The Man (and Woman) from U.N.C.L.E. on Vacation - Illya and Gaby Return to Rome

A few days ago while changing my Man from U.N.C.L.E. doll/character figure display for summer I thought of a very short story, a vignette actually, featuring Illya Kuryakin and Gaby Teller from last year's Man from U.N.C.L.E. movie.  So, here it is.  Hope you enjoy it.


Almost a year after the Vinciguerra Affair, Illya Kuryakin and Gaby Teller return to Rome as tourists.  In the time since we met Gaby and she became an agent in the  new U.N.C.L.E. organization, she has embraced life in the West.  Illya Kuryakin, not so much.

The Man (and Woman) from U.N.C.L.E. on Vacation - Illya and Gaby Return to Rome

July 1964
Rome, Italy

 Gaby Teller (GT):  Wasn't it kind of Mr. Waverly to allow us to take our summer holiday during the same week?

Illya Kuryakin (IK):  Yes, it was.  Rome is a beautiful city.  Now we have time to see it and be tourists.  So let's start sightseeing!

GT:  Well, we need to make one stop first - to a men's clothing shop.

IK:  What?  Why?  My clothes are fine.  This is what I always wear.

GT:  Illya, I'm concerned for your health.  If you don't change into cooler summer clothes I'm afraid you may pass out from heat exhaustion.  I saw a men's clothing shop a few blocks from the hotel.  Please?  I worry about you.

IK:  Alright, but I hope this doesn't take long.  And no three piece suits like Napoleon!

GT:  Good!  This time I can pick your wardrobe.

Men's Clothing Shop, nearby

 GT:  Those linen trousers look nice on you and are very appropriate for summer.

GT:  I found some shirts while you were trying on the trousers.  What do you think of this one?  Paisley is so popular in London now.

IK:  No, the print is too busy.

GT:  How about this?  Americans like to wear them on tropical vacations.

IK:  I'm not an American in the tropics.

GT:  Well, surely you can't object to this shirt.

IK:  No, this one is fine, a nice stripe and sleeves I can roll up or down.

IK:  So are we finished?  (thinking)  I hope so.  This is so boring!

GT:  Almost.  You need a pair of shoes that will be comfortable for sightseeing.  Which of these do you like best?

IK:  The white canvas ones will get my feet soaking wet if it rains.  And - I - will - not - wear - sandals!  So that leaves the brown "loafers".  What an odd name for shoes, but they are OK; they'll do.

GT:  And finally, one more thing - something to shade your eyes.  Try on this hat.

GT:  (with a little laugh) Now you look like the cowboy instead of Napoleon.

IK:  No, this will not do.

GT:  Then try these sunglasses.

GT:  Oh, yes, these I like!

IK:  Yes, I agree.  They're fine.

One more quick stop back to the hotel to drop off Illya's cold weather clothes and their first day of sightseeing really begins.

IK: (thinking)  The things I do for my little chop shop girl!

And he smiled.

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Copyright 2016 Marianne Triplett Smith 

The Come Fly with Me Affair

Finally, after many delays, here is my third doll/character figure photo story based on the mid 1960's TV show, “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” These photo stories are, I hope, a unique way to present fan fiction. The dolls/character figures used are larger than the typical fashion doll or action figure with the male figures 17” tall and the female figures 16”, all from the Tonner Doll Co.

I've been working on the story (and sets, props, photos, and script) over the last few months. Why does it always take longer to do things than you expect? I hoped to get the story up on my blog before the premiere of “Pan Am”, but at least only two episodes have aired.

“Guest starring” in my story this time is Barbara, the French stewardess, from the “The Foreign Legion Affair”, season two of the “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.”. To give you a bit of background, here are a few studio publicity photos and a screen capture from the episode:

If you are interested in the original TV episode and don't have access to the series DVDs, please check out The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Image library. Click here for a direct link to thumbnail screen capture images of this episode. If you click on the thumbnail photo, a larger image will come up, often with dialogue that was being spoken in that particular scene. These images provide a great synopsis of this episode and the library covers all the episodes in the entire series.

So, now, on with my story. I hope you enjoy it.

