Jim, Ethan Ashraf and Faunus visit Ahmed El-Tayeb at the mosque in the village of
el-Qurna on the West Bank. The following day Jim, Zac and Ashraf fly to Cairo,
and join Franklin for negotiations with Egyptian Government officials.
The coffee-shop in the village of Qurnah, on the West Bank of the Nile, opposite Luxor, was noisy and busy.
A popular game in Egyptian coffee-shops is dominos - and dominos can be a very noisy game, with the wooden pieces being slammed down onto the wooden tables, accompanied by numerous raucous disputes - and in most coffee shops there will also be a rather ancient television playing near the counter where the shay is made.
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| مسجد القرية - Village Mosque - Interior - Upper Egypt adapted and cropped from an oil painting by Jean-Léon Gérôme |
In contrast, however, the mosque is a place of calm and quiet contemplation - and welcome refuge from the noisy, crowded world outside.
مسجد - a mosque - masjid, is literally 'place of ritual prostration', a place of prayer for Muslims.[
Mosques are usually covered buildings, but can be any place where prayers (صلاة) are performed, including outdoor courtyards.
Mosques commonly serve as locations for prayer, Ramadan vigils, funeral services, marriage and business agreements, alms collection and distribution, as well as homeless shelters. Mosques typically have segregated spaces for men and women.
Jim, along with Ethan, climbed the carpeted steps to the old mosque situated near the main road in the village of Qurnah - on the lookout for Faunus, the kittens, and maybe also the Sheikh.
There were a few people sitting on cushioned benches, relaxing, talking quietly and drinking 'shai'.
One again, to Ethan it looked and felt more like a very refined 'coffee shop', or a 'social club', rather than a place of worship - the only difference being that the atmosphere was very quiet and reserved.
Within moments a young man wearing a dark grey galabia approached Ethan and asked him, in slightly awkward English, if he had come to see the Sheikh.
While it was very unusual for 'foreigners' - known locally as خواجه ('khawajs') - a to visit 'village mosques' in Egypt, the mosque at el-Qurnah was an exception, as 'Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb could often be found there.
خواجه - khawaja is an odd word... originally an honorific title, ultimately derived from a
Middle Indo-Aryan reflex of Sanskrit उपाध्याय - 'teacher', 'venerated man' or 'master' -
it is now used, particularly in Egypt, derisively, and as slang term, for foreigner or tourist.
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| الشاب الصوفي - Young Sufi |
الصُّوفِيَّة Sufism is a mystic body of religious practice, found mainly within Sunni Islam which is characterized by a focus on Islamic spirituality, ritualism, asceticism and esotericism. Practitioners of Sufism are referred to as 'Sufis', and historically typically belonged to 'orders', congregating around a Sheikh who would be the last in a chain of successive teachers linking back to the prophet Muhammad. An important feature of Sufism is 'ذِكْر '- Dhikr - the remembrance of Allah through specific devotional acts, such as the repetition of divine names, supplications and aphorisms from hadith literature and the Quran - and also 'Haḍra' - a collective ritual. 'Haḍra' is often held on Thursday evenings, after the night prayer, on Fridays after jumu'ah prayer, or on Sunday evenings, and can also be celebrated on special Islamic festivals and at rites of passage. It may be held at home, in a mosque. Contrary to the propaganda of Muslim fundamentalists, Sufism is controlled and approved by the 'High Council of Sufi Orders', which is part of the 'Al-Azhar Al Sharif ' in Cairo.
The young man in the grey galabia led Jim and Ethan to where the Sheikh was sitting.
"Hi Mr. Sheikh ! - Nice to see you again !", Ethan said - rather too loudly considering the hushed atmosphere of the mosque.
"Ethan ! - Teddy told you to be respectful !", Jim said as quietly as he could, as they approached the 'baladi' style palm-wood couch, covered with a green embroidered paillasse, and numerous matching cushions, where Sheikh Ahmed was sitting, apparently silently meditating.
Sheikh Ahmed looked up and smiled.
"السلام علييكم " - 'as-salamu alaikum' .... the Sheikh replied in greeting.
"...er yes..' and the same to you...", Ethan said nervously.
The Sheikh rose to his feet.
"I was told you, and your friends, were here in Luxor...", the Sheikh commented.
"Oh.... well then I suppose you should meet my friend, Jim.", Ethan responded, not being entirely sure as to what was going on.
