Chapter Two: Two Men of Different Generations

                                                                       ----2020s----

On an early, sunny morning, the shadow of one American agent rested mysteriously in front of the sunlight. He had the courage of his father, though also the mind of another agent long before him. He was headed to one great building when an older secretary by the front door spoke his name:

''Luke Lancaster, the president, has been waiting to speak to you,'' she urged. 

The agent watched as the door closed behind him. He then straightened his jacket and combed his hair in front of one of the mirrors in the inside of the building. Down the hall, two passing young women, fully attractive to his sight, smiled while bypassing him at the doorway.  

The CIA was crowded with various staff members reporting to each other information from their computers about imminent dangers across the globe. One of the doors to a small room opened as a younger man stood before the building's president, Nathan Daniels. 

Mr. Daniels greeted the younger agent and ensured that he sat down before his desk. ''Welcome, Mr. Lancaster,'' he said. ''By your posture, you sit exactly as that of your father. I wish that he were with us now. You are a fine man, Luke. I know that your father would be proud.'' 

''Indeed,'' Luke returned. 

''Now, where do you live again, Mr. Lancaster?

''In Philadelphia, sir. I grew up in Annapolis, but my mother took up a job in Philly after my father died.'' 

''My, you are definitely an East Coast lad. You've been working for Washington for several years, and we've observed your work on several minor missions. You were trained in the martial arts, were you not?'' 

''I was, sir, I know both Judo and Karate. Yes, Philly has recorded you since your youth all over its papers, in your successful work. You are a black belt winner and have won many over trophies.''

''My success in the Eastern arts has aided me in my work as an American agent.'' 

''You are a good sportsman, Luke. Now, your medals in those fields are about to show again. Washington is offering you the position known as SA15. It's an acronym for Secret American, 15. If you accept, you are about to embark on a specialized role for our national government.''

Luke laughed nervously. ''SA15? In all the years that I've been here, I haven't heard of this position.'' 

''It's top secret. You've been granted the task of fulfilling more heavy missions than is relatable or possible for most other agents here. The first agent who took this position was brave and noble, and we have aspired to keep his successors much like him.'' 

''Who was the first?'' 

''His name was Michael Glasgow. He was our best. He served us well in the 1960s and early 1970s.''

''Oh? I take that he is dead, then?'' 

''No, actually. He is past the age of one hundred and lives in a retirement community in Los Angelas. His wife is in her nineties. Her name is Samantha Stone.'' 

Luke smiled. ''I believe that my father had a major crush on her before he married,'' he said. ''Wasn't she renowned for her beauty and charm in her films?'' 

''Not just in her films, but in person as well. She aged gracefully over time. Nearly everyone loved Samantha. It was hard not to, at least that's what others told me who served their time here before I did.'' 

Luke was curious about the mentioned former agent and his wife. ''Is there a way that I may meet them?'' 

The president grinned while sitting back in his chair. ''I was waiting for you to ask,'' he returned. ''Since his retirement, Mr. Glasgow has left his address with us, welcoming us to come and visit him with any new agents who wish to meet him. Here it is, on this sheet. As you can see, he lives in Los Angeles.'' 

''Awesome,'' Luke said, looking over the information. ''And did they have any children?'' 

''No, none except an adopted child, named Monica, who was Michael's niece. Later, she grew up to marry a captain in the United States Army and now lives with him in San Francisco.''

''I will check them out instantly, if that is fine.'' 

''Yes. We will need you to return to Washington in two weeks, however, to take up this position immediately before the vacancy is filled with someone else.''

''Certainly.'' 

''But before you go, you need to see this. Come.'' 

The president opened another door as he led Luke to a bottom room where a great car was covered over with a black cape. It was then unveiled by several men standing by. 

Luke shook his head, appreciating the sight. ''A Honda Civic,'' he praised. 

