Pook

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The Millennium Quest
Chapter One
5.10.05 - By Pook  

            Today is going to be one of those days, thought a well-dressed young man as he combed his hair in the mirror.  Earlier in the day, he hadn’t planned on doing much of anything, let alone having to dust off his tuxedo and drive to a museum opening.  No, this was quite out of the ordinary.  Most nights like this night, Pook would sit in front of his computer, typing up his weekly internet column.  But like he said to himself, this was going to be one of those days. 

            A few hours earlier, Pook was enjoying a beautiful Los Angeles afternoon when he mysteriously received a ticket to the opening of the “Mummies: Death and the Afterlife in Ancient Egypt” at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana.  Sure, he had seen posters advertising the event, and his curiosity surely would have led to him visiting the exhibit, but it was the strange note written on his invitation that had stuck a chord with the young writer. 

THEY ARE REAL.

            Frankly, Pook wasn’t sure if this was some sort of hoax or practical joke set up by a friend.  Then again, he wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to miss a Hollywood premiere.  After all, he had a certain affinity towards Egyptian culture, for he was both a Yu-Gi-Oh enthusiast and duelist.  Before leaving his apartment, Pook took his black plastic deck box, and placed it in the breast pocket of his tux jacket.  He headed to his car and put down the convertible top.  Convertible, tuxedo, who am I, James Bond?  Pook laughed to himself at this thought.  No, he certainly was no James Bond, trotting the globe, finding trouble around every corner. 

***

            After sitting in typical Los Angeles traffic for way too long, Pook finally arrived at the Bowers Museum.  Outside, large searchlights adorned the corners of an over-the-top red carpet.  As he pulled up, a valet opened his door and took the writer’s car.  A large security guard approached him, and Pook quickly showed him his invitation.  The overly-muscular gentleman flashed him a smile, and let him proceed. 

            As Pook walked up the red carpet, he thought the symbolism of the carpet was fitting for the event.  Red carpets were used primarily for royalty, and this event was to celebrate the great kings of Egypt. 

            Inside the museum, waiters and waitresses moved in between the well-dressed guests, serving cocktails while wearing tunics and togas.  While not exactly historically correct, it helped to set the mood.  Pook ordered a drink from an attractive and scantily clad waitress, and began to examine the large hall.  There were Egyptian artifacts everywhere.  Pook couldn’t identify most of them, for his Egyptian knowledge was mostly what he had learned from watching television.  But he knew the beauty of the items around him.  His drink arrived and he tipped the waitress.  She offered him a quick wink and scurried off.  He took a drink and began to walk around. 

            Pook tried to take in all he could, but the hall was quite crowded, and there were so many different exhibits.  He walked over to a glass case containing an amulet.  This amulet was a piece that Pook did indeed recognize, for it had the eye of wedjat – the symbolic eye of the Egyptian god Horus.  He was captivated by the eye, for it was the same one drawn on his invitation.  Just then, a tall man with bronzed skin silently approached him. 

            “I thought you’d find your way to this piece,” he said in a deep yet inviting voice. 

            “I’m sorry, and you are?”

            The man moved closer.  “Allow me to introduce myself.  I am Ara Shahdi, and I am the man who sent you your invitation to tonight’s event, Mr. Pook.”  Pook looked shocked. 

            Shahdi, Pook thought, like Shadi from…no….  “How do you know who I am?”

            “I am quite familiar with your writings, and I believe that you can help me.  You see, I am looking answers to an ancient puzzle.”  His mouth began to curl into a tight smile.  Ancient puzzle, huh?  That phrase was no accident. 

            “Look, Mr. Shahdi, I write about a card game…”  Just then, Shahdi interrupted him. 

            “You write about more than you know about.  Please, I’d just like to speak to you.  Follow me to one of the private wings, away from listening ears.” 

            “I’m not so sure about this.  My mom always told me to stay away from strangers.”

            “But I am no stranger, Pook,” Shahdi said, “I am your friend.  And with your help, friend, you and I can find the lost Millennium Items…”

To be continued…