rfp3to5
rfp3to5.docx
There was not much to do in this isolated area of South America, except for what was in
the rooms and banquet room. The banquet room served mixed drinks and had a live band
arranged to play an unexpected Brazilian tune. The sound played by the band was vivid,
which gave the atmosphere a truly tropical feeling. The rooms were spacious and actually
resembled suites; however, and surprisingly, there were neither phones nor televisions.
They were equipped with saunas, and the balconies looked over vast plains. The rooms
were definitely far from technology equipped and brought the true meaning of the term
“third world” to their occupants.
The men all felt comfortable within their rooms, however, and made use of the
opportunity for a much needed rest. They would need it for the upcoming presentation,
especially after the long flight.
“Damn, no phones!” Rich whipped out his cellular phone while glancing at his
wife briefly. “I guess he’s on his way,” he said after allowing the phone to ring several
times unanswered, saying as he hung up, “Dear, I must go and see if the transport boat is
ready.”
Mrs. Dickenson gave a look of acceptance and advised her husband to be careful.
He nodded and walked out the door. There was still nothing to worry about, he told
himself. The helicopters were delivered previously, and a medical boat was ready at the
dock. Preparedness was far from the issue, but rather, knowing what he was in for, which
made his stomach knot and unknot spasmodically. Deciding to use the boat to transport
the investors was on his mind at the moment. He thought it would be more appropriate
since it was roomy enough to fit everyone aboard. It would take both helicopters to fit all
seven people, and he was the only pilot available. He was anxious to get to the docks to
assure that everything was situated before bringing the investors along. It was a very
short distance to the docks of the mighty Amazon in the southwestern Macapa region of
Brazil! The tropical scenery dominated as he made his way by horse and wagon taxi.
Before his eyes sat two beautiful helicopters and a boat in the background floating
powerfully, a testament to the preparations made for this project. Many Brazilian people
walked about, and there were more than usual about because they could not help but
notice the Americans’ arrival.
Richard walked the docks to his boat, and some of the strangers even stared. What
exactly went through the gazers’ minds was unclear, but their expressions revealed
curiosity and admiration. Unaffected by the watchers, he entered the boat and
immediately inspected all of the instruments. Boating and navigation was one of his
hobbies, so this went smoothly. Richard gazed upon the instruments and then out the
window at the scenery, squinting his eyes against the sun.
His emotions were high because things were going superbly, and his mood, in
combination with the familiar scenery, ignited reminiscence: “Honey, I’m going fishing!”
“OK dear.” Richard gathered his favorite pole and in the other hand carried an expensive
tackle box very firmly. It was no time before he was out the gates in his sports utility
vehicle. The tires performed their normal screams when leaving with Richard at the helm.
More screams, but opposite in pitch hollered when he decided to make a stop at Owens
bait and tackle shop. There were bells that jingled upon opening the door to the shop as
he was met by cold still air, which chilled his sweating skin from the hot and muggy
morning that it was. That cool down was welcomed with unapparent gratitude because
the business of getting fishing utensils was his priority. Richard gazed at various bait and
tackle and was obviously unsure what type to use. Scratching his chin and squinting his
eyes as if he had a hard time seeing.
A suitably rustic man asked, “What type of fishing will you be doing?”
“I don’t know.”
“Will you be fresh water fishing or salt?”
“Oh, I see. Well I guess fresh water.”
“Well, what type of fish were you wanting to catch?”
“Any that will bite.”
“Oh, I see,” said the rugged man with a bit of a chuckle. He continued on in his
overly drawn voice. “I guess you’ve never been boating a mile off the coast?”
“I’ve been on many cruises!” “Not cruises! Fishing! Have you ever been deep-sea
fishing?”
“No, I can’t say that I have!”
“You look like a well off man. You deserve to get the prize, the biggest and best
fish you could ever dream of reeling in.” Richard gained interest in the man's comments
and allowed himself to be lured into a verbal entanglement. “What’s your name?”
“Richard! Richard Dickenson.”
“Well Mr. Dickenson, I don’t say that fishing is a serious hobby for you. Maybe
you hunt and now have decided to expand. Well, let me tell you, fishing is the best
experience you could ever have. Drifting the ocean current, searching for a spot to send
our chosen traps deep below, hoping something so hungry and desperate for food will
chomp at our sharp hooks, snatching up the biggest and baddest creatures of the sea, is
the best pastime imaginable. You’re under control then, Mr. Dickenson.”
“Call me Richard.”
“Richard! What, have you not driven a boat before?”
“No! I always had someone to do it for me.”
“Even though you’re well off enough to hire someone, it’s still a good skill to
have. You may need it someday.”
“What! So, do you teach boating lessons?”
“Oh no! I’m no teacher, but I’ve been raised around boats since I was an itty-bitty
youngen. I became very skillful at it, even could probably navigate you around the
world.”
“Probably?” Richard declared with impressions of not wanting to be a guinea pig.
“Oh, I say that because I never actually attempted it.”
Richard stood there giving eye-to-eye attention before blurting, “You’re unsure,
and so I’m afraid I will make me have to pass.”
“I’m sure I could if I did try. I know the maps of the oceans real well, and I keep
up with all current weather conditions. This isn’t about that; it’s about fishing, and I offer
you to join me the next time me and a few of my buddies go deep-sea fishing.” Richard
had been game, and they exchanged information quickly.
However, the Brazilian sun's strength broke his concentration and that became his
final thought as he blurted out, “Oh shit! I forgot! I needed to pick up Joe from the
airport.” It was a small private dismal airport, all of the stops by privately owned planes.
