guy. Charlie is a guy.'

Max looked over at the other couples. Charisma and John seemed to be pleased with their performance. It looked like Ho Lee Chau and Michelle were replaying a missed step.

Max and Charlie were confident for the Samba phase. When the intro to Tony Crane's version of La Bamba started up, Max and Charlie got off to a great beginning!

The Samba was an exciting dance. It was the dance of Brazilian Carnivals and Caribbean Festivals. In order to achieve the real character of the fast-paced Samba, the dancers had to try a flirting, exaggeratedly happy approach.

Max and Charlie spun, stepped, crossed over, twirled, and twisted with joy and abandon!

Then disaster struck!

As Max led Charlie into a cross-body spin, Dr. Chau was coming out of a crossover back break. Charlie and Chau collided!
Charlie was falling. Max held onto her but her momentum carried Max down too!

Max tried to cushion Charlie's fall! Max took the brunt of the hard fall to the floor!

There was searing pain from the hard bump to Max's left elbow and a numbing pain in his hip.

Then the fallen couple scrambled to right themselves.

'Missed saving us by that much,' Max thought, as he mentally held his forefinger a half-inch away from his thumb. "Are you okay?" Max asked as he lifted Charlie to her feet.

Charlie nodded yes.

"Sorry," Dr. Chau said.

He and Michelle had stumbled, but had not fallen. A moment later, they gracefully resumed dancing.

"Only my pride is hurt," Charlie said. "And my bum."

"Would a massage help?" Max asked.

Charlie smiled. " 'ow are you?"

"I've hurt my elbow."

"Can you continue?"

Max nodded his head. Soon Max and Charlie found the beat and resumed dancing.

Bumping often occurred in the Amateur division. Marks could be deducted as a result, but it was the recovery that was all-important. Poise mattered! If a couple could carry on gracefully after a jarring collision, points could actually be gained.

Max and Charlie carried on like wounded warriors! Determined and undaunted, but sore and hobbled.

Relieved when the Samba ended, they tried to catch their breath.

"I hope that didn't hurt our chances," Charlie said, not sounding very optimistic.

"My elbow really hurts," Max said. "I can't flex my left arm without feeling a lot of pain."

"Can you carry on?"

"Well, for a secret agent, I have a remarkably low pain threshold," Max whispered.

"Would you like a massage?"

Max smiled.

The dancers took their positions once more. Charles Barlow's Here Comes the Toreador began. The Paso Doble, unlike the other Latin dances, had Spanish origins. It conjured up a bullfight. The gentleman represented the toreador. But the lady was not the bull. She was the bullfighter's red cape or 'cappa'.

Max spun and turned and flipped the cappa to and fro. Charlie did most of the work.

She danced with an exuberance and flair that outshone many of her competitors!

Some of the other girls might have been mistaken for the enraged bulls rather than the elusive cappa.

At the end of a traditional bullfight, in front of a jam-packed arena, the matador kills the bull with a sword. But here it was Max who felt the searing pain at the end of the Paso Doble.

For the final phase of the competition, the Festival organizers chose In the Mood by Bette Midler. At this point, the competitors were tired from the expenditure of their nervous energy. And the Jive was a fast dance. It was a combination of Rock and Roll, Boogie Woogie, African Swing and Jitterbug.

Max and Charlie gave it their all. In rapid succession they moved through the American spin, throw out, sailor shuffle, a turning link, twist to boogie, sweetheart, sliding door, two-hand right spin, two-hand left spin, behind the back change, underarm outside turn, and underarm inside turn. Variation after variation. Max even reached back with both hands and drew Charlie through his legs, tossing her forward! It was wonderful! Pure pleasure! And tremendous pain in Max's elbow!

Then a final dramatic spin! On the last crescendo, the dancers held their pose, in the mood! A rousing standing ovation!
Bows and curtseys.

Then Max leaned over and gave Charlie a long passionate kiss! They hugged each other happily! Although for Max, it was a one-armed hug. And then Charlie massaged Max's bum to get a rise out of him. She was astounded when he returned the favor.

Max and Charlie felt great satisfaction at completing the Jive portion in great form. Overall, they gave as good a performance as they were capable of doing.

Somewhere along the way, there had been an almost magical communication between Max and Charlie. It was as if they danced as one. The splendor of dance happens when you trust your partner. Charlie and Max had an intimate bond that transcended mere words.

And now the decision was in the hands of the adjudicators.

Within a few minutes, there was a spokesperson on the speaker system, announcing the numbers of the dancers who would advance to the next round.

"The following couples will advance to the next round in the Latin Amateur category. Number 5 . . . 8 . . . 17 . . . 23 and . . . 24."

Max and Charlie threw up their arms in celebration. Charlie hugged Max! Max kissed Charlie! Then he hugged her again! They jumped for joy! They were elated!

All their hard work had paid off.

Max swept Charlie off her feet and rewarded her with the mother of all kisses. It was wet and sweet and lasted as long as an all day sucker.

