- - CHAPTER 3: Hammond's Invitation - -
TRAILER DAY
The door to the trailer SLAPS open, and Dr. Grant storms in.
The air conditioning in the trailer only brings the temperature down to eighty-five degrees, but it seems cool after the midday heat.
The trailer serves as the dig's office. There are several long wooden tables set up against the walls, every inch covered with knick-knacks; tiny bone specimens that are neatly laid out, tagged, and labeled, ceramic dishes and crocks soaking other bones in acid and vinegar, and a lot of Elmer's Glue.
There's old dusty furniture at one end of the trailer, a torn couch, a sagging chair, and a battered end table, a refrigerator, and a bunk bed. There is also a roll of toilet paper on top of the fridge, indicating a toilet is located somewhere inside the mobile home.
On the refrigerator is a headline clipping from the Weekly World news with the headline "Space Probe finds Dinosaurs on Mars." Another article lower on the refrigerator exclaims "Space Aliens Stole my Face!"
A man roots around in the refrigerator, his back to us. GRUMBLING about the contents which are mostly beer. He wears white shorts and a white short-sleeve, button-up with a khaki, straw hat.
In the refrigerator is mustard, beer, and acetic acid baths, which are used to dissolve away the limestone from the delicate bones, and other miscellaneous substances.
What the hell do you think you're doing in here!? Dr. Grant asked.
The man's hand falls across a bottle of expensive Moet & Chandon Champagne in the back.
Ah-hah! The man said.
The old man whirls around - the cork POPS!
The cork SOARS over the head of Dr. Grant.
John Hammond, seventy-ish, sprightly as hell, with bright, shining eyes that say "Follow me!"
Dr. Grant stares incredulously at the man, holding his champagne bottle without an invitation.
Hey, we were saving that! Dr. Grant said, pointing a finger.
For today, I guarantee it. The man said in a Scottish accent, grinning.
And who in God's name do you think you are? Dr. Grant asked, his finger still sticking out.
Dr. John Parker Hammond. And I am delighted to finally meet you in person Dr. Grant.
Dr. Grant is struck silent. Hammond shakes Dr. Grant's finger. When he finishes, he blows a cloud of sand and dirt off his own hand. Dr. Grant's just staring dumbly.
Mr. - - Hammond?
Hammond looks around the trailer, approvingly, at the enormous amount of work the bones represent.
I can see my fifty thousand a year as been well spent.
The door SLAPS open again and Dr. Sattler comes in, just as pissed off as Dr. Grant was.
Okay, who's the jerk?
Uh, this is our paleobotanist, Dr. Ellie…
Sattler. Dr. Sattler finished.
Dr. Sattler, uh, Ellie this is Mr. Hammond. John Hammond.
Did I say "jerk"? Dr. Sattler inhaled sharply.
I'm sorry for the dramatic entrance, but I'm in a hurry. We should have a drink.
Hammond begins to walk into the kitchen, making himself at home. Dr. Sattler follows him and tries to help. Dr. Grant settles behind the end table.
Come along then, don't let it get warm!
Come on in, both of you. Sit down. I'll just get a glass or two it's a - -
Dr. Sattler tries to help.
No, no, no, no! Hammond said expansively.
As Hammond moves, they notice he walks with a slight limp and uses his cane - - for balance or style, it's hard to say which. His cane is bamboo and has a smoothened piece of amber as its handle. Just like at the mine, it has a mosquito inside.
I have samples all over the kitchen. Dr. Sattler said and takes some stones out of one of the glasses.
Come along. I know my way around a kitchen. Come along.
Dr. Sattler goes around towards Dr. Grant. She grabs a bottle of water. They look at each other, really aback by this guy's bravado, and sit down. Hammond drys the glasses.
Well now, I'll get right to the point. I like you. Both of you. I can tell instantly with people; it's a gift.
Hammond changes the subject.
I own an island. Off the coast of Costa Rica. I leased it from the government and spent the last five years setting up a kind of biological preserve down there. Really spectacular. Spared no expense. It makes the one I had in Kenya look like a petting zoo. No doubt that sooner or later our attractions will drive the kids right out of their minds.