He rushed himself to the spots where the airplanes could land. Upon arriving at this pint-
size airport with one shaky tower and about four measly runways that were really just
roads, it became clear Joe had not yet arrived. Richard looked around and noticed no one
was immediately in sight. “Hello, is anyone there?” He screeched over the vast opening
the airport allotted.
“Hello, Joe! Is anyone here?” He shouted, walking around to the towers control
room entrance. He entered the staircase and glanced upward, and he could not help but
indulge in multiple grunts and sighs as he realized that he had a steep climb. He figured
someone had to be here. He proceeded with determination. Huffing and panting
controllably, but aggressively, he proceeded up the flight of stairs. In no time, he reached
the top, not realizing actually how many stairs he had climbed. Opening the door to his
left, he entered eagerly, only to notice a letter “U” shaped console and a shiny coated
figure sitting dead center. Glancing upwards through the windows, he paid particular
attention to the nearly empty runways, then looked at the sky, noticing an eerie
emptiness. “Hey, wake up! Wake up!” Pressing the seat with both hands and shaking
aggressively, he heard grunts coming from the front of the seat. Richard continued to say,
“Hey wake up! Wake up,” now repeating quickly after one another. “Wake up, Wake
up!”
The man jumped out of his seat, replying with a phrase of some foreign language.
“Hey, speak English,” said Richard.
“What did you do that for?” replied the man with an unidentifiable accent.
“There was supposed to be a flight due.”
“A flight,” repeated the man, curiously shrugging his shoulders, his expression
one of affliction. “No sir, I don’t know of any flight! I don’t know what you are talking
about.” His words were spoken with an irritating accent that now seemed amplified.
“Look sir,” Richard then said firmly. “There is a flight due. Look for it and call
me.” Richard jotted his number down swiftly and handed the information to the
mysterious man, who accepted it with a peculiar look. “Is that going to be a problem?”
“No, no.”
Richard gave a disgusting look and asked, “Where the hell are you from anyway.”
There was no verbal response from the man, but a simple waving of the hand and
nodding of the head for him seemed to suffice. Richard shook his head in disappointment
and proceeded down the staircase. Eager to get back to the suites to get the investors
onboard, he descended the staircase faster than he had ascended. He wondered where Joe
was on his way back, but he figured he was just running late. Nevertheless, the
presentation had to begin. Joe was just a friend to keep him company, but his tastes
contrasted sharply with those of the investors and Richard thought that was a needed
element in this discussion. He even found himself wishing he could have waited a little
longer, but his reasons for being here had little to do with Joe. Getting back to the suites
now seemed to take longer, and his impatience grew. Arriving at his destination not a
moment to soon, his patience converted into an eager aggression, maybe even obsession;
nevertheless, he remained cool as he gathered all the investors.
Everyone had boarded the boat while Richard quietly and swiftly checked all
necessary instruments. It would be a more difficult task since Joe was not there. They had
been on many navigational missions together. Whether it is fishing or just enjoying a
cruise with their loved ones, he would be on his own for this trip, but it did not bother
him a bit. His determination to make this a success dominated all other thoughts.
Releasing the last ropes that secured the boat, they were soon off. The boat was built
well, and had good speed.
Their destination was a particular riverbank 100 miles southeast of Macapa.
Richard maximized the velocity of the mid-sized yacht and administered the skills in
boating that he had so conveniently inherited indirectly from a bait and tackle shop visit.
He could hear the wind drift swiftly from the rear of the boat, and he could also hear
snippets of the conversations of intrigue.
“Dick! What do you think?” said one of the investors, standing with both hands
gripped upon the boat’s railing and looking puzzled indeed.
He replied saliently, “Think? About what Peter?”
“I mean, here way out in the wilderness! Do you think this is a little extreme, us
being out here for a presentation?”
Mr. Neuheisil began to gleam as if he had all the answers, and responded
confidently. “Well, you know, I think it’s a good idea. It gives us a chance to see the
realities of this so-called, quote-unquote, project! And its true potential! Thus far, it’s
proving possible, but I am beginning believe only now, since he has decided to bring us
along here. We should make the best of this, and we need to use this experience to help
us decide if it’s even possible, or even profitable for that matter.”
“Yeah right, you know….” The men continued casual conversation amongst
themselves while Richard shuttled the yacht to its destination.
“Richard, you got it under control, I see,” exclaimed Jim, who was standing next
to Tony Palanas. “Where exactly did you learn to navigate boats?” Richard turned to see
the two men watching him like private eyes.
He responded casually and gently. “Boating has actually been a hobby of mine for
many, many years. A friend once turned me on to deep-sea fishing, and it was on from
there.”
Dick looked at Richard first with a smile that showed he was impressed. He then
looked at Jim and Tony simultaneously, grabbing one shoulder of each and speaking on
their congress. “Here we are, drifting upon the bayou like Amazonians, really living this
endeavor. Some may have thought initially this was extreme, being out here, but I must
say Richard, for me it’s truly been a tropical experience. I want to congratulate you on
this conception; and I hope that you men see this as an opportunity, to really understand
the realities of this idea. The men looked ahead of them, each with their own
characteristics. Their eyes lit up as they approached a large gap in the River, sort of like a
huge lake, but in actuality, the river now split in two.
