Prologue: Alan's Research Project:
Farlon's Fossils
The city of San Diego was crowded with many people. Lots of cars rushing though and the bustle of the traffic.
Dr. Alan Grant was staring out the window of the company building looking at the view from outside.
"Get your report, Alan," said a voice.
Alan looked behind him to see Chad Farlon, his boss and owner of the fossil research company: Farlon's Fossils, walking towards with a paper in hand.
"I really enjoyed it, Alan," Farlon continued, "I like your estimates of what inhabits on those islands of The Five Deaths."
"Don't you mean what did inhabit on those islands, Chad?"
"They still do, don't they?"
"No way," chuckled Grant, "I mean, my wife and I took care of that already and so did Riley Harris. Dinosaurs lived over 65 million years ago, Chad. What's left of them now is nothing but bones and fossils that are buried beneath the grounds of those islands."
"Alright, I get your point. But here's the thing. Just think about how much money we'd make from discovering those fossils on the island of Isla Mantaceros. Heck, we could finish your research project by collecting them. Not only with photos. But the whole damn thing, Alan. According to your report, those would probably be the closest we could get to."
"Hmm. Maybe you're right. I'll ask my wife about it after work."
"Sounds good, Alan. Maybe you should get back to the office and continue the research. We need a heads-up on what we're gonna discover."
"Yes, sir," said Alan as he walked off.
The Decision
After work, Grant walked out of the building and met his wife: Hannah Willins-Grant by the sidewalk.
"Ready to walk home," he asked her.
"Well as soon as we pick up the kids first of course," chuckled Hannah.
The two of them headed into their car and drove it to their children's school where Junior and Elena were waiting.
They quickly hopped into their seats.
"Hey, kids," said Alan.
"Hey, mom. Hey, dad," they replied.
The car turned off the road of the school and the Grants headed home.
That night at dinner, the family was sitting together at the table when Hannah spoke up.
"So, Alan," said Hannah, "how was work today?"
"Ordinary," said Alan, taking a sip of his wine, "thanks for bringing up that subject because there's something I need to tell you."
"What?" asked Hannah.
"Well, I showed my report on Isla Mantaceros, one of the Islands Of The Five Deaths, to Chad today and he said we should probably plan an expedition there."
"An expedition? For what?"
"Dinosaur bones. They're all dug up beneath the grounds on that island. We need it for scientific research. The three of us can go there and collect enough fossils to fund the company for another 20 years. What do you say?"
"Well," chuckled Hannah, "I don't really know. It does sound great."
"Oh, please, dad," begged Junior, "can we go as well?"
"Yeah, dad," begged Elena, "please?"
"Sorry, kids. But this is scientific research. Between me, your mother and Chad."
"But we know Chad just as well as you do," said Elena.
"It's scientific research that neither of you would understand."
"We know a lot about fossils!" boomed Junior.
"Shh. Junior, calm down," said Hannah.
"We love them just as well as you do!" fumed Elena.
They were both annoyed.
"Kids, that's enough!" bellowed Alan, "your mother and I know Chad in this family best! You are not going in that's final!"
"Alan," gasped Hannah.
"But...but..." stuttered the kids.
"No, kids! Not another word!"
"You won't here another word from our mouths!"
"Yeah! 'Cause we're never talking to you again!"
And both of them ran upstairs.
"Kids, wait!" called Hannah.
"Get back down here this instance!" shouted Alan.
"It's over," said Hannah.
"What's over?" asked Grant.
"Everything. The fossils, the expedition. Talk to the twins we raised like that and here's my response: you and Chad can do it yourselves."
And she stormed upstairs to her room.
Bed
Soon, Alan and Hannah were in bed together.
Alan spoke up.
"You're gonna give up an expedition to one of the safest islands along Costa Rica."
"Yep. Unfortunately. Your career, your expedition."
"Come on, Hannah. Just think about it. Dinosaur bones. Fossils. A whole collection of them will not only Chad and I but our family altogether. We can become filthy rich. Billionaires."
"Yep. Congratulations."
"Aw, come on. You were the one who told me that you and Riley always wanted this opportunity since Cambridge."
"And I bet he and Jenny have that opportunity right now."
"Exactly. So why can't we? Don't want that opportunity, Hannah?"
"Yes."
"Then what are you waiting for? We better get to that island."
Hannah smiled in agreement.
