Having landed at McCarran Airport, the sarcophagus is transported to the 'Villa Athena' along with Novius, Tony and the kittens - 'Sigi' returns to Henderson - and Zac, Brody, Glen, Clare, Ethan and Teddy and Jim all are driven to the 'Penthouse Building'. And then it is down to business, before a visit, for some, to Mexico
This is a common misquote from US President Calvin Coolidge.
In reality, the President's full quote was the much more nuanced observation that America enjoys a broad-based business culture that permeates great swaths of society.
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| US President Calvin Coolidge |
John Calvin Coolidge Jr. - born July 4, 1872 – died January 5, 1933 - was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 30th president of the United States from 1923 to 1929. A Republican lawyer from New England, he born in Vermont. Coolidge was elected the 29th vice-president of the United States, and he succeeded to the presidency upon the sudden death of Warren G. Harding in 1923. Elected in his own right in 1924, he gained a reputation as a small-government conservative with a dry sense of humor. He oversaw a period of rapid and expansive economic growth in the United States, known as the 'Roaring Twenties', and left office with considerable popularity.
In essence, Coolidge was stating that the chief business of the American people was, and is, 'business'.
They are profoundly concerned with producing, buying, selling, investing, and prospering in the world.
President Coolidge’s words fly in the face of the more compartmentalized view of many Americans that there are 'workers', and there are 'owners of capital'. - or alternatively there are the rich, the poor, and the middle class.
A more realistic view of the incidence and form of business income in America shows the divide is between the richer and those who 'want-to-be rich'.
There is also the 'rags to riches' concept which permeates much of urban culture.
In the case of the 'Penthouse Gang' the story of 'rags to riches' is undoubtedly, for most of them, a genuine description of their relatively short lives.
Now seemingly quite by accident the 'Penthouse Gang' boys have become, in a remarkably short space of time, major entrepreneurs on the US economic scene.
There are various definitions of the term 'entrepreneur', but for the purposes of this article the meaning may be taken as follows - 'the capacity and willingness to develop, organize and manage a business venture along with any of its risks in order to make a profit'.
One of the main problems for entrepreneurs is raising the initial capital in order to start business ventures.
Often, in order to do this, 'backers' are required - often in the form of banks - and this is usually where the problems begin - particularly with regard to repayments on the initial loans.
Now Marcus, as he was, (Jim) knew something about banks.
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| Terentius |
Later, when Marcus (Jim) became 'Dominus' (the Master of the 'House of Gracchus') on the death of his 'guardian', Terentius then served his new young master with equal loyalty and diligence.
Incredible as it may sound today, temples consecrated to the Greek and Roman gods were the first banks in the ancient, classical world.
Many temples, especially the ones situated in and around the various Fora (market places), held in their basements State treasures, and the money of wealthy Roman citizens (including Greeks and other nationalities).
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| Ancient Roman Temple - Reconstruction |
So, ancient banking was quite sophisticated, and banking activities were very similar to modern-day banking, be they the widespread use of credit, foreign exchange, the use of cheques, or the detailed recording of transactions.
However, in the 'alternative America', where the 'boys' later found themselves, sadly Terentius was no longer there to help them, but they did have Franklin.
The 'Boss' had met Franklin at 'Yale University', many years before the 'boys' arrived.
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| Yale University |
Now 'the Boss' (Gracchus), during the years while he unknowingly awaited the return of the 'boys' had, with the help of Don Picaro (Faunus), amassed substantial wealth by 'finding', with Don Picaro's help and guidance, numerous very rare and valuable Mayan antiquities.
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| Mexican Gold and Jade 'Art Deco' Bracelet |
Items that 'the Boss' was unable to sell, he had broken down into their constituent materials - such as gold, silver, jade and obsidian, and those materials were then 'made up', and sold as 'antiques', or as 'new' items in the then popular 'Art Deco' and 'Neo-Mesoamerican' styles.
