The Cocoa Saga – A Story *Part I*
The Chairman, Dr. Drake Leat, stood at the head of the room as everyone anticipated the final award of the night. “And the National Botanist Award for excellence in discovering, naming and categorizing new plant life goes to Dr. Sonia Jeevan.”
A booming round of applause surrounded me as I stood up. I grabbed my purse and made my way to the podium on the stage as I felt a flush of hotness grab hold of my cheeks. I was not expecting the award at all.
“Thank you so much,” I said as I held the statue of the Curcuma longa (turmeric) plant firmly in my hand. The Curcuma longa plant symbolized the exclusive National Botanist Organization (NBO). “I am proud to be selected by the NBO to receive this award and it is with great pleasure I accept it.”
Later in the evening, Dr.David Smith, my biggest inspiration and the most famous botanist in the world approached me.
“Dr. Jeevan, congratulations,” he said as he moved his hand forward for a handshake. His forehead gleamed with perspiration and shone against the assembly room lighting. He kept looking over his shoulder trying to act natural. I tried not to stare as I took his hand.
“Thank you so much, Dr. Smith.”
“I heard you will no longer be studying plant life in Northern Africa?”
“No, I am taking a break for the summer before I begin my professorship at SUNY Stony Brook.”
Dr. Smith pulled on his collar uncomfortably. I had a sense he was about to say something unusual.
“Dr. Jeevan,” he whispered as he leaned in, “I need to speak to you about an urgent matter in which I need your assistance. Would you be able to call me tomorrow to arrange a meeting?” He handed me his card discreetly. As I took the card, he quickly walked off before I could question him further.
* * * * * * * *
The next day I was sitting in Dr. Smith’s office waiting for him as I caught up on my reports. Just as I was finishing reviewing the first report the door opened behind me.
“Thank you so much for coming on such short notice, Dr. Jeevan. No, please stay seated. We are waiting for one more person.”
Just as he ended his sentence a knock was heard on his door. “Come in,” Dr. Smith said as he leaned into his chair.
I turned around to see a sharply dressed man in his mid 30’s. His thick brown hair looked like it needed a haircut. He sat down in the chair next to me after giving me a quick nod and turned his attention to Dr. Smith.
“Dr. Jeevan, this is Mr. Samuel Mink, he is a journalist covering regions in Asia. I brought you hear to ask for a favor from you. There has been some unusual occurences happening in Sri Lanka, and I seeing that you are the most intellectual of plantlife in tropical regions, I would like to send you with Mr. Mink down to Sri Lanka and across Asia for the summer to investigate the unusual plant findings. I would of course cover your expenses and pay you for your time.”
“Why me?” I asked suddenly. I did not understand why he was asking me of all people.
“Simply put, I know you are not closely tied to too many in the NBO,” Dr. Smith said frankly. “You will be working on matters relevant to the world, and your findings can change the course of human history. This is not going to be a simple task, but more of a mission— “
Suddenly the phone rang. Dr. Smith picked up the phone and in an instant hung up. “You both need to leave the office right now,” he said jumping to his feet. He looked directly at me and then said, “You’re flight to Sri Lanka leaves tonight. Mr.Mink will fill you in on all other details. But now you must go!”
He pushed me out of the office, and then a moment later Samuel Mink was pushing my back towards the staircase.
“What about the elevator,” I asked, but already he had me in the stairwell going down the stairs.
When we finally got to the 1st floor, down 6 flights of stairs, I stopped and turned to Samuel Mink before he could push me again.
“Just what do you think you are doing!?” I exclaimed.
“You don’t understand,” Samuel Mink said as he directed me to follow him to the parking lot. “You are involved in a top secret exploration project now.”
“I didn’t sign up for this,” I said, feeling dizzy suddenly. I stopped and leaned by a tree.
“Listen, I think that Dr. Smith did not give you an adequate explanation and I can fill you in on all the details if you give me a chance.” Samuel Mink suddenly looked worried I was not going to go to Sri Lanka with him.
“Then tell me right now,” I said looking around. No one was in the lot except for us. “ I cannot even think about going halfway across the world today, if I don’t get more details!”
“Ok, it’s not safe here ok? Come let’s sit inside the car.” I eyed him suspiciously, afterall I just met the man. “I am not dangerous, believe me!” he said as he pulled out his New York Times Reporter badge. He opened the passenger door to his SUV and looked pleadingly to me.
“Just 5 minutes of your time and the decision whether or not to go is yours,” Samuel Mink said pleadingly.
To be continued…….
