The MST, Ch. 14

"Damn straight we're taking it back. I'm not sure who Alex is, but if you think she's got something to do with our dilemma, you go get her Samuel. God, I hate this. I'm helpless in here." Todd got back up slowly. The room righted itself faster than the last time, but he still felt shaky. "There's got to be something I can do to speed up the process, Samuel doesn't strike me as a guy who has had to prepare for any kind of fight. I've got to get back out there. He's right about one thing, someone is pulling strings and I've always hated somebody trying to jerk me around." Feeling stronger Todd ventured back toward the translucent room to see if his alters were making any progress.

Todd stopped and gave the room a good look. Why had someone locked up his memories? How would keeping him in the dark about his past have helped them? Why had no one come looking for him these past seven years? Of course, he couldn't remember who could come looking for him, but surely someone knew him. Someone must have missed him. Why did he only remember the worst thing that had ever happened to him? He needed to get back all of his memories, he felt empty. If Samuel also had no memories of his whole life, he too must have felt pretty empty all these years. One thing was sure he needed to find out about Samuel and what he had been up to for seven years. If he tried to take over his body now he would really be at a loss. It was time for a talk with Ms.Perkins.

"Ms. Perkins, we need to talk." Todd said walking up to her. "The guys can tackle the wall, I've got to have some information. You say I've been out to it for seven years but you guys have been here. How come none of you tried to take over for Samuel?”

"Dear Todd, as I explained earlier, we didn't wake up till Samuel woke up. None of us could figure out what had happened to you. You were here, but unresponsive to any of us. Samuel was in charge. I've been trying to find out what event brought Samuel out and I'm pretty sure it happened when you were hurt, but none of us could remember what occurred. I discovered the room shortly thereafter. Samuel was managing on his own the best he could. I figured letting anyone else out might be detrimental to your health, so I left Samuel in charge. Whenever Samuel tried to retrieve his memories he always suffered intense pain just like you saw moments ago. So he ceased trying to get his memory back and concentrated on getting out of the hospital. While he was recuperating, the boys and I tried to get into the room. We had no luck. Back then you couldn't see into the room and we've spent the last few years working on it, wearing it down." Ms. Perkins gestured to the wall.

"When Samuel got ready to leave the hospital, the boys and I put our collective voices together to warn him he needed to leave and hide. Somehow we got through to him and he fled here to Paris. I knew someone had shielded his memories and whoever that was had plans for you. Samuel has your artistic talents and I know you don't paint, but you do carve and that was the talent that grew into painting. Samuel has lived quietly here, he put his talent to use and started selling the paintings he did of Blair. Samuel is a recluse and up until a few days ago, his dealings were limited to a teller at the bank where he exchanges money, his art dealer Tomas, his landlord, and some waiters and waitresses at a couple of restaurants he frequents. Samuel has spent the last seven years in the company of his ladies. Yes, the paintings. The paintings have helped him stay sane. Over the years we've managed to wear down the barrier between us and your memories and every dent we put into it sent Samuel an image. He used those images to paint he just didn't realize they were memories until recently." said Ms. Perkins.

"Whoa, wait a minute, are you telling me that Samuel is even more innocent then Tom?! My God! I've got to get out of here. Samuel won't know the first thing about handling a she-devil." Todd looks around frantically. " Pete. How did you let this get so out of hand."

"Hey don't look at me, man. That ole battleax you're talking to has kept me bound up most of these years. She didn't want me to cause any trouble. But don't worry. I warned Samuel about Alex. He should proceed with caution." replied Pete

"My dear boy you must relax. Samuel is no innocent. He is very aware of his masculinity and how to use it. I told you before that I believe Samuel is the side of you that is like Sam. He has Sam's qualities and innate charm with women. Just because he has abstained all these years doesn't mean he doesn't know what to do. All you need to do is see his paintings to know he understands passion. I'm sure Samuel will be fine with Alex until you are ready to take control. It is crucial that we finish breaking down this wall. You can't resume your life till you know what brought out Samuel." Then Ms. Perkins did the strangest thing. She took Todd's hand and said. "You've survived so many things in your life. It's time for you to face the fact that you need all of us if you're to survive this. We'll do our part, but when the time comes for you to leave don't shut us down anymore." She smiled and patted his cheek.

