Hiring Time

by Mr. David R. Dorrycott

the Usual Suspects Copyright Mr. Simon Barber

The Missing Coconut, to an Americans ears an odd name for an eatery. Still Professor Leroy Marklin had eaten at places with wilder names. The Missing 7^th Virgin easily came to mind, a low class dive in Asyut on the Nile where he had found the most delightful of roasted scallions, and a rather nasty bout of the Pharaohs Curse the next morning. At that time he had been digging a tomb, quite successfully so. This time though... The bear reached out a scarred paw, taking his drink within it. This time he was going to need people he could trust with his life. Especially if what he had found was real. As he finished his drink several young ladies dressed in Hula outfits came in, each he noticed was quite healthy and projected a strength of will unlike most young ladies of their age. He ignored them, he was after dependable assistants, not Hula dancers on their break.

Finishing his meal he paid the waitress, another quite healthy specimen of the female form he noted, though in a different way than those exotic dancers. At his age and condition though looking was all he could do, especially after what the Bedouins had done to him. They had mistaken him for one of his younger assistants, and though he remained whole, enough damage had been done. No woman other than his now departed wife would ever find him desirable. Not with those scars. His poor assistant though. They had eventually found him staked out in the desert, with his mouth sewn shut. Harkin knew why, he just didn’t like to think about it. Wooing, professing undying love for and taking the virtue of a nomad woman, then laughing at her as one walked away simply wasn’t done.

Standing he hobbled out, making his way back to his hotel. It was, he noted as he placed his hat on his balding head a rather delightful night. Were it not that he must learn the truth of what he had found in that harsh northern desert he would happily remain here. There were enough oddities after all to convince the University that he should stay. Unfortunately he had made his bed, and sleep or not he must lay within it. Returning to his room he took a pill for his pain, the only way that he could sleep now that his wife had passed on, then lay down. Tomorrow he must speak to those who would determine his future.

It was raining when he awoke, raining like the Gods had empted a river from the sky. Looking at his travel clock Leroy noted that it was already after nine in the morning. Travel lag of course, it was taking his body longer and longer to adjust after each long trip. Age, well he was near fifty now. Much nearer fifty than forty-nine. Sitting up he rubbed his face, refreshing himself. Then picking up the phone he waited until that bright cheerful voice came on. Whatever she was drinking to be that cheerful, he wanted a gallon of the stuff. “Breakfast please, Room two oh seven. Just something light, I will be on the water much of today.”

That delightful voice agreed that a light breakfast was best, then hung up. Wandering to his bathroom (a true luxury, back at the University he shared with three other Professors and it was rank more often than not.) By the time he had showered, clipped and dried himself his breakfast had arrived and was awaiting him on the rooms small table. Whomever had delivered it had already gone, much to his relief. His fur was still damp and he looked like a wet swamp rat. At least that was how he felt about it, his long passed on wife had never agreed with him. He truly missed Susan. Cancer and that, it had taken her ten short years ago. When he thought of it, he felt as if it had happened yesterday. With a sigh of regret he sat down, still in his fur, and ate quietly.

Exactly two hours later he stood within Song Sodas walls. His appointment was for this time, and for a moment he wondered if he was being stood up. That was until a rather attractive yellow furred hound stepped up to him. “You look completely lost” the woman said in greeting. “Thus you must be Professor Leroy Marklin. I am Miss Catherine Devinski ”

“Miss Devinski” Leroy repeated, bowing slightly. “It is, I must admit, quite a pleasure to finally meet you. I have read so much about your school.”

“And been told stories?” the delightful woman asked.

“Oh yes Miss Devinski. Told many, many stories. Most of which are simply too impossible to be true.”

Lights twinkled in the Labrador’s eyes. “Are you truly certain of that? Please, follow me. I have a room waiting where we may talk in private.” She turned and walked away, expecting the bear to follow her.

Leroy did, though he quite admired the view before him. His old wound in no way inhibited his ability to enjoy beauty, in all its forms. And certainly what was walking away from him was beauty in its most important form. Soon they arrived he noted, in a small chamber. A table and two padded chairs were the only furniture, and in truth the room could not have held much more in comfort.

