beyondone

The episode begins in a Fresno bar called �The Indigo.� We hear a voice singing that can clearly be identified as Rembrandt�s. After panning around the room to show the many patrons enjoying themselves at tables or at the bar, we finally see Rembrandt singing at a piano in the room�s far right. Arturo is behind the bar mixing drinks, and Logan is carrying a tray of food and drinks to a table near the center of the room. Rembrandt finishes his song and announces that it�s time for his break. He goes over to the bar, where Arturo and Logan are already having a casual conversation. Rembrandt: �Man, this is a great gig. The people are friendly, the atmosphere is laid-back, and you know what great taste these people have in music?� Arturo and Logan chuckle. �It�s been nice to have a couple of weeks of downtime to kick back-and make some serious cash-without having to run for our lives. This is the first time I�ve said this in a while, but I think I�m actually gonna miss this world. It�s too bad we have to leave tomorrow.�

Logan then says, �It has been great, but I�ve got to admit to being more than a little bored here. I think I�ve grown accustomed to running for my life.� Another chuckle.

The Professor replies, �Don�t look a gift horse in the mouth, Ms. St. Claire.� The three share smiles, then he adds, �Besides which, we still have nearly fifteen hours here, and we all know how much can go wrong in less time than that.�

Meanwhile, across the room, Arturo�s statement is about to be proven correct. Three men, only one of whom is really dressed for the classy nightclub atmosphere, are gathered around the pay phone in the back of the room. The three men are Langley, Frohike, and Byers, better known as The Lone Gunmen, and they keep glancing back at the three Sliders. Langley finishes dialing the phone and says, �Yeah, this is Langley. Me and the guys are in Fresno. Look, if you�re not on a case right now, I think we may have found something for you.�

The next afternoon, the Sliders are in their hotel suite discussing what television on this world has to offer when they hear a knock at the door. Arturo opens it and we hear a voice asking, �Are you Professor Arturo? Professor Maximillian P. Arturo?�

�Well, now that depends,� Arturo replies.

�On what, sir?� a second, female, voice asks suspiciously.

�On who is asking and on what this Arturo fellow is suspected of having done.�

The camera angle changes and we get our first look at the people behind the door (as if it were any real secret given that Langley made the call and that Sci-Fi had been advertising the crossover non-stop for nearly three months, but still, the effect is neat). �Sir, we�re Special Agents Mulder and Scully of the FBI. We�re investigating a reported sighting of two men who disappeared from San Francisco a little over five years ago. They�re not suspected of any wrong-doing. We�d just like to find out what happened.� Adding, �They disappeared under rather unique circumstances.�

Arturo, not willing to openly invite any possible trouble on this as-yet-uneventful slide, claims that he knows nothing. But then, Rembrandt shouts from around the corner, �Hey, Professor, what�s going on? Who was at the door?�

Logan adds, �Yeah, Max, what�s the hold-up?�

The agents give the Professor a look that indicates �well, the jig is up,� while the Professor shakes his head and mutters sarcastically, �Thank you so much.� Then, resigned to the situation, he says aloud to the agents, �Come on in.�

Arturo leads the agents into the living room, where Rembrandt and Logan are sitting. He introduces them to the agents, offers them something to drink, and then starts. �Before I say anything to further earn your distrust, perhaps you could explain again why you�re looking for me and my colleagues.�

Mulder explains. �A little over five years ago, you, Mr. Arturo-�

�Professor Arturo,� Arturo corrects him, figuring that now that this man knows who he is, he might as well try to gain some upper hand, and throwing around his title always seemed to work well enough.

�-Professor Arturo. Excuse me. You and three others-one Quinn Mallory, Wade Wells, and Rembrandt �Cryin� Man� Brown-all went missing. An initial investigation turned up some evidence that perhaps some sort of high technology was involved, and so the FBI was called in. There was speculation that you [indicating Arturo], Mr. Brown [indicating Rembrandt], and the two others disappeared through a transdimensional vortex. The investigation pretty much broke down at that point, since the investigating agents were unwilling to accept that as a possibility. The case was left unsolved and was designated an �X-File.� That�s where we come in.�

A pause. Then Scully speaks up again, after giving Mulder a slight look of disapproval. �All right, Professor Arturo. We�ve shared what we know with you. Now if you�d be so kind as to fill us in on the rest?�

�If you�ll excuse us just a moment�� says Arturo, standing up and motioning to Rembrandt and Logan to join him in the next room.

�Actually, sir, I�d rather not,� she replies, not wanting to give the three a chance to get their stories straight. �If you could just give us a satisfactory explanation as to where you and Mr. Brown have been for the past five years, and where the other two who went missing are now, maybe we could be out of your hair in just a few minutes.�

�Very well,� Arturo remarks, more than a little displeased with what he perceives as her rather rude treatment, �but I warn you that you�re going to be satisfied with what we have to say. No one ever is. Mr. Brown, why don�t you do the honors?�

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