Before Jurassic World

Chapter 7

The rest of the week passed in a similar nature, I would review files for Hamada, and eventually give him the bad news that everyone InGen was sending his way was likely to get someone killed.  On a positive note, he was getting better at taking the news in stride.  We agreed to sit down and come up with a list of potential candidates on our own.  InGen's method of recruiting from Craigslist wasn't really working out.

It had been a long week and I was ready for a day off, but first I needed to finish up at the T-Rex paddock.  Currently, I was sitting against the wall in what appeared to be a plastic tube running directly through the middle of the enclosure trying to not bang my head against the wall in frustration.

"So, we drop the goat in via the mechanized system here, and it's lit with a red flare that should attract the T-Rex to signal that it's time to feed," rambled the paleontologists, waving his hands around excitedly.  He was currently showing me the ins and outs of having a T-Rex for a pet.

"I get it Sparky.  Red flare plus goat equals dinnertime.  That's not my issue.  What I'm telling you is this animal has been conditioned.  It will associate the color red, any variation of the color red, with eating," I told him, standing up.  "And considering you have the goat about three inches from this plastic tube you might want to consider protocols to ensure no one in here inadvertently becomes dinner by wearing a Cincinnati Red's jersey."

"These walls are built to withstand..."  I stopped listening.  This had to be at least the third time he'd rattled off the manufacturer specifications of the plastic tube surrounding us.

"Enough about the tube!  Would you be willing to risk your own life on this piece of shit contraption?" I yelled, stalking towards him.

"What do you mean?" he asked, taking a half step back looking slightly nauseated by the idea of putting his life in any kind of danger.  I hated to break it to the guy, but considering he worked here his life was pretty much in constant danger, whether he acknowledged it or not.

"I mean, are you willing to test the limits you've been spouting off with a T-Rex bearing down on you?  If the answer is no, then no other person who comes down here should have to either.  There have to be restrictions on what people can wear or bring down here to ensure the animal doesn't mistake someone in here for the goat out there," I snapped, pointing to the feeding spot.

I stalked off, ready to call it a day when my phone vibrated in my pocket.  It was a text from Hamada asking to meet at Margaritaville tonight at eight o'clock.

"Margaritaville, really?"  This place was so corny.  I texted him back, letting him know I would meet him there and headed home to relax.  As I drove up to the house, (I'd decided to stop calling it a camper or my Airstream; house sounded more mature, permanent, official) I saw Owen sitting on my front steps.  Owen referred to his camper as a bungalow, but that just sounded stupid to me.

I cut the engine, grabbing my bag from the backseat making my way towards the house.  "Why is the world's greatest raptor trainer looking forlorn on my porch?" I asked, leaning up against the railing.

He looked up at me, squinting against the sun as he stood.  It was then I noticed something in his hand.  He took a step down the stairs handing me a $50 dollar bill.  He seemed so upset about handing it over I did my absolute best to not in any way smile or show my amusement.  Maybe.

I took the money as he stepped off the porch walking back towards his bungalow.  I started up the steps when I heard Owen ask, "How did you know?"

I turned around facing him.  He looked tired and a little defeated.  It was a strange look on him since he normally exudes so much confidence it's annoying.  I'm not sure if he was upset I was right or that he hadn't seen it coming.  Maybe a little of both.