40,046.... A New Alliance...

Wow, I did not want to write today... and man, no idea how I'm going to wrap this up in 10,000 words, but I've really got no choice. So close to the end now, I really can't wait to be done!
So, Jake continues to search for clues and today formed an unexpected alliance.

Jake popped his head into Gordon’s office, intent on controlling the conversation this time around. “Hey Boss, got a second?” he asked. Gordon primly looked back at Jake, and opened his mouth to launch into what surely would have been a lengthy diatribe about the meaninglessness of time as a measure of anything, given the fluidity of reality. Jake anticipated this move, however, and used a countermove of his own. He interrupted.
“Great. So listen, first I’m going to need access to the basement floors, as I need to do some research.” Gordon looked at him agog, this was a word that Gordon would have used, and Jake cursed his internal narrator for choosing it at this moment but this was not a time for internal reverie. It was a time for action.
Indeed Gordon was surprised at Jake’s request, because the historical archives located on the bottom three floors were rarely used by any of the reporters, least of all those on the sports beat. Jake once again interrupted before Gordon had a chance to speak.
“Ok, awesome, and second, I’m going to need to take a leave of absence, so get someone else to cover my articles. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone.” A voice inside his head said I don’t know if I’ll ever be coming back, but he ignored it, as he was not a man prone to flights of fancy.
Jake paused expectantly hoping for a simple yes, Jake, here’s the key to the archives, and yes take all the time you need. What he expected on the other hand, was either a series of relevant, hard hitting and difficult to answer questions, or a lengthy soliloquy with little relevance to anything. What greeted him instead was a protracted silence, though Jake was happy to see Gordon reach into his desk to retrieve the key to the archives. After a long pause, Gordon spoke.
“First, a leave of absence will be no problem, since we will not be covering the sports beat for the next few issues, maybe even weeks. We’re up to our eyeballs here in the shitstorm that has emerged with the shock engagement of Avril Lavigne and Chad Kroeger. I have to dedicate at least one entire article to educating the unwashed masses about the correct pronunciation of the rock legend’s name, the prime minister has asked us to run a full page photograph of the Canadian homegrown supergroup receiving the Order of Canada, accompanied by a pleading note to name him as Best Man at what is sure to be the wedding of the year, if not the decade (yes I am including the Royal Wedding in this assessment). I think also that this is the moment we’ve been waiting for to write a stunning expose on the role of mommy bloggers in the both the election of the prime minister AND the decision to award said Order of Canada to the much maligned Canadian supergroup, as well as the connection of these events to the complete and utter demise of Paul Martin as a public figure in this country.” Gordon pause to take a breath. He indeed seemed to have his hands full. “So, I guess that yet another article bemoaning the state of Toronto sports teams will not be missed.”
Jake disagreed on that score. Gordon obviously didn’t understand the rabid nature of Toronto sports fans, nor did he understand the extent to which they are reliant on a steady diet of cynicism, bitterness, and disappointment. But Jake had bigger problems than the peculiarities of Toronto sports fans and the media outlets that serve them. He needed to find out more about what exactly Alice was mixed up in, where he could find her, and how he could help. Jake remained silent, and waited for Gordon to finish.
“Now,” Gordon continued, “with regards to your other request, I have two questions. Does this have to do with Alice?” Jake nodded. Gordon nodded back, considered for a moment, then responded. “Okay. My next question is… how can I help?”