Chapter 12

While some of the couples, such as Max and Charlie celebrated, there were others, like Ho Lee and Michelle, who felt great disappointment.

In fact, Ho Lee and Michelle had angry words. She was on the verge of tears! They had not danced their best. They had bumped into other dancers. Ho Lee had slipped and almost fallen and both dancers had experienced momentary lapses in concentration that had caused some errors in their moves. After another angry exchange, Michelle stormed away from Ho Lee! She headed toward the Ladies room. Ho Lee considered following her, but figured that it wouldn't do any good at that moment. Also, he thought it likely that they were through with each other as a dance team.

Perhaps his previous partner, Jennifer Yu, had poisoned Michelle's attitude toward him.

Still, Ho Lee showed a touch of class when he came over to give his regards to Max/Henri and Charlie/Gisele.

While Max/Henri had rolled up the puffy sleeve of his back shirt, Charlie/Gisele was looking at the injured elbow with concern.

"Hi," Ho Lee said with a friendly smile.

"Hello," Charlie replied.

"Hi," Max said.

"How are you feeling?" Ho Lee asked of Max/Henri. "Are you okay? That was quite a nasty tumble you took."

"Mais oui, it was a painful fall, eh," Max/Henri said with a grimace of pain. "Sacre bleu!"

"Bad luck. I'm sorry I bumped into your partner. Are you all right?" Ho Lee asked of Charlie/Gisele.

"Certainement. I 'ave a sore rear-end, but poor Henri. I think he may 'ave, how do you say it, a dislocated elbow."

"Mon amour," Max/Henri began, "I may 'ave to go to see a doctor. I don't know if I can keep dancing. Tabernac!"

"Don't worry about dancing. We 'ave danced the good dance. We are 'appy!"

" 'ow did you do?" asked Max/Henri. "Did you advance to the next round?"

Ho Lee paused. "Unfortunately no. Michelle and I just didn't communicate very well this morning."

"Oh you poor thing," Gisele/Charlie said as she hugged Ho Lee warmly.

The embrace lasted a long time, much to the surprise of Ho Lee. And, he couldn't help but notice how good it felt to be held in the arms of such a gorgeous woman. Charlie's breasts made quite an impression on him. And he might have put a dent in . . .

Finally, Ho Lee broke off the embrace. His elegant tuxedo now sprouted a pop up tent at the crotch level.

"Thank you. I needed that hug very much," Ho Lee said.

"Mon plaisir," Gisele/Charlie purred.

"By the way, my name is Ho Lee Chau."

"Glad to meet you. My name is Gisele Renault," Charlie said as she kissed Ho Lee on both cheeks in the European style. "And this is my dance partner Henri Doucette."

Max and Ho Lee shook hands.

"You two dance so well together," Ho Lee praised. "I hope you'll be able to continue on."

"I don't think I can," Henri said. "I think it best that I try to find some of the festival organizers. Perhaps they can tell me where I can get some medical help."

"Should I come with you, mon cher?"

"Non, Gisele. I can manage on my own. Why don't the two of you get acquainted?" Then Henri waved goodbye and disappeared into the throng of dancers getting ready to go onto the dance floor.

Max hoped that Charlie could work her magic and get to know Ho Lee Chau much better.

Gisele looked at Ho Lee with a delightful smile. "Where is your partner?"

"I'm not sure. But, in case you're wondering, she is not my wife or girlfriend."

"And, in case you are wondering, Henri is, how do you say, gay. He is not interested in 'aving sex with me."

There was a big smile on Ho Lee's face. "I believe my luck has taken a turn for the better."

Just then, the announcer introduced the second group of dancers in the Latin Amateur division. As each number was announced, another beautiful couple stepped onto the dance floor to polite applause.

At the same time, KAOS agents Charisma and John watched as Ho Lee and Gisele talked to each other.

"I wonder about this Gisele," Charisma said. "She seems to make eyes at every guy she sees."

"Your green eyes might be that color because of envy," John suggested, "instead of genetics."

Charisma looked at him. "Is it just coincidence that this beautiful lady contacts us and Dr. Chau when we're about to put together a really important deal?"

"Hmmm . . . Might I point out that we lined up behind her partner for the number tag . . . Also, it seemed to me that Dr. Chau approached her after the competition. And I hardly think that their collision during the dance competition was intentional."

"Perhaps you're right. If this Gisele Renault is an undercover agent, she's gone to extremes to build a solid cover. She is one hell of a good dancer. And she's a natural. Not only does she have all the dance moves; she's got something extra. The French call it 'je ne sais quoi.' When she's around, she draws everyone's attention."

"I agree. Just look around. Although there are many stunning ladies in dazzling outfits, she just might be the most beautiful girl here--after you that is."

"I knew there was some reason I didn't like her," Charisma said with a devilish smile. "I've killed people for less."