This was the spot. Now, Richard thought, if I can only rely on either side of the
land directly ahead. He headed the vessel towards the point where the land split the river
into a western flow and a southern flow. “OK, gentlemen,” he said, notifying all crew
members, “prepare to dock.” Richard guided the boat as close to the edge as possible, but
he realized that there was no where to dock the boat. The gentlemen all gathered on the
side railings of the boat while Richard spoke loudly. “Unfortunately, I didn’t anticipate
not being able to dock the boat and getting our feet dirty, but I see a patch of trees right
over there, an opening where we could have landed the choppers. Nevertheless, this is the
spot you were shown on the map,” he said, lifting the map to everyone and assuring their
visibility was not hindered. He pointed at the map and continued, “Now you see,
gentlemen! Can you feel what I’m envisioning here?” He was pointing fiercely and finger
tracing the exact dimensions along these multiple branches of the Amazon. Getting
excited, he pronounced, “We can ship coffee from Columbia.” He then traced his fingers
along the Amazon eagerly, passing Manaus and moving upward on one of many
Amazonian branches until that particular one ended. He now suggested, “We can add a
trucking depot here. See right there!” He pointed even more aggressively. “The Orinoca
River branches off, and this upward branch is very close to Bogota, Columbia. Now you
see this lower branch of the Amazon is just 100 miles or so below. This Amazon branch
should be equipped with a loading and unloading dock, while the trucking depot could be
placed at this upper branch of the Orinoco.”
Jim interrupted, saying, “You might as well place a loading and unloading facility
there, on that Orinoco branch as well. There are all sorts of rivers that the Orinoco is
connected to within Columbia, not to mention it exits near Trinidad and Tobago. If I’m
not mistaken, that may shorten the route to America.”
Richard looked at him with surprise and replied, “Now you see! You see, you
really understand what I’m envisioning here. They also have gold, oil, and emeralds.”
Jim, with an ulterior motive gleaming in his eyes, advised, “I’m quite aware of
what Columbia has to offer.” He patted the quiet Tony Palanas on the back and gripped
his shoulders, now obviously acting as Tony’s spokesperson. Tony continued to sit back,
not saying much, but he was indeed interested. His family had real ties within the drug
hierarchy, and Columbia was a known producer of many such products. This massive
shipping industry project and future operation would be perfect for trafficking and
laundering. Tony’s seeming lack of interest was just a ploy. He was in fact eager to get
this project going. That easy access couldn't be passed up. The plan was to smuggle
contraband out of Columbia, transfer products in this newly proposed control center, and
allow products to leave the eastern shore of South America. In a totally different ship, it
would be difficult to for the authorities to discern where the drugs were going. He
gleamed inside at this opportunity, only to be interrupted out of his reverie.
Richard spoke loudly. “That’s not all, gentlemen. We may ship sugarcane and rice
from Venezuela, as well as wheat, barley, and corn from Peru. Need copper, Peru is the
place! Oh, don’t forget about oil in Guaza, newly discovered. Since Bolivia refuses to
ante up, or perhaps has no capitol, we can be their source capitol. We can partially own
Bolivia. Remember, I told you gentlemen about the depots at Cuiaba. He pointed once
again with an aggression that captured all the men’s attention. “You see this river; it
allows us to ship into Paraguay and Uruguay, and finally exiting through Rio de la Plata.”
That final comment Richard uttered gained grunts of approval, and Dick
suggested, “I think this allows us access to Argentina as well. What do they have to offer,
Mr. Dickenson?”
“Well, that country has Buenos Aires, a large port city that is near Cordoba. They
produce automobiles and buses.”
“Hmm!” Dick said, but Richard did not give him a chance to say anything,
because he continued to blabber.
“You see men, even though we are unable to walk on the land, I believe you all
get the idea of where this project is eventually going to go. First, we must get this
contract location established.”
Peter commented, “We don’t know if a project with such a magnitude can even be
possible, besides what is the constructability of this land?”
Richard blurted out excitedly, “Sure! That is why I have scheduled a survey crew
and a few engineers to come build, well, first and foremost, somewhere to dock this boat.
They will be measuring and surveying, or what ever it is they do. Look! I didn’t say this
plan was going to be stumble free, but I assure you that the engineers will probably
approve this site for said construction. And we will be on our way to establishing a
shipping empire.”
Suddenly, Richard’s eyes sharpened as he looked towards land. Just before
opening his mouth again, he noticed something appearing to dash across, or through, the
forest. He looked puzzled, but he is careful to conceal his expressions immediately with
silent gulps of air. He had just about scratched his head, wondering aloud, what was that?
However, he really began to think, who was that? It looked like a buck-naked man
running, weaving through the thick masses of trees. He was almost certain it was
someone, because he had noticed the eyes peeking from around a tree just before the
body became a blur. Direct contact, eye-to-eye, seemed to be what happened and is the
reason Richard was going crazy. Those eyes seemed to be staring at him just before he,
she, or it ran away.
Richard’s reverie was interrupted by Jim. “Is something the matter? It seems as
though you’ve seen a ghost?"
“Oh no! I just thought I saw a deer or something.” Ring! Ring! His phone loudly
interrupted the moment. “Excuse me, gentlemen.” He answered his phone briskly. “Yes,”
he said, then patiently waited for a response.
“Mr., that flight you spoke of, earlier. It should arrive in two hours or so. They
dispatched in — I just received the pilot’s message.”
“OK , great! Richard glanced at his watch, noticing that it was already midafternoon. He then remembered that Joe was originally supposed to be on that later flight
in the first place. Nevertheless, he whipped the boat around and they headed back for
Macapa. They all enjoyed the ride back, as the sun’s heat began to subside and made the
ride more bearable. They had several drinks and were quite joyful at the prospects of
making so much money on this project, and they did not realize they were nearly to their
destination. Finally, they had all exited the boat and headed for the banquet room to
continue to gorge themselves with alcoholic beverages.
CHAPTER FOUR
Arriving at the mini-airport, Richard noticed Joe sitting down waiting for him.
Richard got off the wagon and approached the building. “Hey, Joe! Joe!” Richard
exclaimed.
“Rich! Rich, hey Richard…. Old buddy how you doing.”
