Chapter 3: Tablets & Taboos
Dr. McPhee arrived at the museum at the same time everyday. 8:15 AM, just under two hours before the museum opened. It was a Wednesday, the museum was closed on Monday & Tuesday, meaning he would have to stay later than usual. He would keep an eye on Larry as he promised. McPhee had gotten to know Larry well. The two worked together often, especially at night where Larry would guide the 'animatronics' on display when they came alive at night. While the museum's director was a little unobservant, he knew something was up with Larry.
I know those aren't animatronics, but just what are they? Dr. McPhee was pondering this question when he saw Larry walk by him. He resisted the urge to walk over to Larry & ask him, instead he shot a "Good Morning Larry" in his direction. The other man responded with a soft wave.
The day went by fast for Dr. McPhee. After all, he was anxious to figure out what Larry's secret was. Most days were uneventful for him, just sitting in his office and occasionally seeing how the museum was doing. McPhee had called the moving company about the 3 replica planes he ordered for the display. They would arrive on Saturday. The man was a personal fan of flying, traveling often. He was excited for the planes. He ordered The Spirit of St. Louis for Charles Lindbergh's display & both the yellow Canary & Lockheed Electra 10E, hoping the exhibit would draw in visitors that were interested in the Aviators.
Finally, what would normally be night hours came to be, Larry arrived.
"Hello Dr. McPhee." Larry said, almost unenthusiastically. It was 8 PM, and the night guard had woken up less than 2 hours ago. "Let me know when you're coming into the exhibit."
"Will do, Larry-o." McPhee was trying to play it cool, knowing he was spying on Larry tonight. "I'll let you know." He squeezed out a few fake laughs out, confusing Larry.
"Alright Dr. McPhee, Whatever you say"
Larry was in a good mood today. It was the day he was taking Amelia to Ahk's exhibit. It was 8:17PM, the sun was almost set. Larry was putting his key & flashlight on when the sun went down. He raced up the stairs to the new exhibits, hoping to catch them before they left the separated area.
"Wait!" Larry wheezed. "Hold up. Man, that's a longer run than I remember." He was exhausted, having ran all the way there. "I got some new rules for tonight. Dr. McPhee is here tonight, meaning we have to act differently. As Amelia already knows, you two are brought to life by the Tablet of Ahkmenrah, but Dr. McPhee, the museum director, thinks you're animatronics." Larry's breath had steadied. "Both of you need to stay in his area for tonight & tomorrow, as practice for when the exhibit is displayed for real."
"Sure thing Lars" Lindbergh shot out excitedly.
"It's Larry."
Dr. McPhee was sitting in his office, listening for Larry to walk past. Suddenly, he heard fast moving footsteps run past him. McPhee opened his door a few seconds later, following the steps of Larry. He slowly crept to where the new exhibits he ordered planned to be.
'-ave to act differently. As Amelia already knows, you two are brought to life by the Tablet of Ahkmenrah, but Dr. McPhee, the museum director, thinks you're animatronics."
McPhee couldn't believe it. He knew they weren't animatronics, but magic? It broke him. He quietly walked back to his office in pure disbelief. The man was of pure science, and as a man of science, many questions popped in his head. How long has this been going on? Why does this happen? Does the mummy of Ankmenrah come to life? How does Larry know Amelia Earhart?
"Larry, I have a few questions for you." Dr. McPhee said after calling the night guard into his office. "How do the museums come to life? And not the damn 'animatronics' excuse."
"So you know." Larry sat down, knowing he was in for a long conversation. He sounded embarrassed, almost disappointed. "Nobody knows, even Ahk doesn't."
"Ahk?" McPhee questioned. "What is he, you're kid brother?"
This got a chuckle out of Larry, seeing as McPhee didn't lose his sense of humor. "Almost everyone here calls him that. We've become like a family here. The figures come to life after sundown, and become the exhibits again at sunrise. If a figure is left outside at sunrise, they turn to dust."
"So does everything come to life? Do I have to worry about a living sword?"
"No no no," Larry explained hurriedly, "Only the things based on living things, The Dinosaur, African Mammals, Ahk, Teddy, and even the new exhibits."
"How do you know Amelia Earhart? You were acting… weird when I brought her up before."
"Remember when you sent the exhibits to the Smithsonian? The Capuchin Monkey stole the tablet, so their exhibits came to life, including Amelia." Larry got a little red when he spoke. "Amelia helped me save the world from Ahk's weirdo brother. She and I have a dynamic that's a little hard to explain."
"Ahh, so you like the little flyer, you cheeky bastard!" McPhee laughed heavily. "How does that even work? You haven't seen her in 3 months, and she's made of wax! When you kiss, does it, like… taste waxy?"
"We'll ask Ahk, c'mon." And with that, the two men left McPhee's office and went into the main hall.