Chapter 13

Gisele/Charlie and Ho Lee stood in the back row behind many other onlookers. It was impossible to get an unobstructed view of the competitors in the opening Rumba phase.

Gisele and Ho Lee recognized the music as Como Fue from The Mambo Kings Soundtrack.

As a spectator, Gisele found the spectacle of the dance rejuvenated her spirit. She admired the colorful costumes, the physical beauty of the male and female dancers, the matching of the couples' body types, the fluidity of movement and the purity of form. She could appreciate the beauty of the dance. And whenever Gisele saw a creative move that she had not seen before, she wondered if she could add it to her own routine.

Without thinking, Gisele found herself moving to the music.

When she looked over at Ho Lee, he was stepping in time to the music too.

Their eyes met. He smiled. She smiled.

Ho Lee boldly grabbed Gisele by the hand and they stepped away from the other spectators.

Then Ho Lee held up his left hand and curled his right arm under Gisele's arm.

They counted silently to the rhythm of the music and they began to Rumba. Ho Lee began with the basic step forward, a basic step back, a pivot turn to the left, a pivot turn to the right. Gisele/Charlie followed effortlessly. Ho Lee guided her into side breaks, a crossover move, a Cuban walk forward, a Cuban walk backward, an alternative basic, a cross-body lead, a back spot turn and a circling Cuban walk. Gisele was the elusive temptress--Ho Lee the strong leading man. It was magic!

With her spectacular body, glittering silver gown, platinum blond hair and angelic features, Gisele was the ultimate blond bombshell. And Ho Lee was the target of her affection. Gisele portrayed the sensual seductress. Ho Lee was the willing love-stricken suitor.

As the song ended, Ho Lee guided Gisele into a spectacular spin. At the final note, they dipped. She thrust her breasts forward, threw her head her back, and held her right arm high. Ho Lee held Gisele with his right arm curled around her waist and his left hand high.

As the audience applauded for the competitors, Gisele looked seductively into Ho Lee's eyes. He responded with a passionate kiss! They held it for an eternity! It was a contest to see who would come up for air first!

'You take my breath away,' thought Ho Lee as he succumbed to the need for oxygen.

Charlie Watkins felt immense power as a woman. Charlie knew that Ho Lee was hers for the taking.

But the elation of the moment was fleeting.

As Ho Lee and Charlie unraveled from their rapturous embrace, they could see Charisma and John standing beside them.
Ho Lee and Gisele/Charlie had the look of kids caught with their hands in the cookie jar--or adults seen in the nookie bar.

"You sure do get around," the alluring Charisma said with a disapproving look at Gisele.

"Ah Charisma, hello," Ho Lee replied, putting on a friendly smile. "I meant to get back to you. Oh, and congratulations on your performance this morning!"

"Thank you," Charisma said with a glowing smile. "It's unfortunate you had some bad luck."

"It was disappointing."

Charisma hesitated a moment, but then appeared to make up her mind. "But we need to have a talk," Charisma said in a serious tone. "About business."

"Yes. By all means . . . I am very interested. But, have you met Gisele?"

"Yes," John replied. "We met her earlier this morning. I'm John Montgomery, by the way."

Ho Lee shook hands with John.

Charisma acknowledged Gisele with a friendly nod of the head. "Well if you are interested, then we should set up a time," Charisma suggested.

"Ah Gisele," Ho Lee said. "Would you excuse us for a minute, please? This is a private business matter that I must discuss."

"Certainement, mon cher," Gisele agreed. Then she stepped back and looked about the Empress Ballroom for any sign of Max.
But with the tiny bugging device that she had planted on one of John Montgomery's belt loops, Charlie was able to listen in on the conversation.

As Charisma and John were still involved in the dance competition, they wanted to set a time for after the competition.
Ho Lee suggested the KAOS agents drop by his hotel suite after the competition concluded. Phone numbers and hotel information were exchanged.

Briefly, Ho Lee indicated that he had the merchandise.

Charisma stated that the money, $100 million, was all set for electronic transfer into Dr. Chau's Swiss bank account.
The KAOS agents would bring along a laptop computer with a wireless modem.

Charlie assumed that the money transfer would occur right after they checked out the information on Dr. Chau's USB memory key.

Then Charisma and Dr. Chau shook hands.

Charlie wondered how she could prevent the exchange from happening.

Chapter 14

Gisele and Ho Lee went outside for a stroll down the Promenade. It was good to get outside into the warm sunshine of a beautiful Saturday in late May. Although the temperature was pleasant, there were no swimmers braving the cool waters of the Irish Sea. But there were sunbathers in skimpy bathing suits working on their tans or reading books. There were families building sandcastles or playing with Frisbees and Super Soaker water guns. While the more athletic types engaged in beach volleyball games, the sedentary types simply watched the passing parade. In-line skaters and cyclists whizzed by Ho Lee and Gisele as they walked hand in hand.

