National Treasure - A Rewrite

Chapter Three: Abigail Chase

For the most part Riley had long since given up trying to keep up with Ben's amazing brain power. This was not one of those times.

Of course it was impressive that Ben had been able to get this appointment with Dr Chase so quickly although he supposed that he would have an idea on who to contact with his fascination with history. The not amazing part of this plan was having him come along as well. What was he meant to do? Ben was the expert on this, not him. Also Riley was nto a suit person and honestly didn't know how he had managed to look more presentable than his companion who was actually used to wearing suits.

The two entered the rather boring looking room where Dr Chase – (a woman of a hard to tell age) with blonde hair, wearing a light blue shirt and dark jacket was finishing a call.
"Good afternoon, gentlemen," she said, getting up to shake their hands.
"Hi," Riley replied. Hi? So much for being formal...Stupid social interactions where they had to talk like somewhat normal humans.
"Abigail Chase," she introduced.
"Paul Brown," Ben replied politely. An alias was smart, Riley had to admit it. And not even because of how Ben wasn't really respected in the historical world but more because the last thing they needed was Ian finding out they were alive. Maybe he should have got them fake passports before they flew back to America...
"Bill," Riley said. He was pretty sure anyone would be able to detect the false note in his voice – he could certainly hear it in his own.
"Nice to meet you, Bill," Dr Chase replied. Okay, maybe he was in the clear with the lying...that was good. "How may I help you?"

"Your accent. Pennsylvania Dutch?" Ben asked.
"Saxony German," she replied. Riley was now honestly confused. Accents? Where did that topic come from? Was that a normal conversation? Riley decided not to say anything. Besides, Ben was preoccupied with about to touch some boring looking coins. He certainly didn't see the value in them but Ben seemed to. Still...He knew it was rude to go messing with people's property.
"Please don't touch that!" she said. Definitely something important to her.
"Sorry, a neat collection," Ben commented. Riley hoped whatever this was would stop. Was it a weird form of flirting? He really hoped it wasn't. "George Washington's campaign buttons." So they weren't coins. You're missing the 1789 inaugural though. I found one once." Usually Riley liked it when Ben went on about history...This was not one of those times.
"That's very fortunate for you," Dr Chase said with evidentially measured politeness. "Now you told my assistant this was an urgent matter." So things were back on track? Good!

That got Ben's attention, thankfully.
"Uh..Yes ma'am," he said. "I'm gonna get straight to the point. Someone's gonna steal the Declaration of Independence." Her eyes flickered between them. She wasn't looking at them as if they were mad. Not yet at least. Still this was how every other conversation had begun. The silence felt far too long.
"It's true," Riley said. Maybe two voices were stronger than one?

"I think I'd better put you gentlemen in touch with the FBI," she finally said.
"We've been in touch with the FBI," Ben said.
"And they...?"
"They assured us that the Declaration of Independence couldn't possibly be stolen," Riley said. Odds were they were right as well...
"They're right." So this was going to be an uphill battle. Again.
"My friend and I are less certain. However, if we were given the privilege of examining the document-" here Dr Chase raised a sceptical eyebrow, looking torn between cautious and amused. "–we would be able to tell you for certain if it were actually in any danger."

Dr Chase sighed slightly leaning back.
"What do you think you're going to find?" She sounded more mocking than believing to Riley but Ben carried on as if there was actually any hope in this situation.
"We believe that there's an encryption on the back."
"An encryption like a code?" she questioned. Now she was beginning to look at them like they were mad.
"Yes ma'am."
"Of what?"
"Of...cartograph," Ben said. Why he wasn't just doing simple explanations Riley did not know.
"A map?" Well at least she got it...Ben confirmed yes. "A map of what?" Riley shifted in his seat. This was it. This was where they always lost everyone. He really, really, really wished that he was not here.
"The location of hidden items of historic and intrinsic value," Ben explained. That made it sound so much better than what it was.
"A treasure map?" she questioned.