The Come Fly with Me Affair

Act I: We'll Always Have the Sahara

September 1, 1966

Brussels, Belgium

Hotel Lobby

Pleased that his most recent assignment ended so successfully, Illya Kuryakin is in a relaxed mood as he makes his way down to the hotel lobby to buy a newspaper and catch up on what's going on in the world. As he turns to go back to his room, already engrossed in one of the newspapers, he hears a woman with a French accent behind him, calling his name.

Barbara Dubois (BD): Mr. Kuryakin! Illya! Wait, please!

He turns back toward the hotel's main doors to see Barbara Dubois, a stewardess for a French airline who accidentally became involved in one of his assignments in North Africa earlier in the year, coming toward him.

llya Kuryakin (IK) (smiling): Barbara! Well, this is a surprise. What brings you to Belgium? And in uniform? I thought you would be in Akron, Ohio married to Bob by now.

BD: There was a change of plans. Can we go somewhere to talk privately? It's important.

IK: Yes, of course. There's a small cafe across the street. We can talk there.

Illya and the stewardess find a small table in a secluded sunny alcove of the cafe.

IK: Now tell me, what is going on that has you so concerned?

BD (gesturing to her uniform): As you can see, I'm still a stewardess for the airline. But I'm on regularly scheduled flights now, not charter flights as I was when I met you.

BD: After the adventure I had at that Foreign Legion outpost in the desert with you, I decided I wasn't ready to settle down and marry Bob. I don't care what my grand-mère says. I won't end up an old spinster because I'm not married at 23. There is still too much of the world I want to see before I have a husband and children. But none of that is important now.

I contacted U.N.C.L.E.'s European headquarters in Geneva and was told I might be able to catch you here before you returned to New York. A co-pilot I work with has been acting very secretive and suspicious lately and I thought I should ask you what should be done.

IK: You just barely caught me. My flight for New York leaves this afternoon. What has the co-pilot done that is suspicious? Why contact U.N.C.L.E. instead of the police?

BD: About a month ago after the flight I was working on landed in Paris, all the passengers had gotten off and the rest of the crew had left the plane except for me and the co-pilot. As I was getting my flight bag to leave I noticed him behaving secretively up in the cockpit area. I couldn't see what he was doing, but I heard a compartment door being closed very quietly. I saw him behaving the same way after other flights when we were on one of the airline's newest jets. I'm sure he never saw me watching him, thank goodness.

Then yesterday I heard that several of those newest jets were being pulled out of regular flight rotation to be prepared as the possible plane to fly President de Gaulle and a large group of French diplomats to New York for him to give a speech at the U.N. later this month. I don't know what this co-pilot has planned, but from the way he's been behaving, I'm afraid it's something very bad that could involve Pres. de Gaulle's trip.

IK: You did the right thing, Barbara. This does sound like it could be serious. I'll contact the U.N.C.L.E. office in Paris before I leave for New York today. I'm sure they'll start investigating the situation immediately.

ACT II: You'd Have to Land Where?!

U.N.C.L.E. Headquarters, New York

Alexander Waverly's Office

3 weeks later

Alexander Waverly (AW): Thanks to the information Mr. Kuryakin received from the airline stewardess, Miss Dubois, our Paris office put a man undercover as a mechanic for the airline. It appears her concerns were valid. This is indeed a situation beyond the capabilities of the local police.

AW: Our undercover agent at the airline found eight of these boxes hidden in different locations in the cockpits of eight jets. Each box contained an electromagnet that can be activated remotely. Unfortunately, at this point, we don't know what that trigger may be.

IK: Why an electromagnet? What could it do to a jet?

AW: Our lab says new scientific information shows that many bird species use the Earth's magnetic poles to help them find their way as they migrate. A false direction signal coming from a plane, especially during take-off or landing, could disorient a flock of birds causing them to fly into a jet's engines, crashing the plane.

Napoleon Solo (NS): What are the chances a pilot could keep a plane from crashing under those circumstances?

AW: Not good, Mr. Solo. In a crowded metropolitan area there are few places to bring down a passenger plane safely outside an airport.