Ho Lee felt extremely lucky. He hadn't danced well but things couldn't have worked out better. Here he was in the company of a beautiful talented woman. An amazing dancer! He was about to become a multi-millionaire! And if he read the signals correctly, he was about to get lucky in love!

Ho Lee asked Gisele/Charlie if she wanted to get a bite to eat. She agreed. So they chose a small outdoor café near the Philbeach Hotel.

The bistro was one of those trendy places that catered to the young fashionable 'in' crowd. Even its name, Wow, suggested a brash attitude.

Still dressed in their elegant dance clothing, they may have been a little out of character for Wow . . . Then again, maybe not.

Ho Lee recalled, as a much younger man, a time when he had visited a gentlemen's club. He had been to a few when he turned old enough to be served alcohol. Ho Lee considered it a rite of passage. He saw many, many beautiful exotic dancers–many of whom went all the way. But now he recalled one in particular because of her rather unusual tattoos. Her name was Juicy Lucy Howe! On the right buttock of this ravishing brunette was a large W. And on her left buttock was another large W. When she bent over and stuck her delicious derriere in your face . . . WOW!

But that was then, and this is now.

The hostess, with a spiked purple hairdo and a nose ring, seated Ho Lee and Gisele at a table looking onto the busy Promenade and beach. Gisele moved her chair closer together with Ho Lee's. She playfully put her hand on Ho Lee's thigh and gave it a suggestive squeeze. She said she was so happy to be here with him. The dance competition had been far more interesting than she had ever dreamed. Gisele leaned over and gave Ho Lee a gentle kiss for being such an accommodating, thoughtful gentleman.

A waitress came to their table to take their order. Gisele said she wanted something quick and light. She ordered a fruit salad and iced tea. Ho Lee liked the suggestion and ordered the same thing.

When Gisele excused herself to go to the ladies room, Ho Lee's cell phone vibrated in his pants pocket.

Quickly Ho pulled his Nokia out and flipped it open. "Hello."

"Hello, Mr. Chau, this is Charisma. Are you having lunch?"

"Yes, I'm taking a lunch break."

"I'd like to set a time for our business meeting later this afternoon. We've seen the dance competition schedule. We should be finished at about 4 o'clock. Will you be available, say about five?"

"Yes, since Michelle and I didn't make the cut, as you know, my schedule is quite flexible."

"Good. I'd like you to bring the anti-missile plans to the meeting. I will bring a laptop computer with a wireless modem so that funds can be transferred to the bank of your choice." Charisma paused. "I assume you have a Swiss bank account?"

"Yes."

"In what form are your missile plans?"

"They've been stored on a USB memory key."

"Excellent. Then can we meet at about 5 p.m.?"

"Certainly. How about meeting in the lobby of the Philbeach Hotel?"

"Why there?"

"It's close by, it's public, and I feel relatively safe in a familiar location."

"That will be fine with me. But Doctor Chau, you'd better deliver the goods. KAOS will not take disappointment lightly." There was menace in Charisma's voice.

"Don't worry. I am prepared."

"Oh, I'd suggest you take some precautions. Some American CONTROL agents might be watching your movements. I'd suggest you take a few taxi rides before our meeting. Try to lose anybody who is trying to keep you under surveillance. Also, shut off your cell phone. CONTROL might be using triangulation from the cell towers to hone in on your cell phone."

"Do you really think I'm being watched?" Ho Lee asked, with a slight tremble in his voice.

"Yes. I suspect that that French-Canadian couple you met might actually be CONTROL agents."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes. They are too friendly and helpful."

There was a ring of truth to that statement. "You're right. They couldn't be real dance competitors."

"We'll see you at five then. Bye."

"Goodbye."

When Gisele returned to the table, there seemed to be a sudden change in Ho Lee's attitude. Previously Ho had been quite receptive to Gisele's eager attentiveness. Suddenly he seemed distant and cool. While there had been sparks of fire and desire before, now there was disinterest and disdain.

Where before Ho Lee took a deep interest in everything Gisele said, now Ho Lee kept looking at his watch, he yawned occasionally and he volunteered very little in the conversation.

Men! Couldn't live with them! Couldn't live without them! They were so unpredictable.

'Women are from Venus, Men are from Mars,' Gisele thought.

She took the hint. After having picking at her fruit salad and draining her iced tea, Gisele said that she needed to go to the hospital to see Henri. He needed her. She felt that's where she needed to be.

Gisele gave Ho Lee a polite peck on the cheek when she left.

Being a gentleman, Dr. Chau accompanied Gisele to the street and hailed her a cab.

After he waved goodbye to the departing vehicle, Ho Lee took one last look around the Promenade, the beach and the changing sea, the passing throng, the restaurant and wondered if he was still being watched.

It was a shame beautiful Gisele was a CONTROL agent.

Worried by the turn of events, Dr. Chau hailed a cab. While he was looking forward to doing the $100 million transaction with KAOS, he now felt in danger.