"That's where we lost the FBI," Riley admitted with a sheepish expression.
"Your treasure hunters, aren't you?" she asked. Riley shot Ben a look. A mix of a 'can we leave?' look and a 'now what?'
"We're more like treasure protectors." Sure. Treasure protectors...
"Mr Brown, I have personally seen the back of the Declaration of Independence and I promise you that the only thing is there is a notation that reads 'Original Declaration of Independence-"
"Dated 4th July 1776, yes ma'am," Ben finished.
"But no map."

Ben and Riley exchanged a look. Riley thought it was only fair that Ben said it because he was the expert. Ben...clearly didn't want to either. Riley looked dead ahead with a small head shake. He couldn't do it. Ben exhaled slightly. The pause was going on far too long.
"It's invisible."
"Oh right," she said, nodding slowly. Amusement definitely.
"Aaand that's where we lost the Department of Homeland Security," Riley mumbled.
"And what lead you to assume there's this invisible map?" she asked, tilting her head. Riley decided he didn't like her. She was definitely mocking them.
"We found an engraving on the stem of a 200 year old pipe," Ben said.
"Owned by freemasons," Riley added. Maybe the extra context would help?
"May I see the pipe?" Dr Chase asked, interested again. Damnit. Damnit. Damnit.

"We don't have it," Riley admitted. Stupid Ian and his stupid murder ways.
"Did Bigfoot take it?" Now she wasn't even trying to hide her mockery.
"It was nice meeting you," Ben finally said, standing up and nudging Riley's arm to also stand.
"Nice to meet you two." She didn't sound like she meant it.
"Oh that really is a nice collection," Ben said as they approached the door. "Must have taken you a long time to hunt down all that history."

Once they were outside Ben whirled around so he was glaring at Riley.
"What was that?!" he demanded. "You barely said anything! I could have really used more help in there, she was our last chance of getting help..."
"I did stay stuff," Riley mumbled. "But she was mocking us the whole time..."
"That doesn't mean you sit it out! You explained the invisibility far better than me at the Department of Homeland Security. Do you even care how much this matters to me, Riley?"

Riley flinched from the unexpected anger, taking a small step back. Ben, to his credit, took a deep breath.
"Sorry Riley. That wasn't fair to you," Ben said. "I wouldn't have been able to do any of this without you."
"It's fine," Riley mumbled. He didn't look up from the crack in the pavement though.
"No, it's not fine," Ben said. "You've had a shit few days with every reason to leave and you haven't. I really am sorry, Riley."
"It's okay," Riley said. "I...I get in Ben. This is important...I did try though it's just..."
"I know. It was a stretch, I suppose, that would even work," Ben said. Riley nodded. "Do you mind one more trip today? I wanna go see it." Ben didn't need to say what it was.

"Sure," Riley agreed with a small smile. Then his stomach gurgled slightly.
"Hungry?" Ben asked. Riley shrugged. Yes, he was. They hadn't had a proper meal in days and they hadn't eaten that day yet. "C'mon we'll stop for food on the way. A proper meal. How does Italian sound." Pizza...
"Italian sounds good," Riley said. Pepperoni pizza... He could almost taste the salty cheese and the crispy meat...He had missed good pizza in their long time travelling.

Because it was a workday and a school day they didn't have to wait long for a table.
"May as well go for three courses, Riley," Ben said, scanning the menu. "I certainly am...You don't realise how hungry you are until you smell food cooking..."

The food was great, and yes Riley did end uphaving the pepperoni pizza.
"Did you know pizza originally didn't even have tomato? Tomatoes came from theNew World," Ben said.
"I did not know that..." Riley admitted. "I knew cheese wasn't originally onpizzas though."
"I didn't know that," Ben said with a smile. "I suppose you learn somethingevery day..."
"Well I certainly do with you," Riley grinned. "You are our resident genius..."