NS: Yes, there's less open land around New York City all the time. It could get to the point someday that a pilot would have to try to land a plane on water, maybe even the Hudson River!

IK: That's highly unlikely, Napoleon.

AW: The co-pilot Miss Dubois identified has been quietly taken into custody in Paris for questioning so as to not tip off any co-conspirators he may have. The U.N.C.L.E. has already approached the French government about rescheduling Pres. de Gaulle's U.N. speech due to the great number of migrating birds at this time of year. But they said that his schedule can't be changed and they see no reason to do so since the electromagnets were found and the Presidential jet is ready to fly now.

I'm not as confident as the French officials that we've seen the end of the matter, gentlemen, which is why both of you are being assigned as part of the security detail that will accompany Pres. de Gaulle and the French government officials on their flight from Paris to New York. You leave for Paris in the morning.

ACT III: Ahh...Now THIS is the life!

Airport, Paris, France

On board Pres. de Gaulle's jet

2 days later

BD: Illya! Mr. Solo! Welcome aboard! I didn't know you would be making the flight with us to New York.

NS: Our boss, Mr. Waverly, wants to make sure everything goes smoothly so we were added to the security detail.

BD: I'm glad he decided to do that. I feel much safer having you two on board. Please let me or the other stewardess know if there is anything we can do to make the flight more comfortable for you.

NS: Merci beaucoup.

Over the Atlantic Ocean, 5 hours into the flight

NS: Why did Barbara involve you in all this in the first place?

IK: She trusts me. We went through a lot in North Africa earlier this year. I'm glad she did. From what we've learned if there are other players involved, ready to take over where that co-pilot left off, it's a good thing we're here.

Michelle (the other stewardess): Champagne, monsieur?

NS: Merci, but no, I'm on duty, mademoiselle....?

The stewardess looks at Solo with a raised eyebrow and increased interest.

Michelle: My name is Michelle. And you are?

NS: (smiling charmingly) Solo, Napoleon Solo, at your service.

Michelle: Some hors d' œuvre perhaps?

NS: Yes, they look delicious. Thank you.

After receiving his hor d' œuvre and taking a quick appreciative glance at Michelle as she makes her way down the aisle of the plane, Solo turns back to Kuryakin who is still engrossed in his reading.

NS: I hope we can get more of these security detail assignments on presidential flights, especially France. The food is superb, the stewardesses are beautiful, and we're on one of the most advanced jets in the air with a layout roomy enough for a head of state.

IK: It's all too opulent for my taste. Don't forget – we're here to see that nothing goes wrong.

NS: I realize it doesn't happen often, but maybe Mr. Waverly is wrong this time and we saw the plot fizzle out in Paris a few weeks ago.

IK: We won't know that until Pres. de Gaulle gives his speech at the U.N.

With that, Illya returns to his reading and Napoleon settles in for a nap as the plane continues uneventfully across the Atlantic.

Three hours later over the intercom: “Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We are beginning our approach to New York. Please fasten your seat belts and prepare for landing. We will arrive in approximately 20 minutes.”

As soon as the captain finishes his announcement, taking care not to alarm the passengers, Barbara rushes from the cockpit to where Napoleon and Illya are seated.

BD: Illya! Mr. Solo! I was in the cockpit a moment ago and saw the co-pilot put one of those electromagnet boxes in the compartment below the jump seat, but I don't think he noticed I saw what he did. I wanted to let you know as quickly as I could without making him suspicious.

ACT IV: We'll Always Have the Air Space Over New York City

By the time Barbara told them what happened, the co-pilot had made quick strides down the aisle and grabbed her from behind. Holding a knife to her throat, he backed up the aisle a short distance as Illya and Napoleon rose from their seats.

Co-pilot: Don't get any closer or I'll slit her throat!

Knowing that his time to activate the electromagnet has almost run out, he tries to maneuver his other arm so that he can reach his watch with the hand holding the knife. The switch that starts the electromagnet is the stem on his watch!

Recalling their time together in North Africa, Illya remembers what Barbara does in tense situations.

IK: Barbara, stay calm. I'm sure you're feeling TENSE right now.

