Twenty-one: Doom of a Discomfiter part fourteen

Ms. Madison came to in a brightly-lit prison cell, and discovered that she had been changed into a very short nightie, presumably by the evil Discomfiter. After a few minutes, the door opened, revealing the smiling form of the Discomfiter, now looking like Ming the Merciless.

'So...' he chuckled, looking down at the blonde's inadequately-clad form. 'You are at my mercy once more, Ms. Madison.'

'Know what,' Ms. Madison shot him a radiant smile, 'I didn't think you could be any uglier, but I was wrong.'

His hand cracked across Ms. Madison's face, as the evil man glowered at Ms. Madison. Two of his thugs pulled the blonde to her feet and dragged her into the corridor. The Discomfiter led the way into the control bunker at the heart of his fortress.

'Don't expect your pal in green to help you out this time,' Raoul laughed wickedly, 'this fortress is impregnable, and shielded against radiation.'

The mention of radiation caused the pretty blonde to start. Something in the Discomfiter's voice told her that this was not simply a figure of speech. Taking a step forward, she saw, in a huge pit in the centre of the control room, a vast rocket, surrounded by a blast-proof screen.

'That's right!' the Discomfiter laughed, seeing Ms. Madison's concern. 'You do well to fear me. That is a nuclear missle capable of hitting Washington. If my demands are not met within twenty-four hours, the capital of the United States of American will be nothing but radioactive dust! And you will contact the American Government to tell them this!'

With a heavy hear, Ms. Madison picked up the 'phone and called the White House. Recognised as the Green Man's secretary, she was able to tell the President that if Raoul was not paid one billion dollars, Washington would be destroyed.

The President, at his ranch in Texas, replied that he would call an emergency session of Congress the next day.

'But, Mr. President,' the lovely blonde protested, 'in twenty-four hours Washington will be destroyed!'

'Precisely,' the President laughed. 'And Congress will be there too. Lots of Democrats are going to die!'

Ms. Madison let out a little gasp of shock. If the Green Man didn't come through, then it seemed nothing could save Washington!