Chapter One
“Hello?”
“Is this Doctor George Landis?”
“Yes this is he and who might you be?”
“Henry Dillinger”
“Doctor Henry Dillinger the geologist?”
“One and the same”
“But I thought you were dead; I mean no one has heard from you in over three years.”
“I assure you I am not dead and I need your help.”
“In what regard do you need me in particular?”
“I have the need of an archeologist.”
“There are more qualified people than I. My reputation is not in good standing ever since I published my paper on the origins of language.”
“I know you theorized that modern languages are based on an original language some two hundred million years old. This would then place humans around the same time as the dinosaurs which the scientific community laughed at.”
“There is some compelling evidence to support this which was laughed at too. The biggest question to mock me was ‘Where is the written word’. Henry I am not interested I am going to hang up.”
“Do not hang up George. What would you say if I told you I have evidence to support your theory?”
“What could you possibly have this must be a joke, who put you up to this. It was Harris, Bill Harris wasn’t it?”
“What would you say to an artifact I found sitting under a nine thousand foot mountain with writing on it? The artifact could be much older I am only placing it at two hundred million years because where it was found.”
“This has to be an elaborate joke. Ok, I will play along. How large is it?”
“It is bigger than a bread box.”
“That is it I am hanging up goodbye.”
“George this is an opportunity of a lifetime. To convince you I am serious you will receive round trip plane tickets to Denver where I will meet you. Just hear me out and if you are interested jump on that plane to Denver when the tickets arrive.”
“Alright but first answer a few questions.”
“Go right ahead and ask me whatever you need to ask.”
“How did you get my phone number and home address?”
“They were given to me by Doctor William Harris.”
“Bill Harris, Physicist, ex-CIA and explosives expert gave them to you; wait until I see him.”
“Those are his credentials; accept my invitation and you will.”
“Bill is with you? Let me speak with him.”
“Next question Doctor Landis.”
“Not until I speak with Bill.”
“Now I am going to hang up if you do not ask your next question.”
“Alright can you describe this artifact you found?”
“All I can say is that it unto itself it is a major game changer. You come into the picture to interpret any writing found on the object’s surface.”
“Ok what is in it for me?”
“A full share in any recognition, money, etc. that this project would generate is yours.”
“One last question is Denver the final destination?”
“No comment but in the mean time you think about it and make your decision. Oh, will you have someone accompanying you?”
“Well no, my wife divorced me because I am a handy-man and I am dead broke which cannot even attract a girlfriend, so no.”
“Ok see you in Denver got to go Bill is calling me.”
“Oh, wait do not hang up – click. I will need to start checking for mail again”
After hanging up with George, Henry immediately prepared to leave for Denver. This was in anticipation of George arriving and to actually mail the tickets to him.
“Bill get ready we are leaving for Denver within the hour.”
“Why not give him a call tomorrow and confirm he is coming?”
“I do not want to chance changing his mind if he is committed to joining us now.”
“We could be wasting a few days on this I would rather be working at the site.”
“I know but we need this guy and I cannot reveal too much you know that.”
“Agreed, I will take the first shift driving and you can take the next six hours. That should put us in the Denver Airport early tomorrow morning.”
“I need to buy the plane tickets and I can overnight them to George.”
“We can get a room near the airport and wait. Henry, get in the four-wheeler the forecast is for snow in a couple of days. I will be right back I forgot something in the trailer.”
“Toss me the keys so I can start it up and check under the hood.”
Meanwhile George was thinking about the big picture. He realized he had one option and that was in Denver or close to it.
“Well, well according to this website Doctor Henry Dillinger is worth fifty million dollars. This is my lucky day I guess my only option is joining Henry in Denver or close to it. There is the doorbell can only be my lawyer or the tax collector. I have no money for either one. I will be right there just the minute, hold on. Who is it; oh it is you.”
“George as your lawyer I must advise you that the bank is going to foreclose and the county tax collector is not far behind. You need to do something fast.”
“Good morning to you, Ed. Come in and tell me all about it.”
“Like I just said you’re going to lose the house if you don’t sell it first.”
“I received a job offer today Ed and I am going to accept the offer. I am off to Denver in a couple of days.”
“Good, then you’ll have some money to put towards the mortgage and property taxes.”
“I have no intention of returning so I want you to sell the house, pay the mortgage and back taxes, take your fee and give me the balance. By the way what is your fee?”
“Ten thousand dollars”
“What! I cannot believe you are just like your sister.”
“George, don’t bring her up I told her not to divorce you. Heck, I don’t even talk to her. How’s seven thousand dollars?”
“Make it five.”
“Agreed, we need to get this place cleaned up.”