Noticing his direct focus on her, she looks at him for a moment with a puzzled expression. Then her eyes widen as she realizes what he wants her to do. Seeing the fleshy part of the co-pilot's hand so near her face as he concentrates on trying to reach his watch, she lowers her mouth to his hand and bites down as hard as she can.

He yells out in pain and surprise, dropping the knife and giving Barbara a chance to break free. With her in the clear, Illya is able to land several blows to his jaw and mid-section.

Napoleon delivers the last blows that land the now woozy, disoriented co-pilot on the floor. Solo draws his gun and puts his foot on the man's outstretched watch-wearing arm.

NS: Don't even think about it, monsieur.

U.N.C.L.E. Headquarters, New York

Alexander Waverly's Office

3 days later

AW: Miss Dubois, I wanted to give this commendation for bravery to you personally. We need more young people like yourself willing to get involved and let authorities know when something seems amiss. However, given the circumstances of the event, you and your colleague here won't be able to tell anyone what happened or show the commendation. I'm sorry about that.

French authorities have taken over the investigation of this incident now. The French and British are working jointly on a new supersonic jet to be called “le Concorde” that will be unveiled and put into service in the next few years.

BD: That would explain Pres. de Gaulle's comment during his speech at the Paris airport before we left for New York. He said the next time he comes to America it will be a much quicker flight thanks to French ingenuity.

AW: The radical group planning this plot felt this would be their last chance to bring down the President's plane while he was still flying in jets with conventional engines. The new supersonic jet may not have turbines that would be easy for birds to enter. They felt this would be the last time they could try their electromagnet device.

Now, if you'll please excuse me, mademoiselle, I must attend a meeting. It was a pleasure to meet you and I hope you have a pleasant and uneventful flight back to Paris today.

BD: Thank you.

After Mr. Waverly leaves his office, Napoleon and Michelle have a quiet tête-à-tête to say their good-byes and plan to meet the next time she has a layover in New York.

IK: So, you leave for Paris today.

BD: Yes, Michelle and I need to change into our uniforms at the hotel and check out. Our flight home leaves this afternoon.

IK: Before you leave, I wanted to give you this. It's the name, address, and phone number of an excellent martial arts school in Paris that accepts women students now. You seem to attract dangerous situations and you need to be able to defend yourself with more than your teeth.

BD: (with a small laugh) Yes, I suppose you're right. Thank you – thank you for everything!

With that, Barbara looks deeply into Illya's eyes and gives him a kiss on the cheek.

BD (whispering in French): Until we meet again.

###

Copyright 2011 Marianne T. Smith.  Man from U.N.C.L.E., Napoleon Solo, Illya Kuryakin, Alexander Waverly copyright Warner Bros.

Update on Illya's Status

I just wanted to let all the readers of my Man from U.N.C.L.E doll photo stories know that Illya is working undercover this summer as a tennis pro and will be back with more new adventures in the fall.  So don't touch that dial!

(Click on the photo to see a larger version of any photo on my blog.)

The Prêt-à-Porter Affair

Finally, after many months of work and preparation, I have another doll photo story ready.  (Amazing how much time real life takes away from doing the fun stuff.)  This one is done in the style of a "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." episode.

For anyone unfamiliar with the show, it was the first of the spy genre on American television from 1964-1968.  Ian Fleming even contributed the name of one of the main characters, Napoleon Solo.  During part of its run on NBC, it was the most popular TV show in the world and, as such, is still fondly remembered by millions of "baby boomers" everywhere.  I hope you enjoy my story.

The Prêt-à-Porter Affair 

Act I: Cocktails, Anyone?


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Monday, September 13, 1965

U.N.C.L.E. Headquarters, New York City

Alexander Waverly's Office

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Alexander Waverly (AW): Gentlemen, what do you know about haute couture?

Napoleon Solo (NS): Well, I always appreciate seeing a young lady dressed in fashionable clothing.

Illya Kuryakin (IK): Very little, sir. Neither my education or experience has given me background in textiles or tailoring.

