Artemis Island
BY: Mr.Cringe
Part One
The invitation
Tony
The city looks different from here. I think to myself as I pace in front of the large window in my office. It still feels odd in the new space, even after two months. All this luxury and glamor feels like a bit much. I walk over to the large mahogany desk in the center of the office and drag my fingers on the smooth finish of the wood. I collapse into the cushioned office chair and give it a couple of spins and let out an exasperated sigh as I stop myself on the desk.
The intercom in front of me goes off with a loud buzz before the voice of my assistant Julia “ Mr.Sheperd, i have Ms. Artemis here to see you.” The name isn't ringing a bell, and I never schedule meetings on friday, so whoever this Artemis woman is, she is not on the schedule. What is she wanting julia. “ says she has an invitation for you sir” . Send her on in she's piqued my interest, and I flick off the intercom, grab some papers and a pen, and begin to make myself look busy. The large heavy doors at the end of the room swing open, and julia walks through with her usual confident stride, followed by another woman wearing a very red and very form-fitting red dress.
Hello Ms.Artemis was it ? To what do I owe the pleasure this after-noon. I stand and reach out my hand for a handshake. As I stand, I'm hit with the sweet and warm scent of caramel and vanilla. Damn she smells nice, and she's not too hard on the eyes either. Her shoulder-length black hair perfectly shapes her round face. Her hand slides into mine, and her grip is much stronger than I expected. “ i have for you a very exciting opportunity, you have heard of Artemis Island have you not?” Her accent is familiar, but i can't seem to place it. It almost seems spanish but not quite. Yes, i have. Well, everyone has its only the most extravagant theme park to ever grace the earth, or so their promotional material says. I didn't realize you were one of those Artemis’ misses. im honored.My assistant said you had some sort of invitation for me.“ Yes I do. My father sent me here to deliver it personally. Here.” She pulls a small envelope out of the red gem encrusted clutch she's been letting dangle from her wrist. The envelope itself feels expensive. Probably some expensive egyptian papyrus or something. I use my fingernail to pop the detailed wax seal off the envelope and slide out a black piece of paper with gold lettering on it. I unfolded the paper and began to read this invitation.
Dear Mr.Sheperd,
You have been cordially invited to join us on Artemis Island for our closing celebrations on this the fifth and final year of the “ Biomes of the world” theme. There will be a large celebration and only a few honored guests have been invited to join us for this spectacular celebration. We hope you’ll accept our offer. This invitation is your ticket onto the island.
I fold the paper back up and slip it back into the envelope. So Ms.Artemis why exactly was i chosen for this special event. I mean, im grateful and honestly excited, but im barely anyone. I've only recently made a name for myself, and this is quite unexpected. She takes two small steps over to the chair that's across from me to my right, and she drops down into it. “ Well, Mr. Anthony Sheperd”. Call me Tony, please. “ Uh Mr.Tony, i have no idea why those who are picked are chosen, but they're all fancy and rich just like you” I slouch in my chair and begin to scratch at my stubble To my surprise Ms.Artemis seemed to relax and adopt a similar posture and relax a little, almost as if shes just as uncomfortable in that dress as i am in this office and this suit.
I stand, push the chair back and walk around the right side of my desk, and prop myself up. Julia, do you care to give us a moment. Julia nods and makes her way back out of my office and shuts the door. So Ms.Artemis why dont we go ahead and get out of here, and we can discuss this over some lunch. “ you’re quite forward Mr.Tony. What makes you think i'd want to have lunch with an up and coming nobody such as yourself. Plus, you dont even know me. i could be some sort of crazy serial killer.” I tap my knuckles on my desk and walk to the bookshelves on the left wall of the room and locate Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”. I pull on the book, and it only comes a quarte of the way off the shelf, exposing a small fingerprint scanner.And i could be Bat-Man for all you know. I place my finger on the scanner and the bookshelf to my right swings open, revealing my private elevator. Care to join me Ms.Artemis? I hold out an inviting hand. “ Call me Olivia” she takes my hand, and i lead her to the small door and press the button on the wall.
The elevator dings as we reach the sub-level of my building, and we walk out into my private garage. Olivia and I make our way around the corner of the complex to where my old Corvette is parked. I step around to the drivers door and swing it open, and I reach across the car and unlock the passenger door. Olivia pops open the door and drops down into the car. “ You mean to tell me a billionaire like yourself drives this old piece of junk?”. What?! How could you call black beauty junk. This is my baby, and she runs like the wind. I turn the key, and the rumble black beauty produces always gets my adrenaline pumping. I rev the car and then toss it into gear and pull toward the exit of the parking structure. The exit from this private garage is a half mile, long inclining tunnel that leads to a back road so that I can avoid traffic in the mornings and evenings. I press the accelarator to the floor, and She takes off, the speck of light in the distance slowly growing larger.
