condensed master

The Reluctant Agent
A Compelling Story of Espionage
by coming in from the brilliant sunshine outside. The dimness was probably a
product of only one small window and just a single lamp hanging over the counter,
situated at the far end of the shop. The entire room carried an air of neglect.
A man suddenly appeared through a doorway behind the counter, his thick
black hair and features distinctly Hawaiian. The floral shirt and black apron
covered a large plump body, but Will was not greeted with the usual smile.
Instead, the man just stood there waiting with a half frown on his face.
"Could you do a set of passport photos for me?" Will's enquiry brought
questions about his nationality, residential status, etc. in a deep voice with an
American accent. A negative answer only served to deepen the frown on the
shopkeeper's face. On producing Gerald's card however, the atmosphere abruptly
changed and quickly shuffling to the front of the shop, the Hawaiian flipped over
the closed sign and locked the front door before returning to the counter.
Looking directly at Will he just waited for a further response. Disconcerting
thoughts were now beginning to develop in Will's mind. Why has he locked the
door? It seemed a devious action to take.
"Look," Will finally remarked, "I've been recommended to come here and I
have given you the card, if you don't want to do the job let me out of here." The
fat man shrugged his shoulders and pointing to the door at the back of the shop,
indicated for Will to go through.
The room was small and completely cluttered except for an open area in the
corner. A not so white card about 4 foot x 3 foot was pinned to the wall with
drawing pins, and immediately in front was an adjustable stool positioned close to
a camera on a tripod. The set-up could not be mistaken for any other purpose than
taking passport photo's and the rest of the equipment lying around, including a light
box, indicated that some form of art work was in progress.
Will sat down on the stool and the fat man adjusted the camera. After the flash
he was ushered back into the shop to wait. Will could hear activity coming from
the room at the rear as he looked once again around this dark and dismal place.
Gerald would surely have his reasons for getting the photo's done, and it was
probably best at this stage that he was not aware of the details. The fat man
reappeared behind the counter. "That will be two hundred bucks."
Will was taken aback. "No, I've given you the card, the photo's will be picked
up and paid for then." The fat man insisted. "I must have the money now, or else."
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