AW: We have recently learned that Thrush has contacted someone at one of the couture houses of Europe to field test a poisonous fabric dye a chemist in Switzerland developed. The U.N.C.L.E. there is closing in on this chemist as we speak. We aren't certain if any of the dye was actually produced and used in printing fabric, but we fear it has. Given its fatal consequences, it is vitally important that we determine who was contacted and if there are bolts of fabric or clothes already made that incorporate this dye. Any stockpiles of dye or fabric using it must be destroyed.

 

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This is a hectic time for the fashion houses of Europe. They are all showing their new collections for next spring to buyers from stores and boutiques around the world. With everyone so busy, there couldn't be a better time to slip a dangerous fabric into a new collection. We know that Thrush's planned field test will be deadly if the dye works as expected.

I've assigned Mark Slate to check couturiers in Madrid and April Dancer for those in Milan. Mr. Solo, I'd like you to cover the ones in Paris and Mr. Kuryakin, you will be going to London. You will find detailed information about the dye in your files here. This threat must be stopped quickly, before the field test, before anyone dies! Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me.

 

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IK: Hmmm, from this report, it appears that our lab has named this the “cocktail party” poison.

NS: The “cocktail party” poison? Why?

 

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IK: Evidently the Swiss chemist found a way to incorporate cyanide into fabric dye. The cyanide is activated as a very fast acting poisonous gas if it comes in contact with ethanol, in other words, liquor. For example, a few drops of wine on a man's tie or suit or a lady's dress made from this cyanide laced fabric and the wearer will be dead in less than a minute. The perpetrator would need to work fast to get away from the effects of the poison, but it could be done. No head of state, diplomat, or business tycoon would be safe from assassination with this poison available. No wonder finding this dye has been given such a high priority.

NS: Well then, I must be off to the City of Light. Good luck in London. I'll keep you informed if I find evidence of this dye in Paris.

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Act II: It's a Mod, Mod, Mod, Mod World

Tuesday, September 14, 1965

London, England

 

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Now in London, Illya meets the manager of Sharon Dalton Designs in the private showroom of the stylish salon.

Linda Sullivan (LS): Good morning, sir. How may I help you?

IK: I was told I should see the manager here, Miss Linda Sullivan.

LS: Yes, that's me. Is there a problem?

 

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IK: (showing Miss Sullivan his ID card) Yes, I'm afraid there is. I'm Illya Kuryakin; I'm with the U.N.C.L.E. We have received information that an organization set on world domination is going to conduct a test of a new deadly poison incorporated into fabric dye some time this week while the new clothing collections are being shown. We've sent agents to all the fashion capitals of Europe to find and destroy this dye and any clothes made using it before anyone is killed.

LS: Oh, my, what a horrid situation! You'll have our full cooperation. Is there anyone in particular we should be on the lookout for?

IK: We think it's most likely that the dye would come from a new supplier. Do you have a list of the manufacturers that supply your fabrics and, especially, any new suppliers?

LS: Yes, I can get that for you right away.

 

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LS: We have mostly worked with the same few fabric manufacturers for years. Sharon Dalton Designs has come to be known and respected for its classic couture. We know we can depend on these manufacturers to provide us with the high quality fabric we need for our designs.

 

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LS: But there is no denying the massive influence the new mod youth market is having in the fashion world. We're showing our first line of prêt-à-porter designs geared to fashionable young women this fall and hope to have them in boutiques worldwide next spring. If all goes well, we're planning to open a new mod boutique next year on King's Road or Carnaby Street.

 

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LS: Thank goodness we found a promising young designer fresh out of school to help design the mod line. She really has a great eye for what's cool and hip now. Her name is Terri Wadsworth. Looks like our founder, Miss Dalton, is going over details of the new designs with her now.

 

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LS: Here is the list of our fabric suppliers. I don't see anyone new offhand, but since you said the poison is in the dye, you'll need to ask the fabric manufacturers if they've used anyone new for dyes.

IK: Yes, that's what I'll do. Thank you for the list.

 

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Redhead model: Hey, Kathie, did you see that blond guy?

Kathie Carr (KC) (brunette model): No, I was busy getting ready for today's fashion show.