“I can take care of that I will just throw everything away.”
“Works for me, I need to go and draw up some papers for you to sign tomorrow.”
“Alright see you then.”
“Bye.”
Henry and Bill just arrived at Denver Airport at five in the morning. Henry let Bill take the wheel; it was his turn anyway, while he went to purchase round trip tickets.”
“Bill, meet me back here in thirty minutes I should have everything wrapped up by then. We can then get a room and get some sleep.”
“I will get you something to eat I am famished.”
“Good idea, get me some ribs.”
“I will have the same see you in a half an hour.”
They both went about their business with them meeting up in exactly a half hour.
“Wow perfect timing Henry.”
“I just walked out of the building as you pulled up. I sent the tickets overnight to George which he should receive first thing tomorrow morning. His flight leaves for Denver at midnight his time non-stop.”
“He will land here about five in the morning in two days.”
“Correct, now let us get a room and eat those ribs before we fall asleep.”
“I booked the room too.”
“Great, things are going according to plan which scares me.”
George went back to his computer when his former brother–in-law left.
“Now where was I oh here it is. Henry Dillinger inherited the fifty million dollars from his grandfather. When he received the money he quickly disappeared and no one has seen him in over three years. Some say he disappeared into the state of Montana. I better order a dumpster for early tomorrow morning and invite some friends to come over to help. Sent a couple of emails and ordered the dumpster online all done. Now I could go for some dinner and then to bed. I am off to Montana via Denver.”
The following morning George was up at sunup just in time for the delivery of the dumpster. George started cleaning out the garage first which is the easiest.”
“George! George! George!”
“Ed, quit shouting you are going to wake the entire neighborhood I am over here by the garage.”
“Oh, sorry thought you were still sleeping. I want you to know I’m buying the house from you for three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. I talked it over with Jeanie and she agrees. It’s my best offer George.”
“Ed, I cannot accept that its way more than what the house is worth.”
“I know that Jeanie and I feel we owe it to you since you were so good to us and the kids. Don’t worry I can resell it and at least break even.
I will only agree to it if you take the truck and only give me ten thousand for it. It has to be worth at least forty grand. Anyone who buys it can go right into business with it. I made a good living with it but most of that went to your sister and my kids.”
“I agree this should leave you with about fifty thousand dollars after paying all your debt down. I’ll forward you the net amount when you can give me an account number.”
“Thank you this is really nice of the two of you to do for me.”
“Hey look the express mail truck is pulling up.”
“This must be the plane tickets as promised.”
“George Landis?”
“That is I.”
“Sign here, have a good day.”
“Thanks let me see when my flight leaves. I leave at midnight tonight for Denver. Henry even included a return ticket I wonder why. I can get this house cleaned up in time if I get some help.”
“Don’t worry about that just clean out the garage put whatever you want to follow you in the garage. I’ll take care of the forwarding and finish cleaning out the rest of the house.”
“I cannot thank you enough Ed. I just cannot believe everything is coming together.”
Back in Denver Henry and Bill are just starting to wake. The first to stir is Henry.
“Bill, are you awake?”
“Now I am what is it?”
“We should get up and about now?”
“Why his flight does not arrive for another eighteen hours or so, the time is noon.”
“I will take my shower first if you do not mind then I will go out and find breakfast and bring it back to the room.”
“Go right ahead but I would like to eat out if you do not mind.”
“Sounds good so let me take my shower.”
“Henry we need to go shopping sometime today.”
“What do we need to buy here that we cannot buy in Shelby?”
“Explosives, we need explosives.”
“Is that why we drove here in the four-wheeler?”
“Yeah one of the reasons, I need to purchase two hundred pounds of explosives.”
“Do we need that much?”
“If the rock is relatively soft probably just enough, if it is hard like granite this is just the tip of the iceberg.”
“Can we buy two hundred pounds legally?”
“Sure we can remember last night I said I forgot something?”
“Yeah, I looked after the four-wheeler and started it up while you were gone.”
“I went and got my ID to buy explosives and your business checking account.”
“Why my checking account?”
“Because you made this expedition of yours look like a mining company on paper. There will be fewer questions with a corporate purchase from a mining company, we are good to go. After we eat we can make the purchase and arrange to pick it up tomorrow after we pick up George. I cannot wait to see the look on his face when the explosives are loaded on the truck.”
“What was the second reason for taking the four-wheeler, snow?”
“No, it has the company name on the side of the truck, ‘Geology Mining Company, LLC’.”
“I hope no one catches on to what we are really up to. Let me go and take my shower I cannot believe how things are coming together.”
“Wake me up when you are done and I will take mine.”
