Agent Jake floated low in the pool. His target, Villa Holdmyhand, was just a few feet away, reading a book on seashells.

Agent Jake's first mission: he was already on his own. He knew he could rely on nothing but his Swimline Manta Ray Pool Toy. Even “M” would disavow his actions if she noticed him. Right now she didn’t know her oldest daughter had gone rogue. But Jake knew. Just as he knew that he had to act… or the world might be forfeit.

“Don’t you dare,” Villa Holdmyhand said flatly. She was using her Swimline Manta Ray Pool Toy as a raft, with a soda in the built-in drink holder. She wore dark glasses so it was impossible to see where she was looking. Supposedly at her book. Jake knew better. Even with his head down behind his Swimline Manta Ray Pool Toy’s headrest, and with the built-in squirt guns at the ready, Jake had to be careful. He'd seen the specs.

"Check this out, buddy!" his father told him as he opened the boxes. "I got you a Swimline Manta Ray Pool Toy! See? These squirt guns draw water from the pool, so you never have to reload them. Pretty great for a water fight, right?"

"Daddy, that's not fair!" Olivia had yelled. "Why can't I have one too?"

"Calm down, Olivia," his father had told his sister. "It's a two pack. You can have this one. Now you guys go play."

"Don't squirt me, Jake. I mean it. I'm going to float and read my book."

Jake focused on the present again. He knew Villa Holdmyhand's Swimline Manta Ray Pool Toy had the same offensive capabilities his did. And even worse, if he played it wrong, “M” would be on her side. “M” always took her side. It totally wasn’t fair at all. She didn't even understand Agent Jake.

“I’m serious, Jake," said Villa Holdmyhand. "If you get my book wet, I’m going to tell.” Jake knew the stakes were high. But it was his first mission. He had nothing to lose. It was either fire the squirt guns or back off and lose face. Jake was cornered… and yet, he knew that was how an agent operated best. Like a shark, he hid his smile under the water. He still had one card to play.

Across the pool, little Ella was sitting with their Uncle Alex, their feet in the water. Jake trusted Alex. They’d worked together before. Slowly, Jake drifted his Swimline Manta Ray Pool Toy across the pool. Villa Holdmyhand didn’t seem to notice or care.

At the wall, Jake whispered to his baby sister: “Ella, see how hard you can kick, okay?”

Ella understood the new protocol, and complied. Her technique was raw but it had the range Jake's plan required. Villa Holdmyhand shrieked as water splashed across her own Swimline Manta Ray Pool Toy, her face, her soda, and her book.

“Jake!” Villa Holdmyhand yelled like a baby, but Agent Jake was already out of the pool. From behind the swingset, he could hear Ella crying and “M” yelling: “Olivia! Stop splashing your sister!”

Villa Holdmyhand would protest, but to no avail. They’d quickly find Jake’s Swimline Manta Ray Pool Toy on the lawn, but they’d never tie the attack to him. His cover was safe. His first mission was a success. And he'd earned a little vacation.

Agent Jake grabbed a hot dog and went in to play Solitaire on the computer. With a life like his, the casino was the only way he could relax.

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