Another Friday bonus post? Aren’t y’all lucky! Or annoyed at another line in your inbox. Either way. This was a throwaway scene I wrote that actually helps the story along. Hope you enjoy!
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6 Months Earlier - Southeastern United States
“Come to Greece, Adam,” came Nikolas’s voice over the phone.
“I got your email. I don’t know, man. Business is good. They’re building a ring road with a spur to the airport here. I’m a shoo-in for at least 80% survey and mitigation work. There’s also a juicy set of mounds near the bypass that have been private property for years, being annexed as part of the project. That’s cash flow for the entire year, and maybe the state will let me publish something if we happen to survey the edges of the mound site. You know I still like to dabble in academia on occasion.”
“Then just join academia with me for the summer! I can pay you. And if Sara’s technique works out, you can write something with her.”
“Nik,”
“Nikolas.”
“Nikolas, I appreciate it, man, but I have employees who need paychecks and insurance. They’re kids. Just like I was.”
“If they’re just like you, one of them can handle the business for the summer.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“It’s an opportunity to see if Sara’s tech works. I met a man in post-grad who could never pass up novel ideas in stuffy old archaeology.”
“You didn’t mention that! How’s the whiz kid doing?”
“She might be smarter than all of us combined. I had hoped she’d tell you that we won a grant to test her technique.”
“Good for her. I told you she’s a rock star.”
“So come to Greece and do… I don’t know… Whatever people do for rock stars.”
“They play backup.”
“Yes. Backup.”
Adam sighed, “Ok. I’ll ask around to see if one of the other firms can help me out.”
“Good. I’ve taken the liberty of calling Gulf Coast Archeological Associates. They are willing to manage your contracts in your absence at only a 5% commission.”
“You called Lukas? Come on, man. That guy sucks.”
“That guy who sucks is giving you a good deal to come and run my excavation team.”
Adam paused.
“Adam, come to Greece. More than anything, I don’t trust anyone else to verify her findings. You shouldn’t either.”
“Yeah, and it’ll take forever. You academics dig like you’re brushing a doll’s hair.”
“If the expert says so.”
“I’ll send you my itinerary if I decide to come. Bye, buddy. “
“Good day, Adam. I look forward to seeing you.”
Nikolas hung up the phone. Ani did a little excited dance in the lab next to him. Sara stared at her two colleagues.
“Do you think he’ll come?” Sara asked.
“He’ll come.” Ani said, “He’s totally wasted in the private sector. He just needs a nudge. He’s got a soft spot for being the first to try something.”
“You really think so? He’s always talking about being rooted there.”
Nikolas crossed his arms, staring at the call summary on his phone. “He needs to get out of there. I’d hate to guess when the last time he took a day off was. Ani and I both hope this is the tug he needs.”
Chapter 4 is locked and loaded to drop Monday!