In this section of the newsletter you get the chance to get your creative juices flowing and write the next part of an ongoing story. Below, you'll find the story so far. Your mission, should you choose to accept it (unlike The Official, we give you the choice :), is to write the next part of the story in about 125 words or less. It'll be a tough choice, but I will pick one submission and post it in the next newsletter and continue from there. Ready? Here goes!

The teaser:
Darien was a happy guy. He had just gotten a shot of counteragent and wouldn't need a new one for a while, things were quiet at the agency, and most importantly, he was going to spend a nice relaxing evening at home with a home-made meal and his favorite book "The Story of Philosophy: The Lives and Opinions of the World's Greatest Philosophers". "It doesn't get any better than this", he thought as he headed toward his apartment with a bag of groceries in one arm.
As he unlocked the door, the scene inside made him stop in his tracks. "Aw crap!" he said as the smile disappeared from his face and was replaced by a look of dismay. His apartment had been ransacked and very thoroughly at that. After taking a moment to digest the situation, he walked cautiously into the apartment careful not to step on anything breakable, which had not already been broken, and checked to make sure that whoever made the mess wasn't still there.

Part 2 by R2:
Glass crunched under Darien's feet as he made his way through his destroyed apartment. Nothing had been spared and Darien felt violated. Unknown hands had rifled through his possessions, going over his personal affects. The intruder, or intruders, had been quite thorough. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, his small abode abnormally quiet. With a deep breath, Darien allowed the quicksilver to coat his body, neatly rendering him invisible. If whoever had done this was still here, he saw no need to give them the advantage. There was a small noise from inside the bathroom, Darien's head snapped around at the sound as he began to make his way toward the closed door.

Part 3 by R2
Slowly, Darien reached out and grasped the cold handle in his equally cold hand. Fear and anger were vying for attention, whoever had ransacked his home was still stupid enough to be here. Big mistake.
He flung the door open and blindly launched himself inside, grabbing a stunned individual around their waist. There was a startled shout as he and the intruder fell to the ground in a tangle of arms and legs, Darien could feel them struggling to get out from under him and he knew that he had the upper hand.
Darien gripped a flailing hand tightly as he glanced down at the person who had destroyed his apartment. His breath left him in a horrified gasp as he recognized the man, "Hobbes?"

Part 4 by Kathy Czechowski, a.k.a. Hei_Mao
Hobbes snorted, jerking from Darien's grip and standing. "Thanks for the hospitality. Love what
you've done with the place," he said, brushing broken glass from his sleeves.
"What do you mean by that? I didn't do this." Darien's brow furrowed as he let the quicksilver fall
away.
"What, and I did? You called me here."
"No, I didn't." His voice trailed off as he stared at the mess.
"Yeah, you did. You said you wanted to talk to me about something, the door would be unlocked, I
should just walk in. I walked in, and POW! I woke up in here. Then you came barreling in...."
Darien paused, shaking his head. "I didn't call you. This doesn't make sense."
"Right. If someone wanted to frame me for tossing your apartment, why call me here?" Hobbes rubbed the back of his head. A large bruise was rapidly purpling beneath a dozen small cuts. He winced, mumbling curses.
"Somebody wanted us here at the same time. The mess is just a distraction. Someone wanted us out of the
way," Darien declared.
Hobbes nodded, his expression grim. "I was thinking the same thing."

Part 5 by FawkesFox
Hobbes' cell phone began to ring. He took it out of his pocket and answered it, "Hobbes... What?... Where are you?... Stay there, we're on our way." He hung the phone up and turned to Darien. "There's trouble partner." Hobbes started for the door, Darien following closely behind him. Within minutes they arrived at the Agency. Once they got there, they knocked on the door of Charlie's office. There was no answer so Darien kicked the door in. Inside, Charlie was tied to the chair, a gag in his mouth.
"Hello, Darien." A familiar voice said from behind the door. Darien turned to see the man who was responsible for his brother's death.