“If you will sit please.” Catherine offered, speaking in the native language to a waitress who had followed them. Then she too sat. “Your letter sir was quite clear. You desire to hire two of our graduating students. Preferably close friends, though you also state that this is not a requirement. You have specified a specific size and weight, along with a no horns provision. May I ask the reason for the latter?”

“Yes, of course. You see, we will be going into places that may be quite restrictive. I have been to enough digs and surveys to know what problems horns cause their wearers. Now please understand, I personally have nothing against those with horns, I employ without consideration to species or sex. Yet this time I must specify. I much dislike doing so, but asking someone to cut off their horns for a short period of employment is beyond me.”

“Caves Professor?”

“I certainly hope not Madam. At least not natural caves. I expect to be entering ancient temples, though I hope to find government buildings instead. Temples do not tell the entire story you see.”

“I see” Miss Devinski stood, opening the door at a soft knock to allow the waitress to enter and serve tea with simple sugar cookies. “An unlisted part of the menu” she explained as the young feline left. “When do you expect to need these employees sir.”

“I have arranged to hire one of your former students, a Miss Jean Lynn Morris, for the initial examination” Leroy answered. “She has just completed working on a short film about Lady Fliers, as the Narrator. I fear she wishes to place many, many miles between her and Hollywood. It is my understanding that Shirley Shrine is trying very hard to get her to act in her next movie, The Venus Invasion is its working title. Studios have started putting a lot of pressure on her. We will return about two weeks before the end of this school year, and long after the movie in question has started filming. I would like to leave no more than two weeks after graduation.”

Miss Devinski laughed. “Jean? Afraid of Shrine? Well, it is possible. I have read that the little monster has put several actors into the Happy Home.”

“Rest home, not quite the happy home” the bear admitted. “Including a director or three by word of the rags I read. Is it possible?”

Miss Devinski’s smile vanished. “Where are you going, why and what do you expect to find” she asked. Her voice warned the bear that he was going to have to be completely honest.

Reaching into his satchel Marklin removed a scroll, placing it on the table between them. It was small, no more than nine inches wide, and unrolled no more than twice that long. On it was a map. And though the writing was hieroglyphics, Devinski’s breath hissed through her teeth. “Demotic, about 750 BC right?”

“800 BC. You know your Egyptian well Miss Devinski. May I ask?”

“No. That is Maddygascar. What could possible be there? It wasn’t inhabited until between 200 and 500 A.D How could the Egyptians even know of it?”

“That my dear Lady, is the problem. They shouldn’t. It was completely unknown by sentient kind until, as you say two to five hundred AD. There has been no other record of Maddygascar in the written record anywhere on this planet until around 500 AD. That being the most commonly accepted time that seafarers arrived.”

“From Borneo?”

“Yes Miss Devinski, or the Celebes. Some of my colleges have claimed proofs to as early as 200 AD, yet none of their proofs have as yet been verified. Even so, that is a very long way for initial contact. I would think India myself, yet have discovered no such proof. Perhaps, I am hoping, this site will prove such. My own little theory you must understand.”

Miss Devinski studied the scroll, then the greying brown bear sitting across from her. “It mentions trade, and young women. Are you trying to find young sacrifices perhaps?”

Standing quickly the brown bear shook, holding both paws in front of him as if to ward off the Labrador’s harsh stare. “Please no Miss Devinski...”

“Please sit sir. It was a question I had to ask.” She turned the scroll for better reading. “That young women are raised up...” Again she looked at the bear.

“That young women are held up” he corrected, settling slowly back into his seat. “That part of the scroll’s text is in very poor condition. I needed help translating it, there are so many ways it could be taken you understand. Professor Williams and Professor Arkham helped me with this. They are both well respected in their fields. Quite well respected Yet even they are uncertain as to the exact meaning of that symbol.”

Miss Devinski tapped the map with one claw. “Yes, they are well respected. I have a close friend who has mentioned them before. You must understand that as a precaution, Songmark made inquires. Are you certain that this is not some fabrication? And even if it is not, why choose Songmark.”

Now within his own element Professor Marklin nearly preened in his chair. “My dear Lady. I expected, I hoped that you world make such investigations. In answer to your question, I personally found that scroll in the dust of a twenty-second dynasty grave. Robbers had taken most of value, yet left behind a case of scrolls. Shattered yes, but tossed aside as though they had no value. All were of a type normally found in such tombs. This though was different. Still it was three years, just after my wifes death in fact that I actually looked at it. The seal was intact. It is to my opinion of twenty-second dynasty manufacture.”