A booming round of applause surrounded me as I stood up. I grabbed my purse and made my way to the podium on the stage as I felt a flush of hotness grab hold of my cheeks. I was not expecting the award at all.
“Thank you so much,” I said as I held the statue of the Curcuma longa (turmeric) plant firmly in my hand. The Curcuma longa plant symbolized the exclusive National Botanist Organization (NBO). “I am proud to be selected by the NBO to receive this award and it is with great pleasure I accept it.”
Later in the evening, Dr.David Smith, my biggest inspiration and the most famous botanist in the world approached me.
“Dr. Jeevan, congratulations,” he said as he moved his hand forward for a handshake. His forehead gleamed with perspiration and shone against the assembly room lighting. He kept looking over his shoulder trying to act natural. I tried not to stare as I took his hand.
“Thank you so much, Dr. Smith.”
“I heard you will no longer be studying plant life in Northern Africa?”
“No, I am taking a break for the summer before I begin my professorship at SUNY Stony Brook.”
Dr. Smith pulled on his collar uncomfortably. I had a sense he was about to say something unusual.
“Dr. Jeevan,” he whispered as he leaned in, “I need to speak to you about an urgent matter in which I need your assistance. Would you be able to call me tomorrow to arrange a meeting?” He handed me his card discreetly. As I took the card, he quickly walked off before I could question him further.
* * * * * * * *
The next day I was sitting in Dr. Smith’s office waiting for him as I caught up on my reports. Just as I was finishing reviewing the first report the door opened behind me.
“Thank you so much for coming on such short notice, Dr. Jeevan. No, please stay seated. We are waiting for one more person.”
Just as he ended his sentence a knock was heard on his door. “Come in,” Dr. Smith said as he leaned into his chair.
I turned around to see a sharply dressed man in his mid 30’s. His thick brown hair looked like it needed a haircut. He sat down in the chair next to me after giving me a quick nod and turned his attention to Dr. Smith.
“Dr. Jeevan, this is Mr. Samuel Mink, he is a journalist covering regions in Asia. I brought you hear to ask for a favor from you. There has been some unusual occurences happening in Sri Lanka, and I seeing that you are the most intellectual of plantlife in tropical regions, I would like to send you with Mr. Mink down to Sri Lanka and across Asia for the summer to investigate the unusual plant findings. I would of course cover your expenses and pay you for your time.”
“Why me?” I asked suddenly. I did not understand why he was asking me of all people.
“Simply put, I know you are not closely tied to too many in the NBO,” Dr. Smith said frankly. “You will be working on matters relevant to the world, and your findings can change the course of human history. This is not going to be a simple task, but more of a mission— “
Suddenly the phone rang. Dr. Smith picked up the phone and in an instant hung up. “You both need to leave the office right now,” he said jumping to his feet. He looked directly at me and then said, “You’re flight to Sri Lanka leaves tonight. Mr.Mink will fill you in on all other details. But now you must go!”
He pushed me out of the office, and then a moment later Samuel Mink was pushing my back towards the staircase.
“What about the elevator,” I asked, but already he had me in the stairwell going down the stairs.
When we finally got to the 1st floor, down 6 flights of stairs, I stopped and turned to Samuel Mink before he could push me again.
“Just what do you think you are doing!?” I exclaimed.
“You don’t understand,” Samuel Mink said as he directed me to follow him to the parking lot. “You are involved in a top secret exploration project now.”
“I didn’t sign up for this,” I said, feeling dizzy suddenly. I stopped and leaned by a tree.
“Listen, I think that Dr. Smith did not give you an adequate explanation and I can fill you in on all the details if you give me a chance.” Samuel Mink suddenly looked worried I was not going to go to Sri Lanka with him.
“Then tell me right now,” I said looking around. No one was in the lot except for us. “ I cannot even think about going halfway across the world today, if I don’t get more details!”
“Ok, it’s not safe here ok? Come let’s sit inside the car.” I eyed him suspiciously, afterall I just met the man. “I am not dangerous, believe me!” he said as he pulled out his New York Times Reporter badge. He opened the passenger door to his SUV and looked pleadingly to me.
“Just 5 minutes of your time and the decision whether or not to go is yours,” Samuel Mink said pleadingly.
To be continued…….
posted by Shakti at 11:55 AM
3 Comments:
Thanks princess! I look forward to reading your installment stories! Actually - I may challenge you - see my next post!
Your are Nice. And so is your site! Maybe you need some more pictures. Will return in the near future.
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Nice! Where you get this guestbook? I want the same script.. Awesome content. thankyou.
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