SUNGLASSES AND ROCKETS Part 1 : New Moon

THE EMBASSY

We got to the doctor's room in a couple of minutes, in a sleepy stupor.

"This won't take long," Darwin whispered as we went in, "You'll see."

"Gentlemen," the doctor greeted us, throwing a strange-looking piece of equipment on one of the beds, "I've received a call from the embassy. As I expected, they know that I'm visiting the country."

That reminded me that Moses Masterton was a celebrity in the world of science, and it was impossible for his presence to go undetected.

"They're having a reception in a hotel in Antigua Guatemala at 7:00 p.m., and we cannot miss it."

"And...what's going to happen with the expedition to the Bat Cave?" I hastened to ask.

"The Bat Cave is located in the suburbs of Antigua Guatemala; my embassy contact took care of arranging for the reception to be there..."

My contact, I repeated inwardly.

"That means that the ambassador..."

"Gordo, my contact isn't the ambassador," the doctor corrected. "We leave at six this afternoon; Antigua Guatemala is about 45 minutes from the capital..."

Darwin had placed himself near the window. He was pretending to be paying attention, but I could see that whenever he had the chance, he would look out of the window. It undoubtedly looked onto the swimming pool.

"Then there will be a reception," he said, adding his part.

"Inevitably," replied the doctor, who was now walking towards the table at the other end of the room, where the absorbed Felix worked, typing away alternately on three lap-tops.

Darwin went back towards the door. He stepped past the enormous black boxes that looked like they still had not been unpacked, and he came up to me.

"If I heard right," he whispered, "We have about seven hours to enjoy ourselves at the pool...two-more-girls just arrived. One has an orange bikini and the-other-one-is-wearing-a-thong."

"That means we have to go as soon as possible," I murmured in excitement. "We'll sleep some other day."

My therapy could not wait. My mental health was on the line. Darwin put his hand on the doorknob, ready to open it at any moment. We waited impatiently for our boss to give us permission to go to bed. After a few minutes, the doctor turned to us. He looked satisfied.

"Very good, gentlemen!"

Darwin turned the handle and carefully opened the door.

"To work!" he added.

"This won't take much time," I heard my friend muse, "I'm sure of it," he reassured in a low voice. "As sure as my name is Erasmus Darwin."