''No, even better,'' Nathan added. ''It has that look, though with far more protection and gadgets. The windows are as bulletproof as those of any vehicle I that I know of. The car flies fast and will move you to wherever you need to go, at least in most cases.''

He pressed one of the front buttons by the wheel as the cupholders pulled out. ''As you can see, you are already loaded with several weapons to choose at your disposal.''

''Yes,'' Luke admired. 

''Perhaps more astoundingly, your car's computer is very accurate at detecting when another vehicle is following you and will warn you with a flesh flash on your screen right here should that occur. My favorite device, however, is none of these but this green button under your seat. Your car only has enough energy for one of these, so be careful to use it only when necessary.'' 

''What is it?'' 

''It surrounds your vehicle with a green laser of protection, powerful enough to prevent even a nuclear attack. Once pressed, the button will begin your shield as defence for twenty min. When that time expires, the shield, however, will decay, and you will no longer have any laser to protect you. Our scientists have recently made a number of discoveries that only the military and our agency have become aware of. Use these weapons wisely, and at the right time, Mr. Lancaster, for they may avail you success when you need it.'' 

Luke walked around the vehicle, amazed by its sight. He then grinned again, amazed by the power of the machine. ''When do I get to use it?'' he asked. 

''When you begin to report for duty.'' 

''Alright.''

''Something else you should know. Please let me introduce Mr. Jude Kerrigan to you.'' 

Luke turned as an older man with crooked Irish teeth approached him. ''Hello,'' he said. 

''He is your guide when you need him,'' Nathan added. ''He presides over your devices and can help you by call when you need his assistance.''

''Nice,'' Luke crossed his arms, while surveying over the equipment throughout the room. 

''I look forward to working with you,'' began the young agent. 

''Same here,'' Mr. Lancaster returned. 

''Oh, and I almost forgot, since you are still new to this leading role for our intelligence, our agency wants to make sure that you carry out these weapons properly and succeed at the coming mission that we will soon assign to you,'' Nathan interjected. ''We have another agent in our ranks who is most impressive with his work as a spy. I will introduce you to him soon enough, as he will be your companion in your awaited endeavors.'' 

''You will work with him soon enough.'' 

''Is that all?'' 

''For now, yes.'' 

''I suppose it's time that I visit this Mr. Glasgow.'' 

''Indeed. I hope that you enjoy his company. He came from a very different time in our history, though I expect meeting him will help add to your purpose as an American agent.'' 

''Yes, I can imagine. He's my next stop.'' 

                                                                                  *       *      *

Luke traveled by plane to Los Angeles. From there, he took a small bus to the mentioned location before finding a small white house surrounded by bushes and trees. He then witnessed an angelic, older woman with the prettiest gray hair that he had ever seen, watering her yard as she remained close to her house in this elderly neighborhood. 

The lady stood by the flowers and plants outside, where she gardened. Her eyes were still young and fresh, as blue as the Pacific, and giving her the impression of a lovely California girl from long ago. Her husband walked outside the front door and joined her in the work as the two remained lifelong in shape and healthy as long as they had breath to breathe.

''Luke Lancaster,'' the young agent offered his name and right hand. 

Michael greeted him. ''Oh, you are the young man that Washington has told me so many wonderful stories about,'' he replied. ''Come inside. Would you like some tea?'' 

''Not tea, though I thank you.'' 

The company of three people headed inside. The radio was playing a record of music from the 1950s, when Michael had been a young man. Sam Cooke's What A Wonderful World left a nostalgic feel in the heart of Luke as he saw old photos across the walls of Michael and Samantha in the early years of their marriage. The pictures had aged gracefully, like the couple, providing a timeless love that even a millennial like him could admire. A magic of the past refurfaced in the room, as the music played and Luke could imagine the past romance just as much as Michael recalled it. 

There was a photo of Michael in a nice, black suit and Samantha in a furry coat of the same color. The couple was present at Disneyland in 1969, not long after their marriage. Luke smiled even brighter than before. Grinning, Michael and Samantha appreciated the fact that the young took an interest in their affairs from long ago. 

