Adrian’s Restaurant (not in Mexico)

Marty waited in the hallway for Professor Aguilar, whose office was dark behind the opaque glass door. It was 9:15 am. when Marty heard the ding of a text. It was the professor, texting, “meet me at Rocky’s in five.” Rocky’s was a small breakfast cafe just off campus, popular because of its Stallone boxing-themed decor. The Rocky films continued to be very popular in Mexico City. It was close enough to power walk to. Marty was a little perturbed because he had hopped off of the bus right near there just a half-hour ago.

Professor Aguilar was sitting in the back of the cafe, out of sight of the front windows, almost as if he were trying to hide. Marty ordered a tall Cafe DE Olla and joined him.

“Seems like we have a lot to talk about, my boy. I got a call last night from June Sadek. We talked for a good hour as she got me up to speed on what’s been happening at their dig site in The Valley of the Kings. I know we had a Zoom meeting scheduled for this afternoon with her and your colleague-girlfriend, Jean, but time is of the essence. If these beings are telepathic, there is a good chance the one living in the warehouse could get tipped off and skedaddle and we’d have a heck of a time trying to find it again. June and I will communicate directly with each other from now on. We’ve come up with a plan that hinges on the cooperation of (Mexican) President (Andres Manuel Lopez ) Obrador. AMLO and I grew up together in Tepetitán, Tabasco and went to university together here.  AMLO knows when I ask for help there is vital substance to my request. I’m headed to his office in ten. Secrecy is essential, so please wait to hear from me before taking any action, and whatever you do, keep this to yourself!”

At this last comment, Marty was really hoping his Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin weren’t saying anything to anyone. He hadn’t expressly forbidden them from talking. He’d send a group text right after the professor left. Marty nodded and said, “I’m glad Jean and I aren’t in this alone anymore.”

Professor Aguilar frowned slightly and said, “My boy, how long have you and Jean known about this beast?”

Marty told him about the cave drawing.

“Marty, where are you and Jean from?”

“The Lake Delton, Wisconsin area.”

Marty could see the gears churning in the professor’s face, which made him pause for thought. What if these things spread out across the globe when they left Egypt? He felt the blood in his veins freeze.

“My boy, now is not the time to be paralyzed by fear. We must ‘act – act in the living present!’* and do our best. As I said before, be on standby for my instructions.”

Professor Aguilar stood up, shook Marty’s hand, and left. Marty followed him out and watched him turn into the nearby alley. A short time later, a sleek black limousine slipped out of it and blended into traffic.

Marty group-texted his family: “Please keep lips zipped. See you at dinner.” He hoped the message wouldn’t be too cryptic. He then called Jean, but it went directly into voicemail, meaning her phone was off. Next he called the main desk at the hotel and had them ring the land line to her room but no success. If Marty was a daredevil, he would have gone to the airport and flew directly to Egypt. Jean meant more to Marty than any bloodthirsty ET!

*from Wadsworth’s poem, “A Psalm of Life”

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