Todd was stunned, for one brief moment he had been sitting in that cabin with his mother telling him to be strong, he looked at Ms.Perkins and realized she wasn't like an old school teacher, she was like his mother and she had been there taking care of all of them all this time.

***

Samuel finished getting ready and started figuring out where he was going to take Alex. Of course he would save the Eiffel Tower for the evening. The view from the tower was spectacular at night. From what he remembered of Alex last night, he got the impression she was pretty high maintenance. Her clothes had been top of the line. She would expect the very best and fortunately he was able to provide that, thanks to his recent sales. "Well, Delgado I need some funds," he said as he moved Dee from in front of safe. That sounded so weird coming out of his mouth but it felt right. She was his Delgado. Any other time he would have felt like he was being disrespectful to even think to call a woman by her last name, but this felt so much more personal than that. It was more of an endearment something he shared just with her. He reached in and took out a sizable sum for the evening. He grabbed his coat started to reach for his mask and realized he didn't need it. Alex thought he looked fine, if it didn't bother her, it wouldn't bother him. Running his hands through his hair, his fingers brushed the scars for a brief moment. He straightened his shoulders and headed to the door.

Samuel took a quick look at the girls. "Wish me luck." and he headed out. Samuel reached the bottom of the stairs outside his apartment. Then he quickly made his way to the cab stand where a cab stood waiting for a fare. "This is perfect." thought Samuel. He got in and told the driver to take him to the Ritz. As the cab took off he noticed a couple of people walking up his street, but before he could get a good look at them the cab turned down another street and he lost sight of them. Samuel sat back in the cab. He was excited. He felt he was embarking on an adventure that was sure to change his life as he knew it.

Alex got down to the lobby. She knew she shouldn't look so eager, but Carlo would eat her alive if she didn't succeed and get Samuel to follow her to Llanview. Besides, she was eager, she had gotten a brief but surprisingly refreshing glimpse of Samuel and she liked what she saw. He looked like Todd, but he didn't act anything like Todd. That in itself was intriguing. Samuel just exuded mystery. His dark looks and his enigmatic smile got her heart going. It was positively racing and he hadn't even gotten to the hotel yet. Just then, he walked in. She took the moment before he saw her to just look at him. He had no idea what kind of impression he made to the people around him. He commanded looks but was unaware of them. The women in the room all stopped to look at the man standing in their midst, you could almost hear a collective sigh. The men seemed to acknowledge the presence of a real man in the room. Samuel turned and as if he knew she was watching, found her with his eyes. Alex felt that quick breath leave her for just a moment. Samuel moved to her and that smile once more appeared. "Alex, you are stunning. I can't believe my good fortune that you will be my companion for the day."

Alex smiled back in return. "Samuel, I'm the one who is lucky, every woman in here is wishing she was me right now."

Samuel looked at her and said, "I'm sure you jest, but you're incredibly nice to say so."

Alex realized then that Samuel was as sincere as he was mysterious. He genuinely believed that no real woman would look at him seriously. This man was the polar opposite of Todd. She took his arm and led him to the exit. " Well, what are we going to see today?" she inquired.

Samuel led her to the waiting cab. " First, allow me to show you some of our famous sites; the Arch De Triumph, and the beautiful Cathedral of Notre Dame, and then if you'll let me perhaps a carriage ride on the Champs-Elysees, culminating in dinner tonight in the Eiffel Restaurant. Does all of that meet with your approval?"

"It all sounds great Samuel, provided you give me plenty of time to find out about you and your life here. Something tells me it will be fascinating," replied Alex. Samuel gave her that interesting smile again. It was like he was a cat eyeing a goldfish in a pond and she was the goldfish. A little thrill ran through her as she contemplated what the smile might mean. Just who was playing who here. "No," she thought, "He's too nice a guy. I'm reading Todd into it, he's not Todd."

