Goldilocks and Cate/ The Mission

Mama Bear: Mama Bear calling Goldilocks come in please over

Goldilocks: This is Goldilocks, Mama Bear, I read you, over

Mama Bear: I know you've been in semi-retirement for some years now but we have a vital mission that is both serious and urgent, and we can't think of a better man for the job. Are you keen for some action?


Goldilocks: Gee, I dunno, Mama Bear, vital mission you say? That sounds like a tough one. I'm not as young as I used to be. But then again, I have been rather bored of late. What did you have in mind?



Mama Bear: The Enemy is dealing a low blow by making people believe the world is in trouble; the economy, rising prices, job security; you get the idea. He's painting a very dismal and depressing picture. And the more people buy into such rubbish, well, the consequences are dire to say the least. And sadly, the media is on the frontlines adding fuel to the fire; newspapers, TV, internet; negative, negative, negative. The world is quickly spiraling into a cesspool of negativity. Unless we can stop it now, the Enemy will reign supreme and all our lives will be nothing but suffering and misery.

Goldilocks: Whoa! Mama Bear, that's a pretty strong statement. So, you want me to go out and tell people to stop reading newspapers and turn off the TV and that will fix everything?

Mama Bear: (sigh) If only it were that easy. But you know how devilishly clever the Enemy can be. He is attacking at one of our weakest points; our thoughts, and fear is His greatest weapon. People, who are normally optimistic and positive, are having a difficult time keeping their heads above water. They have been duped into believing they are victims of their world and circumstances, and have no control over their lives. Of course we know differently.

Goldilocks: But what about our secret weapon...The Technique? (shudder) Have we been found out? Does He know...?

Mama Bear: No, Goldilocks, fortunately for us the Enemy is blind to our operation. He cannot fathom that we could destroy him in such a way. His method of attack will be His own undoing.

Goldilocks: So, what has all this got to do with me?

Mama Bear: We have placed one of our best agents, Cate, into an extremely negative environment, a call center. The goal is to strike The Enemy in his own camp using his own tactics without HIm being the wiser.

Goldilocks: You've got my attention. So far so good.

Mama Bear: She's been there for some time and was doing just fine until recently when The Enemy ramped up His negativity barrage, and now she appears to be floundering. She's trying to maintain a postive attitude but the call center's rules get more and more restrictive each day, and she is becoming increasingly angry and frustrated. It's gotten so bad she feels like she's in a prison with no escape.

Goldlilocks (thoughtfully) I know the feeling.

Mama Bear: Yes, we knew you would. Anyway, to make a long story short, we don't want to lose her. She is so close to "letting it all go" and she is invaluable to our cause for freedom.

Goldilocks: So, you want me to go in and pull her out, is that it?

Mama Bear: No, Goldilocks, (with some hestiation) we are asking you to make contact with her and do everything in your power to prevent her from being destroyed by The Enemy.

Goldilocks (taken aback): How's that again, sir?

Mama Bear: (deep sigh) We need you to be a sounding board for her frustration anger and fear; interact one on one. In other words, we're putting you back in prison.

Goldilocks: (increduously) You're doing what?!

Mama Bear: (hardly audible) putting you back in prison.

Goldilocks: (bite in tone) For how long?

Mama Bear: (quietly) As long as it takes, even indefinitely. We have reached a crisis. We will settle for nothing less than total victory and the annihilation of The Enemy. You do understand?

Goldilocks: (in a softer contemplative tone) Yeah..." (pause) so, do Iwork undercover like before?

Mama Bear: No, Goldilocks, we are setting you up with a unqiue communication tool called a "blog" Cate will discuss various subjects with you on the blog; her day-to-day activities, hopes, dreams, frustrations, progress with The Method; in short, anything and everything. This discussion between the two of you will be posted on the blog for all to comment on. And when I say all, I mean millions of people, called bloggers, from around the world have access to your blog. And people like nothing better than to voice their opinions. We want you to draw these comments, as many as you can. They may be friendly, they may be vicious and cutting. Your mission is to remain positive at all times and help keep Cate feeling the same way.

Goldilocks: Wait a minute. Wait a minute. You're asking us to be attacked?

Mama Bear: I know how it must sound, but, yes.

Goldilocks: You didn't tell me this was a suicide mission. You're kidding, right?

Mama Bear: (somber tone) We have never been more serious about a mission.