“Upper or lower Kingdom” the hound asked.

“Upper. It was a period when Shoshenq III did not have control. Such things would normally been in his paws of course. Perhaps there were other such reports, if so we have not yet discovered them. In my profession we have discovered that such things are often unique I fear.”

Miss Devinski took a sip of her tea, leaning back in her chair as if to think. In doing so her Songmark uniform stretched over well developed curves. It was a test she used, her own current uniform being tailored for exactly this type of research. She noted the bears obvious attention, and surprisingly that he was apparently not affected by her charms. “Fey?” she asked softly.

“Fey” Louis asked. “What would the mythic creatures of Erie... Oh, FEY!” He actually giggled. “I am sorry Miss Devinski. You are obviously quite attractive, and quite desirable. But I have not traveled all the way to Spontoon simply to find a partner. And..” His voice turned wistful. “I would most likely not be capable in any case. The Bedouin you see. Mistook me for another. “ He held up his right paw. “My paw and well, scars are scars you must admit.”

“Your limp” she asked. “Bedouin as well?”

“Oh no Miss Devinski. Simple male arrogance. I needed a certain atlas last summer and, well I declined the quite competent Librarians assistance. After all it was only two rungs below the top of that ladder.” He blushed. “I over-extended while arguing with the Librarian. Center of mass, gravity, a wheeled ladder. It all went against me. Compound fracture I fear. Left me with the limp. Now you asked why Songmark. To be blunt young lady, Songmark graduates the absolute best female adventuress in this world. I have worked with many men who claim to have been adventurers, yet many admit that a Songmark graduate will run rings about them. As this will be a small expedition of no more than six or seven. Well I decided to use the best.”

“Six or seven.” Miss Devinski carefully rolled up the scroll, placing it nearer the bear. “Yourself, two of my students and?”

“Ah, Well Jean of course, she has promised that should the expedition go forward that she will come as lead girl. Then Mr. Padden. Jean introduced me to him. He is an excellent Hollywood photographer and familiar with the equipment I have.” The bear giggled, “And is also dodging Miss Shrine’s advances. Then Mr. Lei, of American birth by the way. He has been with me some twenty-seven years now. He is an excellent cook. He is also quite skilled at logistics. I will have an assistant as well to help with the Archeological work. My plans are that Jean, Padden, Lei, I and my assistant will make an aerial survey of the island next month. Our cover is that we have been hired by a company who is looking for oil. Jean suggested that, she is quite the intelligent woman I find. I will then spend the time remaining after our survey plotting exactly where I wish to go.”

A smile touched the hounds eyes. “Your using stunted vegetation growth to find buried ruins. Your hiding your work from whom, the Germans or Grave Robbers?’

“Both, and yes some of my most esteemed colleges are nothing but grave robbers. Then there is Kansas Smith to worry about. You see she has been missing since last Christmass, not showing up at conventions or sites. It worries me. She is another reason I prefer three very well trained young ladies on my side. Smith has stolen from my digs before. Always very important items. Items almost never seen again. I prefer the safety of competent young ladies who could defend myself and what I hope to find from such thieves.”

“I agree with you, many are nothing but grave robbers with fancy titles. Very well, I will need to speak with my co-instructors about this, but I see nothing that would stand against you. Have you any other requirements?”

“I prefer no German citizens, if you understand. Other than their mad hunt for certain items, and the destruction that their so called archeologist have done I’ve nothing against Germans. But for this trip, please understand.” He too took a sip of his tea, grimaced and sat the cup down. “English. Milk with tea, barbaric. Anyway, I do not worry about politics, religion or anything else Miss Devinski. I am trusting my life in the paws of your young ladies. As long as they do not preach to me, and can keep quiet should we find anything of note. At least until I finish my report and publish, then I will accept them. After I publish they may tell anyone anything that they desire.”

“Very well then Professor Marklin. If you will call the main office, oh day after tomorrow. An answer will be given you. If that answer is yes, a list of names will be made available within a day. You may interview when they have passes. They will decide wither to accept or not.”