''You were and are a lovely couple,'' Luke praised. ''Mrs. Glasgow, you appear as vibrant and ageless as any lady from the golden era of Hollywood. I can see why Mr. Glasgow couldn't resist your sight.'' 

''Thank you,'' Samantha returned, with a youthful blush overtaking her cheeks. 

Michael sat down as Samantha joined beside him. ''It's been a long time since anyone your age has wished to see any of that,'' Michael added. 

Luke turned perplexed as he faced the older couple. ''Really?'' he astounded. ''Both of you are legends in my eyes. The agency describes you as their best, Mr. Glasgow. And Mrs. Glasgow, you have always been an angel of creation.'' 

''You might be surprised to know that many in your generation care little about their past,'' Michael said, with a smile that expressed his irritation with the current American climate. IPhones and social media now matter more to many young people than those that came before them. I want the world to be about the young, as it was for me when I was your age, though even then, I was always mindful of the past and appreciative of those who came before me. When I see those my age sit at fast foods and casting napkins at one another and spending the rest of their lives living only for themselves, I despise what many seniors my age, and some much younger, do. When I'm not present here, a younger friend drives Samantha and me to church, where we teach a Bible study to teenage students, though at our ages, I'm not sure if we will be able to carry on that treasured work much longer. The world is for the young to enjoy, and all of us, at a certain point, must accept the fact that we are second to someone else's strength and beauty. However, I also mourn the fact that so many young people now have forgotten to appreciate the past. Respect, Luke, goes both ways between youth and the elderly.''

''The young to enjoy?'' Luke questioned, humbly. ''You were the best at your work. How can you say that? How can you settle to be so unknown now?'' 

''Because stardom is temporary and medals matter far less than doing the right thing,'' Michael returned. ''At a certain point, we all reach the age when we should realize that there is someone else younger than us who deserves to enjoy the world now, with our full endorsement. I don't desire to be a celebrity, only to be appreciated, and every so often, remembered.''

''I have the same sentiments,'' Samantha smiled. 

''When were you born?'' Michael asked, smiling. 

''In the 1990s sir,'' Luke answered. 

''I wish more young men were like you.''

''Thank you, sir.'' 

Luke looked around the room as he found old objects going back fifty and sixty years prior. ''Do you have no computer?'' he asked, surrpised. 

''None here,'' Michael laughed. 

''We prefer reading in print,'' Samantha added. ''Every so often, we watch the news, though we mostly listen to it on the radio or read it from the newspaper. We do use the phone, however, but mostly just with friends and relatives.'' 

Luke smiled, as if having never heard this before. ''You never use more modern devices?'' he asked. 

''I know how to use them, but I rarely do,'' Michael returned. ''There is a local library with a computer when I need it.''

Luke nodded. ''I'm impressed,'' he said. 

''Why have you come?'' Samantha asked. 

''To ask Mr. Glasgow some questions about his experience,'' the young agent returned. 

''I figured,'' Michael replied. ''Shall we go out for a drink, Mr. Lancaster?'' 

''Sure.'' 

                                                                      *      *      *

Michael Glasgow and Luke Lancaster sat in a small pub in the back room of the Greenberry Pub. The latter asked the former to hear of past experiences that Michael had once experienced as an agent for Washington. Startled by the stories, Luke forgot how many fries he had consumed in between his drinks as he treated the entire conversation as a thrilling popcorn experience. 

''No wonder you are a legend,'' Luke began, turning away. ''I mean, look at you, you look more like seventy at one hundred. You've been everywhere and have done everything. No wonder you are regarded as a hero. What has life now offered you?''