'Neo-Mesoamerican' or 'Mayan Revival' is a modern decorative style - linked to 'Art Deco', popular in the Americas during the 1920s and 1930s that drew inspiration from the architecture and iconography of pre-Columbian Mesoamerican cultures. Though the name of the style refers specifically to the 'Maya' civilization of southern Mexico, in practice, this revivalist style frequently blends 'Maya' artistic motifs with those of other Mesoamerican cultures, particularly the Central Mexican 'Aztec' style from the pre-contact period, as exhibited by the Mexica and other Nahua groups.
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| Real Estate in Summerlin - Las Vegas |
Then, in Nevada and California, 'the Boss', as he was now known, bought up prime real estate, mainly in Summerlin, and Paradise, in Clark County, and established 'Club Jaguar', and its various affiliates, and in addition he established in California, the 'California Combat Clubs'.
After the 'boys' arrived in Las Vegas, and were re-introduced to 'the Boss' by Faunus, the 'Boss' died in tragic circumstance, while he was visiting Chiapas, in Mexico - his old 'stamping ground'.
As a result Jim (Marcus) became the new 'Dominus' ('Boss' or 'Master'), and received the bulk of the huge estate that 'the Boss' had left in his will, although Ethan, Zac, and Josh were also left substantial legacies, which Franklin, on Jim's instructions, proceeded to continue investing in the stock market, in projects, and in real estate in the US and Mexico - and so it was in this manner that the 'boys' became major entrepreneurs on the US economic scene - and this was the 'business' to which the 'boy's now returned.
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| Brigham Young University - Salt Lake City - Utah - USA |
Novius, of course, turned up unexpectedly, after the others had arrived, although he had apparently been living in the 'alternative America' for some time, in the appropriate guise of a professor lecturing at the 'Brigham Young University' in Salt Lake City in Utah.
Faunus was able to bring Novius back not to be a financial adviser to the young 'entrepreneurs', - Franklin was more than capable of filling that role - but rather as a 'mentor', whose duty it was to continue the education of the 'boys' with regard to matters not of this world, but rather of other worlds - worlds of philosophy, metaphysics and the nature of the 'gods'.
That, of course, had been the motivation behind the visits the Egypt, and Jim's surprising acquisition of the 'Winter Palace' in Luxor.
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| Henderson - Nevada - USA |
'Vegas, and it's environs, were places without any real history - communities that were simply too 'new' - like so much of America.
There was the 'Native American Culture', but that had been denatured and debased by the incursions and aggression of the Europeans, and was left as simply a hollow shell of its former self - mainly remembered in the numerous Native American place names that had somehow survived.
So Novius' influence was needed, particularly as he was the last of the renowned Etruscan Augurs...
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| Novius as Etruscan Augur |
Etruscan Emblem The Etruscan civilization of ancient Italy covered a territory, at its greatest extent, of roughly what is now Tuscany, western Umbria, and northern Lazio, as well as parts of what are now the Po Valley, Emilia-Romagna, south-eastern Lombardy, southern Veneto, and Campania. Etruscan culture was influenced by Ancient Greek culture, beginning around 750 BC. Greek influence also occurred in the 4th and 5th centuries BC during Greece's Classical period. Hundreds of years after the Etruscans had been conquered by the Romans and absorbed into their empire, the Romans still maintained an Etruscan priesthood in Rome.
Agathon - Tutor to Marcus An 'augur' was a priest and official in the classical Roman world. His main role was the practice of augury which involved interpreting the will of the gods - which was known as 'taking the 'auspices'.
Novius had been a close friend of Gracchus - Marcus' guardian and benefactor - and they had shared an intense interest in 'Neo-platonic Philosophy' and Greek and Roman Mythology - and more to the point, Novius had studied, as a young man, under Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus who, at the time, was the greatest authority with regard to the ancient Etruscans, and in particular their religion and philosophy, in the whole of the Roman Empire.
In AD 7, Livy was hired to tutor Claudius in history, with the assistance of Sulpicius Flavus. He spent a lot of his time with the latter, as well as the philosopher Athenodorus. Claudius, as the author of a treatise on the Emperor Octavian Augustus' religious reforms, felt himself in a good position to institute some of his own reforms, and he held strong opinions about the proper form for 'state religion'., and he re-instituted old observances and archaic language based on Etruscan models.