Redhead model (to blond model): Did you see that blond guy here a while ago talking to Miss Sullivan?

Blond model: Yeah, he sure is cute. I wonder who he is? Doesn't look the type to be in the “rag” trade, does he?

Redhead model: No, he doesn't. He had some kind of accent, not an American one though; couldn't hear him very well. But, oh my, I'd love to get to know him! Hope he'll be back.

Blond model: Oh, yeah, me too.

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Act III: Byrds of a Feather Flock Together

Illya's Hotel Room

 

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IK: (to himself) This is getting to be more of a wild goose chase all the time. I've checked the supplier lists from Mary Quant, Biba, Gerald McCann, Foale&Tuffin and still have Caroline Charles and Sharon Dalton left to do tomorrow. I'm getting nowhere and running out of time. That field test is bound to be soon.

 

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(the sound of an incoming call on Illya's pen communicator.)

IK: Kuryakin here.

NS: How goes it, old friend?

IK: Not well. I don't have any leads yet. And you?

NS: I just finished checking the list of fabric suppliers for the Paris fashion houses today. The poison dye evidently isn't here. Headquarters says Mark and April are reporting the same in Madrid and Milan. That leaves you, Illya. The poison dye must be in London. Do you need help?

IK: No, I have only two more fashion houses' lists to cover early tomorrow morning. But right now it's late, I'm tired and need to get some rest. Talk to you tomorrow.

 

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(A knock at the door.) Illya isn't expecting anyone, certainly not this late. He moves cautiously to the door, his U.N.C.L.E. Special at the ready.

Nika Markovic´ (NM): Mr. Kuryakin? I'm Nika Markovic´ from the Belgrade, Yugoslavia office of the U.N.C.L.E. Here's my ID. May I come in?

IK: Yes, please do. I recognize you from a photo of our Eastern European agents.

 

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NM: I've been working undercover in the Whitechapel area of London for the last month, trying to find out which chemical company would be willing to make the poisonous fabric dye. I think I may have found the company today. When I called U.N.C.L.E. headquarters in New York, I was told you were working the case here in London currently and I should contact you directly.

Recently I've been working as a secretary in the office of a small fabric manufacturer that specializes in modern print fabrics. I was checking through company records and found a special order that came in about a month ago for a custom design using Pantone color 431, Charcoal Grey. It specified that the dye should be purchased from Byrd Industrial Chemicals in Whitechapel. This order came from a T. Wadsworth at Sharon Dalton Designs. Does any of this make sense to you?

IK: Yes, it certainly does. That T. Wadsworth must be Terri Wadsworth, Dalton's young new designer. What's the address of Byrd Chemicals? I've got to take care of this tonight. The manager at Dalton's told me that the mod line will be shown tomorrow.

 

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NM: Here it is. Good luck.

Wednesday, September 15, 1965  3:00AM

 

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Illya arrives at Byrd Industrial Chemicals at 3:00 AM. He sees a man standing in an alcove near the secluded back door, obviously bored, getting ready to put out his cigarette on the pavement.

IK (to himself): Must be the guard even though he's not in uniform. Can tell he's got a gun in his jacket pocket. Hmm, perhaps a layabout brother-in-law of Mr. Byrd given the night watchman job to keep him off the dole; probably no professional training. Well, he shouldn't be too hard to overpower.

Illya approaches the guard from behind as quiet as a cat. Before he even realizes that Illya is there, with a few well-placed karate chops, the guard is out cold for the next few hours.

 

  

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After quietly blasting open the lock on the back door with a small, controlled plastic explosive, he enters the warehouse in search of the dye.

 

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Finally, after what feels like hours of searching, he finds the metal can containing the dye. The scientists at the U.N.C.L.E. lab in New York prepared a test kit for him to check if the dye has the “cocktail party” poison in it, which this container does. The kit also included an antidote for him to put in the dye container that will neutralize the poison. Now, he must get back to the Dalton Design showroom and stop the field test before it causes someone's death.

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Act IV: Name Your Poison

 

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Later in the morning, as soon as the studio opened, Illya returns to Sharon Dalton Designs where he confronts Terri Wadsworth.