''Children,'' Michael returned, with his fists clenched. ''It was the one joy that Samantha and I never enjoyed with the exception of a little boy who died in his infancy. The world may call my life glorious, and though I appreciate that praise, not everything has been glorious for you. Monica, my niece, grew up as Samantha and I'd daughter but married young to a handsome officer. My wife and I always wanted a son of our own. We never adopted, wishing to focus our attention on raising Monica. When she married, our attention became fully on her and her family.'' 

The words came out by accident. They came across as different from what Michael intended, though Luke admired the old man deeply and wished to show the retired agent the respect due from a younger man. 

''Men prize themselves over so many things in this world,'' Michael continued. ''Then, when years have passed, if they have no descendants who carry on their name, they realize what a loss that they have experienced. In the case of Samantha and me, we wanted children, though such a fortune never came to us in that regard. We've lived well without it, of course. We have always tried to stay fit and support our Monica and her children and grandchildren, though the loss of our child was a great loss and left us wanting for a son for many years. Eventually, we accepted our fate; however, in that regard.'' 

Luke reached for his glass, unable to speak for a long moment, in the depressed silence that he shared with Michael's feelings. 

''But I have been granted a very good life with the loveliest bride that I could have ever had,'' Michael added. ''Samantha has been a joy to my heart since I first met her in the late 1960s. Even so, I have told you about my life, though I am far more interested in hearing about what is occurring with you now and where your work with Washington will take you. Tell me, did you say that your father was an agent?'' 

''Yes, he was a supporting agent in Washington. His name was Titus. Back in the early 1970s, he was in the Amazon jungle with another agent as they collided against the Russians in a race to find some lost Incan treasure. His friend died, and my father soon met my mother, Sarah Savanah. He retired decades later. I was born, the only child among them.''

Michael smiled. ''I, too, was an only child, born to a father who was also an agent.''

Luke laughed, feeling some of the similarities between them as profound. ''Wow!'' he exclaimed. ''That is funny and ironic, I suppose. Anyhow, my father died in the early 2000s. He was in the Twin Towers during the terrorist attack on 9/11.'' 

''I'm sorry to hear that,'' Michael said. 

Luke nodded. ''Thanks,'' he said, appreciative. ''About a decade ago, I decided that I wanted to carry on the torch that he long bore. So here I am, as a fairly young agent in the CIA's service.'' 

''How long have you been working for Washington?''

''Three years, sir. I have been notably privileged to take on your position as the fifteenth in a line of agents in that regard.'' 

''You have my blessings. Tell me, is there a girl in your life?''

''Not yet, though hopefully that won't be an absence for much longer.'' 

''Indeed. Look for the right girl, one that fits you and makes you a better man.''

''Certainly.'' 

''I hope that I have been of service to you.''

''Of course you have.''

''If you wish to call me, Mr. Lancaster, here is my number.''

''Thank you, sir.'' 

The two shook hands and headed to the doorway. 

''Have a good afternoon,'' Michael said, before being picked up by a large bus.

Luke smiled, amazed by the legendary character who had spent an hour with him at this location. ''Michael and Samantha Glasgow have to be the loveliest people,'' he said. 

The young man stretched his back in front of the gentle sunlight. He had met a hero of the past and aspired to be one of the present. The intermission of now and his due day to begin a new position at the CIA left him wondering what to do now. However, he walked outside by a coffee joint and noticed a picture on the front page of the awaited games concerning his home, and preferred football team, the Philadelphia Eagles. 

''Man, the next NFL game is said to rack up quite the audience,'' a stranger said next to him. ''Everyone has been talking about what will happen. It's going to be in Pennsylvania, with the Los Angeles Rams challenging them.'' 

Luke grinned. ''Yes, thank you,'' he said facing the paper. ''I suppose I'd like to watch it myself. 

Knowing that more pressing matters would follow in his awaited his missions, he desired an escape, an escape to watch a long game of one of the prestigious teams in the country. He then lifted his cell phone and began checking out the time of the game, as his mind transitioned entirely to its purpose and play.