their new assignment

[MEIER and SOLBERG, standing in town square]

MEIER What I don’t understand is why, after what happened on Friday, you want her to

pose out here, of all places?

SOLBERG It’s not so much the reaction of the townspeople as what the enemy thinks.

Assuming they’re watching, for the moment we have to pretend nothing

happened.

MEIER Oh something really did happen.

SOLBERG I attribute it to miscalibration of the equipment.  We were expecting a few

clicks an hour, but instead the Lieutenant found herself jangled by, according

to the reading when I finally could take it out, one hundred thirty-six.

MEIER I know you called it a temporary seizure, caused by hiccuping, but everybody

knew exactly what poor Meg was experiencing.  I hope that video doesn’t get

around.

SOLBERG Unlikely.  We know that these are decent people.  Pastor Odegaard no doubt

deleted it.  Though perhaps unsuspecting as to who might have infiltrated his

phone and already copied it. . . Are you sure she’s coming?

MEIER Bad choice of words.

SOLBERG Sorry.

MEIER I think the Chinese, or whoever sent me that false all-clear, knows where we

are.  I realize now that they must have GPS’ed the pingback when I

acknowledged the message.

SOLBERG I’d say that is a fair guess. . . So will she show up?

MEIER She seemed better this morning.  After staying scrunched up on her bed for a

whole day, and not leaving the cabin since.

SOLBERG No one can blame her.  Here she is.  Good morning, Meg.

McNALLY I’d rather not talk.

SOLBERG That’s o.k.  Pose by the fountain, as if looking down to contemplate it?

McNALLY All right.  I don’t want to have to look at anybody. . . Why are we here?

SOLBERG Let me get my kit out first.  Now that I’m drawing -- you probably can figure

that your mission cannot continue here.

McNALLY To state the obvious.

SOLBERG Whether or not the cover is blown, you can no longer fit in.

McNALLY As if I ever did.

SOLBERG You know what I mean.

MEIER So what’s next?

SOLBERG A change of scenery.  We have to keep hiding you.  The “hide in plain sight”

strategy worked for these months but it has been decided to try the

opposite.

MEIER What do you mean?

SOLBERG You will be placed in what can only be called the sexual underground.  A very

hidden place.

McNALLY What??

SOLBERG Miss McNally, this is not easy to say, but . . . the truth is, you have been naked

and put on public display for a long, long time --

McNALLY It’s been six months and seven days.

SOLBERG Indeed.  And by now you must be getting used to it.  I don’t mean that you

enjoy it but constant nudity and exposure has become a fact of your life and

you have become used to that fact.

McNALLY [still staring down at fountain]  I don’t like where this is going.

SOLBERG You will be glad to know that you will be placed in a warm climate.

McNALLY Oh thank God . . . at least I can thank God for that . . .

SOLBERG You will be taken to Argentina, an area in the north part of the country called

the “pampas”.

MEIER I think I’ve heard of that.

SOLBERG Flat grasslands, temperate in some places, semi-tropical in others.  You will be

inserted into a large estate that practices what might be called “sex tourism”,

highly secret as you can imagine, but from what we understand the source of a

lucrative underground economy.  [leans to look at his canvas]  Can you turn a

little to your left?

McNALLY I can’t f**king believe that the United States Navy is sending an officer to get

raped!

SOLBERG Nothing of the sort.  You will be introduced as what’s called a “female

submissive” and your only role will be to be looked at.  No sexual contact.  In

fact no physical contact at all.

MEIER How can you guarantee that?

SOLBERG That is where you come in, Ensign.  You will be sent with her.

MEIER How are they going to accept two naval personnel at a place like that?

SOLBERG They won’t know it’s the Navy, of course.  To them -- and we are dealing with a

shadowy group of people, to be sure -- to them, you are an accomplished

“dom” who is visiting, for an undetermined period, with his “sub”.

MEIER Will this work?

SOLBERG All you have to do is look at the Lieutenant.  She will be much in demand.

Her body is extraordinarily beautiful, well-toned, evenly tanned.

McNALLY Excuse me while I scream.

SOLBERG It is an objective truth which we have to take account of and can use to our

advantage.

McNALLY It still sounds too dangerous.  You’re sending me naked and unarmed into a

secret society of pervs.

SOLBERG This is a culture that carefully hides from the law, and extra carefully hides

from publicity.  It took a long time for us to develop the contacts.  They dare

not do anything that will cause anyone to go to the police.

MEIER It makes a weird kind of sense.

McNALLY Oh thank you so much for your support, Roger.

SOLBERG Unlike here, where you were the only unclothed person, you will be with

dozens of others who are also in what is called the “BDSM scene”.  I don’t

know if there will be other persons in complete nudity, but there will be plenty

of skin exposure.  You will fit in quite well.  Also a more salubrious climate

which I’m sure you will appreciate.

McNALLY It’s only making me feel c - cold again.  C - can we finish this up?

SOLBERG Your “sub” name will be Melinda.  And the Ensign will be a “dom” known as

“Master Jake”.

McNALLY “Master Jake”!!  This is too funny.

SOLBERG Perhaps so, but when in his presence you are always to call him “Master” --

with a straight face -- and bow down.  And of course do everything he

says.

MEIER What is my role exactly?

SOLBERG According to our research, it will be expected that any “sub” has a master.  And

your role will be pretty conventional, as things are done there.  You are the

exclusive conduit for any requests to “hire” Melinda, and you are also to make

sure that there are no abuses, no instances of sexual or physical contact.  And

of course ensure that at no point is any part of her covered.  The story will be

that she has dedicated her life to complete exposure at all times.  You will be

briefed on the particulars en route.

McNALLY [still looking down at fountain, planting one foot in a different part of the

snow]  I hope we get that d - damned all-clear soon.

SOLBERG There will not be only that.  The two of you will not simply be waiting around

while you play your roles. It has been realized that this secretive environment

is convenient for relaying, shall we say laundering, intelligence.  You will be

given the codes.  Be alert to possibly being approached, to receive and then

dispatch messages.

MEIER So how do we get out of here?

SOLBERG A helicopter will pick you up at the ice pond tomorrow at 1100 hours.

MEIER In broad daylight?

SOLBERG Yes.  We want it to be detected, if there’s anyone watching.  Gather your

things.

McNALLY I d - don’t have a lot of things.  Should be easy.

MEIER It gets cold in those choppers.

SOLBERG This one will be specially insulated.  It will make off in the direction of Narvik,

then once over the ocean will circle back and up to Hammerfest.  From

Hammerfest you will take a second helicopter to a third point.  And so on.  You

should be in the pampas within the week.

MEIER Think of it, Meg.  Warmth!

McNALLY Thank God.

MEIER Think you can call me Master?  And bow at my feet?

McNALLY [still looking down at the fountain] Not before I f**king have to.