Jim took a step forward, smiled and nodded towards the Sheikh as a form of acknowledgement.
"So this is the 'young pasha' that people have been telling me about.", the Sheikh said knowingly.
There was another wooden couch at right angles to the one where the Sheikh was sitting, and he gestured to Jim to sit down.
At the same time Teddy jumped up onto the Sheikh's couch, and started rearranging some of the green and silver embroidered cushions.
"Sorry about that - but he's got this strange thing about cushions... ", Ethan tried to explain.
"Well I like lots of cushions - so at least we have something in common.", the Sheikh replied - apparently not at all disturbed by the fact that an animated teddy-bear was rearranging his seating.
"And its nice that you brought your kittens - I think 'Muezza' (the cat belonging to the Sheik) enjoys the company of 'unusual' cats like yours..", the Sheikh observed, seemingly by way of polite conversation - although Teddy was not fooled.
"Yes - they originally belonged to Sheik Ali, but he gave them to me on a previous visit." Jim explained.
"Yes - Sheik Ali...an interesting young man.
He's here - somewhere - talking to the people.
He is here to find some land on which to build a hotel or alabaster shop - a business anyway.", the Sheik continued.
"Yes - we are in business together now, and we are looking for somewhere suitable.". Jim said, not quite sure if the Sheik would believe him.
"And where do you want this land. ?", the Sheik asked.
"Somewhere near Medinet Habu - I am told would be ideal.", Jim replied.
"Well tomorrow my nephew, ابراهيم (Ibrahim), could show you some land that my family owns in that area, and my brother might be willing to sell - if the price was good...", the Sheik offered.
"Thank you for the help - but tomorrow I will be flying to Cairo for negotiations with Egyptian government officials, and I don't know how long I will be away - but I could send Ethan in about a week, as he can speak for me with full authority.", Jim explained.
"كويس - 'quays' (good) - that would be good...", the Sheik replied...
"And now I have a question for you, and Ethan.
During my times in France in England, I met many Americans - and you do not speak with an American accent - so may I ask, where do you come from ?", the Sheik asked.
"Well, a long time ago, from Italia...", Ethan quickly replied, answering, before he had taken sufficient thought."
"I see - but you live in America now ?" - the Sheik continued with his questioning.
"Yes..", Jim replied, beginning to feel cornered.
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| الإخوان المسلمون |
Fortunately, from the point of view of the 'Athena Corporation', these outside security agencies had developed a combined policy towards the sheiks, imams and religious teachers of the area, which was intended to undermine any extremism towards the 'right' (Muslim fundamentalism) or 'left' (Marist Communism), that would destabilise the Egyptian state.
Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb was a good case in point, in that he often spoke out against the الإخوان المسلمون ('Muslim Brotherhood' - more usually referred to as 'al-Ikhwān' - the 'Brotherhood') - the main fundamentalist group in Egypt, and he also opposed left wing groups.
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| 'Al-Azhar Al Sharif ' - Cairo |
And so, it was incumbent on Jim, and his associates, to be prudent regarding the information that they gave to Sheikh Tayeb. and any other religious leaders with whom that came into contact.
Because of this fact, it was obvious that Jim would need to do a lot of explaining to Ethan before Ethan met Ibrahim, Sheikh Tayeb's nephew.
"So tell me, what are your impressions of Egypt.", the Sheikh asked Jim.
"Well, I like the climate, and most of the people here are very friendly, and I am very interested in all the temples and tombs.
So I suppose I am just like any other tourist.", Jim replied.
"But I sense that you are not just any other tourist.", the Sheikh responded.
"Yes - and I realise that people talk, and I have not arrived with a 'package tour'.
To be honest, myself, and my colleagues run a very large corporation back in the US, and we are looking to obtain mining concessions from the Egyptian government - but further than that I cannot really say.", Jim said, hoping that information would be sufficient for the Sheikh.
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| كتب التأسيس - the 'Book of Foundation' |
"But your young guide, who you say comes from al'iiskandaria (Alexandria), Ali, told me that you are also looking for some ancient manuscripts - as well as some land for building." the Sheikh said softly.
Jim was obviously unnerved by the fact that Faunus had given that information to the Sheikh - but he tried to reassure himself that if Faunus had revealed such facts fact, then presumably Faunus believed that the Sheikh could be trusted.
"Well - searching for the manuscript is a 'side issue'...
