Chapter 4
Amy's flat reminded Sheldon of Aladdin's shelter with a view to the magnificent palace of Agrabah. It was stark and plain furnished, a mattress was lying in each corner and something bubbled in a cooking pot next to the living room.
A woman appeared from the kitchen. She was wearing her black hair loose and greeted the five travellers.
"Salam aleikum."
"Aleikum salam" replied the four scientists and Penny simply waved her hand. "Mother, these are five tourists from the USA. They had booked a room at a nearby hotel but it's getting renovated right now so the owner didn't allow them to stay there for the night. I decided to take them with me and hope you might approve", Amy stayed in a stoop, while speaking to her mother. It was a sign of respect for the parents.
The elderly lady seemed suspicious and asked her daughter after the explorer's intention. Amy didn't know what to answer, since she had no idea why they had come to Cairo.
Sheldon stood next to her and thanked the mother for her hospitality, and then he started to explain the situation in fluent New Egyptian.
"My name is Dr. Sheldon Cooper and I'm a linguist. We planned this trip for some time. Our aim is to solve the secret of Bastets Box. Therefore we researched in early works and deciphered innumerable inscriptions. We wanted to reside in Cairo for one night, tomorrow we're going to search through the museum as well as the library for further evidences. It's rather unfortunate that we landed here but I can assure you that we're leaving as soon as possible", he made a bow and looked at Amy who had now uncovered herself. She had long, curly brown hair, immaculate skin and she was wearing a golden necklace with an Isis pendant.
"I know someone who could help you out. Mr. El – Kebir is a good friend of the family and a notorious explorer too. I'm certain that he will plug many of your gaps with his lore. If you like I can bring you to him, there is just one problem", Amy paused.
"What is it?" Howard wanted to know.
"He lives in Saqqara, we need to start bright and early if you want to talk to him" she responded. The four guys nodded.
"I think we can manage that. As long as Sheldon won't have the desire to stick to his daily plan" Leonard said.
Amy smiled at him. "If you excuse me now, I'm going to help my mother with the supper. Do you want to join us?" she asked Penny. "Actually I should start to write my report", she glanced over to Sheldon who shook his head and made her understand to go into the matter.
"Yes, why not" the journalist replied. Amy disappeared behind a separator coming back with a yellow cloth for Penny. "Please, you shall cover your hair and your face while cooking. We need to keep the food clean" she invited the blonde into the kitchen and gave her some instruction.
Howard and Raj sat down and distributed the maps on the floor. Once in a while a picture popped out, showing what Bastets Box could possible look like.
Leonard held one of the illustrations up. "I could imagine that the Box is made of gold. But these little emerald green cats are a bit exaggerated" he suggested.
"They valued pompous art and finely shaped jewellery. It's very possible that this picture" Raj showed his friend a crumpled sheet of paper "comes close to the original. See the Topaz on the cover of the Box? Another name for this crystal is Cat's Eye."
"You're both wrong! The Box has to be a simple handmade wooden vessel, so that no one might think of it as a worthy treasure" Sheldon interfered.
Howard wanted to contradict the linguist but right then Penny and Amy entered, carrying along two giant dishes. Amy's mother followed them, balancing seven tiny glasses on a tablet.
"Won't your father eat dinner with us?" Leonard wondered.
"He's travelling on business" Amy turned to her other guests. "It's only a simple feast, but I hope it will do", she passed the glasses over to her guests.
Leonard stood up. "I would like to make a toast" the others looked at him. "First of all I want to thank the Family Amarna for their kindness and quality, and then I want to make a toast to you, my friends. I'm looking forward to continuing our good work together." The others applauded and started to enjoy their dinner. Amy's mother was a blessed cook and she had excelled herself with the wide range of starters, which were served with flat bread. The wine was exquisite and left a sweet aftertaste.
After having eaten the delicious supper, Sheldon addressed Amy.
"Did you study something?" he wondered. His probing gaze made the young woman shiver. "I'm a librarian. If you're looking out for certain books you can ask me. I arranged them all in the required order" she thought that this would impress Sheldon.
He sure was the linguist master, but she had also something to offer. "Does that mean you've never been to the University?" he pressed her.
"I do have a doctor title, but I never mention it. Tourists, who visit the library don't appear eager to listen to me while I'm listing up all the Egyptian Gods. They just want to rent a book and to quarry for archaeological artefacts" Amy seemed to be a very down-to-earth academic, who didn't care of glory and recognition.
"Well, right now I'm trying to verify Davidson's and Petrie's thesis about the connection between the indentation on the Cheops Pyramid and the decimal places after the comma of the lengths of the solar year. Not to forget about the fact that the Pyramids were used as archaic calendars made of stone", Howard explained.
"You can't compare his work with mine, of course. Penny, I think you really should record this conversation. My goal is to deepening the categories of pyramid texts, like the dramatic texts, the hymns with notations, the litanies, the anthems and last but not least the spells" Leonard rolled his eyes, Sheldon thought that his studies and researches were the best, but life as a lector wasn't that banal either.
"If you're interested in the history of the shape of pyramids, you sure would enjoy my lectures. Right now I'm teaching my class about how the shape changed from Djoser in Saqqara to Chendjerin, as well as the standards of a pyramid complex" Leonard had to admit that being aware of so many different structures spread over more than three millennia made him a little bit proud.
"But nothing is so world-shaking like my studies. There is no treasure in North Africa that I haven't heard of. I recognise every bracelet, every earring from here to Abu Simbel", Raj raised his glass, while splitting some of the wine on Howard's hair.
"You know all the Egyptian Gods by heart?" Leonard wanted to test Amy and when she nodded he asked her of Khentamentiu.
"Khentamentiu was the protector of the very royal cemetery in Abydos in Upper Egypt. He was a jackal with a bushy tail. Sometimes he was called the Foremost of the Westerners meaning the most prominent of the gods for the other side of earthly life" she replied, with a straight face.
"Oh, oh. I think she could concurrence with Sheldon if it comes to general knowledge of the Ancient World" Raj whispered. Howards didn't say a word, he was fascinated by Amy.
"Have you ever heard of Qebesennuf?"
"He was one of the four sons of Horus, why?" Amy quickly replied. "You don't believe me, right?" Penny noticed that their host felt a bit offended, so she changed the subject.
"Hey guys, it's late and we're flipping exhausted. Why don't we get a rest and discuss about the gods by tomorrow?" she purposed.
"Penny, Penny, Penny. We have a strict plan tomorrow, would you please leave the conversation if you've nothing important to ad? Thank you" Sheldon murmured.
"She's right. I assume you won't go to the library but rather accompany me to Saqqara? If so, then we shall be ready at 4 am. It's going to be a long journey, but luckily we have enough camels for all of us. I wish you a good night", with these words Amy begged the scientists to settle down.
They were all covered in warm and fleecy duvets when Sheldon piped up: "Can someone sing me a lullaby?"