PART TWO: THE PRISON
WHEN: August 18th, 1915
WHERE: Cairo, Egypt
The team is two days out from the day they are set to leave, and they still have one major missing item on their list of materials to acquire: a proper map. Only a few people have ventured out into the desert in search of Khufu’s tomb and those who come back only do so with vague rumors and ravings. So it’s unknown whether anyone has found it for real. However, there is talk that one expedition made it out to the entrance fo the tomb but turned back for some reason before entering.
Of course, Edith’s many connections to the treasure hunting and archaeology community in Cairo is expansive enough that she knows the person who claims to hold this map. But there are a few complications. One, the person who possesses it hates Edith. Two, that same person is currently locked up in Cairo’s prison. But Edith has shrugged this off as no big deal and has requested that Violet come with her to the prison, pretending to be the family members of Jedadiah Slate, so that they may talk to him.
Meanwhile, Ben and Anthony are finalizing the financial count. In Ben’s office, filled with unreaonably expesnive artifacts Anthony tallies the last of his fortune, trying to keep the thoughts desperation to himself. Anthony hasn’t told anyone about his visit from the family’s butler. It may not be the best idea to add more pressure to a mission which already seems so haphazard and chaotic. Anthony has to keep this secret, especially because if the team found out now some of them may abandon the trip before they even leave.
Ramses and Ofrah have been tasked with finding transport for the team. They need to go south down the nile for a few miles and then out across the desert west past the pyramids of Giza. Ramses knows of a ferry that sometimes takes people that way. It’s often all reserved by this time, since the team was so late to make reservations. But he’s hoping that he can pull some strings to secure the team a spot. And Ofrah has insisted that she should come too for the negotiations.
While the others have very important things to do over the next few days, Harold and Shaun are as ready to go as they can be. And Shaun, seeing Harold more humble stature, has offered some self-defense lessons in case the team should meet any ‘real big cats’ out in the desert. So, the two are going to spar and see just how well Harold can hold his own against the towering twin.
Hearing of Edith and Violet’s risky mission, Ben insisted in secret that Sean and Meryem wait outside the prison with a getaway vehicle just in case something goes wrong. Sitting in an open car in the scorching sun isn’t fun. But what’s worse is that the guards seem to be growing more and more suspicious of the two of them parked near the entrance. They may have to come up with a pretty good lie as to why the two of them are there. They can’t abandon Edith and Violet, but they certainly can’t tell the truth either.
THE OBJECTIVE: Prepare for the expedition and get the map.
IN CHARACTER TIMEFRAME: One afternoon.