And what are those? Dr. Grant asked.
Small versions of adults, honey.
He gives her a dirty look.
Not just kids - - for everyone. We're going to open next year. Unless the lawyers kill me first. I don't care for lawyers. You?
I, uh, don't really know any. We - - Dr. Grant started
Well, I'm afraid I do. There's one, a particular pebble in my shoe. He represents my investors. He said they insist on outside opinions. Hammond said.
What kind of opinions? Dr. Grant asked.
Not to put a fine point on it, your kind. Let's face it, in your particular field, you're the top minds. If I could just get you two to sign off on the park - - you know, give a wee testimonial - - I could get back on shedual.
He americanizes his pronunciation
Uh, Schedule.
Why would they care what we think? Dr. Sattler asked.
What kind of park is it? Dr. Grant asked.
Hammond smiles
Well, it's - - right up your alley. Hammond said and hands Dr. Grant a drink.
Look, why don't you both come on down for the weekend. Love to have the opinion of a Paleobotanist as well. Hammond said and hands Dr. Sattler a drink.
I've got a jet standing by at Choteau.
He jumps up and sits on the counter.
No, I'm sorry, that wouldn't be possible. We've just discovered a new skeleton, and - - Dr. Grant started
Hammond pours himself a drink
I could compensate you by fully funding your dig?
- - this would be an awfully unusual time - - Dr. Grant started again.
For a further three years? Hammond added.
Dr. Grant "OOFS" as Dr. Sattler elbows him hard in the ribs.
Where's the plane? Dr. Sattler asked.
CHOTEAU AIRFIELD DAY
Dry plains stretch away toward distant black buttes. The afternoon wind BLOWS dust and tumbleweed across the cracked concrete. Dr. Grant sits with Dr. Sattler and Hammond in the Bell 206L-1 LoneRanger II and waits while it circles for a landing. Down below a sleek Grumman Gulfstream II Jet is waiting on the landing strip.
Dr. Grant is now dressed in a blue, long-sleeve, denim oxford neatly tucked into his ragged khaki pants which are secured by a brown belt. His fedora still sits upon his head and a red bandana is tied around his neck, resting underneath his blue, long-sleeve, denim oxford.
Dr. Sattler is now dressed in a blue, no-sleeve shirt, a pink, long-sleeve, button-up, tied at her midriff and with its sleeves rolled up, and khaki shorts
The Bell 206L-1 LoneRanger II finally lands. Dr. Sattler shoulders her bag. A stewardess in a blue uniform opens the door.
INSIDE THE PLANE,
Dr. Grant is surprised at how cramped it is, despite the luxurious appointments. Dr. Grant has to hunch over as he goes to shake another man's hand. Donald Gennaro, the lawyer from the amber mine, now dressed in safari clothes, everything straight from Banana Republic.
Dr. Grant and Dr. Sattler. It's good of you to join us. Allow me to introduce my investor's lawyer, Donald Gennaro. Hammond said.
Dr. Grant dislikes him on sight. He shakes hands quickly. When Dr. Sattler shakes hands, Gennaro is surprised.
Oh, You're a woman?
These things happen. She said, and Dr. Grant thinks: She doesn't like him, either -
Take your seats, please. The stewardess said, closing the door.
Immediately the Grumman Gulfstream II Jet begins to move.
You'll have to excuse us, but we are in a bit of a rush. Donald thinks it's important we get right down there. Hammond said.
The pilot announces four hours' flying time to Dallas, where they will refuel, and then go on to Costa Rica, arriving the following morning.
And how long will we be in Costa Rica? Dr. Grant asked.
Well, that really depends. We have a few things to clear up. Gennaro said.
Take my word for it. Hammond said, turning to Dr. Grant.
We'll be down there no more than forty-eight hours.
Dr. Grant buckles his seatbelt.
This island of yours that we're going to - I haven't heard anything about it before. Is it some kind of secret?
In a way. We have been very, very careful about making sure nobody knows about it except our workers, until the day we finally open the island to a surprised and delighted public. Hammond replied.