Part 6 by Allison Riley
Darien's couldn't speak. He never, in his wildest dreams, thought that Arnaud would come back for a third time. Then, the memories of Kevin dying in his arms came back to him. His speechlessness disappeared. Darien tried to punch Arnaud, but he wasn't quick enough. Arnaud grabbed his fist and squeezed it tightly. Pain rushed through Darien's arm. Then he let go. The pain vanished. Darien ran to the center of the room and quicksilvered. Arnaud just laughed. Darien tried again to punch him, thinking that he couldn't stop his fist this time. But he did. Hobbes had been standing there staring. Now he could see Arnaud holding something in midair. Arnaud squeezed Darien's fist even harder than before. Forcing him to become visible again. Arnaud laughed. "How did he do that?" Darien, Hobbes, and Charlie all said quietly to themselves.

Part 8 by jakgirl
"Are you selling me out?" cried Darien.
Arnaud perched on the Official's desk. "I think we should tell him, don't you? Otherwise he will waste his time and my patience trying to discover the answers." He quirked an eyebrow at the Official and continued,
"The explanation is simple. Using nanotechnology, I've perfected special contact lenses with tiny viewers, which enable me to see quicksilver: a superior version of the Agency's viewers. I have proven to your employer that they work. Now he knows I can find and kill you anywhere, at any time, and he has agreed to let me…borrow you for a little job I have. Otherwise, I shoot you and harvest the gland. Don't think I won't do it."
"What's the job?" asked Darien warily.

Part 9 by FawkesFox
"My neice has been kidnapped by some very ruthless people." Arnaud said.
"More ruthless than you?" Darien quipped.
Arnaud ignored him and continued, "I can't stand seeing my sister so upset."
"Well, well... Never would have figured you for a softie." Darien said.

Part 10 by Sasscat
"Ordinarily no," Arnaud said smoothly, "but Jessica shows a lot of promise. Her mother is right to worry."
Darien froze, barely hearing Arnaud's next words. He knew he was being stupid - it wasn't exactly the most uncommon of names - but somehow he had a feeling, low in his gut, that he was about to hear some unpleasant news. "Your niece is called Jessica?"
"Jessica Semplar. She's in grade three at Heatherfield Elementary. If you'll come along I'll give you all the information you need."
"My god," Darien said softly. "Jess." He stumbled backwards until he found the wall, and clung to it for support. Jess had been kidnapped. Jess was related to *Arnaud*. And that was something even her
invisible best friend Ralph couldn't save her from.
But he could try. Darien lifted his eyes to Arnaud's, coldly determined. "I'll do it."

Part 11 by Mandy, a.k.a. fawkesielady
"Good" Arnaud said with a slight smile. They walked out of the building, guards on either side of Darien just incase he decided to change his mind, and got in Arnaud's car.
"So, what do these people want with Jessica?" Darien asked as the car pulled out on the street.
"That I am not sure of yet. She is a very bright girl, very bright for her age." Darien thought he saw a tinge of hurt behind Arnaud's hard exterior. He would have felt sorry for him if he wasn't Arnaud.
"Yeah, I know." He mumbled.
"What was that?"
"Nothing. Tell me what you want me to do. But understand one thing, I'm not doing any of this for you."
Arnaud chuckled, "I'd hope not. After this is over, we can go back to hating and wanting to kill each other. But for now, I'm afraid we have no choice, we must work together."

Part 12 by The_Mad_Fangirl
"You hate me?" Darien asked. The guards flanked him in the limo's back seat. "Why? I mean, I hate you because you killed Kevin, and," his voice hardened, "I will kill you for that, but what did I ever do to you?"
"You're in my way," Arnaud replied, leaning over the limo's back seat, gun sideways. "That's always been sufficient for me, but even if it weren't, there's the small matter of nine or ten invisible grenades."
"Oh, yeah," Darien replied, smiling slightly. "Yeah, that was a good one."
"Obviously not good enough. Story of your life, Fawkes, which is why you'll be dead and I'll have the gland, but not until after Jessica is safe." Arnaud turned forward again and looked out the front window. A few minutes later, "Ah. We're here."
Darien looked over a guard's shoulder. "Jessica's house."
Arnaud's head whipped around. "And you know that how?"