A few minutes later, near the amusement park, Ho Lee Chau got out of the cab. When the cab started up, Chau crossed to the lineup of cabs taking visitors away from the park. Quickly he hailed another cab. Unknown to Chau, he managed to elude CONTROL agent Larabee's watchful eye.

Chau repeated these evasive maneuvers several more times until he was sure no one was trailing him.

He was, however, very worried. So far, his day had been one of great expectations followed by great disappointment. Then finding out beautiful Gisele Renault was likely a CONTROL agent made things even worse. However, that wasn't his main worry. KAOS was a known criminal organization. Would they try to steal the plans from him? Or would they kill him after they got the missile guidance system plans on the USB memory key?

Suddenly Dr. Chau had serious second thoughts about the whole affair. Should he take the risk?

Chapter 15

Maxwell Smart dreaded dealing with the foot odor of his shoe phone, but duty forced him to call up Larabee. Smart winced in pain as he remembered too late that he should've used his good arm to lift up the phone to his ear.

"Hello Larabee?"

"Hello, is that you Max?"

"Yes, it's Henri, remember Larabee, I'm still Henri." Max could hear loud Jive music in the background.

"Right, where are you now, Max?"

Smart let Larabee's slip pass. "I'm at the Blackpool Hospital."

"Has a doctor examined you yet?"

"Yes, I just went in for X-rays. One of the doctors told me the elbow is dislocated. I should be getting it reset within a few minutes."

"Good, Max. Is there any pain?"

"What do you think, Larabee? I've got a dislocated elbow. Of course there's pain. But my arm's in a sling and I'm on Tylenol. And the name is Henri."

"No need to get ornery Henri."

"I think I need another Tylenol," Smart said.

"Good news here at the Winter Garden. Charisma and her partner are still competing. They are really good. They're the crowd favorite at the moment with their flamboyant, creative moves. They make such a beautiful couple."

"Do you think they're better than Henri and Gisele?"

"Who? Oh, you mean you and Charlie."

'How hard can it be to remember our aliases?' thought Smart. "Yes, me and Charlie."

"You and Charlie were great. Why Max, I hardly recognized you. You looked so young and hairy. And your schlong stuck out a mile long . . . Oops. Maybe I shouldn't have said that. Sorry about that Max."

Max felt genuine embarrassment about his raging hormones. Even now, his pole-like penis propped up the thin blue cotton hospital gown as he thought of Charlie in her body-hugging evening gown. "What did you think about our dancing?"

"You and Charlie were great, Max. I thought you two were the best dancers there . . . until you fell down."

"Thanks, Larabee."

"Max, you dirty hound dog, what was it like kissing Charlie Watkins?"

Max winced. 'You had to bring that up,' thought Max. "Larabee, I'm undercover and so is Charlie. We were playing our roles."

"Sure Max, but how come a certain part of you looked so stiff out there?" Larabee snickered.

"Larabee, I think it might be the effect of the IGF-1 hormone."

"Sure Max . . . Charlie certainly looks like a sexy beautiful girl, doesn't he. Does he turn you on?" Larabee asked as he laughed.

"Very funny, Larabee. Now cut that out. Charlie takes enough ribbing about his appearance. Why I'll have you know Watkins is a highly skilled agent. In fact, the Chief told me Watkins has the highest success rate of all the CONTROL agents." Max couldn't think of anything more to say. "So there."

'You have a dislocated elbow? It's not the only thing that's lame,' thought Larabee.

Chapter 16

At 5:00 o'clock on the dot, the dangerously beautiful Charisma entered through the revolving front door of the old Philbeach Hotel.

In unfamiliar surroundings, Charisma seemed a little surprised by the modern décor and nicely appointed furnishings.
Perhaps she had expected the tired, dilapidated appearance of a Fawlty Towers because the Philbeach Hotel was a turn of the century building. But, it had undergone an expensive refurbishing for Y2K. The Brits, undaunted by the predicted end of the world, always remodeled every hundred years whether they needed to or not.

Charisma spotted Dr. Chau sitting at a comfortable black leather armchair in the spacious, airy lobby. Dressed in a summer weight light blue jacket, white linen shirt and gray pants, he blended in with the other comfortably well off tourists.

A few hotel patrons were seated around him, reading their newspapers, passing the time of day.

Charisma was dressed in a dazzling white sundress and white high heels. Her curvaceous legs, her tiny waist and beautifully proportioned breasts were a sight to behold. The thin straps over the shoulders seemed to be inadequate for the task of holding up her magnificent bosom.

Charisma's auburn mane, which had been tightly restrained with hair clips for the dance competition, cascaded freely over her seductive shoulders. Her brilliant green eyes were like emerald jewels.

And there was warmth in her bewitching smile.

But, she had business on her mind as was indicated by the large leather attaché case in her left hand. "Hello Dr. Chau."

"Good day Charisma."

Dr. Chau greeted Charisma with a firm handshake. He noted the long red fingernails that added a touch of elegance to her slim hands.

