Maxwell Smart / mixed_muses canon / bar

[mm_heather]

Max has a pretty big problem on his hands, and for the first time ever, he has no idea how to go about solving it.

The problem: he can't find Ben.

True, this has been a problem before, but on those occasions, Ben always eventually turned up. Max knows that he's not going to be that lucky this time, and he has no CONTROL gadgetry to help him out, no

Comments

[heyfootballhead]

They met once before, but neither one of them look very much like their female versions at the moment, so Arnold doesn't recognize him.

He does recognize the frustration involved in wrapping presents, though.

"Need a hand, mister?" Arnold's good at paper folding related things.

[bythatmuch]

"Um. Yeah, I - gah - I think so."

Beat.

"I hate tape."

[heyfootballhead]

"Okay, here--" Maybe he can wrangle that tape off.

"It's hard to wrap presents at first," he says in the spirit of making Max feel better.

[bythatmuch]

"Thanks," he says, giving Arnold a little smile. "And yeah, I know. Bar could have wrapped it for me, but I wanted to to it myself."

Bad idea, apparently.

[hisninetynine]

Although she's a bit weary of approaching him at first, Ninety-Nine ultimately decides on taking the seat across Max at the table, her fresh mug of coffee in tow.

"You sure you don't need help with that?" she asks, grabbing the box and sliding it closer to her place. It probably isn't for her, but that won't stop her from picking it up and giving it a shake.

[bythatmuch]

... wow.

Awesome.

No, seriously. Best timing ever.

NOOOOOOOT

"Um. Sure," he says, sitting back to distractedly pick some of the tape off of his fingers. "Thanks."

[hisninetynine]

Ninety-Nine shakes her head, taking a sip of coffee before moving it out of harm's way. "No problem - really. You look like you need it."

See, Max? She's being nice. And genuinely concerned for your welfare.

And now she's stealing all your gift-wrapping supplies and starting to wrap the box. Careful with what you say - she's got scissors. And plenty more clear tape.

[bythatmuch]

Max isn't going to say anything, actually. He's just going to sit there and watch in an attempt to look like he's trying to learn, or something.

(He's really just zoning out. It's probably obvious.)

[peachyparasol]

Hey Max.

Max.

Max?

Hey Max!!!

You're being giggled at by a pink princess.

lol fail?

[bythatmuch]

Max makes this face: :|

[peachyparasol]

Peach makes this face: :D!

It may be because she finds Max funny. It may be because of the tasty looking (pink) milkshake she's drinking.

Teh world shall nevair kno

[bythatmuch]

Unless that milkshake is spiked, Max has no interest in it.

... her smile is very bright, though, and a little infectious, so he'll give her a tinytiny smile, but that's it.

[imthegoodguy]

"Need help with that?"

[bythatmuch]

Max -

- stares blankly up at Ben, then down at his hands, then back up.

"I don't think you should have to help wrap your own present," he answers, voice a little tight.

[imthegoodguy]

"Well, no, but -- you look like you need help."

[bythatmuch]

"Sure," he says, though he sounds a little hesitant about it. It's not that he doesn't want Ben to help, he's just a little too surprised to process thoughts efficiently, right now.

Talk about timing...