“Very good. Thank you Miss Devinski. “ Louis stood, his greater bulk moving easily in the small area. “I have two weeks, then I must meet Jean and the rest in Los Angeles. Jean is currently procuring and aircraft for me. On University funds of course, so I can not expect state of the art. Still I have already learned to trust her in regards to aircraft. Again thank you. And Madam. If I may say so without insulting you, you are very, very attractive. I suspect that you have many males chasing after you. With good reason. Now I must pay the bill and you must return to your students.”

Devinski laughed as she stood, leaned over to pick up the scroll and offer it to the bear. “You forgot this, and thank you for the compliment. This bill is on Songmark, you may pick up all the rest.”

With his paw already on the doorhandle Marklin gasped, moving quickly to recover his property. “Thank you Miss Devinski. I fear that you are so attractive that I much forgot the foolish thing. Until the day after tomorrow then.”

Miss Devinski watched as the bear hobbled off. Yes, a compound fracture could leave someone with a limp like that, if they had a bad doctor. Certain it was not faked, nor were the scars on the bears paw. Bedouins. She shivered at the thought, knowing exactly what would have happened to the fur that they were after. Pausing only long enough to finish her tea she returned to Songmark. ‘So’ she thought. ‘Jean has finally had enough of Hollywood.’ It was also interesting that in this day that the bear did not wear a hat, even to cover the thinning hair on his head. And he was cute, in his own bumbling, open way. Not quite cute enough to take her from Helen’s arms, but cute. Well, maybe for one night. Never more.

It was after lights out at Songmark, while waiting to see if anyone tried the fence this early that Catherine Devinski and her three fellow instructors were looking over their third year roster. Amelia’s dorm they knew was out, being that they intended to return to Europe and deal with their own problems. Prudence’s dorm was also out. Prudence herself was getting married right after graduation, as was Carmella. Neither would want to leave their loves so quickly. Ada would be going on a quest. A quest to find Angelica’s mother, though the hound would be stunned to discover that her instructors were privy to such information. That left Belle and all four had money on a certain mouse accepting her. That left only two dorms, fewer than eight girls because several had horns.

“Of course we will give the offer to all acceptable girls” the feline known as Miss Wildford admitted. It was her week to play secretary for their meetings. “There is Adele Beasley, even with her rather odd taste in partners. With her curse removed she would be a very good choice. Beryl Parkesson. Though we will of course warn him of her, then Jasbir Sind. It is within her area of the world. Madelene X, though I am certain she will refuse. Sophie D’Artagnan and Li Han. Both would be perfect.” She shook her head. “Given choices I would hope that Amelia and Helen would accept, but Helen is marrying Marti Hoele’toemi while Amelia still has her heart set on his brother Jirry.”

“That won’t happin” Miss Nordlinge admitted. “Amelia’s title has frightened the poor boy off. He’s got no desire to be another Viscount Greystoke. There’s trouble there, but its hers to heal. Locals are so used to acceptin others into their world, thay’ve little experience doing it to other way.”

“And there is Lars” the hound Miss Devinski reminded them all.

“Should ace the boy” Miss Nordlinge near whispered. “That rifle the pretty little mouse gave Molly, an Molly rejected. Easy shot. 800 meters, calm day. Pow, one less problem. I still say he had something to do with Henrietta, and we know he sold Molly that first year.”

“We have no proof that he had anything to do with Henrietta” Miss Devinski countered. “True, I wish we did. Without proof, proof we all admit may turn our eyes to another we simply cannot take Justice for that ruination.”

“All we wanted to do was teach girls to stand on their own” the third feline sighed. “Just. Stand on their own.” Miss Blande looked into her open paws, looking for what no one knew. “Now our girls are targets. Slavers, the Brotherhood, any two bit male who wants to prove that he is better, stronger than any Songmark girl. We have lost too many.”

Miss Devinski nodded her head in agreement. “Accepted” she said softly. “That though isn’t the reason for this meeting. Who do we press to take this mission?”

“Jaspir, Li Han” Miss Blande answered. “There are not even rumors of rumors of rumors of a civilization on that island. Jean has the seasoning, she can pass it on to them. As I recall she was a pretty good instructor. When she wanted to be.” She stood, walking to the wall that had photographs of every years starting class, and every graduation class. “They have the right attitude, and unlike a certain girl who failed on her third year, they are not bloodthirsty killers. We need the information. Is it that a lost civilization, or just something else. Send them.”