And yet, he was nervous. Was there malevolence behind the beautiful façade?

"I'd like to see the merchandise first," Charisma stated. There was a hard edge to her voice.

"No deal," Dr. Chau said steadfastly. "I need a show of good faith."

"Dr. Chau, even if I check over your plans, I am no expert. I wouldn't be able to tell if I was getting the real thing or worthless gibberish . . . Well then, I don't think we can do a deal." Charisma stood up to leave. She picked up her attaché case. There was a firm resolve etched in her face. She was calling his bluff.

"Wait! I have two USB memory keys. You transfer half the money now for delivery of one of the memory keys and half the money later on acceptance of the second key."

"Agreed," Charisma said as she put the attaché case down on the coffee table between them.

A few of the other people sitting near them got up to leave, sensing that the two might want some privacy.

After opening the case, Charisma flipped up the screen of her laptop computer. From a pocket within the case, she extracted a wireless modem and connected it to a port. Then she pressed the on button and waited as Microsoft Windows started loading.

Dr. Chau reached into the large breast pocket of his jacket and took out a USB memory key. He handed over the key reluctantly to the lethally alluring lady.

Charisma inserted the chip into the USB port and loaded it onto the computer's D drive. A moment or two later, she could see schematic drawings of what she hoped were the interceptor missile guidance system.

"As I said, I am no expert. I cannot tell if this is the real plan or not. I would have brought a technical expert with me if you hadn't insisted that I come alone."

"I can assure you that this is the real thing."

"How can I be sure?"

"You'll have to trust me."

There was a long pause while Charisma considered her options.

"In a moment Dr. Chau, I'll give you control of the laptop. You will type in the Swiss bank account and set up the transfer. I'm going to access the Internet now."

The wireless modem could transfer data at a speed of over three-Gigabytes per second.

Dr. Chau thought Charisma had caved in to his demands. When he eagerly typed in the bank account and password, he didn't realize how bad a day this was going to be.

"Okay. It's all set up for the transfer. All you have to do is get your bank to send the money to my numbered account."

"Thank you, Dr. Chau," Charisma said as she took back control of the computer. Then she typed in some instructions.

Charisma was taking a few minutes to do the transfer. She had pulled out a slip of paper from the briefcase. Dr. Chau assumed it was the bank account information. As the time ticked by, Dr. Chau felt increasingly uneasy. He was overcome by a feeling of dread.

"Are you transferring half of the payment? The $50 million. Surely it couldn't take that long."

"No Dr. Chau. Before KAOS will transfer the first payment, we will have to verify the authenticity of this information. But, unfortunately for you, I doubt that you will receive any payment. Let me explain what just happened. All of the contents of the USB memory key were just sent to KAOS headquarters. So you can have the chip back if you like, but we already have the information. I have not sent any money to your numbered Swiss bank account. Also, our entire conversation has been recorded." Charisma pulled out a small microphone/transmitter device from the attaché case and held it up. "Do you follow me so far?"

"Why did you do that? What good would half of the missile guidance plans do? Without the second part, the computer chip architecture, the other part is useless."

"Please keep your voice down, Dr. Chau," Charisma cautioned in a hushed voice. "Let me explain what will happen to the recording of our conversation. I can send it and the top-secret information to the Defense Department right now with a click of one button. You will be exposed as a traitor and you will likely face a long, long time in a federal prison."
Dr. Chau had limited options. KAOS was blackmailing him.

"There are several countries that are willing to buy my secrets," Dr. Chau sputtered.

"Oh, have they contacted you here?" Charisma asked. "Because you do not have much time left. The authorities are on to you. You know that dance couple you met this morning, Gisele and Henri? They are, as I told you on the phone, CONTROL agents. Yes, I had them checked out by means of a photo identification system."

Chau had noticed that surveillance cameras had been set up everywhere in Britain as a means of reducing the crime rate. Big Brother was reality in England. Scotland Yard had used photo identification software to nab wanted criminals off the streets.

Dr. Chau was absolutely stunned. He thought he had been so careful in recording the information without being detected. Chau had set up the secret Swiss bank account. He had avoided all phone, fax, and email communication. Chau could not believe that he had been snared so easily.

"So Dr. Chau, I suggest you hand over the other USB memory key. Otherwise, you will spend a long time in prison. But, what am I saying? A handsome man like you will have plenty of boyfriends. You'll be dead of AIDS long before your prison term expires."

For a moment, Dr. Chau wavered. The female dog had him by the testicles and was squeezing him hard. He was extremely nervous and agitated. Charisma's intimidating manner had forced him into some big mistakes.

"What if I do hand it over now? How do I know you won't expose me as a traitor?"

"KAOS will have what it wants. Besides, we'd like you to work for us. Right here I have plane tickets for the two of us to go to New York City." Charisma took out a British Air envelope from the attaché case and tossed it on the table in front of him. "Plus I have taken the liberty of making up false passports just in case we are being tailed. And here is a consolation prize Dr. Chau. We will pay you a consultant's fee to upgrade the missile guidance control plans each time your MD Technology research team makes changes."

