Once bitten, twice shy

Author's Pov

"You can't tell me this isn't going so well," 

Madeline Black's voice rang loud and clear from the phone on the counter. John stared blankly at it, listening to her rant about how well their plan seemed to be working.  

Their plan?  

More like his plan.  

He sat by the kitchen counter, staring down at the phone and listening to Madeline's annoying voice, trying to keep his nerves in check, as well as his temper.  

"... And now, I'm going to the Harpoon industries, representing the old hag. How cool is that?!" 

Of course, she would find it cool, John thought with a snigger. Only Madeline Black would find it cool that she was fooling an entire family.  

"Very cool," he droned in a monotonous voice. If the bitch on the other end took note of his bor