Goldilocks: (muttering) I was afraid of that. (aloud) Okay, I think I'm beginning to get the picture. You say you want me to interact with Cate. Exactly how do I do that when she doesn't know me from Adam, or Eve, or anybody else? I mean, this is war. You expect her to open up and spill her guts like some stupid little kid? Oh, come on, Mama Bear, I may have been in mothballs for several decades, but the world hasn't changed that much. Let's get real here.

Mama Bear: (suppressing a smile) Interesting choice of words, Goldilocks.

Goldilocks: (showing his irritation) All right, you know what I mean. It just won't work.

Mama Bear: Perhaps, I didn't make myself clear. The Enemy is winning on all fronts.

Goldilocks: (under his breath) Yes, I know.

Mama Bear: Is that what you want?

Goldilocks: (resignedly) No, of course not.

Mama Bear: (reassuringly) We know it won't be easy but to put your mind at rest, you don't have to worry about interacting with Cate, she has read about your past exploits and is quite enamored of you. We've been in contact with her and told her about the mission. Actully she is quite anxious to meet you.

Goldilocks: (slightly miffed) Oh, great, that's all I need, some hero worshiper.

Mama Bear: We think you'll hit it off quite nicely. (mood becomes somber) Remember, this is a dangerous assignment. The Enemy will stop at nothing to deter you, distract y0u and ultimately turn you into a negative robot, ruled solely by the thoughts in your head, just like the rest of the masses out there. Will you do it?

Goldilocks: Is that an order, sir?

Mama Bear: No, Goldilocks, because we know you'd do it without even thinking about it twice because that's the kind of soldier you are. The decision is yours. With the nature of the assignment, we couldn't make it mandatory. Do we have your support?

Goldilocks: (with devilish grin) Gee, maybe I should mull this over a bowl of porridge, yuh think?

Mama Bear: That's what we love about you, Goldilocks, that wonderful keen wit and sense of humor. Never a dull moment, what?

Goldilocks (ignoring the praise) Yeah, right, let's say I agree to your crazy scheme, how do we make contact? Do I contact her or does she contact me?

Mama Bear: We'll handle all the arrangements just leave that to us. All we need from you is a simple "yes."

Goldilocks: (arching eyebrows) Simple you said!? Well, sir, all joking aside, it sounds like quite a challenge. But you know me, if I can help our cause for freedom, I'll give it my best shot...huh, make that the old college try.

Mama Bear: We appreciate your loyalty, Goldilocks, but we want you to go into this one with both eyes open. We know from past experience that you have a tendency to jump before you know what is below you. That's why we want you to know this will be an assignment unlike any you have ever undertaken before. Psychological warefare can be worse than death. We're placing you in the very heart of enemy territory. As a result, you can expect direct frontal attacks when you least expect them and The Enemy will show you no mercy. Because of our advanced technology we can connect you directly to Cate's feelings. You will feel her humiliation, anger, frustration and ultimately, despair. She could lose all sense of direction and pull you down with her. Now, Goldilocks, is your answer still "yes"?

Golilocks: I'm thinkin', I'm thinkin'

As always, we'll give you the freedom to operate as you think best with the understanding that once you make contact, you will be on your own. That of course means radio silence. If you succomb to the enemy's ploys, we will be unable to help you. You do understand we can't risk The Enemy picking up our code. Now, what do you say, Goldilocks?

Goldilocks: Whew! You make it so inviting. You sure you want me? I mean, wouldn't James Bond be a better choice?

Mama Bear: He unfortunately, had another engagement for the Crown.

Goldilocks: (muttering) It figured. (complete change of tone) I'm sorry, sir, I didn't mean to be disrespectful, but you do realize you're throwing me to the wolves. (pauses and brightens) Maybe I should change my name to "Little Red Riding Hood".

Mama Bear: (suppressing a grin) You always did have an interesting way with words, Goldilocks.

Goldilocks: (miffed) And you think I have a strange sense of humor. All right, I'll do it, sir, I probably should have my head examined, but you know me, I'm noted for ideas that are a bit off-the-wall.

Mama Bear: (exhuberantly) Excellent! Goldilocks, we were hoping you would see it our way. I can't tell you how much we appreciate your support and courage in this vital mission. Good luck, old man.

Goldilocks: (acting offended) Hey! your're as young as you feel, remember...or is that think? And right now I think I've just been handed a bowl of cold, moldy porridge. And I don't even like porridge. Goldilocks out.