The negotiations with the Egyptian government come first - but our friend, Novius, has suggested that there maybe a manuscript that might be of some use to us - and it maybe somewhere in Egypt.", Jim hesitantly explained.
"And you want this manuscript to sell ? - or as part of a collection you have ?", the Sheikh asked.
""Oh no - not to sell ! - just to help us understand some things...", Ethan blurted out.
"Yes, well perhaps I could help...
Do you know wat this manuscript is called ?", the Sheikh asked.
Then there was an awkward silence, and neither Jim nor Ethan said anything.
"I feel that maybe you don't trust me ...", the Sheikh said.
"Of course we trust you Sir - but we ourselves are not entirely sure of the nature of this manuscript or codex.
Our friend Novius, however, had told us that its title may be something like 'the book of foundation' - and is probably written in Greek.", Jim explained.
"Now I think I may have heard of that title, although I do not know anything about the contents.
Long ago it was known in Arabic as كتاب الخلق - 'Kitab Alkhalq'
I think it was translated from the original Greek into Arabic, but I have never seen it - but I can make inquiries for you...",
A codex may be a manuscript book, or a continuously folded sheet of papyrus or vellum like a concertina - for example the Maya codices and Aztec codices, which are actually long sheets of
paper or animal skin folded into pages.
"And your friend Novius - is he with you in in Luxor ?", Sheikh Tayeb asked.
"Yes - he's with us at the 'Winter Palace'.
If you would like to meet him while I'm away, I'm sure that Sheikh Ali could arrange it for you.", Jim said.
"Yes - I would like that...
But now I'm afraid I must leave you, as there are others who wish to speak to me this evening.", the Sheikh said, rising from his couch, and offering his hand.
And so they parted - although Faunus lingered - speaking to the Sheikh for some minutes, and then making his farewell by kissing the Sheikh's hand.
"Oops - perhaps we should have done that...", Ethan said, looking back while they waited for Faunus.
"Perhaps...", Jim said, as Teddy and the kittens said goodbye to 'Muezza' - the Sheikh's cat.
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| Crossing Back to the East Bank |
"Yes, and how is it that I'm carrying the basket with the kittens.", Jim asked.
"Well.. because they're your kittens, remember ?- and you're very fond of them", Ethan replied.
Jim didn't even bother to reply...
"Okey dokey - so let's get back to the boat, cross over, and get back to the 'Winter Palace'...", Ethan suggested.
"Okey dokey - so let's get back to the boat, cross over, and get back to the 'Winter Palace'...", Ethan suggested.
Ibrahim (not the Sheikh's nephew - but another Ibrahim - Egypt is a bit short on boy's names), had been with his friends at the coffee-shop while Jim had been with the Sheikh, waiting to take them back across the Nile.
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| Winter Palace - Night - Luxor - Egypt |
As soon as he saw Jim, he was up and offering to carry the 'kitten basket', and guide Jim and the others to his boat.
Although by then it was getting late, it was still warm, and the trip across the Nile was quiet, peaceful and relaxing.
Then it was just a matter of paying Ibrahim, crossing the road that ran along the Corniche, and entering the forecourt of the 'Winter Palace'.
"So - does it feel like home yet, Ethan ?", Jim asked, as they trudged up the carpeted staircase to the main entrance.
"Not really, Jim.
It's just that it's very big and grand - not like the Penthouse building back in Summerlin.", Ethan replied.
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| Charter Flight to Cairo - 'Icarus Air' |
When they returned to Jim's suite, Jim ordered a late supper, and then it was off to bed as Jim and Ethan had to catch an early flight to Cairo.
"And how are we getting to Cairo ?", Ethan asked - after they had finished supper, and had got ready for bed...
"By train, I hope - the less flying the better !", Teddy said.
"I'm afraid not, Teddy - Zac is arranging for a private jet. from the 'Icarus Jet' company", Jim explained.
"Oh dear...", Ethan said despondently.
"So, presumably you haven't thought about the name of this company ?", Teddy asked.
"No - what does the name matter ?", Jim queried
"Icarus ! You're Greek - think about the story of Icarus !"
In Greek mythology, Icarus (Ἴκαρος, - Latin - Íkaros), was the son of the master craftsman Daedalus, (Δαίδαλος; Latin: Daedalu), the architect of the labyrinth of Crete.
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| The Fall of Icarus |
"Well yes - I didn't think of that - but it's just a story...", Jim explained lamely.
