Chapter 1
1070 Words
Chapter 1
The architectural scale model, as lush and vividly green as the land it emulated, was topographically precise. Three-dimensional layers displayed the steep elevations of a mountain canyon. Two mountain ridges, parallel in height, were separated by a narrow, gently-sloping valley. The canyon was pristine, with the exception of eight glass spheres—four glass pods affixed atop the canyon's ridges and four glass domes embedded below in the forest floor.
"This is like something from a science fiction or fantasy movie," Pari Malik said, bending down and moving to an angle where she could see the alignment of all of the spheres on the scale model.
"That's exactly what it is," Nathan Patrick confirmed. "They finished filming earlier this year. This is all that remains of the movie set, at least for now."
Nathan, the executive director of an expansive nature preserve in the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, explained to Pari that this was the first time a movie production crew had been allowed so deep into the historic land. Previously, television and film taping had only been permitted on the publicly-accessible portions of the preserve, which were closest to the ocean, providing authentic tropical settings for filmmakers while simultaneously generating valuable revenue for the charity to maintain and safeguard the precious land. An exception to allow filming on the remote land had been made for a film director of greatest renown who wanted a futuristic setting for a benevolent village. He had won over Nathan and the charity's board of directors with an exceptionally generous private donation.
The preserve—named Moe'uhane, which translates as "Dream"—was one of the most inaccessible of the mountain valleys that graced Oahu, encompassing the land around unblemished rivers and streams descending to the Pacific Ocean. A major source of fresh water vital for life, Moe'uhane was rich with history and artifacts, as it had once been an ancient realm and home to monarchs.
Nathan and Pari finished examining the model. Nathan carried it to his desk, took his seat, and Pari sat across from him, in one of the visitor chairs aside a sliding glass door overlooking a lily pond and a field full of native plants and grasses. Nathan, a tall and curly-haired man, forsaking a suit, as always, and instead attired in the preserve's blue polo cut shirt with am emblem patch on the left chest, grinned in anticipation of giving Pari her first assignment. Pari, twenty-two, half his age, a young woman with keen dark eyes, honey-brown skin and long hair, was beginning her initial day on the job as a security professional at the Moe'uhane preserve.
"You have a role in helping us decide whether the glass structures stay or go," Nathan said. "The original plan was to remove all of the glass at the end of filming. Some of the board members insisted on keeping the eight shells, or bubble-like capsules, intact so we could explore the possibility of discretely renting them to top donors, like hotel rooms, for a unique experience that causes no harm—or minimal harm—to the environment. However, it is causing a heated debate because there are those who adamantly reject it. I want a decision soon so I can get the board of directors focused on upcoming projects, rather than continuing to squabble about this."
"Why is the debate so contentious?" Pari asked.
"Because of this and this," Nathan answered, pointing his fingers down at the scale model, above two blocks of flat land on the plateau near the western canyon ridge. "This square here is a helipad. There is not much to it, but what it represents is an affront to some who are appalled by the notion of an occasional helicopter invading the sacred land. More importantly though, this block over here is the heart of the matter. It is the ruins of an heiau—an ancient Hawaiian temple. Because of its distance from the preserve's main parks and pathways, archaeological teams from the universities and historical societies have not completed excavations and other work there. An attempt was made a few decades ago, when the preserve was operated by the government, but it failed due to the difficulty of accessing the location. Our charity is fully committed to the temple's protection and excavation."
"So is the issue whether the glass rooms can be utilized without interference with the temple, short of stationing a security guard there around the clock?"
"Yes, and stationing a guard there at all times is not feasible. We did it during the movie filming, but it was expensive and logistically difficult."
"Are the rooms safe? Can rocks break the glass? These four rooms on the tops of the ridges seem suspended in air. Are they sturdy?"
"I've had three engineering specialists confirm the rooms are completely safe to inhabit. The pods up high are suspended with steel beams. The domes below, in the forest, are rock-resistant, shatter-proof, and even protective from ultraviolet light rays."
"Do you have a strong preference, Nathan, on whether the glass remains or not?"
"Surprisingly, no," Nathan answered. "I see both sides. I am usually the one spearheading a direction, but this is a close call. I look forward to getting your feedback."
"I can't wait to see them," Pari said. "What is my role in all of this?"
"I want you to live in one of them, for two nights."
"By myself?"
"No, here is the especially fun part," Nathan answered, breaking into a big smile. "Are you familiar with Spectacular Spectaculaire?"
"Of course, it is the international modern circus that is cruelty-free and whimsical, featuring only human performers in concept-heavy fantasies."
"Well, they are on their way here and you are staying with them. Keep this away from anyone who might alert the media. Spectacular Spectaculaire is sending a troop here for a secret retreat to create a tropically-inspired show that will tour the world."
"Unbelievable! What do I do with them?" Pari asked.
"Just fit in and keep your eyes open and relay back to me what your impressions are about the viability of the glass rooms," Nathan answered. "Be prepared for some highbrow egos and goofy theatrics—all of these corporate retreats seem to engage in whack-a-doodle team-building exercises. But it will clearly be a singular experience and terrific fun. I do want you to be sure that none of the attendees get anywhere near the temple ruins."
"When does this start?"
"Tomorrow afternoon."
"How many people are in the troop?"
"Seven. There were eight of them. Someone cancelled, or got sidelined, so the company and I decided the eighth spot is for you."
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