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| Claudius Caesar Augustus |
In addition, Claudius was also a member of the Julian Family, and he quite unexpectedly succeeded Caligula (Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus) as Roman Emperor.
As Pharaoh of Egypt, Claudius adopted the royal titulary Tiberios Klaudios, Autokrator Heqaheqau Meryasetptah, Kanakht Djediakhshuemakhet (Tiberius Claudius, Emperor and Ruler, Beloved of Isis and Ptah, the Strong Bull of the Stable, Moon on the Horizon.)
Marcus' (Jim) interest in religion and philosophy, however, had not begun with Novius, as Marcus was originally merely a slave-boy, and was not in a position to become friendly with Novius.
Gracchus, though, had employed a Greek tutor, Agathon, who taught Marcus, on a daily basis, the rudiments of Greek culture, including Greek mythology, and philosophy
And there were additional 'other-worldly' links to Jim and the 'boys'.
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| Cave of the Sibyl - Cumae - Italy |
Shortly after Marcus' arrival at the 'Villa Aurea', in Baiae, Gracchus had consulted the oracle of the Cumaean Sybil - and that had begun the mysterious link between Marcus and the 'god' Apollo.
Also Ethan (Aurarius) and Zac (Petronius) were born in a small village about 14 miles to the West of Athens, and that small village was Eleusis - the home of the famous mysteries - which Marcus and the boys had attended just before the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD.
Ἐλευσίς - Eleusis is a village in Attica, in Greece. It is located in the Thriasian Plain, at the northernmost end of the Saronic Gulf. It is the site of the Eleusinian Mysteries and the birthplace of the renowned playwright Aeschylus
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| 'Sigi's' Ford Mustang |
Everyday business that is...
After the 'Dreamliner' had landed at McCarran, Novius, Tony and the kittens (in their special 'wicker basket') were whisked away in one of the inevitable, black Cadillacs, to the 'Villa Athena', while 'Sigi' took Ashraf off in his Ford Mustang that Jim had bought 'Sigi' when 'Sigi' had moved to Henderson.
(Jim had decided that Ashraf should stay with 'Sigi' for a while, and learn a little about being an 'ordinary American boy' - not that there was anything really 'ordinary' about 'Sigi'.
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| Villa Athena - Nevada - USA |
Then, in a long wheelbase, stretch Lincoln, Jim, Clare, Ethan and Teddy, Glen - with Zac and Brody riding 'up front' - set out for the 'Penthouse Building' in Summerlin, 'Vegas.
By the time the groups arrived at their various destinations, it was too late to do anything useful, and regardless, even although it had been a very comfortable flight, with the opportunity for a brief nap in a comfortable bed, on arriving in Nevada they all felt in need of a rest - so Jim deferred any activity until the following morning.
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| Penthouse Building - Summerlin |
After giving Jim a bit of a headache - Franklin finally explained that the 'Athena Corporation' was doing very well.
As usual Franklin made a typically inappropriate remark, stating that the absence of Jim and the group 'had made no difference to the continuing rising profits of the corporation.'
Jim of course, was accustomed to such remarks and, ignoring Franklin, simply continued to explain that he was planning to visit southern Mexico in a few weeks in order to check on the Corporations' developments in that area.
Jim then returned to the 'Penthouse Building', relieved that at least Franklin's news was good, with the intention of spending a relaxing day with Ethan and Clare.
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| Tony Stark |
And then there's the matter of 'those who want-to-be rich' - that was mentioned at the introduction to this chapter.
And undoubtedly the main motivation of 'business' is based on the desire to be rich or wealthy.
Some, like Tony Stark, simply become rich almost by accident, as a byproduct of some special ability, or chance, or luck - or inheritance.
Anyway - Jim and Ethan were sitting on the sun terrace of the 'Penthouse', sipping ice-cold 'Pepsi Max', and relaxing.
"So.. Teddy was telling me that we are making a lot of money...", Ethan began.
"Well I don't know about we... but Franklin is certainly doing a good job...", Jim commented.
"And what are we doing with all this money ?", Ethan asked.
