Financial Talk

Night falls over the desert again and things seem somewhat settled. The women of the camp both seem more calm and decide to go on a walk together. On one hand Monica just wanted a talk with a genuine Egyptian as she was finally speaking again. But it was more because of Onemia’s desire to hear more about the outside world – much to Monica’s frustration.

As the girls are walking around, Nolan greets the rest in the central tent as Fathi insisted for them to meet up. The fat man is sweating and rubbing his mustache a little more nervously than he usually does. He has also been letting his beard grow into a stubble. It’s obvious he’s been stressing out a lot recently.

Nolan sits down and yawns: “Hey. What’s this about?” Connor leans back on his chair and sighs as Fathi clears his throat. “Mr. Tusk and I have been talking. It is becoming too obvious to ignore, I’m afraid…” He looks concerned and Connor raises his eyebrow at Nolan who nods and tilts his head: “Yes, what is? That we are running dry on money? But we’ve not really…”

“That you do not like women, mr. Brahman.” Fathi says with a serious voice and Connor almost falls off his chair as Nolan gasps. “This again?! You guys can’t be serious?! What now? I didn’t stare at Onemia enough? You guys…!” Nolan grinds his teeth and Fathi sushes him and leans in closer, lowering his voice. “We do not judge, mr. Brahman. We all knew from the start. But your actions today prove it." He sighs: "The second the beautiful Egyptian woman came in, you left without even looking at her. But I support you, my friend.” Fathi puts a hand on Nolan’s shoulder as he looks him dead in the eye.

“I was going after Monica… she seemed upset…” Fathi taps his shoulder and looks him deep in the eye: “And you gave a smack on her round bottom like a true man should?” Connor is hiding his face behind his hat as Nolan feels thoroughly confused. “WHAT? Fathi, are you high? No! She was u-upset! I went to talk with her. I have no idea…”

“Exactly. You didn’t. Mr. Tusk, what do you think of this? He’s obviously in denial. It wouldn’t surprise me if all he did was eat sweets with her and talk about boys. Probably mr. Zou, the handsome man he is, no?” Fathi is relentless, Nolan goes red as Connor keeps hiding his face. “I-I mean… yeah, but… Connor! Help me here!” Nolan says desperately as Fathi leans back and sighs: “I just wanted to say this before we begin. I am an open-minded man, mr. Brahman. Do not feel afraid. We take homosexuals well here at Fathi’s dig site.”

Nolan can’t even be bothered and gets up, hurt to his core by this travesty of judgment directed at him. “Hey, Nolan. That’s not really why we asked you here. Fathi’s is… we have something we need your opinion on.” Connor finally says something and Nolan looks at him with glossy eyes and pouts: “Ok, what?! I’m so tired, ugh.” Connor points at a paper on a table before them. It’s a telegram message printed on paper and Nolan looks at it closer. It reads like an application for a business deal. “Is this… is someone interested in the dig? But didn’t you say it was a hot topic? You said everyone wants in, right? I was thinking we were waiting for a good deal. Not just anyone, right?” Nolan looks at Fathi who nods and points at the top of the print. There’s a name there: Albatross Archeological Institution.

Nolan can recognize the name. It’s a very new name in the field. Apparently it was a rebranded British archeology and bowling club dating back to the Victorian era. Apparently an angel investor poured so much money into it, that it’s now considered a relatively powerful institution. Focusing rather on archeology now than bowling.

“That’s a… an interesting choice. I didn’t know you like these new businesses, Fathi. I mean, it's cool.” Nolan mutters and Fathi laughs. “Of course I do, mr. Brahman!” He takes a picture from his pocket and puts it on the table and the men look at it. There’s a young blonde woman with a bowling ball in hand smiling for the camera.

“Catherine O'Donohue. The rich little girl behind Albatross.” Fathi smiles as Nolan looks at him weirded out. “Right… So, are you thinking of… wait, are you seriously going to accept it just because she’s… cute?” The man laughs loudly and slaps his knee. “HAHAHA! Oh, yes, mr. Brahman. But I don’t expect you to understand, my friend.” Nolan wants to rip his hair out and storms out of the tent as Connor looks at the photo closer and asks Fathi: “Did you say ten million? This girl has that kind of money?”

Fathi nods and sighs satisfied: “Not just that, mr. Tusk. I happen to know her parents. We go way back. It’s going to be a great deal, just watch!” The two men go to bed as well and the moon rises above the desert.