"And Teddy - you must get over this problem about flying.
You've flown in small jets, big jets and helicopters - and there's been no problems - so just relax - statically it's the safest way to travel.", Jim insisted.
"OK - but I've told you before - I would have been fitted with a 'jet pack' if flying was so safe...", Teddy muttered as he gathered together his cushions in order to make a neat little 'nest' for himself.
The following morning they were up early, packed and read y for the trip to Cairo.
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| Icarus Air - - Interior |
When they arrived at 'Luxor International Airport' the formalities were vey few, and of course Jim had official papers from the Egyptian government inviting him to a meeting in Cairo.
Once on the tarmac, Teddy was predictably concerned about how small the aircraft was that would be taking them to Cairo.
"Now no more making a fuss, and make sure that you have your SEBF switched on.", Jim said, starting to get annoyed.
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| The Flight to Cairo - 'Cessna Citation' |
However, taking short hops by air, even in private jets, can still be time consuming.
On this particular flight Jim, Ethan and Teddy and Zac spent more than half an hour 'checking in' and going through security, and over thirty minutes sitting in their jet, because it was forced to queue on the runway for permission to take off.
Eventually, however, the were up and away, and as usual Teddy, despite all his complaints about flying, wanted to sit on Ethan's knee in order to look out of the window at the cloud filled sky.
The flight was without incident.
No thunderstorms - no unexpected air-pockets or rough weather - and no UFOs.
Little was said, and by the time they reached the outskirts of Cairo the had only been in the air for about thirty minutes.
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| Aerial View of Cairo and the Pyramids |
Cairo is most famous as the location of the Giza Plateau, the site of some of the most impressive ancient monuments in the world, including a complex of ancient Egyptian royal mortuary structures, including the Great Sphinx, the Great Pyramid of Giza, and a number of other large pyramids and temples. Giza has always been a focal point in Egypt's history due to its location close to Memphis, the ancient pharaonic capital of the Old Kingdom.
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| Egyptian Traffic Police in Downtown Cairo |
Zac had been responsible for the planning of the trip, and so there was no problem travelling from the airport to their hotel as Zac had pre-booked a limousine - in this case a large black 'Mercedes'
Being mid-morning, there was still a large amount of 'rush hour' traffic, but Zac had been wise enough to rent a very large, official looking Mercedes, and so the Cairo police were only too happy to ease their way through the Traffic.
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| الجزيرة - Gezireh (al Jazeera Island) - Cairo - Egypt |
And so they were making their way through the crowded, congested streets of Cairo to الجزيرة - Gezireh (al Jazeera Island), although the name itself, in Arabic, simply means 'island'.
Known as الزمالك ('Zamalek') locally, Gezireh is an island in the Nile that is effectively a district of Cairo, and in order to reach it you can cross one of four bridges.
On this particular morning the hired chauffeur took the the ‘Kasr El Nil’ bridge, originally called the 'Khedive Ismail Bridge', named for Khedive Ismail Pasha.
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| Khedive Ismail Pasha |
Rather incongruously the island is also the site of the 'Cairo Opera House' - not that many residents of Cairo are particular aficionados of classical opera.
But Jim and the others were heading for the 'Gezirah Palace Hotel' - which had originally been one of the many royal palaces of the Muhammad Ali Dynasty, built in 1868 by the Khedive Ismail Pasha.
The term Khedive (Ottoman Turkish: الخدیی ) is a title largely equivalent to the English word Viceroy. It was first used, without official recognition, by Muhammad Ali Pasha, the governor of Egypt and Sudan, and vassal of the Ottoman Empire. The initially self-declared title was officially recognized by the Ottoman government in 1867, and used subsequently by Ismail Pasha, and his dynastic successors until 1914. Great Britain proclaimed a Sultanate of Egypt, and abolished the Khedivate on 5 November 1914.
"Remember the first time we came to the 'Gezirah Palace' ?", Ethan reminisced nostalgically.
"Yes, after that awfully long flight on 'Emirates'...", Zac added.
"Yes - those were the days -
No hyperspace and dimensional portals." - Ethan continued recalling.
"And then there were all those problems with customs, passports and the police.", Jim commented.
"Yes - and what about the 'gun-thingys' and stuff this time.", Ethan asked.
"No 'probs' - all sent ahead with our security team.", Ethan said confidentially.