As he looked at her and smiled, Samuel couldn't help wondering just what she was supposed to do with him. Someone wanted his attention on Alex, what were they trying to keep from him? Oh well, he would figure it out, but for now, he was going to enjoy the rest of the day. He felt like a regular man on a date and he was going to make the best of it. Alex was beautiful and smart and his for the day. Let the Games begin.

          Samuel really enjoyed the afternoon with Alex. Although he was greatly amused by her one-track mind. She had tried continually to find out more about him. He would have liked to help her out, but what she didn't realize was that he didn't know any more about himself then what he had already told her. Well, that wasn't quite true. He hadn't told her about the hospital or his secret deposit box. Those were part of the life he didn't remember and he felt the need to keep them secret for now. Samuel had kept them in reserve all these years especially the deposit box. When he had pulled his id from that box he had known then that the box held more than the id. The box was important to him and one day he would find out why. Samuel poured Alex another glass of wine. She suddenly seemed nervous and he wanted to calm her down. He was also trying to get his own information. If he got her to relax enough he was hoping to get a name or two from her. "Alex my dear, you suddenly seem a little nervous. Have I said something or acted in any way to make you upset? If I have, please tell me what I can do to ease your fears."

          Alex looked at him. It had been a great day but she hadn't made any headway getting to know him, at least she didn't think so. He had talked about his art and the City but had provided very little info into himself. He didn't appear to be hiding anything but she sensed that there was something inside of Samuel that was very dangerous. The more she talked to him the more she wondered what Carlo had done. She was almost positive that Samuel was indeed Todd Manning. That meant that somehow Carlo had managed to replace him with an imposter and a very good imposter at that. The man living as Todd Manning must truly believe he was Todd Manning because no imposter who was just faking someone's life would have continued being that someone if their own life was in danger, She knew what the Todd Manning living in Llanview, all these years, had gone through. He had almost been executed. His own wife had accused him of rape and then he himself had been raped by a crazy woman. No man in their right mind would have stayed in that situation if he was just a fraud. No, Carlo had done something. That's why she had suddenly gotten nervous. She felt it in the currents in the air, something was up. What had Carlo brought her into? If Samuel were to figure out who he was, all hell would break loose. Todd Manning was not a man you crossed. She took a sip of her wine and tried to put a smile on her face. "Nonsense, there's nothing wrong. I've just been enjoying our day so much I'm just feeling a little nervous about how we're going to end the night. Please tell me this is going well on your part. I do want to see you again after tonight." She felt like a fraud. She really liked Samuel but was feeling the need to run like hell and get as far away from him and Carlo as she could. This was not going to end well.

          Behind Samuel's eyes, another person was watching and reading all the signs that Alex was putting off. 

         "Yes, you're not just nervous. You're scared. What's got you so skittish Alex? I know you, you only act scared when you know you've gotten caught in a crossfire. Who's pushing your buttons? I can almost see him. It won't be long. But Alex, he's not the one you need to worry about. I'm coming out soon and when I do then you'll really have something to be afraid of." Todd scowled and turn to see what kind of progress was being made on the wall. It looked like they might finally get through soon. He needed those memories. He needed back in control.

          Samuel pondered her question. Should he continue this charade, or try to find another means to bring her backer out into the open. God, what he wouldn't do to get his memories back. He needed to be full strength when he faced the person or persons who did this to him. He decided to keep contact with Alex going for the time being. "Alex, I have thoroughly enjoyed today and I would love to see you again. Perhaps you'll allow me to escort you to dinner again tomorrow."

        "That would indeed be lovely, but I've started developing a headache and wonder if you could take me back to my hotel. I sometimes get these vicious headaches and I'm terrible company when they come on," said Alex.

        "Of course, my dear. I too have a problem with headaches, so I'll quickly get you back to your hotel. If you're not feeling better by tomorrow we'll reschedule our dinner date." Samuel quickly paid the bill and saw Alex back to her hotel. On the ride back to his apartment he thought about the day. Samuel was sure that Alex almost called off her own plan to ensnare him but then she backed down. She was scared of someone. If he could, he would try to protect her, but he had to solve this mystery. He wanted his life back and he was going to get it.