After 3 long hours of working, it was Maxy's and Frances' Lunch break. Frances was not too familiar with the area, so, she didn't know what she wanted. They both clocked out for lunch and she followed Maxy outside and across the street.
"What's there to eat here?" Frances asked.
Maxy turned around and started walking backwards. "Well, there's a subway around the corner from here."
"Really? That's all y'all got?" Frances scoffed.
"It's either that or a sketchy pizza joint." Maxy sneered, turning back around.
"Alright, subway it is." Frances sighed. "Hey, one more thing."
"Yeah?" Maxy replied.
"That James dude and the agency he works for, who are they and what exactly do they got against y'all?" Frances asked.
"Umm-" Maxy hesitated. "I don't really feel like right now is the best time to talk about it."
"Why the hell not?" Frances shot out.
"If you really want to talk about this, we should wait until we get to subway." Maxy said calmly.
"Alright, cool." Frances muttered.
Once they both got to the subway, they got in and ordered their food. As they waited, they took a seat in the corner of the restaurant, far away from everyone else.
"So," Maxy started. "How's the bullet wound doing?"
"It's fine." Frances replied. "Don't worry about it."
"Come on, let me see it." Maxy insisted.
"Okay, fine." Frances took off her jacket and lifted up her sleeve.
"Oh shit, they really got you good, huh?" Maxy said with a concerned tone.
"Don't worry about it, I'm alright." Frances assured as she pulled her sleeve back down.
"Alright, just make sure you change the bandage." Maxy continued. "Anyway, you wanted to know more about A.I.C.?"
"Yeah, and about the other agency."
"Well, to start off, A.I.C. is a group that takes care of business that the law enforcement put off to the side, such as unsolved crimes, and cases that they just don't want to take part in. Mostly it's very dangerous and cases that take a lot of skill."
"So, y'all basically work with the FBI?"
"Yeah." Maxy said.
"What does A.I.C. stand for?" Frances asked.
"Artificial Intelligence Crew."
"Okay, and the other group?" Frances asked.
"They're called TITAN." Maxy answered. "They also do work that the law enforcement put to the side. Both of our agencies used to work together."
"So, what's the problem?"
"We speculated that TITAN was doing dirty work behind our backs. They were quick to deny the theory, but, they have been sending non-stop threats to us, which made us more suspicious."
"Why didn't the police investigate?"
"Because there "wasn't enough to evidence" to say they are doing a crime." Maxy ranted. "They said if we can bring them proper evidence of a crime, they would make an arrest. Now that TITAN knows we are trying to shut them down, they are fighting back."
"What made y'all suspicious in the first place?" Frances asked.
"They were obviously hiding something from the start." Maxy answered.
After that, a employee that worked behind the counter called their order. Frances went up and grabbed the food, then came back. There was complete silence between the both of them for a while as Frances pulled out a pocket knife out of her jacket and started cutting her sandwich.
"Why are you carrying a knife around?" Maxy asked sarcastically.
"We live in Florida."
"Right," Maxy said still laughing. "Don't get caught with that thing."
"I can't get caught." Frances boasted.
As they both started laughing, they talked for what seemed like hours even though it was only 45 minutes. Once time was up, they started heading back to the A.I.C. and entered the building again.
"I'll be back, I have to ask Mike something." Frances said.
"Okay." Maxy said.
Frances went into the elevator and went down the hallway to get to Mike's office. Before going in, she saw another man in there talking to Mike. He had a deep brown skin tone, about 6 feet tall, bald, brown eyes, a goatee, and was wearing a black suit. Frances went in quietly as she was trying not to interrupt their conversation, they both looked at her.
"Frances, I was just about to call you up!" Mike greeted her as he excitedly got up from his chair and started walking towards her. "This is Clark Russell, he is another secret agent here."
"Nice to meet you." Clark said as he put his hand out for a handshake. His voice was very deep but calming in a way. "Your name?"
"Frances Briggs, it's nice to meet you as well."
Frances gave him a handshake, turning her attention to Mike.
"Anyway, Frances, he is here to make an offer to you." Mike added again.
"What offer?" Frances asked.
"Well," Clark chimed in. "I would like to offer you separate training, to be the best secret agent you can possibly be. It's completely free and your assistant, Maxy will come with."
"Thanks, but I already know how to use a gun." Frances replied.
"You're a very experienced hitman, Frances, but not an experienced secret agent." Clark said back with a little more push. "There are major differences and we need you to recognize them."
"What? Are you saying I'm worst than everyone else? Is that what-" Frances started to lean on the desk and crossed her arms as she felt attacked.
"We're not saying that at all." Mike interrupted. "We are major potential in you, Frances and we want to bring it out. Shit, I might even go as far as saying you can be the best agent we have at A.I.C." Mike grabbed Frances' shoulders.
"I don't know why, but, that sounds like bullshit." Frances muttered.
"It's your choice to make." Clark chimed in again.
Frances looked at Mike, then at Clark and hesitated for a second. "Alright, when do I start?" She asked as she walked towards Clark, standing right in front of him.
"You start now." Clark said, smiling.
"Wait wait, right now?" Frances asked confused.
"Yep." Clark tilted his head, signaling Frances to follow him, and left the office.
Before she left with him, she looked at Mike with a "Are you for real?" Look and Mike gave her back a "For real." Look. Frances shook her head and left the office.