And remember, Ethan was actually an honorary member of the 'Athena Security Service', along with Teddy - although Teddy was not expected to wear a uniform - even on formal occasions.
teddy-bears never wear clothes, (except for Teddy's bow tie).
So, having crossed the ‘Kasr El Nil’ bridge, the sleek, black Mercedes Pullman made its way through the leafy boulevards, and eventually came to the imposing 'Gezireh Palace Hotel'.
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| Entrance to the 'Gezirah Palace Hotel' |
And then the impressive hotel came into sight - and they were soon leaving their limousine and approaching the ornate, gilded main entrance.
"Great ! Just as I remembered it...", Ethan exclaimed, as the manager came forward to greet them.
"Welcome , gentlemen, to the 'Gezirah Palace Hotel'.
For Mr Johnson we have prepared a specially reserved suite , and for Mr Taylor we have reserved the 'Opera Suite'...." the manager began.
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| Jim's Suite - 'Gezirah Palace Hotel' - Cairo |
"Not at all, sir... it simply has an excellent view of the Cairo 'Opera House'.", the manager explained.
When Jim and Ethan and Teddy were shown their suite, Ethan was in for a surprise.
"Golly - it's the same as we had before !", Ethan exclaimed as he gazed at the beautiful suite.
"Yes Sir, Mr, Johnson has the suite permanently reserved.", the manager said with a smile.
Once the manager had left them, and Jim and Ethan were looking around the suite Teddy made the predictable comment...
"I see they've left us with the same cushions that we had before - I've checked on the photographic record - identical - ", Teddy confirmed.
"And that's good ?", Ethan queried.
"Excellent !" , Teddy replied.
"So what do we do now ?". Ethan asked Jim, as they began to unpack.
"Well the first thing that we need to do is to contact Franklin.", Jim said.
"And where's Franklin ?", Ethan asked.
"Somewhere in this hotel - Zac should have the room number.", Jim replied.
So Jim 'phoned Zac, who 'phoned Franklin.
Eventually Zac got the message to Franklin that Jim wanted a meeting with the Egyptian authorities as soon as possible regarding the prospecting rights in the hills to the west of Armant in Upper Egypt.
"And now what do you do in Cairo when you don't really want to be in Cairo ?", Zac asked.
"Well, Teddy - do you have any suggestions ?", Jim asked.
"I would suggest the 'Manial Palace'.
It's no far from here - and although we have visited it before, we didn't spend much time there, and it has beautiful gardens, which might help us to relax.", Teddy suggested.
"OK - I only recall it vaguely, and if it will help us relax, that'll be good, as I do find Cairo very noisy and busy.", Jim said.
"Well I prefer Luxor - and our nice gardens at the 'Winter Palace' - and I don't really know why you dragged me along here, but it'll be nice to see some greenery.", Ethan added, sounding rather sulky.
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| جزيرة الروضة, - Rhoda Island |
"Is that all you're going to tell us, Teddy - or is there more to come ?", Ethan asked, as they made their way down to the main entrance of the 'Gezirah Palace Hotel'.
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| Nile Channel - Rhoda Island. |
"Thought so...", Ethan commented gloomily.
The two islands, 'Rhoda' and 'Gezirah', situated in the Nile, are close together, and are in fact barely islands, being separated from the city by very short stretches of water - so it was a very short drive.
'Rhoda' is some what smaller than 'Gezirah', and even more upmarket - with beautiful tree-lined boulevards.
"Well, this is more plush than Luxor - so I suppose this is where all the rich dudes live...", Ethan commented, as their Mercedes smoothly drove up the the main entrance of the 'Manial Palace'.
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| قصر المنيل - Manial Palace - Entrance |
"Well, we'll have a quick look at the museum, and then I think we should spend some time in the gardens and just relax.", Jim suggested.
Moments later, with Zac lumbered with their packed lunches, (provided by the hotel), in a rather elegant wicker hamper, they passed through the archway leading to the Palace and the gardens - and Teddy started one of his inevitable lectures...
"Now just in case you have forgotten, the palace was originally built by Prince Mohammed Ali Tewfik.
He was born on 9 November 1875 in Cairo as the second son of Khedive Tewfik, the grandson of Khedive Ismail, and brother of Khedive Abbas Abbas Hilmi II.
'قص المنيل ' - the 'Manial Palace' was built between 1899 and 1929.
The Palace stands in extensive grounds, and the complex consists of six structures, including a small mosque.
