Chương 38: The Art of Being Regina

"Who is it?" Regina asked, looking through the peephole. She saw an official looking young man in a dark suit standing on the other side. DOME. It had to be, she thought.

"Regina Ravencroft?" the male voice asked through the door. His voice was pleasant but commanding. Saw this coming, these idiots are so predictable.

"Depends on who's asking." Regina answered sarcastically. Might as well have some fun with it.

"Please just open the door Ma'am," the voice said.

"This door stays shut until you tell me who you are." Regina said, standing by the door smirking.

"I'm Eric Basterson, from DOME and I am here on official business Ma'am," he said, clearly annoyed.

"Let me see some ID, Eric Basterson from DOME. A woman all alone can't be too careful these days," Regina demanded. The young man sighed and pulled out his ID and badge and held them up to the peephole. Regina looked out, "You need to move them back just a wee bit, I can't make it out you're too close," she said, then covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. Regina waited a minute, then unlocked the door and opened it, leaving the chain on the door.

"Can I help you, Eric Basterson, from DOME, or is this some weird social call?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.

"May I enter the premises Ma'am? Like I said, I am here on official business," he said flatly.

"Depends on why you want to enter. What is this so-called official business? You know I work in Chancellery as a special agent, and I find this all very suspect. Can you tell me what this is about?" she asked.

"Just a welfare check Ma'am," he replied.

"Well, as you can see, I am well. So, I guess this is goodbye, Eric Basterson," she said, beginning to close the door.

"It's been a pleasure to meet you, and please be careful as you head out." Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. The agent stuck his foot to prevent the door from closing all the way.

"Ma'am, I need entry to your apartment," the man said.

"Unless you show me a warrant or some other official paperwork to gain entry to my domicile, I'm afraid that foot you have right there, is about the only part of your body that is getting in here."

"Ms. Ravencroft, I would appreciate you not making this difficult," he said, trying to be intimidating. This little man thinks he's going to scare me… well, that's pretty funny.

"How am I making it difficult? I know my rights and I don't have to let you in without a court order signed by a judge," she replied firmly.

"I'm sorry to inform you Ma'am, that is no longer the case. Per executive order 45926, any DOME agent has the authority to enter any premises owned by, rented by or leased by a woman, without warrant, explanation, or cause," he said flatly.

"Now let me in, or I will be forced to take extreme measures."

"I would like to see a copy of this Executive Order. I am an agent…" she began.

"I'm aware of who you are and where you work Ma'am," he said, his frustration mounting.

"I still need to enter the residence Ma'am, I do not need to show you any documentation." She flipped her wrist and her screen popped out.

"Show me Executive Order 45926." She waited for the search to conclude, then read the order, shaking her head.

"I think I shall reserve comment as to how I feel about this, but unless you want to lose that foot, I suggest you move it so I can open the door," she said, pushing the door closed, then unhooked the chain. She opened the door wide for the agent.

"Thank you, Ma'am," he said curtly, walking into her apartment. Regina left the door open watching him as he walked from room to room.

"Is there something you are looking for specifically?" she asked.

"I can't answer that Ma'am," he said, continuing his search.

"Okay, what can you tell me?" she asked, folding her arms.

"Thank you for your time, Ma'am. Sorry for the inconvenience. Have a good night," he said walking past her and out the door. Regina quickly shut the door behind him, then stood at the door listening.

"No, it's just her, no one else. No sign of the child," he said into his wrist.

"Child?" she whispered.

"What child? Regina, what have you gotten yourself into now?" She huffed. She looked out the peephole, he was gone. She leaned up against the door and waited before opening it slowly. She looked up one side of the hallway and then the other before reentering the apartment and shutting the door behind her. She locked the door and checked to be sure it was secure before heading to the bathroom. Once inside, she looked in the mirror.

"Well Regina, you seem to have yourself in quite a pickle, I hope you made it out okay," she said to her reflection, studying how well she had morphed. Not a hair out of place. This transformation was one of the easiest for her. She and Regina had spent most of their childhood pretending to be one another. The only one who could ever tell was their mother and even then, it took her a little time to discover the ruse.