"Well a lot of it goes in the bank, and the bulk of it is invested in the various businesses that we own.", Jim explained.
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| Hotel Construction Site - Chiappas - Mexico |
"And what's all this investing-thingy all about ?", Ethan asked.
"Well, when we go to Mexico you'll see...
Opening new mining concessions, building new hotels and restaurants - and of course we have to pay for all of that - the materials and the workers.
One of the big differences between this way of making money, and the other way, when we were with Gracchus, is that now we pay the workers - we don't have slaves." Jim said.
"I see...", Ethan said, nodding sagely.
"But it seems to me that a person needs money in order to make money - yes ?
After all, Tony got a lot of money from his father, and you got money from 'the Boss'", Ethan said
"True - but remember, you also got a lot of money from 'the Boss', and also this 'Penthouse Building', and the house in Mexico - 'Casa de los Balam' - and lots of shares in the various hotels.
"Yes - and I'm very grateful - and Teddy, when we were talking during the flight home, was reminding me of that - and telling me what a 'rich young man' I was - and it got me to thinking.", Ethan said.
"Yes, and what have you been thinking ?", Jim asked.
"I been thinking - that it's all a bit crazy - 'cause I can't think of what to use all that money for...
I got all the clothes and shoes and things I need, and cell-phones, and CDs and DVDs - and you pay for my holidays - and Franklin pays all my bills with money that I think actually comes from you - so...", and Ethan stopped talking, and simply looked puzzled.
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| Winter Palace Gardens - Luxor - Egypt |
"Well there are two things that I can think of...
The 'Penthouse is great - but I would like a house, outside the city - with very large gardens, like the 'Winter Palace' - where the kittens could play - and a proper swimming pool - a place that would remind me of Gracchus' villa - but not so big.
And also I would like a nice convertible... but then I would need to learn how to drive.
I want to take you for a drive, rather than have Chuck drive us everywhere.", Ethan said.
"OK...
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| Jim's Convertible |
As for the convertible - I have the one that 'the Boss' gave me - it's incredibly valuable, but I'm too embarrassed to use it.
You can have it if you want - unless you would have problems with it.", Jim said.
"Well thanks all the same - but it's a bit 'too much' - what with its cow-horns and solid silver pistols.
But I would appreciate it if Chuck could help me find a good model - and perhaps 'Sigi' might like to show me how to drive.", Ethan said tentatively.
"Good ! - And I'm sure that 'Sigi' wouldn't mind giving you some driving lessons." Jim said, pleased to having sorted out some things with Ethan.
"And tomorrow you and 'Sigi' can go down the 'Club Athena', (previously known as 'Club Jaguar'), and check out the latest advertising for 'Air-West' with your 'advertising guys'.", Jim added, intent on giving at least two of the group something useful to do on their first 'working morning' back in 'Vegas.
'Air West' was the once defunct airline that Franklin had bought for the Athena Corporation. It was intended to ferry customers from various centres in the North of the US to Nevada, and also other tourist centres in the South West, and more particularly to the new Athena Corporation tourist attractions that were being set up in Southern Mexico, and particularly in Chiappas.
The next morning Ethan was up - bright and early - and giving Teddy a good brush.
"So what's all this brushing about ?", Teddy asked, sounding peeved.
"We are going to spend time with 'Sigi' - and 'Sigi likes you very much - so you need to look nice and fluffy for him." Ethan said, as he gave Teddy some 'finishing touches'.
"Mm... that sounds very creepy.", Teddy mumbled as he used his paws to ruffle his fur in order to make it look more casual.
In case you've forgotten who 'Sigi is, he is the result of Faunus, Ethan and Teddy kidnapping Dr Brandt at the 'California Combat Club', and then driven to 'Club Jaguar' (now known as 'Club Athena'). Once there, Brandt was put into a extraordinarily deep trance by Faunus, while Teddy pretended to be Brandt's boyhood teddy-bear, 'Wilhelm' - (named after the then 'Kaiser'). Faunus with Wilhelm's (Teddy's) help, then 'youthened' Brandt into a 'high-school teenager' called 'Sigi' (short for Siegfried), wiping his memory in the process. 'Sigi', retaining his Austrian accent, first meets Teddy properly at the funeral of 'the Boss'.