“I’m fine, Joe. What about yourself?”
“Just marvelous. I see you got us here way out in the tropics and shit.” Pausing
just briefly as they walked away from the building, Joe then blurted hilariously, “Oh shit,
we got the horse and wagon! Damn! What the hell is going on? I mean you did say
something about a project, but gee! I had no idea.” The two men boarded the carriage and
proceeded to the suites. “So what exactly are we doing here anyway?”
“Well Joe, I really called you to help me with the navigating, but your late arrival
eliminated that plan.”
“Well excuse me, but what navigating?” He spoke frankly and naively.
“I just took the investors on a cruise to the central construction site”
“Wait a minute, hold up! Investors? Cruise? Navigating? You’re confusing me.”
“Joe! Remember when I called to invite you to the presentation. I need their
capital.
“Oh I see. You’re putting your swindle techniques to good use. I still don’t
understand the cruise.”
“Damn Joe, be imaginative. The project is about 100 miles southwest from here
by boat on the Amazon."
“Boy, you sure can be an adventurer. You started me with that shit a long time
ago, talking about deep-sea fishing, and shit. I guess you needed my help on the boat.”
“No! You don’t say.”
“Hey,” Joe said sharply, pausing long enough to assure that he had captured Mr.
Dickenson’s attention. “Fuck you, OK! You probably wanted me to do all the work while
you ran your mouth to people richer than you. Now that is a sight.”
A grin crossed Rich’s face as the men approached the suites, but that was short
lived because he began to blabber. “Hey, the sun has a few more hours of light. Let’s take
the helicopter to the site.”
“What site, man!?”
“Damn Joe! Where the shipyard is to be built.”
“Shipyard! Now I knew you were crazy, but whoa! I didn’t imagine.”
“They say a genius is crazy, and I see you haven’t been listening to anything I’ve
been telling you.
“Hold up, Rich. I have been listening. It’s been a long flight and I wouldn’t mind
getting one of those tropical drinks in me.”
“Come on Joe, I didn’t get a chance to tour the land.”
“Well, why not,” Joe exclaimed with unacceptable tones.
“We hadn’t had a chance to build a dock, and that prevented us from exiting the
boat. I didn’t want to take the small boats with those inexperienced nincompoops.” Joe
stood back with a humorous look while listening to Rich. “My plan is to take the
choppers, build a dock, and survey the land. Get an engineer to approve construction, and
let my investors' money do the rest. I want to at least know what I’m up against.” Richard
uttered these last comments unusually out of focus; a thought of the buck-naked man may
have crossed his mind. However, he continued on, “Besides, you don’t need that alcohol
shit anyway. It can kill you.”
“OK , Ok, but I am a grown-ass man, and I will have me several of those drinks
as soon as we return from your weird obsession, or journey, or even quest, whatever it is.
Something! Something has gotten into you.”
Richard seemed preoccupied, but he managed to exclaim harshly, “What!”
“You heard me! Your crazy ways are going to get you killed one day.”
“Oh yeah, well at least I wont die an old man having doing nothing but scarf
down barley and hops and smoke cigars until my lungs resemble a pot of boiling tar,
stressed from extensive manual labor and mad because of all the things I could have
done.” A silent and concealed chuckle that sounded like the letter ‘K’, sputtered from
Joe’s mouth. “Let’s go!” Richard hopped off first, followed by Joe. The two men
approached the area where the helicopters rested. In the large tower, the old man glanced
briefly at the men before returning to his book and stuffing some unknown fruit in his
mouth. “It shouldn’t take us much more than thirty minutes to reach the spot.” They both
climbed in and fitted themselves in properly.
Richard gauged the instruments and soon they were off. “How is Claira?”
“Oh, she’s fine. She had that meeting and she is really moving up. I’m proud of
her achievements, and especially as a wife. Is everything OK with you and Susan?”
“Oh sure! Sure! She’s at the room waiting for me.”
“Oh my, aren’t we lucky.” Before Richard could indulge in the compliment, Joe
was blabbering some more. “Or might I say unlucky. All these beautiful Brazilian
women.”
“You’re married!”
“I know, I know! A man is going to be a man. You understand what I’m saying.”
“Yeah, right! Fuck around and bring Claira back a splendid case of Malaria.”
“Oh, funny!”
“Hey Joe, you know you are my good friend and I’m really glad you could make
it.” His tone is suddenly softer, less obsessive.
“Yeah man, no problem.” Silence set in, and then suddenly the helicopter blades’
whisper became more noticeable. The helicopter ride was pretty smooth, and before long,
they were approaching the spot. Richard looked down to focus on exactly where he
wanted to land.
“Hey Rich, do you know where you’re gonna drop this baby?”
“Yes!” Richard exclaimed with a hint of irritation. “I spotted this location when I
brought the investors out here.”
“Yeah, if you say so.” The helicopter-descended right where Richard wanted to
land, and the men hopped out quickly after Rich slowed the rotors. “Damn, man!”
“What now, Joe!”
“This ground is kind of mushy.”
“Yeah, well let’s go up the bank a bit. It’s probably dry ground there.” They
walked some distance away from the river, noticing all the sounds of wild birds, insects,
and other unidentifiable creatures lurking in the forest. The two men did not notice the
eyes concealed behind trees that obscured the watchers. These were the keen eyes of
many men in ceremony. Richard walked around with dignity, unaffected by the eerie
sounds of the jungle. They walked down a pathway that naturally split the forest slightly.
Joe looked around several different times trying to locate what was actually making those
sounds.
The trail ended, but this new area had space to go several different directions. The
thick layer of trees blocked the sunlight, which made their range of sight only fifty to
seventy feet. Any further than that was not possible to see because a bundle of trees
layered in tropical vines of some sort blocked the view. Richard stood about twenty feet
away in one corner and listened to Joe expound on their surroundings.
