Indiana Jones and the Serpent Shrine - Prologue

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Posted by Simon Reid from lreid.demon.co.uk on August 02, 2000 at 13:08:27:

Prologue

- By Simon Reid

Chicago, November 1940


'Professor Henry Jones Junior,' said Alan Whitlam, passing several
photographs and papers across the cluttered desk. 'Accomplished scholar, son of
the noted ancient world historian. And as you will see, his credentials are
extremely...interesting. Most of his digs have been very successful, the majority
of them funded by Barnett College, where he is currently teaching, or Marcus
Brody's museum.'

The office of Doctor William Holt was unusually small, with the desk, chairs
and filing cabinets barely allowing enough room for the door to swing open. The
desk's surface was a mess of discarded paperwork and books, and the walls were
almost entirely concealed by the abundance of shelves and maps furnishing them.
The man himself was intimidating in appearance, with a tall and solid build, and
often a severe expression that was just as threatening as his brawny physique.
It was with this menacing glare that Holt met Whitlam's initially enthusiastic
look.

'Is he experienced in this field? I had, you will recall, expressly asked
that the individual should have a great deal of experience,' Holt said in his
deep voice, looking down at the Whitlam's papers for a moment.

'I've kept that in mind, Doctor Holt. Jones has frequently involved himself
in investigations of this kind,' replied Whitlam, with a rather more nervous
tone in his voice. 'He seems to be very interested in the fantastic and the
supernatural. He has, on a few occasions, described his more unusual
discoveries, but predictably, his claims were dismissed as nonsense and his
reputation suffered.'

'This man may be exactly who we need, Whitlam,' said Holt, slowly, after a
thoughtful pause as he looked at the assorted photographs of Jones. 'He seems
promising...'

'I anticipate that he will already be vaguely familiar with what we are dealing
with here, Doctor Holt. The main problem will be convincing him that we have
discovered enough to begin our search.'

Holt took a moment in contemplating this, then said, 'We will have to reveal
our finds if we are going to persuade Jones. He won't be acquired by just simple
conjecture. You will travel, with the relevant evidence, to meet this Professor
Jones.'

'I think that will be a dangerous risk - if he refuses for some reason, he will know
absolutely everything we've discovered so far. It will perhaps be a matter of
days before another party becomes involved,' said Whitlam, concerned. 'I don't
think we can really risk that

'Of course, Whitlam. There is that possibility. If he refuses even after he
has seen the artifacts, then you will have to simply kill him,' replied Holt calmly.

'Of course, Doctor Holt,' said Whitlam, noticably unnerved by this prospect.

'Although
I can't imagine that Professor Jones will refuse, considering his reward. Also,
a man like him would surely realise that we are on the verge of an
archaeological discovery that will totally alter our perception of history. An
ancient civilisation that, according to everything that has gone before, never
existed, but now, will finally be unearthed.' He paused, and a broad grin broke
across his face. 'To be a man who finds so tremendous a thing - I am sure that
Professor Jones and I share that dream.'

******



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