Part 13 by Maxdout
"Well, It's too small for a villain such as yourself," Darien remarked cautiously but slyly. Arnaud seemed unimpressed so Darien added, "and your oversized ego."
Arnaud still seemed unconvinced, "I suspect it was just a lucky guess."
The driver opened the door and Arnaud got out while staring at Darien probingly. Darien glanced at Arnaud's thugs as he pointed to the door and said, "Ladies first."
They were not amused. They grabbed Darien, one on either side, and pushed him out the door. It was apparent they were fighting the urge to throw him.
They all walked together up the drive to the door of Jessica's house and Arnaud rang the doorbell. Just then Darien became very afraid that Jessica's parents might recognize him from Jessica's painting of Ralph.

Part 14 by liz_Z
Mrs. Semplar opened the door, a curious expression on her face. "Arnaud, what are you doing here?"
Arnaud gave her a wan smile. "I'm here to help find Jessica."
Mrs. Semplar's lip trembled for a moment, and then she broke down into tears. Arnaud immediately pulled her up in a hug, whispering soothing words in her ear.
After a while Mrs. Semplar began to calm down. Darien watched in surprise. He had never thought that Arnaud was capable of anything like compassion.
Mrs. Semplar frowned and gestured at Darien. "Who is this?"
"Someone who can help us."
"He looks familiar... Oh well, it must be my imagination. His face just reminded me of... a painting Jessica made..." She broke down into tears again.
Arnaud frowned. "What painting?"
"The one of... her invisible friend..."
Arnaud pulled her up in another hug, but his eyes were filled with cold anger. "I see."

Part 15 by IMFreak
After a moment Mrs. Semplar took a deep breath, pulled away from Arnaud enough to wipe her eyes briskly, and said in a voice that sounded as though she were trying to be cheerful, "Well, where are my manners? Come in, come in."
Arnaud kept an arm around his sister and after a quick glare backward at Darien they walked into the house together. Darien was practically hustled inside by the two bodyguards behind him. Once they were in the living room, Mrs. Semplar sat down on a couch, Arnaud beside her. She gestured toward the other chairs arranged in a semi circle around the room for the others to sit in. Subtly, the two muscle men pushed Darien toward one that was pretty much between the other two. Just enough nudging so that Mrs. Semplar wouldn't notice.
"Thanks. How are you holding up Mrs. Semplar?" Darien asked once he had sat down, a look of sincere concern on his face.
Mrs. Semplar, who had been looking more at the beige rug than anything else, brought her head up sharply to look at him. "Fine, thank you." Her voice was a bit tight.
"It's alright, Dear, I told you. He's here to try and help."
She looked earnestly into Arnaud's face, "But why? What makes you think some stranger can find Jessica when the police can't? I mean, how well do you know this man?"
"Trust me. He will do his best to find her." Arnaud looked at Darien with stern eyes that seemed to add "or he will be very, very sorry" to his last statement.

Part 16 by Mandy AKA fawkesieladyandEd
"I'm sorry." Mrs. Semplar said to Darien. "I just can't get over how much you look like Ralph."
"Ralph?" Darien asked trying to sound confused.
"Yes. Jess's invisible friend." She said as she stood up. Mrs. Semplar left the room and returned a moment later with the painting. "See, this is a painting of Ralph."
"Wow." Was all Darien could force out of his mouth.
Mrs. Semplar sat down wiping away fresh tears. "It's alright dear." Arnaud said as he put his arm around her shoulders. "We'll bring her home safe."
He looked at Darien with angry eyes. "May I speak with you a moment?" He said through clenched teeth. He had tried to sound friendly, but his sister flinched at his tone.
"Sure." Darien said and left the house with Arnaud.
"Do you want to tell me why Jessica painted a picture of you?" Arnaud asked when the front door was closed behind them.

