Rio de Janeiro
Late 1940
The figure moved slowly through the thicket and he knew had almost reached his destination. He gasped, stopping for a moment to draw breath. He knew that there was an archaeological conference taking place and that now was the time to strike.
As he moved closer to the party, sounds of laughter and music could be heard from the building.
It was now evening and as he approached the entrance. Inside, men and women dressed in evening clothes were eating, drinking, laughing and talking amongst themselves. Archaeologists and scholars from all over the world had been invited to this conference. The man could now closely hear the various different conversations as they floated throughout the room.
Professor Henry Jones Jr. known to his friends as Indy, and his beautiful companion Selene Rogers walked through the room and a waiter offered them drinks from a tray and they accepted.
Indy was dressed in a full tuxedo, while Selene was wearing a blue evening gown and her red hair tumbled over her shoulders. Indy smiled and turned to her.
"Selene. You look fantastic."
She blushed.
"Thank you. You look very good yourself."
"Thanks ma'am."
"I want to thank you for inviting me to this conference. It has been a very interesting few days."
Marcus had told Indy about the conference and he suggested that Indy take Selene with him and it would be a good idea to escape the winter weather, which was threatening to do its worst back in the States.
"That's okay. Marcus thought you could use a break."
Selene had been working quite a few shifts at the hospital and even though she loved it, she had been feeling quite tired lately.
An older couple came over and introduced themselves.
"I'm Reginald Parker and I am working here in Rio and this is my wife, Bessie."
Selene smiled.
"Pleased to meet you both. My name is Selene Rogers and this is Professor Henry Jones Jr., better known as Indiana Jones."
Reginald shook Indy's hand enthusiastically.
"Marvellous. I've heard a lot about you."
Here we go, thought Indy.
"I hope its all good," smiled Indy.
"But, of course." He paused a moment. "I have to say, it's finally great to meet an archaeologist of such an esteemed stature."
Indy smiled.
"That's very kind. I don't know about esteemed, though..."
A man began to make an introduction to the crowd and Selene touched Indy's arm.
"Oh Indy. Don't be so modest!"
"Of course Doctor Jones, your Holy Grail discovery sounded like a fantastic one," said Reginald.
"May I present..." said the man, "Our honoured guest, Prince Maceina."
Everyone clapped as the young Prince stepped forward. He wore a red robe, interlaced with gold and matching leggings. He smiled and greeted the crowd.
"Please. I am honoured to be here..."
A man dressed in black came from behind the Prince and grabbed him, putting a knife to his throat. Everyone screamed in terror.
"Shut up!" he yelled.
The Princes' eyes flitted about nervously. The crowd screamed.
"I said shut up! Now, listen", he said in a thick Spanish accent. "One of you will go to the museum and you will get the largest gem that you can find and get it to..."
What the man didn't know was that Indy had crept behind him. Jones grabbed the man by the collar and pushed the Prince aside and disarmed the man. A cheer went up as the man hit Indy in the face, hard, and he fell to the floor. The crowd gasped as Selene ran over to Indy and he got up just as the man reached the balcony. Indy ran after him and grabbed him just as he was about to jump over it. Indy threw a punch and it connected with the man's jaw. The man threw a punch, but Indy ducked and the man stumbled as he lost his balance. The man then bolted and made a jump for the edge, tumbling to the ground. Selene ran out and looked over the balcony to see the two men fighting. Then, without any warning, someone grabbed her by the waist and she screamed. She turned to face another man and her eyes widened as she realised that he was trying to throw her over the balcony. She could feel herself slipping and she screamed.
"Indy. Help!"