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| Turkish Baroque - Manial Palace - Cairo |
The gardens surrounding the palace cover an area of 34 thousand meters, and include rare trees and plants collected by Prince Mohamed Ali from all over the world, including the cacti, Indian fig-trees, and types of palm trees such as the royal palm, and bamboo trees...
So we can view these historical gardens and nature parks with their rare tropical plants collected by the Prince himself.
It is said that the Prince and his head gardener travelled around the world in search of 'one-of-a-kind' flowers and trees to enrich the palace gardens.
His favourite find was said to be the cacti he acquired from Mexico.", Teddy explained.
"So, shall we go in, or are we just going to stand outside in the hot sun, trying to remember what the inside looked like ?", Zac asked.
"Well Zac - if you'd like to get the tickets - and as head of security you can check if they're genuine - then perhaps they will let us inside.", Teddy retorted.
Zac smiled, realizing that Teddy was having a game with him.
"OK, Teddy - it's my treat...", Zac replied.
Now the last time they visited the Manial, Max thought it was creepy, and he possibly had a point.
The stuffed, motheaten animal heads - trophies of King Farouk's hunting expeditions - didn't help, and obviously upset Teddy.
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| Osmanlı Karşılama Odası - Turkish Reception Room - Manial Palace - Cairo |
Also, many of the 'objects 'art', mostly bought in the Middle East and Ottoman Turkey, were somewhat strange to Western eyes - and much of the interior decoration was dark and excessively ornate.
Interestingly, 'Turkish Baroque' is a style that is still popular with wealthy middle and upper class Egyptians.
The actual museum part of the Palace was filled with rather dated exhibition cases containing endless displays of silverware, gold plate and priceless ceramics - much of it French.
All very interesting, but the sheer quantity was very off-putting.
"So Teddy, where did the money come from for all of this stuff, and the buildings.", Zac asked.
"Well most of the members of the Egyptian royal family were deeply in debt to European banks - mainly British and French, for much of the time that they ruled Egypt.
And this palace, of course only represents a small part of the enormous wealth possessed by the predominantly Turkish and Albanian ruling families of Egypt prior to the take over of power by the so called 'Free officers' of the Egyptian armed forces in 1952.", Teddy said.
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| Egyptian Revolution - 1952 |
'حركة الضباط الأحرار' - 'Free Officers' were a group of revolutionary Egyptian nationalist officers in the Egyptian Armed Forces that instigated the Egyptian Revolution of 1952. Initially started as a small rebellion military cell under Gamal Abdel Nasser, Abdel Hakim Amer, and Anwar Sadat which operated as a clandestine movement of junior officers during the Palestine War of 1948-1949. Mohamed Naguib joined the Free Officers in 1949. Naguib's status, and influence within the army, granted the movement credibility, both within the military and the public at large. He became the official leader of the 'Free Officers' during the turmoil leading up the revolution that toppled King Farouk in 1952.
"Yes - I remember you taking us through the 'Abdin Palace' here in Cairo - and that's huge...", Jim added.
"And perhaps someday we could go to Alexandria, and visit the 'Royal Jewellery Museum'.", Teddy suggested.
"But you haven't answered the question, where did the wealth come from ?", Zac persisted.
"Well there were the loans, but also the Royal Family owned most of the productive land in Egypt, and for a long time Egypt had a world monopoly of cotton.
Unfortunately the money acquired was never wisely invested, which accounts for the fact that even now a third of the population in Egypt live in poverty.", Teddy explained.
"Well, I think that's enough about history for the moment.
for more information about the Egyptian Royal Family in the 19th and 20th Centuries go to:
Perhaps we should go and look at the gardens, and maybe have our lunch..", Jim suggested.
So, leaving the palace, they made their way to what was known as the 'English Garden', and found a nice spot for their picnic.
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| English Garden - Manial Palace - Cairo |
Soon Ethan and Zac were unpacking the food and drinks, while Teddy was searching for a good spot to make a 'nest' away from the sun.
"So I wonder why we haven't heard from Franklin ?", Ethan asked, as he laid out the melamine plates.
"Perhaps he's lost his 'cell-phone'...", Zac suggested, not entirely seriously.
"I'll 'phone him...", Jim said.
"Well I really like it here, and its real sad that - as Jim told us last time we were here - that we can't buy it - but then we do have the gardens in Luxor.", Ethan said, as they waited for the result of Jim's 'phone call.