'Sigi'
Straight after breakfast buzzer sounded the at the main door of the 'Penthouse'.
Clare answered the door, and it was 'Sigi'.
"Good morning, Sir.", 'Sigi' began - being, as he often was, very respectful and formal with Jim.
"Good morning 'Sigi' - here are Ethan and Teddy, all ready to go, unless you would like to stay for a while and have some tea.", Jim replied.
"No... I think we'd better be off.
Lots to do, you know...", 'Sigi' said.
Of course as it was 'Sigi' - he had arrived with his Ford Mustang, and so for once it was not a huge black Cadillac, or a stretched white Lincoln that arrived at the 'Club Athena - which caught the bellhops, 'on the hop' as it were - but they quickly recognized Ethan's slim figure, and spiky blond hair, and of course Teddy.
'Sigi', however, was not recognized instantly, as he was not a regular visitor at the 'Club Jaguar'.
So while two bellhops stood guard over 'Sigi's' Ford Mustang, Ethan,Teddy and 'Sigi' made their way into the 'Club Athena, hurrying past the reception desk in order to avoid lots of fawning 'Good mornings', and sought sanctuary in the privacy of the executive elevator, where Teddy could amuse himself with the buttons on the elevator control panel.
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| Ethan's Office at the 'Athena Park Hotel' |
However, as Jim was not using his office that morning, Ethan, Teddy and 'Sigi' were free to use Jim's office.
Moments after Ethan, Teddy and 'Sigi' had made themselves comfortable in Jim's opulent and luxurious office there was an ominous knock on the door.
"No one should know we're here.", Ethan whispered to Teddy.
"...think you'd better let them in...", Teddy replied, as he sat himself down on Jim's desk.
Ethan cleared his voice.
"Enter !", he said, in his best, 'big boy' voice.
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| Jim's Office - Club Athena - Las Vegas - Nevada |
And it was Emma, Jim's secretary.
Now Ethan had a problem with Emma - he had suspicions that she was an 'android'.
Not that she was, but as Ethan had an animatronic teddy-bear, the concept of an 'android secretary' was a reasonable probability.
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| Emma - Jim's Secretary |
"Good morning, Mr Duncan, Mr Brandt and Teddy...", Emma began.
"Mr Johnson has informed me that you are here to have a meeting with some advertising executives ?", Emma asked (with annoyingly perfect diction, Ethan thought).
"Oh yes...", Ethan replied absentmindedly.
..."the 'nice advertising-thingy-guys' - yes... show them in as soon as they arrive." Ethan said.
"So what have they been getting ready to show us ?", 'Sigi' asked, as Emma disappeared into the outer office, (probably to recharge herself, Ethan surmised).
"Well it's this 'airline thingy' that Franklin bought for us, as Jim wants to get things going in Mexico.
It's called 'Air West', but without a space between air and west, which is a bit odd.
So anyway, they designed a nice 'logo-thingy' for it, and a cool, Mexican looking poster, with a big jet coming out of the sun - with 'fly Air West written all over it.
Very 'neat'.
But Jim thought it would be good to run a night-time service - so that's the new poster.", Ethan explained.
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| 'Air West' - 'Seek Out the Sun' - Poster |
Moments later Emma returned to inform the 'boys' the the advertising executives had arrived - and in they came, with their briefcases and large folders.
"OK, Teddy... 'stuffed teddy-bear mode' please.", Ethan whispered to Teddy.
Ethan then rose from his desk to greet his guests.
"Good Morning gentlemen....", Ethan began - decorously shaking hands with the 'nice advertising-thingy-guys'.
"I do hope that you have some interesting material to show us.", Ethan said, expectantly taking his seat behind the magnificent black, white and gold inlaid desk.
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| 'Magic of Mexico' - AirWest - Poster |
"Which is ?", Ethan asked.
"We thought you would not be returning so soon, so we do not have many samples to show you.", the Senior Executive explained.
