Failed Prospects

Monday, 23 Oct 9am : Byron strode thru the forest eastward along a beaten path, back to site 4. “Hope is a fickle bitch. Imagine being one with the animals, ready to hunt my prey…an urge to hunt…predator…I return to my pack as the Alpha to become king of the jungle. I am…Jane.” Unconsciously 'Jane' dropped to all four and began to run like an animal. In no time he/she entered the empty camp. Where was his pack to dominate? He took his frustration out on the truck only to find it already sabotaged. “Ah Jane, you already marked your territory last night while you left me hanging. But I am Jane now.” Byron/Jane proceeded to trash the camp, slashing the tent, denting the cook-wear, and tossing items deep into the woods. Pissing on the smoldering fire before heading northwest, “I can smell them. The fear sweating from that cowardly professor.” Harold nervously watched the creatures the Paleontologists had described as spined- Therapods but now called spined-apes for the way they s...

Sunday, 22 Oct, 9pm : Byron followed Jane as she led the way to her cabin. She pointed out, “Watch yer step there. That plant’s poisonous. You doing OK back there? Not walking too fast fer ya am I?” Byron wondered, “For someone with a backache, she sure is spry. What have I gotten myself into? Some lustful hick?” The cabin was simple and small but did have an attached shed. Jane described the area, “Out here I can just sit and listen to the birds and animals. Peaceful. Tell ya what, I’ll be in the garden over there. The wood pile is right over there.” While Jane whistled away in the garden, Byron picked up the axe and got to work. 30 minutes in, and he was already sweating; so, he took off his shirt. “God, I hope I’m not arousing that old woman.” He got into a good rhythm in sync with the tune Jane was whistling. What happened to her whistling? He was about to turn to look when he suddenly passed out. Monday, 23 Oct, 7am : After checking the hotel guestbook, Marcus headed for the sta...

Sunday, 21 Oct, 2:30pm : Harold, Clive, and Marcus pounded in the last tent stakes when they heard the truck rumble into the clearing then park beside the other trucks. James and Byron climbed out, “We rushed back as quick as possible to help hunt for both Baker and his fossils. Sorry, didn’t want to wait for Ma to gather more supplies. Tried to call the university but no-one there on a Sunday to answer. We can always send a telegram once we have solid news to report.” Clive was disappointed about the failed call but offered, “Met a hillbilly gal Jane who offered to bring us some stew later. Said she met Baker’s team who showed her some of their fossil finds. She told him about similar bones just laying around out at an old mining town west of here. She even took Baker and Tucker out there to scout around before they returned to camp.” In an uneasy tone, Harold interrupted, “Didn’t trust her! In her 40s claiming to have grown up and lived here all alone. How come she has fresh meat a...

Sunday, 21 Oct : No surprise breakfast was dry cereal. “Sorry folks but the eggs are rotten. Best I could do. Hungry Jack is having same problems.” Dr. Hall took the opportunity to offer his theory. “The cold coprolite and bones dug out of glacial ice. Thus protected from fossilization. And a frozen core the source of the stone’s unnatural cold. I suggest when they dug them out, microbial pathogens were exposed. Melting under the sun, they were washed into the creek at site 3 and flowed into Matthew’s fishing hole. Evaporation lifted them airborne across farmland and thus contaminated the animal feed and drinking water. Mr. Phillips could conduct a microscopic study of the coprolite and bones from Baker’s room. Should only take 20 minutes. Then we can get on the road. When we pick-up our food supplies from the General Store, ask Ma who’s her supplier. Farms near the digs?”   While Clive spoke with Mr. Penman to let him retrieve the fossils from Dr. Bakers’ room (a letter acceptin...

Saturday, 20 Oct, 5pm : With Mary offering fresh fish, they had an hour to kill before dinner. So, Clive got on the phone to call the university while Marcus and James checked with the General Store one last time. Leaving Harold and Bryon to check Dr. Baker’s room. Clive called the Cincinnati Paleo Dept, “Good evening Joanne. I’m glad I caught you before you left. We arrived on time but no-one from Dr. Baker’s team is here to meet us. We’re surprised to learn they are actually camping onsite instead of returning to the hotel each night. He’s probably so excited about his finds that he completely forgot. I’m surprised Victoria or his staff didn’t remind him. [Teasing] See there, you let him out of your sight, and everything falls to pieces. Sure you don’t want to be out here? Ha. I’ll update you by phone or telegram once we meet up with him.” Marcus and James stepped into the General Store, “Hello Ma. We’re also from the new dig team. Just wanted to add a few things to our order. Li...

Oct 12, Saturday 9am : The clickity-clack of the wheels slowed as the train pulled into the West Haven station. The porter unloaded the professors’ baggage while the students insisted upon carrying their own. Carrying contraband? Prohibition stretched out here too. West Haven was a small town, about 120 residents. Most of its population involved in Logging. Which was evident once the train pulled out and its coal fumes wafted away, leaving the pleasant smell of fresh sawdust in the air. And the faint sounds of large circular saws buzzing in the distance.   A city map posted at the train station laid-out the town. They walked north between the school and garage toward the Penman hotel where they were greeted by 2 young boys in uniforms, “George and Ernest Penman sirs; Let us take your bags.” Prof Coppersmith flipped them each a quarter. Jonathan Penman himself at the desk, “Welcome to the Penman sirs. We’ve been expecting you. Did you want rooms upstairs or down? Dr. Baker? No, th...