Go inside and look around

There isn’t a lot of time available to do a thorough search of the place, but Alex decides he can take a few minutes to at least familiarize himself with the layout. He walks in the front door and sees a receptionist at a desk. She is talking on the phone.

As Alex waits, he sees a man enter the lobby. Out of training, Alex first looks him over to see if he has any obvious weapons. Only then does he look at the man’s face. Alex takes a step back in surprise, because the man he is looking at is Austin Clithammer — one of the biggest names in the porn industry.

Austin has been starring in adult films for nearly 30 years and is still just as popular as ever. He has reportedly bagged over 10,000 women — both on and off camera. Alex watched an interview with Austin once where he was challenged about the number. “That’s a different woman every day from the time you were in your teens,” said the reporter. “Is that even credible?” Austin responded with, “Well, no... I take some days off. I more than make up for it, though with the threesomes and foursomes.”

Austin was recently in the news, because he is coming out with a book. Evidently he has kept meticulous records about his sexual conquests, writing up a little something about each woman. It is a practice he has maintained since his teens, and his resultant notes are about to become public in a very major way. Someone convinced Austin to publish his sexual memoirs, and it has made a lot of people nervous. Reportedly, the pages will include some pretty well-known names, including two First Ladies, several happily-married Members Of Parliament, and scores of Hollywood beauty queens. Alex has been eagerly awaiting the book’s release. He has been a big fan of Austin for several years.

As Austin approaches, Alex steps forward and offers his hand. “Mr. Clithammer, it’s an honor to meet you! I’m a big fan.”

Austin takes Alex’s hand cordially. “Thank you. It’s nice to meet a fan. I didn’t realize they were giving tours again here at the studio.”

“Oh, I’m not here for a tour — although that would be great. I’m actually going to be working here. I’ve got a meeting in HR in just a few minutes.”

“Oh, that’s great! I hope to be seeing you around then. What did you say your name was again?”

“Alex. Alex Rider. Thanks so much. I hope to see you again. Maybe I can get you to autograph your book for me once it comes out?”

“I can do better than that,” says Austin. “Come by my dressing room sometime. I have an advance copy in there, and I’ll give it to you. Always glad to do a favor for a colleague.”

Alex thanks him, beaming with pleasure and pride. As Austin leaves, the receptionist hangs up the phone and asks, “May I help you?”

“Yes, I have an appointment with the Personnel Director. My name is Alex Bigbone.” Inwardly, Alex cringes at the pseudonym Blunt cooked up for him.

“Bigbone?” asks the receptionist. “I thought I overheard you tell Mr. Clithammer your name is Rider.”

Alex curses himself silently for his rookie mistake. He was so caught up with being a genuine fanboy that he could have blown his cover. The name Alex Rider would be well known to SCORPIA.