"Well show Mr Duncan what you do have...", 'Sigi' said, wanting to get on with the meeting.
So the 'nice advertising-thingy-guys' opened their folders.
Ethan then went through the finished posters, rejecting them all - until he came to the last two posters.
"These are good !", Ethan said, showing the posters to 'Sigi'.
One was for the 'evening service' - which Jim had been particularly keen on, and the other was a more general poster, focusing on the 'magic of Mexico' (good alliteration !).
Alliteration is the conspicuous repetition of identical initial consonant sounds in successive or closely associated syllables within a group of words, even those spelled differently. As a method of linking words for effect, alliteration is also called head rhyme or initial rhyme. For example, "'humble house', 'potential power play', 'picture perfect', 'money matters', 'rocky road', or 'quick question'...
"And the owl - where did you get the image of the owl from ?", Ethan asked suspiciously.
"Oh, Mr Johnson sent it to us...
He thought it might help.", the Senior Executive replied.
Ethan smiled.
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| 'Air West' - 'Fly the Night Bird' - Poster |
"No - it's Glaux - our owl - and Athena's pet... and it's just what this poster needed.", Ethan said.
And so it was decided - and Glaux - who once graced the ancient Athenian coinage - would now be seen worldwide on posters, in magazines and on television advertisements as the representative of 'Air West'.
The Athenian 'Owl' tetradrachm is arguably the most popular and recognized ancient coin. It represented about a week’s pay for ancient Greek soldiers. It is said that President Teddy Roosevelt carried an Athenian Owl as a lucky piece and that it inspired him to redesign US coinage. The reverse of the coin features an owl, the species of which can be identified as a 'Little Owl', or 'Minerva Owl' and the coin was commonly known as a 'Glaux' ('Koine Greek' for owl).
Athenian Tetradrachm - Glaux
(τετράδραχμον)
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| Αθηνά και Γκλαουξ - Athena & Glaux |
Having decided on the two new posters for the airline, Ethan then sent to advertising executives to one of Franklin's 'financial minions', in order to arrange for printing, delivery arrangements and payment - in fact all the boring things that Ethan really didn't want to know about.
"So what did you think about the posters, Teddy ?", Ethan asked, as they prepared to leave.
"Very good - just what you need for your Mexican venture.", Teddy replied as he stretched his furry little legs after his enforced period of immobility.
"So where to now ?", 'Sigi' asked.
"The 'Paradise Park Hotel' - just to see how things are getting on there...", Ethan replied.
"And what about having a word with Franklin ?", Teddy asked, as they made their way to the doors of Jim's office.
"No - I'll leave that to Jim.
Franklin just gives me a headache !", Ethan said, as they bumped into Emma, on the way out.
"Everything's fine, Emma.
Thanks, and see you soon...", Ethan said breezily, heading for the executive elevator.
"Right young man...", Ethan said to the elevator boy,
"Stand aside and leave it to Teddy to work his 'magic' on the buttons and take us to the entrance lobby."
And so they arrived at the ground floor, and 'Sigi' was left to give the confused elevator boy a 'tip'.
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| Reception Area - 'Club Athena Paradise Park Hotel' - Las Vegas - Clark County |
Soon they were parked up in the executive reserved parking area, and they then made their way to one of the hotel reception areas, where Ethan plonked Teddy on the reception desk, and asked the startled receptionist to bring the manager to him.
"Oh I do find this 'hotel business' boring...", Ethan muttered to no one in particular, as they waited for the hotel manager to appear.
"Well, it's better than working for a living...", 'Sigi' responded.
"But why isn't Mr Johnson doing this today ?", 'Sigi' asked, being, as usual, ever respectful with regard to his references to Jim.
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| Tony with 'JARVIS' Acronym for 'Just A Rather Very Intelligent System' |
"And where are they, today ?", 'Sigi' asked, tickling Teddy's ears.
"Back at 'Villa de los Jaguares', where Tony is playing with his computers.", Ethan explained.
The 'Villa de los Jaguares' is actually now generally known as the 'Villa Athena'
"Gee ! - you said that just like a real Mexican !", 'Sigi' exclaimed.