George couldn’t believe he cleaned the entire house with time to spare. It was only possible with the help of his friends. He was thanking them and biding them farewell.
“Ok George that’s a rap and try to keep in touch. Good luck.”
“Yeah, George maybe this is your big break. Good luck.”
“I’ m going to miss you George. Good luck.”
“I cannot thank you guys enough I promise to keep in touch. I need to get ready for my flight.”
“Do you need a ride to the airport we would be happy to take you?”
“No need Charlie but thanks. Ed is taking me on the way we are going to finish some paperwork.”
“So long George.”
“Bye guys.”
“George! George! Come over here.”
“Is there something wrong Ed?”
“Why no I need to know what to do with this stuff in the garage.”
“Send it to me once I give you an address.”
“What is all this stuff anyway?”
“Here I have clothes broken down into two groups, summer and winter and this pile is books and papers which are very important. In fact more important than the clothes all the books and papers need to be shipped. I will tell you which group of clothes to ship when I send you the address. My guess is I may not have a need for summer clothes so pack up the winter clothes first.”
“What time do you want to leave for the airport?”
“I was thinking we could have dinner together before I leave to say goodbye.”
“Sounds great I’m sure Jeanie would want to be included.”
“Let me get ready it will take me about an hour pick me up around six. That will give us two hours for dinner and two hours travel time to Logan airport with two hours to board.”
Henry and Bill finished up their errands and were wandering what to do next.
“I do not know Bill why things are going so well. Everything is coming together like clockwork. This has never happened to me before.”
“I agree it is like destiny has united us for this quest. This may sound strange but it is a new beginning for the three of us.”
“You could say that a new beginning for all. If my guess is right what we find will have a whole new beginning. Enough of this philosophy, it is still early what do you want to do?”
“We should head back to the hotel bar and relax and have a few drinks. We could also review our next steps.”
“Great idea let us go.”
Ed pulls up to his now new home and George gets in the car.
“Hi Jeanie, how have you been?”
“Just great George and I am so happy for you good luck on this new job.”
“Thank you”
“I’m so excited what kind of a job is it.”
“Jeanie you should mind your own business.”
“A fair question Ed; it is in my field of study.”
“That really hasn’t worked out for you George. This could be a mistake you selling the house and going out to Denver.”
“Jeanie it feels right.”
“Alright then let’s go eat Ed and step on it.”
“What are we having for dinner I want to treat but I cannot afford an expensive meal for all of us.”
“We got this right Ed?”
“Yeah George, don’t worry about paying.”
“So where are we going for dinner?”
“We have reservations at Tony’s Steak House in Hyde Park at six.”
“Wow that is really expensive.”
“Don’t worry we invited a few guests.”
“I do not want to see anyone before I leave especially while I am eating dinner.”
“Don’t worry George your ex-wife is a no-show such a bitch.”
“Do you have to call my sister a bitch?”
“Ed your sister is a bitch said she is too busy to say goodbye to George.”
“Alright she’s a bitch, we all agree she’s bitch. Here’s the restaurant the parking lot is full.”
“All these people cannot be here for me.”
“I doubt that this is just a popular place that’s all.”
“Oh, Ed what a party pooper I’m sure there are a few people here to wish George well.”
“They have valet parking what a relief let them find a place to park this car. Alright everyone get out of the car and into the restaurant.”
“Let me check the reservation.”
“May I help you sir?”
“Reservation for three, George Landis.”
“Why yes we have George’s table all ready for him.”
“Please follow me.”
“Where is he taking us?”
“Relax George.”
“Wow we are seated right in the middle of the room.”
“Sirs, madam please raise your glass of champagne.”
“Why is everyone standing and looking right at me?”
Surprise George and good luck said by the entire room of guests.
“Who are these people Jeanie?”
“Take a good look at everyone.”
“Why it is everyone from our town and then some.”
“Hello George, Don’t you remember me?”
“Your Lennon Louis the banker who is foreclosing on my home.”
“Not anymore but let me just say these few words for everyone here. We all wish you good luck in your new beginning.”
“This is something in my field of study and my language theories. I think this will be a very interesting field study.”
“But George this has made you a total failure why are you continuing with this?”
“My former mother-in-law everyone, Mary Ellsworth but you already knew that. It was you who pushed for the divorce not your daughter.”
“Why would my daughter want to be married to a looser? Let’s be reasonable now George.”
“I supported her and the kids just fine bled me dry and you could not accept the fact that your daughter was married to a handy-man.”
“Ed you better go over and talk to your mother before this gets into a heated argument. Go tell the bitch to shut up.”