When Professor Leroy Marklin returned as instructed he was happily surprised to be given a list of four names. “These are not all friends as you understand the term” Miss Blande informed him. “They do however get along, and all are Songmark Third years. All four have agreed to interview with you this afternoon at Song Sodas from six to eight pm. Will that be good enough?

“Quite good enough” the bear agreed. “I will go rent a chamber now, that I may set up my materials. Interviews, as you are aware, can be such stressful things.” He turned as though to leave and stage whispered. “Now do I use the couch method of interviewing, or the desk. With my leg today, the couch.”

Miss Blande watched as the bear walked towards Song Sodas. Humor, in a professional academic. That was good. She wasn’t worried about his stage whisper. After all, three years in Songmark made certain that none of her girls would be so foolish as to accept a couch interview. They were all aware by now that they were much better than that. She returned to her duties, certain that at least two girls would have employment by days end. It did not happen often, most girls found themselves busting their tails for employment. Certainly this was only the third time a previous Songmark graduate was involved in such. She paused, looking back towards Casino Island where a certain third year worked, waiting for a Russian sable to finish her third year. Would Tatiana take that mission in another year? To find a previous students missing sister? Even now the feline wasn’t certain.

When the first strong knock came to his rented rooms door Professor Marklin started. He had been reading Jeans report on what the photographer needed, along with the aircraft that she had located. The bear had recently found that he could not stop thinking about the mouse, and at the moment had been daydreaming about her. “Come” he snapped, as though speaking to some freshman wanting audience about a slanderous grade.

A small female tabby cat entered, her Songmark uniform crisp, freshly laundered. Her fur though gave her secret away, it was still damp from the showers so this must be her best uniform. Kept ready for special occasions, like interviewing for employment.

“Li Han Reports” she announced in a crisp, Chinese accented voice. He watched in amazement as the little feline stopped almost exactly at the middle of his rented table, two steps back from it.

“Please sit Mis Li” he responded, selecting the folder with her name already carefully paw written upon it. Taking out a two single sheets of paper he carefully wrote his initial observations on one. The other had come from Songmark itself just minutes ago. Long nights and many expeditions had trained him how to preform an interview. Along with several mistakes, one rather fatal mistake. For the person involved. “You are from Kuo Han?”

“Yes sir. Kuo Xinjiang district. Jia-ng qi-ngcuì city.”

“I see, and your plans after Songmark? I see, you wish to become a Guardian of the Air. To fight against air piracy. A noble profession Miss Li. Yet it brings little in the form of income.”

Li Han simply watched her prospective employer as he spoke, saying nothing. She was determining if she wished to be employed by this man. After all, she had a guaranteed employment waiting her, though as he himself had said it was at near starvation wages. Still the mission was honorable.

“How would you feel Miss Li, to delay your return home say six to ten months. I am preparing an expedition to an archeological dig that will require that period of time to complete. I need two very competent young women to help me with this. You would, of course, be working under the authority of Miss Jean Lynn Morris. She was a previous Songmark student.”

“Graduated second class, Nikki’s Dorm” Li Han quoted. “A good Songmark girl knows all who have completed before her. This way should she stumble across one claiming the title, she will know the truth.” Still unmoving Li Han allowed a tiny smile to touch her lips. “I would learn much from her. There are restrictions?”

“As with most archeological expeditions yes. You may not speak of anything you see or find until I have published. Such usually requires a year and a half to three years after the expeditions ending. I will send you either a letter or telegram releasing you from this restriction, still after three years you may consider yourself released. After this time you may speak of anything you wish. Alcohol, other than for medical reasons forbidden. Where we are going such is illegal by custom, or as I have discovered through the school of hard knocks. Not desirable. We may be in a desert after all, alcohol and such heat rarely mix well.”

“Ah, the Islamic states” Li Han noted, gaining a smile from her prospective employer. “And desert. You are correct.