“Is that a parrot? I have never seen a bird with so many different colors, and so
bright. The next thing you know you’ll have me out here having conversations with wild
birds.”
“Well Joe, for you that’s probably fitting. I’m sure you all would have much in
common,” replied Richard with extreme sarcasm, just like the two friends were used to.
Joe responded, first with a look that he said he’d had enough. “Look!” which was
spoken firmly, “you already have me out here in a Western version of our motherland,
thinking we are part of Harubu nation. Biiiiiitch….!” This was spoken with a serious
drag, but firmly and the tone seemed to be hateful. However, that was not the case. The
two friends were used to crude humor — it was just a part of their usual jocular ways.
“We might as well paint our faces and hold spears while chanting syllables we have
never even heard before, maybe go comatose from some of these unrecorded psychedelic
plants.”
Richard could not do anything but release gentle laughs and smirks. “You are a
damn fool.” He continued laughing.
“You’re laughing, but I’m serious,” replied Joe with a smirk of his own. The men
walked through the other end of the opening. They began walking another path, and
ahead of them were eyes watching them, but the two friends did not notice. Richard
walked ahead and Joe followed, but they were still unaware that they were being
observed. Where was the watcher? In a tree? It was unclear since they did not notice the
eyes at all.
The two friends could not hear them, but there were chants of high praise, the
sound of wood clicking as if primitive drums were being played. The sun descended
toward the western skyline. The sounds of primitive instruments of string also echoed and
blended well with the looming nighttime forest chatter. A gloomy mist lifted, as did an
aurora of the mystic. Images of primitive dancers indigenous spirits flashed about,
accompanied with sounds of dancing and chanting, this intensified fiercely, but Rich and
his companion could not hear this. In fact, to them it did not even exist. The eyes
belonged to real men but also to the spirits that were being called upon. The sounds grew
louder and the images flashed more intensely as pre-darkness snuck upon them.
“Richard, it’s getting dark.” Richard walked as if he did not hear his friend
speaking to him. “I don’t know what it is you’re trying to do out here. I mean way out
here in no man’s land. I mean, I mean, there are probably species we haven’t seen yet.
And you got me out here after sunset. And it’s shit out here, what if a goddamn wild cat,
or a muthafuckin…uh…uh...whatever the fuck. It’s all kind of shit out here. I don’t even
know what to name. And you wanna come digging shit up. Something’s gotten into you,
that’s a clear understatement. You’re just crazy. I feel like I’m in ancient Aztec.”
His reverie rudely interrupted, Richard replied, “Excuse my impudence, but it
figures. With your mental capacity, obtuse as it may be, you couldn’t begin to grasp the
benefits.”
“Well fuck you, and whatever you said. Just because you’re Rich, Rich! You
know I’m gonna speak my mind.”
“I guess we better get back,” Richard said swiftly. “Just follow me down this path
we previously trotted.”
“I hope you know your way out of this Jungle.”
“Joe, don’t be a fool.” As they walked about in search for where they had landed,
the sounds of night now overlapped the earlier sounds they heard. Their ears sent their
brains messages that were more eerie still. Joe again looked with panic as he tried to
locate a sound his ears continued to register but his mind could not identify. Richard
walked fast, and Joe seemed to fall further behind. The mysterious forest sounds and the
unfamiliarity of the wild life terrain slowed him. Then suddenly he began to sprint up a
hill perpendicular to the pathway. “I need to take a leak. Hold up man, hold up!” Richard
was far ahead and barely heard him.
“What Joe?” He continued walking unaffected by the watchers and sounds.
“Oh shit!” Joe replied. In his mind, he thought, Damn, I must have slid down the
other side. The fact that he needed to release urine didn’t change. He yelled out,
“Richard, Richard!” Richard stopped in his tracks well ahead, turned around and softly
replied. “Joe, what? Where are you.” He spoke softly, standing in his tracks with a bit of
impatience. He began to slowly walk towards Joe’s cries. Joe decided his bladder needed
emptying now. He chose a huge tree to stand upon to do his dirty work. No one was
presumably looking, but he decided to choose a tree to conceal himself anyway. He
probably was used to a huge Maple or Oak, and the bulging roots were normally used as
stepping-stones. Joe did what he was used to and participated in one of the best releases
ever. Standing there on two huge roots, he began to let her rip. He cocked back his head
and relaxed while enjoying a much needed drainage. As the last morsels dripped out, he
cocked his head back even further and enjoyed the shiver he received. “Oh shit,” shouted
Joe. His body cocked forward from the sudden collapse from underneath him. It appeared
the surface beneath had given way. What happened to the roots he was standing on? That
was far from his mind. “Oh shit, damn!” yelled Joe, and the he loudly repeated his
friend’s name over and over. “Richard! Richard! I’m stuck in some kind of trap. Shit
man, come get me out of this shit.”
With a smile passing over his face, Rich replied, “I’m coming, I’m coming.”
After yelling, Richard whispered to himself. “What has he gotten himself into now?”
Richard walked forward, but then began to yell again.
“Joe! You know, when you bad–mouth the land, it’s not nice to you.”
Joe could not actually hear him; he was still a good distance away. “Hey! Hey!
Oh shit, Oh shit,” yelled Joe at the top of his lungs. He continued with a certain increase
in despair, “It’s squeezing me. I’m being…Oh shit man, something’s squeezing me.
Augh! Augh,” yelled Joe. Richard began to hear scarcely that his friend was in distress.
“I’m coming Joe,” Richard replied while accelerating his efforts towards the cries.