Then it went quiet, as they waited for Jim to begin one of those difficult 'phone calls with Franklin.
"No reply !", Jim declared, as he closed his 'phone.
"Now that's really strange..", Zac said.
"So what now ? - we're supposed to be arranging a meeting with the Egyptians today.", Ethan remarked.
And while they were trying to work out why Franklin was not 'picking up', Jim's 'phone began to ring.
"Now what ?", Jim sighed.
"It's Faunus...", Teddy muttered quietly.
Jim answered the 'phone..
And it was Faunus...
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| Faunus & Jim - Cell-phone |
It seems that you rang Franklin's 'phone, but he was too nervous to answer.
"So what are you doing here, with Faunus, in Cairo ?", Jim asked - by then very confused.
"Helping out...", Faunus replied.
"So what are you up to ?", Jim demanded.
"Helping out, as I said.
Let me explain...
There's no way that you and Franklin were going to be able to get the Egyptian authorities grant you a mining concession - even if you made them what you like to call 'an offer they couldn't refuse'.
So first of all I had to take Franklin out of the equation, so I got him to behave in a way that you humans call 'normal'.
Then - and I hope you don't mind this - I impersonated you, and made certain suggestions to the Egyptian negotiators in a special way that I am sure you know about - and they were very agreeable to the propositions that were put forward to them.
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| Mining for Minerals in Egypt |
"You did what !", Jim fumed.
"I became, as far as they were concerned - you.
Signed all the agreements, and concluded the deal over a few Marlboroughs, and a couple of glasses of shay.
"So what does Franklin have to say about all this ?", Jim asked incredulously..
"He, like the Egyptians, thought I was you.", Faunus replied.
"It was the easiest and best way...", Teddy whispered.
"Right, well I'll se you back at the hotel.", Jim said, and closed his phone.
"So what's going on ?", Zac asked.
"I'll tell you later..", Jim replied coldly.
"Lets go back to the hotel.", Jim then said, as he stood up and made his way briskly to the waiting limo, with Zac following him.
And that left Ethan and Teddy to pack away the picnic things.
"So what's going on Teddy - Jim seems very annoyed.", Ethan asked.
"Best you don't know until Jim talks to you about it.", Teddy replied.
No one spoke during the drive back to the 'Gezirah Palace Hotel'. Then when they left the limosioune, Jim ordered them all to his suite - and 'phoned Franklin, demanding his presence in the suite.
Jim, unusually, didn't invite anyone to take a seat, and so they all, rather awkwardly, remained standing.
"Well them Franklin - can you tell me what the hell has been going on ?", Jim demanded.
Franklin looked confused.
"Take it easy, Jim - I don't think Franklin understands why you are annoyed.", Zac interjected.
There was an embarrassed silence, and then Franklin spoke.
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| وزارة النفط والثروة المعدنية Ministry of Petroleum & Mineral Resources |
I was surprised, as we got to see the His Excellency the Minister himself - a man called Tarek El-Molla.
And we got our concessions and contracts - and if I may say so, you Sir gave an excellent presentation."
Franklin then paused for a moment, obviously confused.
"Sorry, Sir - I thought you would be happy...", Franklin stammered.
Jim shook his head in disbelief.
"Don't say anything further Jim, or try to explain - or Franklin might have a 'breakdown'.
His - er constitution, can't take that sort of a 'paradox', shall we say.", Teddy advised.
Teddy, of course, was discretely referring to Franklin's autism.
"OK - I understand...I think...", Jim quietly said to Teddy.
Jim then turned to Franklin.
"Yes - my mistake.
Very well done Franklin...",Jim concluded, as Franklin left the room.
Jim then turned to Zac, Ethan and Teddy...
"Yes - sit, but Teddy, don't try to distract me by playing around with your cushions.", Jim said sternly.
"So what has really been going on ?", Jim asked.
"Well perhaps I should explain...", Teddy began.
"..best if you do, because I don't think Zac and I have the slightest idea of what this is all about.", Ethan stated.
"Well it's Faunus.
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| طارق الملا - Tarek El-Molla Minister for Petroleum & Mineral Resources |
So - Faunus just 'impersonated', Jim - as you know he can appear to be anybody - and then used his ' persuasive' powers to get the Egyptians to let him and Franklin see the Minister for Petroleum & Mineral Resources
Franklin, of course, had no real idea that all of this was happening.", Teddy explained - as carefully as he was able.