"Well yes - Teddy has been helping me with my Spanish accent."
"Oh... so they don't speak Mexican in Mexico - but Spanish ?", 'Sigi' said, sounding surprised.
"No - according to Josh, it's all to do with history...", Ethan said, trying to get off a subject that he didn't really understand.
"Josh ? - no - I bet it was Novius who told Josh all about it.", Ethan remarked,
"OK - so, when we finish off in 'Vegas, let's go and visit Novius, and chat to him about it, and you can play with the 'kitties' - and perhaps we'll run into Jim...", 'Sigi' suggested.
"Well that's good - I wanted to see if the 'kitties' were OK.", Ethan agreed.
"So where else do we have to go in 'Vegas ?", 'Sigi' asked.
"Well, after we have let this guy Evans, the manager, show us around here, I want to go to 'Caesar's Palace', which Franklin is in the process of buying for us.
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| 'Garden of the Gods Oasis' - Caesar's Palace - Las Vegas - Nevada |
"Oh - you mean like parts that are 'kitsch' ?", 'Sigi' suggested.
'Kitsch ?... what's that mean ?", Ethan queried.
Teddy was about to help at that point, but he then thought that 'Sigi' could probably answer Ethan's question more fully.
"Well, Ethan, kitsch is a German word...
It means something that is naive, imitation, or having banal bad taste.", 'Sigi' explained.
"Sounds like most of 'Vegas to me...", Teddy said under his breath - although actually Teddy didn't breathe, being animatronic.
"Mm..", Ethan responded, not entirely sure as to what the conversation was really about at that point.
Eventually, however, Mr Evans, the manager of the 'Paradise Park', turned up...
Evans, as some readers may remember, owed his position to the suspicious 'demise' of Mr Damrosch, the previous 'creepy' and dishonest manager.
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| 'Buffet' - Athena Park Hotel - Las Vegas - Nevada |
Fortunately, before it became too boring, Evans showed them the 'Buffet', and asked if them if they would like to sample the menu.
Obviously Ethan and 'Sigi' jumped at the opportunity of having a meal, and as Ethan was a part owner of the hotel, the meal would cost them nothing.
"So... this is actually just an upmarket 'McDonald's', but anyway I don't really like this place very much - it's too modern for me, and a bit cheap.", Ethan commented, once Evans was out of earshot.
"So why did Jim buy it ?", 'Sigi' asked, looking round, and thinking that it was not really all that bad.
"Well, I thought that might be obvious...
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| Park Theater - Las Vegas - Nevada |
But I suppose one of the main reasons was the theater... for me and Aaron.", Ethan added.
"Yes... I remember the theater.
Very impressive.", 'Sigi ' commented, as the first part of their meal arrived.
"So after this, we'll go and take a look at the theater - see if it's ready for our next production...', Ethan said.
Later, once their lunch was over, Ethan sought out Evans, the manager - told him that everything was 'really good', and then took 'Sigi' to check out the theater.
The theater was easy to find, as there were many signs indicating the way, although it was a long walk down numerous thickly carpeted hallways, .
They didn't enter to theater through the main foyer, but instead, used the 'back stage' entrance.
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| The Auditorium of the 'Park Theater' - Las Vegas - Nevada |
Empty theaters often seem to be rather spooky places, lacking both performers and an audience, but to Ethan it brought back pleasant memories of his first performance.
"So everything looks fine here...", Ethan said with a satisfied smile.
"OK - so where to next ?", Sigi asked.
"I think now we should pay a visit to Novius and the 'kitties' at the 'Villa Athena'.", Ethan replied.
after checking out Caesars Palace in 'Vegas, Ethan and 'Sigi' take the Interstate 15 and visit Novius, the kittens, Jim and Tony at the Villa Athena - initially to 'quiz' Novius on the links between Mexico and Spain - but later their conversation moves to matters relating to the sarcophagus and the 'aliens'.
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Al text - © Copyright Peter Crawford 2021
All Images - © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2021
Graphic Design - © Copyright Zac Sawyer 2021