Joe continued struggling as something beneath entangled his legs. Joe did not realize the
mysticism involved in his attack. All he knew was that something was squeezing his legs
very tightly. They had his legs entangled and it felt to him like anacondas wrapped
around his legs crushing them. He could not scream much more because of the
exhaustion caused by his efforts to be free. Just above him, two massive branches
plummeted down on Joe’s head. They were unnoticed because Joe was about ready to
pass out. The branches cracked his skull, and thick goo oozed down his grotesque face.
Richard slid down the same slope Joe did, and then sprinted down the same trail.
He called out, “Joe, Joe.” He was curious as to why he could not hear his friend's big
mouth anymore. “Joe, Joe,” exclaimed Richard repeatedly while running in circles
frantically. Eventually, he came across what was left of Joe. He stumbled in full stride
and his face immediately reflected his disbelief and shock. He stopped completely and
kneeled over, both hands on corresponding knees, and began to barf profusely. He
noticed that Joe was definitely dead and buried from waist high near a tree. He did not
stand around much longer; Richard turned and ran fast as he could down the same path
non-stop. Richard mind began flashing on the image of Joe’s fractured skull. It was
horrendous to look at and could have made anyone freak out.
Stumbling a few times, Richard finally made it to the mushy terrain where he had
landed the helicopter. His feet constantly got stuck as he ran the final fifteen meters
before jumping aboard his escape module. Mud dripped from his feet and sweat poured
from his face caused by the hyperventilation and sheer panic. Richard ignited the engine,
commanding the chopper to take off. It managed to ascend into the air even though it was
partially buried in the soft ground Richard noticed nothing but the images that flashed
through his mind. Pure panic reigned supreme in Richard’s mind as he fondled the
complex instruments. During the whole flight, his eyes were fixed in a placid stare and
would have mesmerized anyone who dared to look into them. Breathing frantically, the
images were flashing more rapidly than before through his mind. Then he noticed the
tower to his right, and where the other helicopter sat unmolested. He quickly commanded
the chopper to descend to the right forty-five degrees. Richard had no clue as to what had
happened; in fact, confusion was just a small portion of what was brewing inside of him.
The helicopter landed safely but roughly as Rich continued to wrestle with his psyche.
Controlling it proved laborious and indeed hideous. He jumped out of the craft and
scampered about the field appearing extremely anxious. The erratic flying aroused
vigilance in the little man in the tower, and he now gazed at Richard running for the
nearest transport. The little man was puzzled out of his wits, sat down after scratching his
head and merely shrugged his shoulders.
Richard arrived in his room, paranoia the major ingredient in his state of mind. He
made a valiant effort to turn the knob of his room’s door, and then entered, anxiously
closing the door behind him.
“Hey Boo!… What’s wrong?” Mrs. Dickenson said, curiously waiting for her
husband’s response.
“What?” His words were spoken sharply as he came to his senses. “Oh, nothing is
wrong!”
“Well why did you close the door like something was chasing you?”
Richard turned and looked at the door, pausing before saying, “I didn’t know I
closed the door any kind of certain way.”
Mrs. Dickenson’s eyes showed her concern. “Well, what took you so long? The
investors are in the banquet room waiting on you. And did you pick up Joe?”
Richard listened with a sense of preoccupation and responded suspiciously. “That
was the problem. I got a call that his flight would be delayed. I went to pick him up and
he never showed.” He sat on the bed with nervous gestures and rejected his wife’s soft
touches and condolences.
“Well, Boo, your letting this project get to you, maybe you need...”
“Maybe I don’t need shit!” Richard exclaimed rudely. “I don’t need anything.
Look, this project is very important and is sure to cause some anxiety.”
“That’s fine baby, but damn! If it is going to have you like a paranoid nut, then
this project needs reevaluation.
“Look bitch! I don’t need any of your badgering. I don’t need anyone on my back
about this project. I’m the one who envisioned this and no one else.”
Richard arose from the bed, snatching away from his wife and making his way to
the door. When he slammed the door behind him, for some reason it triggered those
awful flashes again. This time they weren’t images of Joe, but images of blue. The
images intensified as he approached the banquet room, and the images made it difficult to
make a straight face. Now they were also accompanied by some strange and blurry
flashes of red. Joe flashed through his mind as well, but this time there were men all
around the late Joe. It soon became apparent those men that surrounded Joe were the
authorities, and the red and blue lights were accompanied by a loud siren. Richard began
to examine the idea that police would slow down the project, if not nullify any chances of
the investors supporting him. With that very distinct notion, he straightened his face and
joined the investors’ celebration.
“Mr. Dickenson, hey! Where have you been,” said Dick joyfully just before he
guzzled another martini down his trap.
“Just call me Rich!”
“Hey man. What is the matter with you anyway? Dick exclaimed like a true
drunken sailor.
“Gentlemen, Gentlemen! Hey Richard! Nice presentation! Everything looked
smooth!” Tapping Richard on the hand, Peter continued to say, “Dick! Hey, don’t you
agree?”
“Sure, Sure,” Dick responded with a slur.
“You’re drunk! I’m sure glad we didn’t leave this discussion entirely up to you.”
All three men drank glass after glass until Richard’s wife walked through the room with a
very unhappy look on her face. As usual, Dick was the first one to blabber. “Hey, Mrs.
Dickenson! What’s wrong?
She replied softly, “I’m fine!” as Susan continued past the gentlemen, rolling her
eyes at Rich as she approached the bar for a drink.
“What’s wrong with your wife?” Richard shrugged his shoulders and walked
away from the gentlemen. “Jim, come join us!” Dick shouted. Jim walked over to join
Dick and Peter with his own drink tightly gripped in his hands. Dick blurted, “Hey Jim
whets up? Lovely project!”