“Quite correct Miss Li. This is my fourteenth expedition. As I said, I have learned the hard way what may, and may not be allowed. As to which reason for this rule, I will not say until we are nearing our destination. Your instructors have full knowledge of everything, including our exact destination and how to contact the expedition in case of emergency. This was one of the major conditions that they placed upon these interviews. Miss Li, I need two women of specific mental and physical training. My two reservations are of physical size and that horns are not acceptable. Nor is the cutting off of natural horns. I am interviewing four of you...”

The interview went on for another fifteen long minutes, then Li Han stepped out of the room. She nodded to the three girls waiting. “We speak later” she whispered as she passed the others. Professor Marklin would be stunned to learn that his little interviews had given all the information these four needed to make their own decisions. Including their destination.

“Miss Sind. You are of Indian origin correct?”

“Correct” the mongoose agreed.

Inwardly Marklin smiled, the single paper on Jasbir Sind had told him a great deal about this woman, and brought him to the decision that he needed about this girl on his expedition. Family connections aside, to be able to do the things she had done and not humiliate her family, thus not find herself facing being stoned to death by them was amazing. “You would have no problem delaying your return to your home for up to a year?”

Jasbir thought carefully before answering. Yes, she had a great deal more control over her return than she let people know, but only for cause. Only if the reasons were good enough. Simply to take employment was not one of those reasons. Then she was the forth interviewee, thus had more information than the other girls when they entered this room. Maddygascar. A possible lost civilization. Her grandfather had often noted that Maddygascar was first found by India. If she could be part of the group that proved this, her worth as a bride would reach the stars. As would her later political power. “I believe not” she answered. “I must contact my father, certain events would be delayed. How long will I have before you must make your decision?”

“Jean has sent me a message that she will arrive in eight days. I will leave with her and the others no more than ten days from today. Therefore I must have chosen my employees within nine days, counting today.”

“This I may do” Jasbir agreed. “I tell you now. This I much wish to do. Still family must always come first.” She stood, bowing slightly to the much older bear. “You will have my fathers answer sir, and mine in time to make your decision.”

Closing up his books the bear grinned. As the Songmark instructors had thought, he too wanted Li and Sind. Oh the other two were just as acceptable, it was just that something about those two struck him as right. They had a sense of duty, of honor that went back uncounted generations. Not only that, but respect. Often on a long expedition duty and respect were more important than physical strength or money.

Walking out into the fading light long after his four prospective employees had left he nodded to a waiting yellow furred Labrador. “I thought one of you would be waiting. Li and Sind” he remarked to the waiting woman. “If they accept.”

“How long have you been in love with Jean” Miss Devinski countered.

Sputtering the bear stopped, looking at the woman before him as though she were some demon conjured from nothingness. “WHAT?” he gasped.

“The truth is in your words sir. Each time you spoke of Jean, the girls watched your face, your eyes. Listened to your inflection.” Miss Devinski turned towards the waiting water taxis dozens of yards away. “And is she aware?”

“Trust a Minoan Priestess to ferret out the truth” the bear snorted. He caught Miss Devinski’s look. She was, he realized, amused. Not shocked. “Your marking. On your neck. Snake and hammer. I thought that civilization forever lost.”

“There are a few of us still about” the hound admitted. “A pawfull.”

“Which now fully explains Songmark. No, Jean does not know. I would be a useless husband to her, and I am near twice her age.”

“More than twice, less than thrice by a large margin” the hound corrected. “And not the first June-November love to blossom. Tell her, if she does not already suspect she will soon. Jean was always quick on the uptake.”

“As are all your students.”

“Save one.” The hound though, did not elaborate. “You wonder what a Minoan Priestess is doing half way around the world?”

“In secret? Trying to save her religion, her culture, her beliefs” the bear answered. “Too much religious and culture suppression in the Mediterranean. Three major and very aggressive religions crush anything new, or old that rises its head above the dirt. Were you all to announce yourself, you would be crushed in a day. Any survivors finding themselves under the all seeing eye of either a scientific community or one of the three watchdogs. In either case, a very limited number of days would pass before your ashes would be poured into some sewer. Spontoon though is an open field. I assume that it has restrictions, still it is an open field. How many have you converted?”

“If I told you, I would have to insure your continual silence.”

Laughing the bear stepped upon a water taxi. “I prefer breathing Miss Devinski. Jean will arrive within the week, I think she would like to talk with you again. Good Evening Miss Devinski.”

“Good evening Professor.”