This plot came courtesy of StoryWriter2003. Though the story is ambitious, it should hopefully turn out well. Please review and tell me what you think so I can inform StoryWriter2003 of how great the plot was!
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Sitting behind an old wooden desk surrounded by papers and old artifacts sat a slightly plump man in an ugly tuxedo with a cigar in his mouth, browsing through the internet on different museum websites while a landline phone rang in his ear. A voice on the other end answered, and the man spoke in a rough, gruff voice, still viewing the different websites that came up on his search bar.
"I'm getting your precious artifacts," The man said, taking the cigar from his lips and tossing it aside.
"When?" Came the reply from the phone.
"Soon. Very soon. Listen, you haven't yet told me what it is you want. You wanna give me an idea so I don't disappoint you?"
A scolding laugh came through the phone, and then the voice said; "Aw, disappoint, disashmoint. Your business' been going downhill ever since it first started. I've seen women perform better in this line of work. Now listen, just get me something...unusual. Something most people wouldn't have. Something I can make money off of…..Have you tried the Museum of Natural History?"
"What, that dump?"
"I've heard tell it's full of strange things. Why don't you go and….look into that. And remember, I expect my item by the middle of next month. You got that?"
"Ah yes, I've got that."
With that, the man hung up the phone, and went back to his computer. He typed the name into the search engine, and smiled as the home page came up. Quickly, he grabbed his keys and his coat, and hailed a taxi. He was going to get his share one way or another.
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Jedediah smiled as he breathed in the fresh scent of evening, enjoying the few minutes Larry opened the window in the hall before the guests arrived. It was a normal night, like any other, with all the exhibits, big and small, preparing for their usual routines and tour roles. Some were assigned as guides for the evening, others were preparing weapons and props for battle reenactments, while a few were enjoying their usual stroll about, as they had been instructed to do.
As he took another deep breath of the cool night air, a noise caught Jedediah's attention. The usual creaking and moaning from the wooden stands that held the Roman catapults had ceased, and the sound of footsteps came across to meet him on the edge of his diorama. He turned to see Octavius step up beside him, smiling a greeting as he stood in silence, waiting for the announcement that went out every night from Teddy ordering everyone into position.
"So. Another night." Octavius said, watching across the way as the Mayans prepared their dummy targets for their nightly dart practice.
"Yup. Another night." Jedediah replied. He then couldn't help but laugh a little, thinking back to the first night of Larry's grand plan for the museum. "Remember that first night, when we reopened?"
"Of course. It was…..quite an adventure, was it not?"
"It was definitely an adventure. Like when Gigantor tried 'ta train Rexy 'ta move in that pattern? That overgrown lizard didn't like it one bit."
"No he did not." Octavius agreed.
They were silent for a while, until Teddy's voice blared on the intercom that it was time to get into position.
"Well, see ya after work pardner," Jedediah said, smiling at his friend as he walked back to the tunnel which led to his own exhibit.
"I shall see you too. At the car, correct?"
"At the car. An' don't be late!"
Smiling his usual smile when he was in a good mood, Jedediah rounded up his men and gave the usual nightly pep talk, and dismissed them to their instructed stations. Larry, too busy micromanaging the bigger exhibits, had left the miniature leaders to their own style of organization, and even let them decide what would be featured each night. This evening, Jedediah had split the people up into groups, who were to demonstrate a number of different things. They had something for everyone. For the mothers among the visitors, they had the western women teaching about cooking and childcare, and for the men, lessons on weaponry and target practice. And for the little ones, which Jed loved and hated, (loved since they were always so curious, and hated because they were also very keen on touching), a little rodeo reenactment for their entertainment.
A loud rumbling came from the next exhibit over, and Jedediah couldn't help but grin wider. This evening Octavius had decided to do an artillery demonstration, which was, in all honesty, one of the trademarks of the hall, and the museum itself. It was definitely something to see. Unfortunately, Jedediah was unable to witness it because he had his own work to do, but the Roman had promised to show him the awesomeness and might of Roman weaponry on their next night off.
"Mommy! Mommy look!" Came a child's squeaky voice as he dragged a middle aged woman towards the exhibit.
It's showtime. Jedediah thought to himself. He and the others quickly got into position, and waited patiently for the two to make it to the exhibit. "Welcome 'ta the Wild Wes-"
"Mommy! I want to see the armored people!" Shouted the little boy excitedly.
Jedediah sighed as they walked past. Well, he couldn't compete with artillery night in Rome. "Alright boys," He said, turning to face his men. "Guess we're just gonna have 'ta go back 'ta basics. We ain't got much of a crowd this evenin', with the Romans bein' all fancy 'n such. Ladies, ya'll take five."
As the people began dispersing, a shadow suddenly fell over the exhibit. A few of the people stopped and gasped, not in shock, but in excitement, while others ran to their posts. They had a visitor. Jedediah turned around, and stared up at a slightly balding man in a tuxedo, looking down with no expression on his face. Being the professional exhibit he was, Jedediah put on his best smile, and tipped his hat to the visitor.
"Greetin's pardner. An' welcome 'ta the Wild Wes-"
Suddenly, before he had time to finish, a giant hand came at him, and he raised his hands futilely in defense, but was powerless to stop the gripping hand that clasped him tightly. The people below him screamed and fled, which surprisingly attracted no attention from any of other visitors. Jedediah struggled helplessly, and before he could shout for help he was shoved into the man's coat pocket, and the light was blocked from his eyes as the man buttoned up the pocket, and casually walked away from the exhibit, unnoticed. Or so, he thought. He failed to notice the small pair of eyes that witnessed the whole scene. But he had his prize.
As the tiny cowboy struggled to free himself from the tangle of fabric and lint, he heard the unmistakable sound of car doors, and the muffled voices of a man as he felt the vehicle's vibrations. He felt the vehicle- he figured it was probably a taxi -lurch forwards, and then speed off down the road. And in that dark, smoky smelling pocket, Jedediah could only imagine what lay ahead of him. And he knew it wasn't going to be good.
