Cloak and dagger, code words and Covert Operations.

"The river ran backwards on the day the Queen vanished". Said the tall, suave, impeccable and exquisitely dressed figure. This Dapper Dan was well turned out, all dressed in black, with a fetching black hood covering the face, completely obscuring any chance I had of identifying him or her. This was someone who demanded and got results.

Their voices were disguised, some kind of Vocal cord mutation.

"Autonomy is a word best served cold". Replied the other party to the conversation. Now this cat was cool, a few inches shorter, but tall enough to impress. Dressed in similar manner, but with a slightly different flair to the attire, a more reserved, understated elegance and quiet assurance.

Both parties wore Embassy Gold London Black Drops boots, nice! A sign of identification agreed upon. One couldn't tell if they were male or female. I could barely make out one shoe on each of their feet as the dim light illuminated the ground.

Everything about them was covert, right down to the use of codes to deter anyone trying to dupe, discover or follow them.

So those were just their code phrases, no real rivers were running anywhere. Although they would definitely change the codes for their next meeting, but I would decipher it again, just the way I had figured out this one. That was how I knew where they were meeting.

They met in the back of the old, once luxurious Queen's River theatre on Vanishing Street, where the movie "The Death of the Autonomous Self", was playing. Duh!

Don't ask me how I found out. I will never tell, even on pain of death.

"Did you bring the merchandise". Mr. Tall asked.

Monsieur Shorter nodded, not uttering a word, but instead, reached into the folds of the black coat for something.

Mr. Tall stepped back quickly, a shadow moved in the darkness nearby, something silver glistened, there was a click. In the opposite corner the same thing happened.

"Relax". Said M. Shorter, raising a hand, "just reaching for a flash drive".

Mr. Tall beckoned the shadow back. So did M. Shorter.

"What's this". Mr. Tall asked guardedly as the flash drive was retrieved.

"A sample of our best merchandise. Many more of those if you are really interested in widening your viewer base. These are unique and fascinating new ideas. It will benefit, you, us and the all parties involved". M. Shorter replied.

"So, you intend to play fair with your 'merchandise', be honest and transparent about the entire agreements, right down to the fine prints. We cannot foresee any lawsuits and disagreements in the near future". Mr. Tall demanded.

"We are always honest with our people, well, to a certain degree, of course. Some details are best dealt with internally, with our lawyers approval, of course". M. Shorter said.

"I am just curious as to why we are having this cloak and dagger affair. Let me guess, you have not yet run this by your people, right". Mr. Tall laughed eerily, making a god awful ghostly sound with the timbre of the disguised voice.

"Of course not, we have to make sure that we can follow through. What if they decided to agree to this new idea and we don't have you on board". M. Shorter huffed, annoyance clearly visible in the voice.

"Playing it safe, I admire that. Nothing is guaranteed in our line of work".

"Neither is it in ours. So I assume that we understand each other". M. Shorter asked, becoming obviously impatient with all of the back and forth, which they had already previously discussed.

M. Shorter's people needed a big boost to its community network, it was becoming exceedingly harder to maintain excellence as each day passed. Its community base was becoming restless, with some even departing for various undetermined reasons. There would be all out war if it was thought that decisions were being made behind their backs.

But they did not want to make promises which they could not honor either. Full disclosure would be the first order of business when the time was right.

On the other hand, this was a big step and both sides wanted to keep things secret from the prying eyes of their competition, I realized. It had nothing to do with being dishonest with the parties whom they represented. Everyone would soon be involved directly in the agreements which would be made if they all came on board.

"Ok, let me take this to the money guys and get right back to you on it. We have heard great things about your organization and look forward to a long and fruitful partnership".

Mr. Tall and M. Shorter shook hands and returned to their respective black SUV's as the two shadows emerged from the darkness, looking around for any danger that may be lurking in the shadows.

I waited until they were out of sight before emerging from my hiding spot. What did Vocan and Hollywould have up their sleeves, what trick card were they planning to play for all involved.

If this is what I think it is, a lot of people might just be looking at some huge pay days in the coming future.

But for now my lips are sealed. I cannot even publish my findings. Unfortunately.

Still, I wondered why the witches cackle had resonated through the speakers of both cars as they drove off. Did they know that I was listening?

Was this my Trick or treat moment?

Was I dreaming. God, I hope not. I really want to get rich!

Imagine my name flashing across the movie screen. Written by and starring....ME!!!

I can't wait!