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The airport security line
was long...But Max never noticed. He waited, thumbing through endless
U.S.G.C. papers...His mind on volcanos. The Geology Center was extreamly
concerned over this outbreak of eruptions. Three different volcanos, three
locations around the ring of fire, all tied together...somehow. With
this event, Max found himself here.
After a big burly
guard ran the hand probe around him, he was through. "Mr. Harrington?
Maxmillion Harrington?" A voice sounded behind him. He turned to
face a petite woman with a cue card. "Um,..It's Harrison, actually."
With this, the girl blushed. "I'm sorry, I must have messed up the
spelling. I'm Sue Marshel. I've been sent to collect you." "Thanks, I
had no idea I was scattered." She looked at him, confused. "...Right."
With the attempt of humor gone flat, he quietly got his
luggage from the baggage carousel, and left with the girl.
The traffic was
just as slow going as the airport lines. Downtown Honolulu was
packed with vacationers, along with locals getting ready for the expected
typhoon. With the car painfully silent, Max tried a new approach. "So
exactly, who sent you?" "Murphy, of course...He told me that you
never been to the island before and you might get lost."
Max scowled. "I could of read a sign or two... Just how long
will it take to get to the volcanic observation center?" "Volcanic
center? Not today! Or didn't you hear, there's a storm comming
in tonight?" Sue exclamed as she turned the car into the White
Sands hotel. " Yeah, I heared about it...I was hoping it would
miss us." Max sighed. "I was told to bring you directly here." Said
Sue. Disgruntled, Max checked in, and went to his room. He called
his associate, J. Murphy O'Tool ...( Murphy was a burly sort.
Very out of place, here on the island. ) There would be no work
at the volcano, tonight. This confirmed, Max grabbed a pile
of paper work. Heading off, in the direction of the hotel lounge.
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Max sat at a quiet
table in the back of the hotel lounge...Still thumbing over paperwork.
He had a steady supply of soda comming. ( He didn't drink )
On the stage, the piano player was doing "Here comes
the Sun" for the fith time as the waitress came by with
another soda. " How 'bout, I just bring you a couple of two
liters and a cooler?" He glanced up from over a document. "uh,
what? I'm sorry, is there a limit?" The woman smiled. "Of course
not, but at the rate you're going, I'd be wired for the
next two days." "I have a caffeene tolerence...Is there anything
else? " Noticing her continued stance. "Well, you've been here for
the past three hours going over that paperwork.... govenment or
business?" Puzzled by her question, he replied "Sort of, the former...I
guess. I'm a Geologist working for the govenrment. Why do you
ask?" Lowering her voice, the woman answered "Mostly because you look
out of place here among the low sect." Max looked about the
room, noticing it filled with vacationing people. "I see what you mean...Mrs..."
"Tamara, but everyone calls
me Tammy." The woman smiled, the continued. "And you would be?" "Frustrated,
at this point..." Max answered as he looked toward the window
as another round of thunder cracked. "This weather's got me boxed
in..." Then realizing he never answered her question, he added. " I'm
sorry, the name's Max, Max Harrison." "Are you here because of
the volcano? " She inquired. "Yes, actually....I want to check a few
theories...but I can't do that, if I can't get there." He
traied off, looking to the waitress in puzzlement, adding "What's the word
here?" She moved in closer, making Max abit uncomfortable, then answered in
a quiet voice. "The elder locals think it's a sign...Something bad
is comming."
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