Dr. Chau wanted to blow his brains out.

"Look Dr. Chau," Charisma said in a calm soft tone. "You won't be any worse off than before you met me. Just give me the other memory key and you will be off the hook. Oh, and we won't kill you. Alive you are of some value to KAOS."

Chau dithered for a moment. What a fall! From multimillionaire to a rat in a trap! Then he caved. He handed over the memory chip.

Charisma quickly inserted the Flash chip into the USB port and did the wireless transfer of the computer chip architecture.

Next, she packed up her computer in the attaché case. Then she stood up and smoothed out her dress.

"A pleasure doing business with you," Charisma said as she extended her hand.

Reluctantly Dr. Chau shook her hand.

Dr. Chau had been 'schooled' by the best of them. Charisma had kicked the bejeepers out of him.

"Shall we go?" Charisma asked. "I've got a van waiting outside."

"What about my luggage?"

"If we get apprehended, you'll have a great choice of institutional wear."

An embarrassed Dr. Chau was in turmoil. Torn between flight or fight. But what could he do? Flight was the obvious choice.

The two 'business associates' walked out of the Philbeach Hotel together.

From a hotel window on the fifth floor, agents Smart and Larabee watched Ho Lee Chau and Charisma get into the van. A moment later they drove off headed toward Manchester Airport.

Chapter 17

In the early hours of Sunday morning, a silver Mustang convertible pulled up to the front gate of a large Washington D.C. condominium apartment building.

The beautiful driver pulled out her access fob and held it up to the electronic scanner. The scanner light changed from red to green. The heavy wrought iron gate slid back, allowing the car to enter. The watchful eye of the security camera followed her. The vehicle moved forward to the entranceway of the underground garage. The access procedure was repeated again to open the garage door and once more at the entrance door from the parking garage to the bank of elevators. Security cameras followed every move made by the sexy, alluring lady.

When she pressed the number 10 button on the elevator control panel, there was another security camera watching her.
At the tenth floor, she walked a few steps down the hallway to her apartment. She inserted the key and turned the door handle.

A red light started flashing on the alarm panel behind the heavy entrance door. She keyed in a five-digit combination and pressed the Command button. The red light stopped flashing. On came the green light.

The lady gave a sigh of relief. She was extremely tired. She had arisen at 6:30 a.m. in England. It was now 2:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. She had been up for 25 hours straight.

The beautiful lady with the stunning figure walked slowly down a hallway past her guest room/den and her bedroom to a mirrored wall at the end of the corridor. She held her security fob up to the top center of the mirror's surface. A gentle hum of an electric motor could be heard as the mirror slid back into the wall.

She stepped into the darkened inner sanctum. A moment later, the recessed lights came on.

It had been a hot humid day in Washington. Since the apartment air conditioning had not been left on, the beautiful lady turned on the air and pulled the cord of the old-fashioned ceiling fan. The whirling shadows highlighted and hid the items in a movie poster gallery.

She moved over to a multiple mirror enclosure that allowed her to see her figure reflected from the front, back, left and right sides. She was pleased with her appearance. The white sundress revealed her breathtaking breasts, her tiny waist and shapely heavenly hips. The dress was short enough to reveal her long curvaceous legs, shown to best effect by high heels. The fiery auburn hair, the pouting lips, the high cheekbones, the aquiline nose, the sparkling emerald eyes and glowing complexion excited the person within. The person within was turned on by the seductive charms of Charisma.
Charisma had an indefinable aura about her. She had something extra. An 'I don't know what' quality.

Charisma slipped the straps of the white sundress off her shoulders and she unzipped the back. She did a little shimmy and shake. The dress slipped off effortlessly, revealing a figure that could inspire wet dreams.

She stepped out of her heels.

When she removed the bra and panties and thong gaff, she tossed them into the laundry hamper along with the dress. Then Charisma sat herself down in front of the mirror and removed her 'Nicole' auburn wig. She placed it on one of the long white polystyrene wig stands.

Next Charisma/Charlie removed her false fingernails. Then, in order, she took off her false eyelashes, her cosmetic lenses, her facial prosthetics, her makeup, the prosthetic breasts that had been used to create the bust illusion and finally the gaff that held in the male appendages.

Then Charlie smeared cold cream on her face and wiped it off. She then applied an astringent to deep cleanse the skin. Then she applied a special facial cream that would clean the pores and moisturize the skin.

When Charlie Watkins finally looked at himself in the mirror enclosure, he was a little disappointed by what he saw. He preferred being a beautiful, desirable woman rather than being his wimpy male self. There was great power in being a beautiful, sexy, charismatic woman. It dwarfed the man within.

He went into the bathroom and ran the bath water. A nice warm bubble bath was just the tonic.

