They were definitely footsteps. No doubt about it, and getting closer, too. The woman forced herself not to turn around, not to look, even though she desperately wanted to. Her training took over. By maintaining her pace, acting as though she were unaware of her pursuer, she would have the element of surprise when it came time to act.
To act.
The sidewalk was clear all the way to the intersection about a quarter of a mile away. There were cars parked along the edge of the sidewalk but no traffic moving along the road, and there wouldn’t be in this neighborhood, not at this time of night.
To her right were brownstone apartments, one after another, no alleys or other cover nearby.
There was nowhere to hide. And then…
“Agent Patton!”
She wheeled around into a fighting stance, drawing her weapon from her purse.
“Wait! Don’t shoot!” said the man before her. He was young, tall, well built, wearing black slacks, a white shirt and blazer. Probably ex-military. Most importantly, he appeared unarmed. “The codeword is Idlewild. Idlewild. Don’t shoot.”
Idlewild. Yes, that was the codeword. “Déjà Vu,” she replied, lowering her weapon.
“Affirmative.” Slowly he reached into his jacket and withdrew a small black phone and handed it to her.
She took it and slid her fingers in a pattern across the smooth glass screen before bringing the phone up to her ear. A message started to play. “Good evening, Agent Patton. This is the Producer.”
Her employer had a flair for theatrics.
“Your mission, should you choose to accept it, Agent Patton, is to star opposite Tom Cruise in this winter’s Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol. Please press 1 followed by the pound key if you accept this mission…”
She tapped the virtual keyboard that appeared on the display and returned the phone to her ear.
“Excellent. You have chosen to accept the mission. This phone will self destruct in 5 seconds…”
Haha! I wonder if that’s how Paula got offered the Mission: Impossible job. Something tells me probably not (although it would have been really cool). 🙂
Paula Maxine Patton, born December 5, 1975, only started acting seven years ago, after trying her hand at producing and screenwriting. Now she’s making up for lost time with a Tom Cruise blockbuster under her belt.
She and her singer/songwriter husband Robin Thicke, son of actor Alan Thicke and Gloria Loring, started dating when they were teenagers and have a one-year-old son together now.
Kid sure is lucky to have such a talented, beautiful secret agent actress for a mom.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Nina says
i love love love style number 7 — whc is kinda how my hair looks like now, but not as curly. finally got it cut last week! 🙂
Karen says
How cute, Nina! Do you have a side part? I love those with bobs.
Nina says
yep, a deep-ish left side part. if i dont use a hair dryer, my current hair finishes a bit curly and textured.
if i use a flat iron, it gets pin straight! it really is easier to have a bob. 🙂
Karen says
Super cute! I had one a few years ago and really liked it! I remember feeling lighter and less hot during the summer.
Are ya back at work today?
Nina says
yep. back at work since yesterday actually! 🙂
pretty quiet though. 2 of my co workers are still out …
Karen says
I’ll take quiet over crazy any day!
Did you ever decide what to get with your NARS gift card?
Nina says
i havent yet! its still sitting here on my desk. i think i want 2 eyeshadow palettes but its so hard to commit since i also love their matte eyeshadows, their blushes and the multiples!
Stephanie says
I love every hairdo, except 1, 2 and the last one.
Karen says
She has really pretty hair, right? I love the color of it.
Elle says
I love this woman. And her husband… 🙂
I wish I had more skill with hair. Maybe that will be a late new year’s resolution. Hope you had a good one Karen! Keep the awesome posts coming in 2012 🙂
Karen says
Sooo I just figured out that Robin Thicke is Alan Thicke’s son. Hello, Growing Pains!
I like your new year’s hair resolution. What would you like to get better at? General styling or specialty stuff like updos?
Also — how was your Christmas and new years? 🙂
Elle says
Hello Growing Pains is right. Looks like Mr. Seaver knew what was up…lol!
General styling would be awesome, and night out looks too. I’ve just gotten better with hot rollers though, so that is a major accomplishment in my book!
New Years was good! The bf was visiting fam outta town so it was quiet. Just me, some drinks, my sis, and the SyFy Twilight Zone marathon. Wild! Any travel plans coming up for the new year?
Elle says
Oops, Christmas was good too. Lots of food!
Karen says
LOL, remember when they brought Leonardo DiCaprio onto the show? I think they adopted him or something?
BTW, hot rollers are challenging, so mad props. If you can handle those you can pretty much do anything. I need some new looks too… been really lazy with my hair lately,
That sounds like really good NYE. I love the mellow ones, to be honest.
As for travel, I’m really, really hoping to go to Kauai sometime in the next three months, because I desperately need to be in the ocean. It’s been too long and I feel like a fish out of water. Do you have any plans?
Oh, I drove by a local boxing gym over the weekend and thought of you — are you still taking boxing lessons?
Elle says
I do remember when the brought Leo on! Totally before I thought he was cute…didn’t really like him til The Departed to be honest. I think they adopted him too…and made him live above the garage, right??
Hot rollers are a total pain, but I at least know how to use them at this point. I think the problem with so many hot roller sets are the fact that the clips don’t hold enough hair. I seriously bought 4 sets of rollers before I found one set that I’d rate an 8/10 (again, the clips *could* be better). I bet it’s hard for you too to find good clips since I’m guessing we both have the same thick Filipino hair!
Kauai sounds amazing! Can’t wait to see those pics/posts. I’m going to try to visit my best friend in Vancouver this year and my bf wants me to meet his brother and sister in law in South Carolina, so I hope that happens.
I’m still boxing! I had to take a small break b/c my wrist started hurting me (don’t think it was boxing related, probably from the typing at work) but I’m getting back into it. I’m thinking of doing pilates too…ever done it?
Swatch And Learn says
I voted for the high ponytail (#8). She looks so classy with it, and I think it really makes her facial features stand out.
Karen says
I like that style too. Simple, sleek and classic!
How was your new year’s? Good, I hope!
Brian AKA Roulette says
Saw MI3:GP this weekend….holy smokin hot!!!
I had no idea who Paula was until yesterday, and then today you post this….
LOVE her look and body and acting prowess….she was totally believable in that role. Kicked major a$$!! Plus she looks like your twin!!
Happy New Year!!
Karen says
Hey Brian,
Do you ever watch Law & Order: SVU? Paula was in one episode as the assistant district attorney! She landed the Mission Impossible gig shortly after and then quit SVU to do the movie.
Happy New Year to you, too! What did you do on NYE?
lexi says
she is another one of my girl crushes – she is so gorg!
Tiffany says
I have such a girl crush on Paula Patton! She is so beautiful, I can’t even take it. Loved her in Idlewild and Jumping the Broom.