Michael Grossman, director of "The Invisible Man" episodes "Per Chance to Dream", "Legends", "Diseased" and "The Importance of Being Eberts" (as well as several upcoming episodes) dropped by the chat room after "The Importance of Being Eberts" aired to talk with the fans. The result was an excellent question and answer session, which Mike loved and gave his permission to reprint here for all to enjoy. So, without further adieu, here it is!

[GinaS] So Mike, you can tell us... was there a lot of ad libbing that made it into the final cut?
[Mike] I would say an average amount....what usually happens is the script has banter between the guys, then when we try it out, new stuff comes out and we grab the best of it and do another take.

[SangSilvereyes] Have you done online chats?
[Mike] I have not yet, although Paul keeps talking about setting one up, I would be happy to.

[Sir Christopher] What else have you done besides I-man?
[Mike] Earth 2, Angel, From the Earth to the Moon, Arliss, among other things.

[CritterKeeper] Mike, is the interest Hobbes is showing in the Keeper going anywhere?
[Mike] The producers are kinda serious about questions that get too specific about upcoming eps. but lets just say it's gonna kick around a little more.

[SangSilvereyes] What is your favorite sort of story drama or comedy?
[Mike] Well, I kinda like it when the drama is tight but the humor kinda sneaks up on you.

[GinaS] Are you a science fiction fan or have you just sort of fallen into that genre?
[Mike] I would say it started as a fall into, but I have really grown to like it.... it is fun to go into a world with new rules and "live" in it.

[Kitkat] Mike..any plans for you to direct more I-man eps?
[Mike] I have another one that is finished and start shooting another next week and still 2 more after that before the end of June.

[The-Mad-Fangirl] IMDB hasn't caught up with your Angel work, Mike - which eps were yours?
[Mike] I did one this season (my first ) it was called re-definition. It was the angel where David did not say anything on camera.

WorkerCaste looked up Mike's Angel ep...it was the "setting Dru and Darla on fire" episode ;-)
[Mike] Yes I was the one that set them on fire!]....

[TheMalteseHobbes] Any chance of a blooper reel?
[Mike] Last time I was on here everyone was interested in a blooper reel... and I have passed that on to the producers.

[Sir Christopher] Mike, have you done anything else besides directing, and if so would you like to apply these talents to I-man?
[Mike] I was an assistant director before I became a director so I did spend time learning and I bring that experience to what I do now I worked with many big directors.

[AgentExeider] When they first asked you to direct iman, what was your first opinion, was it like "I am glad i did this one" or was it more like "What have i got my self into"?????
[Mike] Actually I went after them when I heard about it because it sounded like fun, It took half the season to get them to talk to me but after that I have done 5 and I still have 3 to go by the end of June.

[CritterKeeper] Have you ever tried writing, or giving story suggestions to the writers? Or do you just direct scripts as they come to you?
[Mike] I have written other things I have worked on, not I man yet, Vince gives me a hard time about it alot, and when a good story idea hits me I will write it.

[SangSilvereyes] Mike once again I invite you to come to comic con.
[Mike] If I am not shooting anything I am going to try and join some people from the show there.

[AgentExeider] Hey Mike do you chat often or this is your first time?
[Mike] This is only the second time I came on..... I have been very busy shooting lots of stuff, but when it comes to I-man there is alot to learn here about making it better for you and thats why we do it!

[GinaS] What inspired you to pursue a directing career (a particular film, a certain director's work, a bad twinki)?
[Mike] I think that the first time I saw the movie "Jaws" I came out and said I have to do that!

[SangSilvereyes] Kit asked if the I-maniacs are infamous on the set.
[Mike] I talk to the cast about you all the time... they are how I found out about being here.