It had been a long, long day. Charlie was exhausted.

As Charlie soaked amid the clouds of foam in the bathtub, he had time to think over the day's events.

Charlie had arisen early to put on his Gisele Renault disguise.

There had been a Latin dance competition. That had been exhilarating!

The attempt to befriend Dr. Chau had been a challenge.

What worried Charlie about the spy versus spy intrigue was that he had no idea how to stop the transaction. Charlie knew KAOS would buy the top-secret information from Dr. Chau. And there was little Charlie could do to stop it.

Because Max had been injured, Charlie had to come up with a plan on his own. While he was having lunch with Dr. Chau, Charlie thought up the idea of impersonating Charisma. While in the ladies room, Charlie phoned Ho Lee and used Charisma's voice to set up a meeting with Ho Lee Chau for 5 p.m. After returning to her hotel room, off came the Gisele disguise and on came the diabolical Charisma. It was fortunate that Charlie had taken so much of his makeover paraphernalia to Blackpool.

While Agent Larabee kept Charisma and her boyfriend busy chasing down false leads on the whereabouts of Ho Lee Chau, Charlie, disguised as Charisma, met with Ho Lee. The showdown in the hotel lobby was electrifying! It was high stakes poker! Only he had no money to play with.

Then there was a long Trans-Atlantic flight from Manchester to New York.

At JFK International, Dr. Chau had been taken into custody. A long list of charges was laid.

Also, a comprehensive detailed report had to be filed. That had taken up some valuable time.

Then Charlie dashed off to catch the last flight out of JFK. It was a short hop from New York to Dulles International.
The drive home was short and uneventful.

Altogether it had been a very tiring day for Charlie.

After pulling the plug and rinsing the foam off with a quick spray from the showerhead, Charlie dried himself in a luxurious, thick white towel.

Next, he covered himself with a soft, light blue, terrycloth robe. He was ready for bed. But there was one thing Charlie had to do before going to sleep.

He picked up the telephone and punched in a 12-digit number.

The phone rang twice.

"Hello," the sleepy voice said on the other end.

"Hi Max, mon amour," Charlie said in his/her Gisele voice. "I 'ope I did not wake you up."

"Oh, that's okay, Gisele, I mean Charlie. It's 9 o'clock here--a reasonable time. It's just that I was up late into the night, trying to wrap things up here, now that Dr. Chau is in custody. By the way, congratulations on a job well done!"

"Thank you, partner. It was a pleasure to work with you. But speaking of wrapping things up, 'ow is your elbow?"

"It will be okay. The x-ray showed a dislocation. So the doctors put a flexible cast on it. A sling will help for a few days. I'll have to wear the cast for a couple of weeks. It's just very sore now."

"If I was there, I would kiss it better. I would baby you and look after your every need."

"I appreciate the thought."

"My sweet Max, I am just getting ready to go to bed . . . I wish you were 'ere with me. My big brass bed is so soft and comfy. I just put on my see-through negligee. Oh, but I need you 'ere with me, mon cher. I need to wrap my arms around you. I need to shower you with kisses. I miss you so."

"Ah now cut that out Charlie!"

Charlie broke out in laughter. "Oh, I couldn't resist, mon amour," Charlie said, still in Gisele's soft tones. "We made such a good dance couple, Henri and Gisele."

"Yes we did," Max agreed. "I must admit, you were fabulous. I think I was the envy of everyone in the Empress Ballroom. Gisele Renault was, undoubtedly, the loveliest lady there."

"Oh thank you, you sweet thing, Max."

"It's too bad we had to withdraw. I'd like to have seen how far we would have got. Wasn't it great? The dancing was out of this world!"

"I was so excited when we advanced to the next round. And you know, I think we would have made it to the finals."

"I guess we'll never know." There was sadness in Max's last comment.

Charlie thought about suggesting they compete again, but knew circumstance and duty would not permit it. "Thank you very much, Max. I had a wonderful time."

"Sweetheart, it was my pleasure," Max said with a touch of Humphrey Bogart in his voice. "We'll always have Blackpool."
"You've got the touch, Max."

"Here's looking at you, kid."

"Adieu mon amour."

"Goodbye Charlie."

Would this be the beginning of a beautiful friendship?

'Now how did the farewell scene in Casablanca go? When Rick was trying to get Ilsa to board the plane? It was a famous line. Something about the problems of three people in this crazy world not amounting to a hill of beans? It was something like that.'

At long last, Charlie could go to sleep.

When he finally lay down to rest in his big brass bed, Charlie wrestled with some thoughts about his adversaries. Charlie felt some sympathy for Dr. Ho Lee Chau. He never stood a chance against that shark called Charisma. She used her beauty, charm and brains to outmaneuver Dr. Chau. The alluring and lethal KAOS agent was a real ball-buster. It was an enjoyable role to play. But unlike the warm-hearted CONTROL agent, the real Charisma would have eaten Ho Lee Chau alive!

THE END

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