Jim replied gingerly with body gestures while Peter exclaimed, “I think Mr.
Dickenson is acting a little strange.”
“Well you saw that his wife seemed angry!”
“Yeah, that’s enough to make any man act strange.” Peter accepted his comrade’s
suggestion, but his face complemented his previous skepticism. “I don’t know.” “It’s
probably just married problems”
“Richard probably gave her a quickie and escaped out here with us.”
“Yeah! I do that to my wife all the time.”
“Yeah Dick, but you aren’t ever trying to escape somewhere.”
Dick stood, obviously mystified and trying to grasp Jim’s comments. The
gentlemen continued to talk amongst themselves while the other investors were enjoying
their own conversations. Richard sat down alone on a lobby couch, with his hands draped
over his face and head slanted downwards. Jim Winterlin walked from down the hall,
drunk, but his keen eye noticed Richard sitting there. “Hey… Hey, Richard! Hey, what
are you doing over here? Why are you not over there entertaining your guests?” Richard
tried to respond, but just before he could say anything, Jim spoke again. “Hey Richard,"
spoken firmly as if trying to suppress his intoxication. “Is there something wrong? This
isn’t the same extremely excited Richard. The presentation did go well, and we’re telling
you that, so why the sad face. Is there something you need to tell us?”
Richard immediately realized the inflection in the other man’s voice could mean
danger, or maybe it was just his own paranoia, and he responded quickly. “Oh no, there’s
nothing wrong. And there’s nothing to worry about. Not at all. I just want to make things
back right.”
A confused look crossed Jim’s face. “What back!”
“What I mean is, I wanted to make sure things were in order and I can get back
the glory.
Jim replied, “Glory huh!?”
“Yes sir, this will allow us to conquer South America’s shipping industry.”
“Well I’m glad you think big, Richard. That is why we have our faith in you and
this task you brought to the table. Just don’t worry about it — don’t let it get to you. You
have our financial backing. You just execute.” He patted Richard on the back while rising
to return to his drunken swagger. His destination was more drinks.
Richard calmly remained seated, hands on knees, and regaining his composure, he
began to realize there was no stopping now. He noticed the soft touches of his wife’s
hand pulling his to join her. He arose and kissed his wife as if there were nothing wrong.
“I’m sorry dear, for being a Jack Ass. I just let all that presentation stuff get to me.”
Susan politely put her finger on his lips and replied, “Let’s go dance.” With a
satisfied smile gleaming across her face, the two finished the night drinking and dancing.
CHAPTER FIVE
The flight home was restless for Rich. He contemplated what happened
repeatedly, and he knew that he needed to succeed to make some good come out of this
terrible loss. During his deep thought, he watched the trees disappear with the plane's
ascension. When there was nothing but clouds to observe, he thought again, on how this
project would be successful and his friend would not be lost for nothing. Finally nodding
off, his daydreams carried over to his eventual sleep. Not even realizing he had nodded
off, the sight of a man in the midst of the forest made up his mental imagery. His back
was turned away from Richard, so all that he could see was the figure of a man standing
mysteriously just about beyond his vision. He decided to walk toward the man because
his curiosity grew overwhelmingly and could not be denied. As he got closer, he noticed
the man began to walk away as if he knew someone was following him. The man never
did look back, which is probably why Richard’s inquisitiveness began to commandeer his
very thoughts and actions.
He tried to catch up, but to no avail, and before a full effort could be
administered, he realized the man had vanished. Richard stopped in his tracks after losing
sight of the man, and he looked around, assuming he must have hidden behind a tree.
Looking back and forth and all around robotically, assuring full coverage of all areas he
could at least see would not be overlooked. No matter the effort, there was no sight of the
man and the place where he stood now seemed the same. Nevertheless, he was compelled
to search, and he looked behind that vining tree to his right. “Oh, shit,” Richard blurted,
after being startled by a hand gripping his shoulders, which caused him to turn around
rapidly. This man had obviously sneaked up on him, and Richard realized that maybe he
was mystical in some way. Looking more attentively, Rich noticed the man was Joe. This
frightened him dearly, causing sheer panic to curl beneath his lamina of courage. The
mysterious man then placed his other hand around Richard’s neck and began to shake
furiously. Richard shouted at the top of his sleeping lungs and opened his eyes to notice
his beautiful wife was now that man. She was only shaking him softly to advise him that
they were the only ones left on the plane.
“Come on, Richard. We’re the only ones left. Get Up!”
Malicious grog spilled from Rich’s mouth and his face showed his wide awake
vigilance. “I’m up! I’m up! I must have dozed off,” said Richard convolutedly, realizing
that he must have been dreaming.
“Well you don’t say,” uttered Susan with splendid mordacity. “Come on, let’s
go!” She pulled him up and they exited the plane.
After picking their little one up, they arrived at the gate before their home, and not
a moment too soon for Richard. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Dickenson,” they heard the guard
exclaim joyfully after activating the beautiful gates.
“Hello, Hayword,” Susan said softly. Richard and Dainisa just looked on.
“Everything is fine and secure here, sir! Nothing old Hayword Jeffries can’t
secure, or even protect for that matter.” He talked to Richard with encouraging gestures
in an attempt to please him. He rambled on, but his words seem to evade Richard’s ear,
because he continued walking until he was entirely through the door. Richard actually
headed straight for his bed to pass out into a deep sleep.
“Mommy! What’s wrong with Daddy?” “Oh, Boo! Daddy is just tired. We had a
long trip. Are you hungry dear?”
“No ma’am. I ate pizza. Can I play the game?”