IK: Miss Wadsworth?

 

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TW: Yes?

IK: Did you order custom print fabric to be made using a specific gray dye produced by Byrd Industrial Chemicals?

TW: (nervously) I'm sorry, I don't know what you're talking about.

IK: Last night I discovered that this dye contains a deadly poison developed by a Swiss chemist who was financed by the Thrush organization. Your name was on the purchase order for the dye. Were you contacted by them to do a field test of this dye? Did you know it was a deadly poison?

TW: OK, OK! Yeah, I was contacted by them. They said they'd take care of the details. All I had to do was order the custom fabric using that dye and make an article of clothing from it that would be shown in one of the collections this week. The man from Thrush said I was to nonchalantly take a glass of wine to the model wearing it back in the dressing room after today's showing and then “accidently” spill it on her clothes.

 

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IK: Why?! Why do this?

TW: Sharon Dalton Designs would be all washed up without me. Her ideas are frumpy, not with it at all. She doesn't understand what's happening, what's groovy now. I've been working my bum off the last few months designing her new mod collection. But will my name be on it? No, hers will! I'm sick and tired of not getting the recognition I deserve. So, when these Thrush people offered me a lot of money to do this field test for them, I said sure. This would ruin Miss Dalton's reputation. They didn't say it was deadly poison though, just that whoever was wearing the clothes would get sick if liquor splashed on them. But still, I can't see where the world is any worse off with one less of those skinny model birds.

 

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IK: Miss Wadsworth, I don't think you want murder charges added onto what you're already facing. I can put in a good word for you with the court if you tell me which outfit is made of the poisonous fabric.

TW: At this point I guess I might as well. It's the gray print jumpsuit being shown to the new American buyer right now.

 

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LS: A bit early in the day for champagne, but let's celebrate our new contract. We're sure the boutiques you represent in America will be pleased to carry our new mod collection.

American buyer (AB): Thank you, Linda. Yes, judging from what I've seen so far, I think they'll be very pleased. Sharon Dalton Designs obviously understands the youth market very well. Are there more designs to be seen?

LS: Just a few. The next one is a really fab jumpsuit in a wild mod print. We think these will be very popular next spring.

 

  

The buyer becomes so intent on examining the jumpsuit fabric she doesn't realize that her glass of champagne is tipping precariously in her hand, ready to spill.

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IK: Watch out! That's poison!

 

  

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KC: What just happened, Mr.....?

IK: Kuryakin - I'm Illya Kuryakin with the U.N.C.L.E. The dye in the clothes you're wearing is permeated with cyanide and it would have been activated if any of that champagne had spilled on your clothes.

Kathie Carr (KC): Oh, my, that's incredible! You saved my life!

IK: What? (shy smile) Umm, well, yes, I suppose I did.

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U.N.C.L.E. Headquarters, New York City

Alexander Waverly's Office

 

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AW: Mr. Solo won't be here today. Since he was already in one of his favorite cities, as he described it, he has decided to take a few days vacation.

Mr. Kuryakin, I must commend you on a job well done. And, who might this young lady be?

IK: Mr. Waverly, allow me to introduce Miss Kathie Carr. She was the model who was wearing the clothing made of poisonous fabric.

AW: That certainly was a close call, Miss Carr, but Mr. Kuryakin is one of our top enforcement agents. We can always depend on him in a critical situation. Are you in New York for a visit?

KC: No, I've decided to move back home. I'm originally from Long Island. With all the talk of swinging mod London, I had to see it for myself. I hoped it would help my modeling career too. But, modeling clothes that would have killed me without Illya's quick action is just too much excitement for me. I'm very happy to be back in New York and, to celebrate my homecoming, Illya is taking me to his favorite jazz club tonight.

 

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Written and photographed by Marianne Smith

Set design by Marianne Smith

Wardrobe by MTS Designs (Marianne Smith) and Tonner Doll Co.

All dolls by Tonner Doll Co.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Illya Kuryakin, Napoleon Solo, and Alexander Waverly are all copyrighted by Warner Bros.

Story copyrighted 2010 by Marianne T. Smith