Chapter 11

Later that day Mac and the others returned and piled out of the car. From their demeanor one could assume safely that they felt there was at least a chance for success. In celebration they walked over to the hotel pub for a drink, only to find that they could barely get into the door. It seemed as though every person from the town was inside.

Mac squeezed over to the bar and got Gordon's attention. "Gordon," he asked "why is everyone celebrating the new comet?" But before he could get a reply he was grabbed and turned from behind.

"Mac, my friend. You come to celebrate with me?" Victor said in a somewhat slurred voice.

"I'm happy about the new comet too, but I guess it doesn't take much to celebrate here in Furness."

Victor furrowed his brow. "Comet? What comet? I celebrate my wedding tomorrow. Oh Natasha, she said yes!" He grabbed his niece and laid a big fat kiss on her before turning back to Mac. "Don't worry Mac, I no forget you" and kissed him as well before stumbling off. At least as much as one could stumble in a packed pub where the crowd just about held you upright.

"My uncle propose to Linda while we are gone I think" Natasha said in a raised voice to be heard over the crowd. "He was trying to get courage, must have while we were gone. I am happy for him!" She wrapped Mac up in a big embrace. Mac enjoyed the moment, and enjoyed it even more when the moment stretched into many.

Natasha broke the embrace after a time and pulled back with a smile only to frown. "Mac, why you cry?" A single tear had actually rolled down Mac's face.

He hastily wiped it. "Just happy for Victor I guess. It's been an emotional day for all of us. Happer's new comet, Victor's proposal, my idea for the project. I feel like I've been on a roller coaster."

"Roller coaster ride not over yet. You still have to get Mr. Happer to be success. Go tell him, I will be here when you get back." She kissed him lightly on the cheek and then shoved him toward the door. "Go!" she yelled.

Mac walked to the beach. He almost tripped and was ready to blame it on the alcohol until he realized he hadn't had any yet. It didn't matter, he felt like he had and his confidence bordered on fanaticism. He marched up to the shack and knocked, then opened the window without being asked. Happer was sitting there looking over some photographs.

"Mr. Happer sir, I'm coming in and we're going to talk and then you're going to London!" Without a word from Happer he climbed into the shack and sat down. "Now here's our plan…"

"Wait Mac. This thing will work?"

"It will sir. I've confirmed with Geddes, Danny and Marina; Natasha and Victor think it's a pretty good idea too."

"Natasha and Victor? What do they have to do with it?"

"They're a crucial part sir. It's all crucial, like a jigsaw puzzle. All the parts need to fit together to make the whole picture work."

"In that case Mac, WE'RE going to Edinburgh; that's where Prince Charles is today. Let me order a helicopter and we'll be there today. I just have to wait until the next phone window."

"No need sir, the phone booth works again. I left a bag of coins with Gordon just in case. I'll meet you at the booth, I've got to tell Natasha and get the coins."

In short order Mac had retrieved the coins and said goodbye to Natasha, promising to be back but not to wait up for him because it probably would be very late. He took the coins to Happer in the booth and a call was made to order the helicopter.

"If this works Mac, I'm buying a helicopter to keep on site. And maybe a private phone line too" Happer said as he exited the booth.

It wasn't long before the helicopter arrived and whisked Happer and Mac off to see Prince Charles, armed with copious amounts of reports and charts. It was almost midnight when the helicopter returned and dropped its two passengers off on the beach. Happer went to his shack and Mac returned to the hotel. As he made his way to his room he came across Stella, who drew the short straw and was waiting until he got back.

"Stella, what time is the wedding tomorrow?"

"We're starting it early, about 2 o'clock with the reception right afterward."

"Could you and Gordon get the word out to have a town meeting at the church at 11? We've got to go over some things and it's best if we can get everyone we can to hear it."

"Certainly Mac. Oh, and thanks for dressing this time" she said as she turned to go to bed.

That night Mac dreamed of jigsaw puzzles. They all had one piece missing.

When 11 o'clock rolled around nearly the whole town was assembled at the church. Even though he wasn't part of the town yet, Victor was there with Natasha as well. "I want to see what I am getting myself into" he said. "I can always back out at last minute." Linda stepped on his foot. "But who would want to?" he added

"Okay Mac, it's your show" Happer said. "Don't be nervous. You've given presentations to the board at Knox and to the Prince of Wales; how hard could it be in front of a bunch of friends?" He slapped Mac on the back and sat down beside the pulpit.

Mac stepped up behind the pulpit and cleared his throat. The room quieted.

"Friends," Mac started "just about all of you know who I am. I came here about what seems like 130 years ago to set up a deal to build an oil storage and refining complex on the site that is now Furness. That deal wasn't able to be completed due to Ben Knox and his love of this town and seaside. Unfortunately that took away a large payday from many people as we were unable to buy all of your properties for the project. We then made plans to move the oil storage offshore and build an institute for the education and study of astronomy and marine biology; the Happer Institute." He nodded in the direction of Happer. "We wouldn't be buying up much property, but we would be creating jobs and contributing to the financial health of Furness with a community fund set up to benefit all its citizens. The refinery plans were shifted to America."

"But those plans got changed too when Ben Knox died. The title of the beach then went to His Majesty the Prince of Wales, Lord of the Isles, etc. etc. who felt it might be in the best interest of his country to keep Furness for a possible but undefined future time when it might be needed. Then the plans for the refinery in America hit a snag and we were almost back to the beginning. But I say 'Madadayo' to that" he said looking at Danny.

"What does that mean?" Marina asked as she leaned over.

"It's Japanese for 'not yet'; I don't know where he learned it" Danny said in surprise.