“No, this is different they called me because of my language theories. Now that my responsibilities here have come to an end I have accepted this offer. I will not be returning so I will just say goodbye to all of you.”
“Well good luck George.”
“Thank you Mr. Louis.”
“Everyone let’s have a round of applause for George here.”
“That is enough everyone let us eat, drink and be merry. I will come around and talk to each of you shortly.”
“George I’m sorry about Ed’s mother being here but she insisted.”
“Mary cannot help herself that is just the way she is. Now order me some martinis I have a five hour flight ahead of me I will be right back.”
“Where are you going George?”
“I need to speak with someone.”
“Ed who is he going to talk to?”
“I think his father; it’s him over there in the back corner.”
“Hello dad.”
“George what are you about to do fail again haven’t you learned anything?”
“You think this is more of a failure than being a handy-man but if you recall you hated the idea that I was a handy-man.”
“You’re gainfully employed right now this new endeavor is part of this illusion of yours which never supported you and your family.”
“When I first got divorced I was destitute you never once offered me any help.”
“Give you money then you would have squandered it that’s why I never gave you any.”
“I would have squandered it on food. My friends kept me from starving until I got the business started. You and my mother-in-law, two very influential people, were responsible for my decline as an archeologist.”
“The choices were yours what were we do George, no one believed your theories.”
“Thanks for the encouragement dad if only my mother and father-in-law were still alive.”
“What did they do for you?”
“They believed in me. Now I am going to say goodbye I won’t be back so long.”
“You’re just going to walk away?”
“I am walking away, going to have that drink and a few more.”
“He’s coming back Ed what should we do?”
“Did you get him his drinks?”
“They’re on their way.”
“Excuse me George do you have a minute?”
“Oh, Al how are you and the misses?”
“I’m right here George good luck.”
“Wishing you all the best”
“Thank you Al.”
“The best of good luck George.”
“Thank you Leo”
“Knock ’m dead George.”
“Thank you Pete.”
George is making his way back to his table thanking the well-wishers on his way when he hears two voices. He turns around to meet them.”
“High dad
“Hello dad”
“I was hoping you would show up. How are the two of you?”
“We’re doing fine dad.”
“Yeah dad we’re fine but how are you?”
“I am doing that much better since the alimony and child support ended. I am free to make my choice which I did and in few hours heading for Denver.”
“I would like to come and visit you when I have time.”
“So do I we can try and make up the past twelve years.”
“Come and sit at my table we can have dinner together and start catching up on those twelve years.
Henry and Bill are enjoying a drink or two while discussing their plans for the team. Henry was worried about living quarters for George which they didn’t have at the present time.
“I do not know where George is going to fit for the time being.”
“He can bunk with me until you get him his own trailer.”
“He may leave if he is not happy or disappointed in the project.”
“Henry you must remain positive for George’s sake this is it for him. There is nothing else for George all was lost twelve years ago. He has been paying alimony and child support but that all ended then you came along and offered him a job.”
“I see this is the dream job where he will be vindicated.”
“Yes, George needs this win unlike you and me.”
“Oh but that is how it will turn out to be a game changer.”
“What are you basing this on Henry?”
“Well what do you think is up in that mountain?”
“I can only guess since I have only been with the project all of five days I do know its old very old.”
“Yes it is and manmade not naturally occurring.”
“If that is true that is certainly a major game changer.”
“If it turns out to be something more than just a rock with writing on it we are going to rewrite the history of the human race.”
“What is your guess to what it could be?”
“I will wait for George to join us to speculate on that Bill.”
“Alright then order another round of drinks.”
George has had a few too many drinks but it’s time to leave for the airport.
“You promise to come and visit me once I get settled right.”
“Yes dad I will come and visit you.”
“So will I but we may not visit together depending on our schedules.”
“That is fine I also what to apologize for being a failure. Do you forgive me?”
“Dad, you’re not a failure and there must be close to sixty people here who don’t consider you a failure”
“Yeah, dad you’re not a failure. The only exceptions in this group are our grandparents who you should never listen to their advice.”
“So if you did not listen to them why you did not visit me or even email me? I had visitation rights you know.”
“Dad we wanted to stay away from everyone until we were on our own. Now we can decide who we should stay with and that’s you.”
“Thank you”
“George we need to be going to the airport now.”
“How about one more drink for the road Ed?”
“George you have one more drink and they won’t let you on the plane.”
“Ok, how about you kids coming to the airport?”
“We have to start driving back we have work tomorrow.”
“OK, keep in touch I will give Uncle Ed my details when I get settled and the two of you better visit.”
“Oh, I will dad.”
“Yes I will visit you too.”
“Goodbye for now. Let us go Ed, Jeanie before I fall asleep.”
