IMPORTANT A/N:  Grant did do his lecture in the auditorium like he did in the movie.  However, I've decided not to write it out.

Chapter Three

Unwelcome Proposal

Part One

Billy Brennan, twenty-five, was flat on his stomach beside a dark-haired college student carefully wiping the dust off a buried skeleton.  The girl frowned at her work before glancing up at him.  "Billy?  I don't think I'm doing this right."

Billy scooted closer and examined her work.  "You need to go slowly, Sharon.  See?"  He demonstrated for her.

Sharon shook her head steadily.  "I can never tell what's rock and what's bone."

"Well, it's all basically rock.  The calcium in the bones is replaced during fossilization.  But you can feel the difference."  He took her bare hand and ran it along the rock.  "Rough."  He guided her fingertips over the bone.  "Smooth."

Sharon giggled softly.

A shadow fell over them and Billy peered up, squinting against the sun.  "Dr. Grant."  He crawled to his feet and took one of Grant's bags.  "How was the lecture?  Profitable?"

"It's never too late to change your major."  Grant followed Billy into a large white tent.  "We'll be lucky if we make it through the summer."

Billy grimaced.  "I doubt it.  I had to rent some equipment."  He indicated a computer system attached to a large machine the size of a small refrigerator.  Its mechanical arm was swinging back and forth, cutting out an intricate pattern.

Grant winced, eyeing the piece of equipment disdainfully.  "It's the technological downfall," he muttered.  "It looks like you rented a giant copier machine."

"You're not to far off.  It's a rapid prototyper.  It's the future of paleontology."

"Not if it can't dig."

The arm suddenly went still.  Billy reached inside and delicately extracted an object the size of a fist.  "I give you the resonating chamber of a raptor."  He blew into the chamber and a piercing wail erupted through the room.

Grant was stunned.  "You can never forget a sound like that."

"Excuse me," a somewhat timid voice interrupted from the doorway.  "Are you Dr. Grant?"

"Yes," Grant responded with a hint of suspicion.

The man smiled warmly.  "Hi, my name is Paul Kirby from Kirby Enterprises."  He reached into his wallet and pulled out a card, handing it to the paleontologist.  "I want you to know that I am a great admirer of yours.  And I have an extremely interesting proposition for you.  Could my wife and I interest you into dinner?  It would be our treat."

"Sorry.  I just got in.  I've been traveling…"

"I guarantee it'll be worth your while."

Billy cleared his throat from behind Grant, signaling him that Mr. Kirby had what they needed: cash.

Grant smiled wanly.  What am I getting myself into?

Part Two

Grant and Billy weaved their way through the bar and grill to the Kirby's booth.  Billy slid in first and Grant managed to settle in without looking too annoyed.  He couldn't help but yearn for this meeting to be done with so he could get back to his dig.

"First off," Paul stated, "let me say that Amanda and I have admired your work for years."

Amanda nodded enthusiastically.  "It's truly inspiring."

"Thank you," Grant murmured.  He was already tired of being polite.

"Amanda and I love the outdoors," Paul rambled on.  "Heck, we've been on practically every adventure you can think of: Galapagos, K2, the Nile…"

"We even have reserved tickets for the first commercial flight to the moon," Amanda added eagerly.

"And this year for our honeymoon we wanted to do something really special, something…"

"…once in a life-time," his wife finished for him.

"We've arranged for a private plane to fly us over Isla Sorna.  And we want you to be our guide."

Grant sighed and leaned back.  Wouldn't Ellie get a kick out of this?   "That's a very nice offer, Mr. Kirby.  But I can't go.  I can refer you to a highly-qualified…"

"No!  No, Dr. Grant, you're the best.  You've seen these animals in the flesh.  No one compares to you."

"I'm flattered, but even so: with the air restrictions you wouldn't be able to get close enough to see anything of interest."

"But that's the thing," Amanda pressed.  "We've gotten permission to fly low."

"How low," Billy questioned.

Paul shrugged.  "I'm no avian specialists, but I know it's a lot lower than anyone else.  You see, with my business – exports and imports, immerging markets – I've made some friends in the Costa Rican government.  It's pretty much anything we want."

"Dr. Grant," Amanda pleaded.  "You don't know how important it is to us that you come along.  It would make all the difference."

Paul pulled out his checkbook and a pen.  "And of course we would love to make a contribution to your research.  I can write all kinds of numbers on this check."

Grant grimaced.  Oh, Ellie, he thought sorrowfully.  I hope you understand.

End Chapter Three

Thank you, Autumn Darkness, for your generous review.  The rest of you needn't be so shy. J