[AgentExeider] i asked a couple scientists at Cal tech about the possibility of actually making a gland, and they said that it is possible and with enough research it could be done,, NOW THATS FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
[Mike] If you could find a bigfoot????!!!!

[The-Mad-Fangirl] Standard interview question # 5, Mike: Anyone ever pull any pranks on you on-set?
[Mike] Vince and Paul are always cooking up something..... one of their better ones... They did this ad lib banter that they had worked out while we were shooting, and they really played it for real and it sucked and when I cut, and went up to them they just watched me squirm because you don't just want to say wow that sucked... but it did and then they let me off the hook and started laughing at me.

[tlar-79] Love tonights show and i am a fan of i man now and forever keep up the good work.
[Mike] Thanks.... we had alot of fun shooting it.... the day we did the scene in the officials office after the fight.... we really knew we were on to something good.

[GinaS] Did Vince dig those orange pants?
[Mike] Loves them and the belt!

[Kitkat] Does vince pick out his own clothes?
[Mike] He has alot to say about what he wears yes.

[CritterKeeper] Mike, how do you coordinate the computer effects with the live actors? Do you do the effect first, or the live scene?
[Mike] We do the live scene first, then they create a 3d model in the computer over the image we shoot and after that it is "easy". More than easier, it is a matter of budget..... the "worse" we do shooting it the more it costs to fix later.

[Sir Christopher] How much does an average ep's worth of QS effects cost?
[Mike] Each time he either shooms or d- shooms is about $4,000.

[AgentExeider] The QSing special effect. was that original or did they get from somewhere?
[Mike] The concept of the flaking was original, the silver has a kinda T2 look to me.

[Drakkar] Do you and the cast/crew ever go an read the fan fiction related to I-Man?
[Mike] I am just starting to find my way around here, so I have not but I did hear about it from Paul.

[AgentExeider] Mike, percentage wise how many stunts do the cast actually do themselves as opposed to a stunt double?
[Mike] They actually do alot of very physical stunt work..... on legends, Vince did almost everything himself as you saw cause his face was on camera.

[CritterKeeper] How much interaction is there between writers and directors? If you want to change something in a script, do you talk to the writer or just do it?
[Mike] There is lots of interaction between writers and directors.

[Sir Christopher] Are there going to be more new sci-fi concepts coming up this season? (like the Catevari, RNA memory in the gland, super-intelligence, quicksilver physics, etc. from the past, or the cloned flesh from this one)
[Mike] Yes, I don't want to tease you but there is a limit to what I am allowed to say.... I will tell you that the ep I last finished has a great guest star in an interesting and "scifi" roll I think you will love.

[The-Mad-Fangirl] How much / what kind of direction did you give to the other Mike with regards to a Joel-as-Arnaud impression?
[Mike] We worked very hard together to make his character different but not tip it too far (the scene in the official's office after the fight and that one answer back to the official when he would not listen was one of the best).

[TheMalteseHobbes] Any idea if there's going to be a 3rd season yet?
[Mike] There is nothing official yet about season 3..... but it sure looks good.

[GinaS] How is the possible writers/actors strike affecting everyone... are you being pushed to finish the episodes quicker?
[Mike] We will get 16 done before then.

****Editors Note: Mike wanted to end with a note about "Perchance to Dream"****
[Mike] In the scene where D & H come into the keep and find the guards on the floor, (of course it is now the "movie") I did a take where Claire was in the chair in the BG as the camera panned for a flash as a little clue to you dedicated watchers, but the producers decided against it.
I will come back..... soon..... and I will say hi to everyone at the show on Monday. Before I come back next I will set up a mailbox just for you guys to reach me. THANK YOU FOR WATCHING!

I'd like to thank Mike for popping into the chat room and sticking around to answer so many questions and for allowing me to reprint his answers here. He has told me that he had a great time chatting and got a lot of good feedback and that if he had not just worked a very long, hard day, he would have stayed for hours!