Indiana Jones and the Rocky Mountain Return
Chapter 1 – Hoodoos of Trouble: Drumheller, Alberta, Canada. Aug. 8, 1945
The soft green grass lilts in the summer breeze reminding my resting bare feet and dangling idle arm that getting to the bottom of this perfectly chilled ice tea should be the greatest of my adventures today. Ah, the soothing drum of young hooves carelessly cantering around this charming 10 acre ranch home… I can finally relax and enjoy in….
"What do you make of this piece, Dr. Jones?"
Indiana Jones was jostled back from his recent memory of home on his Montana ranch to glimpse a dusty outstretched hand eagerly displaying what appeared to be a primitive blade or cutting tool in his peripheral.
"Uh, hmmm…at a quick glance, it would appear to show typical features of hunting or carving tools used around the beginning of the Holocene period." Indiana replied quickly hoping that his loss of focus went unnoticed by the young paleontologist working on site with him on this endless summer day.
Dr. David Tyrell lived and breathed dinosaur bones. The sweltering desert-like heat, endless assaults form swarms of tiny black flies, and inconsistent supplies of basic necessities did not discourage the keen 27 year old local scientist. Indiana smiled admiringly, almost enviously, as if looking into a mirror at himself at the beginning of his adventures in archeology. Somehow, though, Indiana reserved the satisfaction of earning his accolades in a much less standard fashion. His scars, worn like medals, came from quests involving some of the most notorious treasure mongers of the day.
It had seemed like an eternity since Indiana's last great crusade. Had it really been two years since he had signed on with the United States Federal Archeology Division? While the living allowances were unbeatable and the lifestyle far less hazardous, the 43 year old clean shaven scientist was beginning to feel shackled to the daily grind of lectures, expert consultations, and on-site visits.
Indiana had be seconded to Drumheller, Canada, one of the world's largest dinosaur finds, to provide his archeological expertise on artifacts found during a routine dinosaur dig. A week prior, Dr. Tyrrell had been carefully plastering and dusting the bones of an Albertosaurus found outside of this prosperous coal mining hub, when he had unearthed what appeared to be ancient human hunting tools. News transcends borders in the small global science community and it wasn't long before the world famous Dr. Indiana Jones was handed a train ticket north.
"Dr, Jones, I have found several larger items over here!" David panted as he neared the base of a small hoodoo. His short blond dusty hair was meticulously in place despite their long day in the desert-like conditions.
"I find these little toadstools of weathered sedimentary rock a truly fascinating exploit on Mother Nature's behalf." Indiana chuckled as he passed two taller hoodoos on his way up the hill to investigate David's find. He pulled the worn red handkerchief from the pocket of his khaki trousers and wiped his forehead. He definitely felt more comfortable in his onsite clothes than the restricting formal attire that he wore throughout lecture season.
As Indiana raised his gaze to look for David, he noticed billows of dust clouds rising to the west of the dig site.
"Are we expecting guests for lunch, Dr. Tyrell? I forgot my dinner jacket" Indiana smirked.
"None that I was aware of, Dr. Jones."
A large grey cargo truck sporting the block letters ATLAS halted and hissed with a jerk at the bottom of the small dirt path taken earlier by the two scientists. Four bulky men, barely escaping adolescence, hastened towards the pair who now stood facing the path.
"I don't think they are here to bring us sandwiches." Indiana rested his hand on his hip, which just happened to harness his trusty whip. This faithful tool of defense had seen many adventures and had always come in handy at the oddest of occasions.
As he adjusted his dusty leather hat, Indiana decided to break the tension building with every 'clomp' of the approaching strangers heavy laced boots.
"Good afternoon, gentlemen. How can we help you on this fine day?"
The four men stepped in to form a semi circle around the two scientists. David began to sweat profusely and lifted his hand slightly to advise the newcomers.
"Please be ever so careful where you step gentlemen. You have entered an official dig site and…"
"QUIET!" the largest of the silt covered workmen interrupted in a thick eastern European accent.
Indiana, in his quick assessment of the men, deducted that they must be the loyal young subjects of the Atlas Coal Mine. Many eastern European settlers had immigrated to Drumheller's prosperous valley after the discovery of, not only a dinosaur remains, but vast belts of coal striping the sandy hills of this serene western Canadian grassland. The Atlas Coal Mine, opening just over as decade prior, quickly gained status as one of the most prosperous and powerful businesses of the region. The exceedingly wealthy owners made world wide connections overnight as they became a prominent supplier of the little lumps of household warmth.
"Mr. Coulee requests you. You must come with us, immediately." A shorter miner with a firm confidence about him stepped in front as he made the demand. The seriousness of his tone portrayed that resistance would not be at pleasant option at the moment in time.
Indiana looked to David for clarity. "Mr. Coulee is the owner of the Altas Mine" David stammered.
"He is the most influential and wealthiest men in these parts."
David turned to the coal covered crew, "What about the dig site? We need time to protect the artifacts and gather today's data."
"No time. You come now." growled the miner who was still wearing his tool belt, complete with pick axe.
"This way." wheezed the fourth man, as if they had each rehearsed a line on the way.
The six men took the shorter route through the cactuses and sparse weeds down to the cargo truck. The two scientists were guided into the box of the truck accompanied by two of the Atlas miners. Dr. Tyrell erupted into coughing spasms their heavy boots stirred up the thick coal silt on the floor of the truck bed. Dr. Jones exhaled heavily.
"Don't worry, you will adjust quickly." The largest miner bellowed as he began to snort with laughter.
Indiana had a premonitory sensation that he had not experienced in awhile.
