Point Blank

husband’s arm.
    ‚I’m at my wit’s end,‛ Sir David concluded. ‚We have an older daughter, and she’s perfectly delightful. But Alex’? He hangs around the house. He doesn’t read. He doesn’t show any interest in anything. His appearance … well, you’ll see for yourself. The Point Blanc Academy is our last resort, Mrs. Stellenbosch. We’re desperately hoping you can straighten him out.‛
    The assistant director poked at the air with her cigar, leaving a gray trail. ‚I’m sure you’ve been a marvelous father, Sir David,‛ she purred. ‚But these modern children! It’s heartbreaking the way some of them behave. You’ve done the right thing, coming to us. As I’m sure you know, the academy has had a remarkable success rate over the years.‛
    ‚What exactly do you do?‛ Lady Caroline asked.
    ‚We have our methods.‛ The woman’s eyes twinkled.
    She tapped ash into her saucer. ‚But I can promise you, we’ll straighten out all his problems.
    Don’t you worry! When he comes home, he’ll be a completely different boy.‛
    Alex had reached the edge of a field about a half mile from the house. He had seen the helicopter land and knew that his time had come. But he wasn’t ready yet to leave. Mrs. Jones had telephoned him the night before. Once again, MI6 wasn’t going to send him empty-handed into what might be enemy territory.
    He watched as a combine harvester rumbled slowly toward him, cutting a swathe through the grass. It jerked to a halt a short distance away, and the door of the cabin opened. A man got out—with difficulty. He was so fat that he had to squeeze himself out, first one buttock, then the next, and finally his stomach, shoulders, and head. The man was wearing a checked shirt and blue overalls—a farmer’s outfit. But even if he’d had a straw hat and a blade of corn between his teeth, Alex could never have imagined him actually farming anything.
    The man grinned at him. ‚Hello, old chap!‛ he said.
    ‚Hello, Mr. Smithers,‛ Alex replied.
    Smithers worked for MI6. He had supplied the various devices Alex had used on his last mission. ‚Very nice to see you again!‛ he exclaimed. He winked. ‚What do you think of the cover? I was told to blend in with the countryside.‛
    ‚The combine harvester’s a great idea,‛ Alex said. ‚Except, this is April. There isn’t anything to harvest.‛
    ‚I hadn’t thought of that!‛ Smithers beamed. ‚The trouble is, I’m not really a field agent.
    Field agent!‛ He looked around him and laughed. ‚Anyway, I’m jolly glad to have the chance to work with you again, Alex—to think up a few bits and pieces for you. It’s not often I get a teenager. Much more fun than the adults!‛
    He reached into the cabin and pulled out a suitcase. ‚Actually, it’s been a bit tricky this time,‛ he went on.
    ‚Have you got another Nintendo Game Boy?‛ Alex asked.
    ‚No. That’s just it. The school doesn’t allow Game Boys—or any computers at all, for that matter. They supply their own laptops. I could have hidden a dozen gadgets inside a laptop, but there you are! Now, let’s see…‛ He opened the case. ‚I’m told there’s still a lot of snow up at Point Blanc’ so you’ll need this.‛
    ‚A ski suit,‛ Alex said. That was what Smithers was holding.
    ‚Yes. But it’s highly insulated and also bulletproof.‛ He pulled out a pair of green-tinted goggles. ‚These are ski goggles. But in case you have to go anywhere at night, they’re actually infrared. There’s a battery concealed in the frame. Just press the switch and you’ll be able to see about twenty yards, even if there’s no moon.‛
    Smithers reached into the case a second time. ‚Now, what else would a boy of your age have with him? Fortunately, you’re allowed to take a Sony Discman, provided all the CDs are classical.‛ He handed Alex the machine.
    ‚So while people are shooting at me in the middle of the night, I get to listen to music,‛ Alex said.
    ‚Absolutely. Only don’t play the Beethoven!‛ Smithers held up the disc. ‚The Discman converts into an electric saw. The CD is diamond-edged. It’ll cut through just about anything—
    useful if you need to get out in a hurry. There’s also a panic button I’ve built in. If you’re in real trouble and you need help, just press Fast Forward three times. It’ll send out a signal that our satellite will pick up. And then we can fast forward you out!‛
    ‚Thank you, Mr.