The Professor's Diary: Aztec

Griffin K. Cyprus

Griffin Kourion Cyprus was packing his socks when the earthquake hit. The earthquake wasn't detrimental, but it was enough to knock some books off the shelf and cause a standing lamp to tip over. Griffin didn't seem to mind. There had been these little tremors ever since he got to the hotel room, which was about a week ago. Apparently, the whole city was on a fault line and had little tremors like this ever since it was built.

But he didn't have time to worry about the books or the lamp. His hand ran through his short, curly hair as his brain was focusing on more important matters. Like the new job he had just gotten. Being an archaeologist, and one of the youngest professor at the UCL at age twenty-six, He had to arrange substitutes for his classes, as he was a freelance archaeologist for hire.

The real problem with the job wasn't the location or even the work aspect, but the people he would be working with. You see, he wasn't used to having other archaeologists in his digs. He always worked better alone, and always told his employers that. But this time, when he mentioned just that, the employer told him he would have THREE teammates. The nerve!

As he was mumbling to himself about having to work with newbies, of all coworkers, he had zipped up his duffle and was in the elevator going to check out of the hotel.

When he turned in his card, however, a man came up to him asking, "Are you Griffin K. Cyprus?"

"Why yes, yes I am." He said, a whiff of importance surrounding him as he adjusted his rectangular glasses.

"Good, good. Mr. Hyle sent me to escort you to the airport."

"Oh, there is no need-" Griffin started to say, but the strange man had already picked up his duffle bag, and was halfway out the door.

Griffin quickly paid and had to sprint to catch up with the man. Only when he caught up could he fully see him, and what he looked like. He had dark, caramel colored skin, a man bun, and was sporting a Polynesian style tattoo of what looked like a type of fish on the back of his neck. The man wore a tux, the look completed with a bow tie, sunglasses, and a wireless earpiece.

Before Griffin could take in fully what was happening, the man threw his duffel in the trunk of a small limo, obviously having done this several times.

As Griffin boarded the limousine, wondering why Mr. Hyle would arrange such extravagant transportation for a mere archeologist, the man sat in the driver's seat and started towards the airport.

Griffin could not take it any longer. "What should I call you?" He asked, almost scared to hear the answer.

"Tui." He said swiftly in a monotone, almost annoyed tone.

"Excuse me?" Griffin asked, not quite knowing if that was a sneeze or him answering his question.

"Call me Tui," Tui said, obviously annoyed this time. "There are drinks in the cooler, take whichever one you like."

As Griffin was about to ask what cooler, Tui pressed a button and a black cube slid out from the armrest. Griffin saw there was a lid, and opened it. There was everything from juices to sodas to alcohol. Not knowing if he would meet Mr. Hyle at the airport or not, he strayed away from the alcohol and took a diet soda from the cooler. He opened the can with a pop and a fizz, then continued to take cautious sips from the bubbly drink.

Griffin tried exactly three times to make light conversation with Tui, each time getting the silent treatment or having the conversation shut down. He learned quickly Tui wasn't much of a talker, so decided to stay silent for the rest of the drive.

About twenty minutes later, the two arrived at the airport. A second man stood with a sign that said, 'Cyprus' that escorted Tui and Griffin to what looked like a private jet. It really was a beauty. Its wings were firm and strong, yet slightly curved up in a nearly feminine fashion. The body of the aircraft was just as sturdy, yet pretty and petite looking. It wasn't that big, just enough to fit eight, maybe nine people plus the pilot. But it was suitable for the circumstances.

Tui informed Griffin that it would take at least an hour to reach the estate, so he should make himself comfortable. Griffin did just that. It was fairly easy, what with the soft leather seats equipped with seat warmers.

What seemed like days passed before they finally arrived at the manor. Just as the jet, it had a curving, almost feminine look to it. It was mainly white, with some black pillars and statues for contrast.

Griffin couldn't help but wonder though, why was Mr. Hyle taking him to his manor and not the temple his crew had discovered? But before he could think any more about it, Tui ushered him out of the plane and into the mansion. The interior was also black and white, with many expensive looking vases and sculptures.

"Greetings to my humble abode!"

Griffin nearly jumped out of his shoes. He frantically scanned the room and correspondent hall, his eyes meeting with that of a tall, yet round man walking along with whom he assumed could only be the missus having her arms around one of his. The man had brick-red, short, wispy hair as well as a clean-shaven face and a tux very much like Tui's. The woman was wearing a sparkly green dress, which hurt the eyes if you stared at it too long, with matching blinding green eyes, and short, extremely curly brown hair. She wore what seemed to be a fur stole around her neck, exaggerated heels, and flashy earrings.

"It is so nice to finally meet you, Griffin!" Mr. Hyle said with a blinding smile and a crushing handshake. Griffin barred the pain until Mr. Hyle let go, then shook his hand awake.

"Same to you Mr. Hyle..." He said, his voice laced with pain.

"Come, come! You're the first one here. And please, call me Rupert." Rupert said, with some childish giddiness and excitement in his voice.

As Griffin walked the halls with Rupert, He slowly noticed the worn stature of the entire place. While it seemed grandeur at first glance, upon closer inspection, seemed to be falling apart. Wallpaper peeled at corners, pillars crumbling at the base, and carpet falling to threads. Whatever was going on, it had something to do with finances. And it could not be good...

They entered a large dining hall, with seating for at least twenty, Griffin lost count after that.

As both Tui and Rupert ushered him to take a seat, he delicately pulled out the wobbly chair in the same state as everything else in here.

"Um, Tui? May I have my luggage now?" Griffin asked cautiously. Tui merely stared in reply. Griffin now only wanted to break the torturing silence he had made and asked Rupert the same question.

"Hm? Oh! Yes, Yes of course. I was going to invite you to elevenses, but your luggage is upstairs in your room for the night if you wish to rest after the flight. Oh, and if you want to clean up before the others arrive, the bathroom is a left and a right at the top of the stairs. It's unmistakable."

Tui then ushered Griffin up the grand staircase, instructing him all the way.

"Dinner is at 8:30 sharp. Breakfast tomorrow is at 5:30. Apologies for the extremely early breakfast. The plane is scheduled to leave at 6:45 AM to get you to the site on time, so be prepared before then."

At this point, he merely wished to get away from Tui's stern voice. Griffin politely excused himself by asking where his room was. Tui told him and Griffin took off like prey running from a predator. He found his room, unlocked it with the key Rupert gave him, and went on in. And with jetlag controlling him, he walked to the bed and fell flat on his face, the land of sleep and dreams embracing him.