Fragmentation
Nick was nervous about this whole plan. He didn’t like it one bit, but there were many things factoring into the decision. He would get paid by the National Geographic for the first ever magazine article depicting actual photographs of the dinosaurs in their natural habitat. Of course it wasn’t the first magazine to showcase the dinosaurs. After the San Diego incident, pictures–both fabricated and some nearly convincing of their realism–appeared in every magazine around the world.
He recalled once on FOX watching a little boy explain to Bill O’Reilly what he had seen outside of his room; how a 40 foot Tyrannosaurus Rex had eaten his dog Rex, whom he hated, and then proceeded to roar and smash through his bedroom window.
Also, the National Inquirer had an article about Ian, Sarah, Eddy, and himself in it and the story of their trip. He had no idea how they got the information. None of the group had told the Inquirer the story, leaving the fabrication to be one of pure jest.
“40 foot Iguanas seen on deserted Tropical Island!” it claimed.
“Mr. Van Owen. We’re running late. If you’ll just take a seat, we can get some of the attendants to gather your things” a man wearing a business suit said stately to Nick, pointing at a group of men and a woman walking over to his van.
“No, thank you. We don’t have many things,” Jessica Simon replied, sliding open the van door and pulling out a couple bags which she carried over to the plane.
“Yea, I think we got it.” Nick chimed in, taking the last of the bags and handing over his keys to the man.
Nick turned around, walking backwards to the plane, saying with a slight jest “Now be of some real help and find a nice parking place. I don’t think I’ll be back any time soon.”
“Next up on The Discovery Channel,” the television announced loudly while Charlie tried to listen intently. Charlie had been watching the TV since his mother went up stairs to take a shower and cry. She did that sometimes, and she had a good reason this time: Mark had left. Charlie was upset, he didn’t know if his father was coming back or not. His parents had fought before, but never like this. To be frank, it scared him.
The phone started ringing. He jumped up from the couch, muting the tv and picked up the phone.
“Hello?”
“Yes,” the voice replied, “Is Ellie Degler there?”
“Yes,” Charlie began, “but she’s in the--”
“One moment please.”
An upbeat jazz song started playing: the worst kind. It was the “you’re on hold, get used to it” kind. Then a voice came on. “You are listening to InGen phone lines. We make your future. Please stay tuned.” The voice ended and was replaced by music again. Charlie had enough of waiting. Taking the phone from his ear, he listened for a second only to attempt to hang up when the music stopped.
“Mrs. Degler?”
Charlie quickly picked up the phone again.
“Uh, this is her son, Charlie.”
“Oh, well, Charlie, this is Richard Nesky From InGen corp. We were wondering....” Charlie interjected.
“No my mom wouldn’t like to buy anything. Goodbye.”
“Oh heavens no, this isn’t about that!” Richard said with a light laugh.
“You see, your mother--” Richard trailed off. He had thought of something.
“Do you like Dinosaurs, Chase?”
“Yes I do. And it’s Charlie.”
“Oh yes, Charlie, gotcha’. Well, how about this. I need your mother to do something for me. Could you promise me something?”
“What is it?”
“It is important that your mother does this, and do whatever you must to get her to. Heck, perhaps we could even accommodate you!” Richard said, laughing more.
“Just do and say as I say and all will be good.”
“–the insurance and stuff you know.” Mr. Hammond finished after the butler opened the door to his limo. Alan and Billy walked out and escorted the aging man to his jet. He wasn’t looking very good, and it didn’t look like he’d be getting any better any time soon.
Alan noticed a slight drag of his right leg. It had always been there. It was why he had a cane, but it was getting more severe. He also hunched over more, allowing his mouth to droop slightly. It was a heart-wrenching sight.
“I have something I must show you Alan,” he said, looking back from the stairs of the jet, down to where Alan stood. His poignancy had not faded.
