By Cherie J. Gierak

@ Insight Publishing

CHAPTER 10

SURPRISE INVITATION

Steven and James became engaged in conversation about all the last minute preparations that needed to be done. Meanwhile, Dawn sat there staring into her coffee slipping back to the day James had called back.

Steven had answered the phone and was surprised to find James on the line. A greater surprise befell him when James extended an invitation for Steven and Dawn to come down to his ranch for the weekend. He said that if they could make it he would arrange for them to be picked up at Buchanan Field if they would like. Steven spoke to Dawn briefly and they accepted the invitation. They agreed that they would be at the field at 8 A.M. Friday. They were told that when they arrived there to go to the flight operations desk where there would be a pilot waiting to fly them down.

As Steven got off the phone he and Dawn stood looking at each other with total disbelief. What they had come to suspect about their new friend, after seeing the ranch in their astral trip was seemingly true. They were dealing with the James Catalpa of Catalpa Oil! Now the question was what did he want with them ? Was it idol curiosity or did he have some serious proposition in mind for their Institute. These and thousands of other questions crossed their minds, but there was little to do but go to the ranch with an open mind and find out. Both of them knew what a man of this influence and money could accomplish in the field of research. Did they dare once again dream of Man and Dolphin working together? Only time would ameliorate this question.

As the excited researchers arrived at the air field they went directly to flight operations and there found a man of ruddy complexion, approximately 35 years of age awaiting them. He approached them coldly and asked if they were the Catalpa party? Steven nodded his head and he took their luggage and asked them to follow him out to the field. Outside the building sat a Lear Executive Jet, a craft neither of them had ever thought they would be flying in.

Dawn had turned to Steven and mused, "What must it be like to be so wealthy that you could send your private jet to someone as easily as some send a cab?"

Upon reaching their destination the pilot asked if they would like to be given an overview of the ranch. He added that his boss, Mr. Catalpa, had suggested they might be interested. They said they would and the pilot, sounding like a tour bus operator, started banking and describing what was below them. As they listened to the pilot they mused that they had been to countries smaller than the Catalpa Ranch. After circling the ranch they descended onto a private runway not more than a half mile from the main house. If you could call the palatial building below them a house. As the plane touched down a rather bizarre looking stretched limo pulled up alongside the plane. Although it generally appeared to be a stretched limo the resemblance ended there. At each of the four fenders there was miniature oil derrick and on top of the car was a small scale size model of an ocean oil rig. On the sides of the car was the name Catalpa Oil. This vehicle concerned the couple for the man they knew would not have sent such a pretentious car, they had more expected a jeep or something like that. This was a gaudy display of wealth, not in keeping with the man they had met.

HOPE

By Cherie J. Gierak

CHAPTER 11

ARRIVAL AT CATALPA'S RANCH

"Dawn...Dawn", Steven called.

And in this return from memory lane she almost spilled her coffee. Steven had begun to lay out the tactics which she and the others of the Group would be engaged in while James and Steven would divert the media and press.

As Steven and Dawn were in discussion, James slipped back to the day when he had made arrangements with the couple. James informed his brother of their pending arrival and asked him to please take some time before they arrived and read the papers they had written on their work. He hoped that when they arrived he would have a working knowledge of their endeavors.

His brother snapped the material away from him and growled, "The sooner I meet these fakes the better, then for once and for all I will prove to you that this is a very pernicious couple, with only one intent, to use you and Catalpa Oil."

As James watched the limo pull up in front of the house he felt most embarrassed by this gaudy spectacle. He greeted them and apologized for the use of this parade car. It was his brothers doing. Once inside they met Pat Catalpa, James's brother. The hostility that permeated the air was so thick a proverbial knife would have been needed to get through it. The brother was rude and demeaning and Steven's reaction was to be expected. He turned to James and asked for an explanation. James now wishing that he hadn't invited them asked them to follow him, leaving his brother behind. Asking them to please make themselves comfortable he offered them a drink and began to try to explain his brothers actions. He told them his brother didn't abide fooling with "unnatural" things and that he felt they were charlatans and only after the Catalpa money. As for talking to Dolphins he couldn't even begin to conceive of anyone doing that. Steven and Dawn could see how embarrassed and upset James was and as he continued to try to make amends.

Steven stopped him and said that there was no need for him to explain further. They understood and they had been in this situation more often than they cared to remember. All they could try to do was to attempt to change Pat's mind. James was relieved that they were willing to stay and attempt to prove themselves to his brother, for without his brothers consent he would not be able to continue learning and possibly if the opportunity presented itself...helping them. The brothers had years ago agreed that they would not get involved in anything without the others consent.

Having cleared the air the rest of the day was spent relaxing and talking about the work the couple had done. As it neared dinner time James suggested they freshen up and rejoin him in the dining room at six.

The butler had taken their bags to their room upon their arrival, and was now summoned to show them where they would be staying. The room was spacious and cheerful and was actually a suite of 3 rooms. Where, except for a kitchen, a person could really call home. As they closed the door and took in the charm of the room both began to speak at once. They questioned whether it was wishful thinking or reality that it seemed as though James was contemplating backing their work. Why else would it be so important to James to convince his brother of their sincerity? Did they dare dream of the possible implications of this possibility? How could they not?

After showering and taking a brief nap they went down to dinner that went by without incident expect that Pat was conspicuously absent. There was warm meal time conversation and the three of them caught up on what had been going on since their last meeting. All seemed determined not to mention Pat's absence and James suggested that they leave the Dolphin conversation for the next morning. James also suggested that they all retire early...warning that the next day would start early and would be very taxing. As Steven and Dawn slipped into the bed with it's satin sheets they found sleep very hard to come by. For each of them was dealing with all the ramifications of the next day.

HOPE

By Cherie J. Gierak

CHAPTER 12

$100,000 CHALLENGE

The sun was just breaking the horizon as the phone rang. It was James apologizing for the earliness of the hour, but asking them to please join him in the dining room in one hour for breakfast.

As they descended the serpentine stair case they were met by the butler who escorted them to the dining room. Arriving there they found James and Pat already seated, James rose and offered them some coffee. Pat on the other hand just glared a defiant glare and motioned to the butler to start serving the meal. As they all took their seats the meal was served and they all began to take part in some small talk. Even Pat joined in on the breakfast table chatter. Whenever Steven tried to turn the conversation towards the research work he was cut off. Finally after several attempts Pat told him to save his energy as he would soon be able to show just what he was capable of.

As the meal was finished Pat asked that they all join him in his office. Once there he addressed the couple. "I have read your reports and have listened to my brothers babblings about your "abilities" but now it's time for you to prove to me that you are something other than what I believe you to be, which is fakes. If what you claim is true I'm sure you won't mind giving me a demonstration."

Before Steven could answer Pat began again. " I have set up a task for you to perform. If you fail at this test I will ask you to leave our home and never make contact with us again. On the other hand, if you by some miracle were to succeed and pass my test, which I am sure you won't, I will issue a check for the sum of $100,000. Do you agree to these terms?"

Steven rose from the chair in which he had been sitting and began to speak. " Mr. Catalpa it would be our pleasure to engage in this test you have planned for us. However, it will not be for the promise of $100,000. It will be to prove to you that we are what we claim to be and nothing more. If it were not for the friendship we feel for your brother we would tell you where to put this test and your check! But in respect for your brother and in order to have the pleasure of seeing you have to eat your insinuations we will gladly take on your challenge."

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