"But I thought that Faunus was in Luxor...", Ethan said, seemingly ignoring the significance of what Teddy had just said.
"Well, you know Faunus - he can be anybody and anywhere...", Teddy said casually.
"And you knew this all the time that we were at the 'Manial Palace', and in the 'English Garden', having lunch ?", Jim queried.
"Yep...", Teddy said.
Jim slumped in his chair.
"...makes me feel pretty useless.
I don't know why I even came on this trip", Jim said despondently.
Little was said that evening at dinner.
Later, in Jim's suite, Ethan asked the obvious question.
"So, here we are now, in Cairo - so what should we do next ?".
Teddy looked to Jim expectantly.
"I don't know...
I just wish that Faunus was let me in on what he's doing - and perhaps why - after all, I'm not a 'kid' anymore.", Jim said ruefully.
"Well, to be honest, you don't look very old - and perhaps that's why Faunus took your place.
Perhaps, to them, his version of you looked older - and so they were more easily convinced.", Teddy suggested.
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| Armant Sarcophagus |
"Now I wonder if Tony, once he gets this 'sarcophagus-thingy' properly working, could make you look just a little bit older - because, if I remember rightly, it's got a sort of 'dial-thingy.' on the lid - so perhaps you could take yourself forwards in time - just a little bit - like to look just a little bit more - well, what shall we say - mature ?".
"I think that's a bit unlikely.
I don't think you can 'play' around with time, or people's bodies like that.", Jim replied.
"But Faunus can...", Teddy said.
"Well - it was just a suggestion...", Ethan said - worried that he might have upset Jim even further.
But Jim was keen to change the subject -
"So just let's forget about Faunus....
At least we've got the paper-work, so let's get back to Luxor - show this approval to the Egyptian authorities in the governate, and get on with hiring specialists, and workers, and purchasing land and equipment - and let's get the project underway.", Jim said.
That evening Zac ordered a private flight, using 'Icarus Air', to take them from Cairo back to Luxor.
The next morning their hired Mercedes dropped them off at Cairo International Airport.
 |
| Cairo International Airport - Terminal Building. |
"Yes - and it's another one of those empty airports - like nobody flies." said Ethan
"Well can you blame them ?", Teddy muttered.
"Now don't start that business again, Teddy", Jim said reprovingly.
Again, being an internal flight, they were soon checked in and then had to wait until their Cessna Citation was ready.
So soon they were 'up and away' - 'into the pale blue yonder' - with Jim finally relaxing, and Teddy enjoying the fine view of the white, fluffy clouds.
But that was all too good to be true, because then the little Cessna juddered.
"Just an 'air-pocket' - nothing to worry about.", Zac said calmly.
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| Cessna Citation and UFO - Egypt |
"What - you think the Egyptians have discovered that we 'fooled' them - and are going to shoot us down.", Ethan said, obviously alarmed.
"Don't be silly, Ethan.... look out of the windows... it's 'them'.
And sure enough there was what appeared to be a UFO 'pacing' them.
Zac peered out of the window.
"It's just like the one Brody and I saw when we flew from McCarran to Albuquerque... and that one didn't do us any harm, so let's hope this one is the same.", Zac commented.
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| Winter Palace - Entrance - Luxor |
And that's exactly what they, whoever they were, did - just kept an eye on the Cessna until it began its descent to 'Luxor International'.
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| Winter Palace Staircase |
"Well, that was all a bit of a waste of time...", Ethan said, once they arrived at the 'Winter Palace', and were making their way up the stairs to the main entrance, where Ismail was waiting to greet them.
"Not at all - at least we got what we wanted.", Teddy said.
But then Ismail - who was not actually aware of the reason for the visit to Cairo - stepped forward to greet them.
"It is good to see you all coming back safely, pasha...", Ismail said to Jim.
Jim thanked Ismail, and then told Zac to inform Josh, Novius and Tony, that there would be an important meeting just before lunch.
"Well I'm going to unpack - and then I'm going to take the kittens down into the gardens.", Ethan said, as he ran up the grand staircase that led to Jim's suite.
Back in Luxor, Jim sets in motion plans to mine Armantium,
and then utilise the power of the extra-terrestrial 'hype-element'.
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with brief résumés
All text - © Copyright Peter Crawford 2023
perswavisAll Images - © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2023
Graphic Design - © Copyright Zac Sawyer 2023