“Sure, I’ll be in your room to hook it up in a minute.” The little girl dashed to her
room with joy to gather her components. Susan found her favorite book, made a cup of
tea, and set the items where she had normally sat by herself to read. Proceeding to her
daughter’s room, she peeked at her husband to see him just about hibernating. She shook
her head and continued with her previous task.
“Mommy, Mommy, I want to play this game first!”
Susan concentrated on assembling the components and connecting the necessary
wiring to each respective outlet. “OK dear! Cut the power on.” The little girl pushed the
button. “OK , let me hold that. I need to set it up” She placed the game on easy and
adjusted the other settings to assure a lengthy game. Her plan was to get the little one out
of the way so she could concentrate on relaxing while reading her book and sipping her
tea. After sitting down, she sighed from the deepened relaxation she felt from the soft
seating. Her face indicating relief after tasting the hot scorching tea, Susan made soothing
grunts and moans. Taking another sip, she reached for her book while gulping down
another sip, and then she placed the cup down with a frown from the hot tea. A quick
thought of her husband drifted into her mind. Shrugging it off, she slowly opened the
book at the ribbon she had placed between pages before and began reading.
The little one had played the game until she was sound as sleep, but the game
continued to play even though there was no one operating it. Three hours had passed and
it was extremely late. Susan continued reading, not realizing she was now halfway
through. She had no intentions of stopping. Besides, she had reached a part in which
events unfurled unexpectedly, and it ate at her to know what would happen next.
Intrigued, she continued to read diligently as curiosity flamed her every thought-spoken.
The reading intensified paragraph after paragraph, until… “Ring, ring! Ring, ring!” The
ringing continued, but she tried to ignore it. However, it became unbearably harsh. “Ring,
ring!” Annoyed, she placed the book down with its face open and rushed to answer the
phone. “Ring, ring!” She accelerated her efforts unaware that her hustle was futile,
because the caller on the other end had no intention of hanging up.
“Hello,” she said exasperatedly.
“Hi, is this Susan?”
“Well, yes it is!”
“I’m sorry to call so late, but is Richard available?”
“Oh! No! He is asleep. Who might I say is calling?”
“I’m sorry! This is Claira Geshy. I was calling to see if Richard had heard from
my husband Joe.”
“Oh, hi Mrs. Geshy. I didn’t recognize your voice. No! I think he said Joe had
called and said his plane would be late, but he never showed.”
“That’s strange! Susan, do you happen to know which flight he was supposed to
be on.”
“One of Richard’s private jets.”
“Oh dear! Well, thank you. You have been a big help,” Claira said sadly.
The two terminated the call, and Susan now lost all interest in her book, deciding
to cut the lights off in preparation for bed. The first task was to tuck her Boo away in bed
and to cut off her lights and gaming console. When she reached her own room, she
immediately cut the room’s illumination to nil and jumped into the bed to eye her
husband like a private one. She wondered why he was acting so strange, and the call from
Claira seemed stranger still, but she nudged those thoughts aside and went to sleep.
The next morning she awakened on her side with her eyes still closed, and she
proceeded to roll over until flat on her back. She rolled again, but this time flat on her
face with her legs stretched as if she were making an angel in snow with silky white
sheets. “Honey,” she said, her voice muffled from her facedown posture. “Honey…,” she
said rolling over quickly again and raising up on her buttocks, supported in a sitting
position by her hands spread behind her like twin kickstands for a bike. She now opened
her eyes only to confirm what she already knew — he was gone. Now she knew this
project was more important than she was.
Richard had stepped into his office at the same moment his partner was wiping
the early morning grog from her face. The first thing on Richard’s mind was to get on the
phone and contact the necessary party to assemble a survey crew. Intensity raged as he
approached the phone. He knew this team had to be special, because they needed to be
special. A good camp site was needed, as well as somewhere to dock the boats. He
thought he would take a shortcut, because all he needed was an engineer to approve the
site. This would allow construction ships and crews to be amassed at his visionary
location without having to use his own capitol. He needed two civil engineers to go with
the survey crew, but they were not available as soon as tomorrow. This prompted two
trips, because there could be no delay.
“I need three land surveying contractors trained in navigation, also some
helicopters pilots and field surveyors.” Demands continued to spill from Richard’s
mouth. “And no matter what credentials. I need skilled people.”
A panicked utterance followed from the other end of the line: “No problem, Mr.
Dickenson. We have the skilled party you need. I’ll fax you the contract specifications.”
The men terminated the call, and a pleased smile ripped across Richard’s face. He
pressed a memory button on his phone, and a few moments later he blurted, “John! Let
me see you in my office.” Richard cocked back his legs for relaxation and sipped some of
Columbia’s finest.
John entered the room, hesitantly uttering, “Yes sir!?”
“I need you to assure the survey crew gets on the plane and arrives in South
America safely. I also want you to maintain communication with them, and report
anything to me, immediately!”
“Yes sir! Yes sir!”
“I’m going home. I’ve been neglecting my wife, but be sure to call me if anything
happens.”
“Yes sir!”
“You may dismiss everyone else for the day, but you need to be here to assure
phase one is completed.” Richard turned away from John’s unappeased face and walked
gallantly out of the office. It was no time and his car sped off with seemingly no regard
for traffic regulations. He was still filled with uneasiness because the project still needed
the engineer’s approval, but it was just a matter of confirming structural integrity. That is
why he had delayed any other engineers’ arrival on site — he needed his special engineer
for the job. His plan was to send the survey crew just to get the dimensions of the land
and to label that a specific site. Then later he’d introduce this labeled site to the engineers
as a point on the map, not mentioning the exact measurements and hoping just an
inspection of the general area would suffice. All he could think about was shortcuts and
that nothing could delay this process.