Palm Beach Tom and the Fountain of Youth (CLOSED)

Tommy Johnson hated Palm Beach "the beach here sucks" he told friends. You have to drive to Singer Island for a decent peice of beach. And then there are those local provincials with there 300 pound bodies sweating on the sand with black speedos that are stretched across their massive fat asses. They woddle down to the water, you can hear their thighs slapping together as they flounder out to the water, and that is the men.
The women are bloated beached whales struggling to keep their massive meaty mameries from escaping the streched yards of swim suit. They move like flesh jellos surging to and fro from their tiny beach blankets to the water warily searching out whaling boats that might harpoon them any monent.
Oh the unwashed masses that "TJ" had to share the beach with. He layed out his beach towel trying his best not to be trampled by one of the bloated beached whales. He applied lotion to his slim body and covered his head with a straw hat he had bought in the straw market on St Thomas just last month and layed out in the sun.
After the alloted time(15 mins) he turned over and let his back enjoy the hot Florida sun. I wish I has a sweety to put lotion on my back, he thought. He stayed that way for a nother 15 minutes. He rolled over and sat on his blanket and looked out to the sea. Off to his right he could see one of the local cruise ships making for the open water of the Florida straits. Not me he thought I would sail from San Jaun. I like the ships better. Oh well back to the hole in the wall. He had a place, he was staying on Brazilian Court. I guess I could drive to West Palm and then run out to Wellington to see Chip and the guys at the Polo Cub. I guess I'll change.
__________________

Chloe had decided that there were worse places on Earth she could work, but at that moment she couldn't think of one of them. Serving drinks in the Polo Club Bar, had seemed like an easy number. Many of the guys who frequented this place were well off, not just comfortable, but really well off, guys who could tip $100 if they wanted, and not sweat if for the rest of the week. At least that was what she had thought. In actual fact, the patrons were generally much more middle class, than filthy rich, and they were a little tighter with their money.

That was until the week she picked up Jenny's uniform, instead of her own. Jenny was a size smaller than she was, and wearing the tighter, shorter black skirt, and white blouse, that was snug, showing off her breasts, then the tips more than doubled, and she had stuck with that uniform since. The flip side, was that some of the guys, thought it was quite alright to slap her ass as they completed their drinks order, or pass her closely, putting thier hands on her waist, and "accidently" rubbing off her as they passed.

Chloe was 25, had her degree in World History and Literature, but like many, had not been able to secure a job. Aparantly the country was not crying out for more historians and Achedemics, who knew? None the less, she had debts to pay, and working here was helping her make ends meet. She had done a little photographic modelling, being pretty, with long dark hair, and big dark eyes, and a full mouth. She was in really good shape- slim and athletic, with great boobs, but at 5'3" she was too short for any type of modelling other than photographic, and the money in that field was limited, until she wanted to branch into X rated stuff, which she most definitely did not!

She loaded the tray of drinks and approached the table that Chip was at, with three other guys, all of whom were pretty regular, and they were just being joined by another guy in a straw hat. She deposited the drinks, avoided the smacks, and asked the new guy, what he wanted to drink.

A great start

TJ had just arrived, the drive west on Forst Hill was getting worst by the day.
"Man did you guys see the three car smash up at South Shore and Forest Hill."
Tj sits down and smiles at the waiteress."I just got off the beach, an ice tea with a lemon twist would hit the spot thanks. " TJ glances at her name tag."Choe."
He turns to Chip "Have you heard from our friends out west yet?"Chip looks around as the waitress walks away.
"Tom don't bring that up here, this place has too many ears!"Chip said nervously.
"Look Chip I'm going to need a researcher for this thing, some one thats good in both written and oral translations!"
Chip smiles at TJ. You'll need more then that my friend!" Chip leans back in his chair and studies the crowd in The Paddock Room. Soon Choe returns with TJ's tea with a twist.
"Any thing else,sir" she asks.
TJ looks up"Yeah where you go ta school?"

Chloe laughed, caught off gaurd by his sudden, and unexpected question, momentarily stunned by an actual question about her! "Michigan State" she replied. "I have a double major in World History and World Literature," feeling a little self conscious she added "Haven't really got any work experience though, apparantly the economy cannot afford frivilous things like historians!!" she laughed self consciously, and turned to head back to the bar. Impulsively, she looked back over her shoulder "Why, you got a job offer for me?" and with a laugh ran back to the bar.

wait

TJ considered that for a second. Hew got up and followed her to the bar. "What can you tell me about Juan Ponce de Leon and don't tell me its a road in Royal Paml Beach!"

Chloe turned surprised at his question. HMMmm! Let me see "Juan Ponce de Leon - he was born in Northern Spain, connected to a noble family, fought in the Moorish war, and came to America on Columbus's second expedition in 1493, along with 200 other Spanish nobles. After assisting in quelling some rebellions, he was appointed frontier govenor, and given substantial estates. As provincial governor, Ponce de León had occasion to meet with the Taínos who visited his province from the neighboring island of Boriquen. They told him stories of a fertile land with much gold to be found in the many rivers. Inspired by the possibility of riches, Ponce de León requested and received permission from Ovando to explore the island. He mined for precious metal's and won the approval of Ferdinand II of Spain, and he was instructed to set sail from the Spanish held island, to Florida proper. There is dispute about where the fleet came in - Pensecola, Tampa Bay, Charlotte Harbour. rumour has it that he was searching for the Fountain of Youth," she giggled, " but its much more probable that that de Leon's focus was on gold and lands for Spain!"

"Why, let me guess? You have found the fountain of youth, and want me to verify it, me being the world foremost authority on the subject!!" she laughed at her facecious comment.

sounds good

"For something just off the top of your head, thats very good" TJ lowers his vioce and looks around. "What if I tell you I have a translated letter from the very same gentleman. Translated in 1560 by an English spy. It was found by Seminoles in a sealed container. They broke the wax seal themselves. They want to sell it. I need to know if it is real. You want the job?"

She would have taken the job for nothing, just to lay eyes on such a letter, if, indeed it actually existed. She eyed him cautiously, gauging him, and wondering if this was some attempt to get into her pants.

"Well, I would certainly be interested Sir, how much are you willing to pay me, for my expert opinion, and my time?"

well

"Well here is the thing you see, I'm presently between position as it were." he paused. "Not that I can't pay you, and very nicely, but you see, this letter could soak up a large part of my ...personal money....and that could put a squeeze on my life style. my place on the island costing me a fortune. Would love ta move out this way, but I'm locked in to a lease.

Chloe thought to herself that there was strapped for cash, and there was strapped for cash, and this guy was stillin the Polo Club, so he obviously wasnt as badly caught as he suggested. All his personal money tied up in the letter indeed!! If there even was a letter, but her desire to see it, outweighed all else.

"Ok, how about this? You give me $1000 now, and $5000 more if you letter turns out to be the genuine article!" She thought that sounded fair, and it would cover her immediate expenses - rent, utilities. car payment.

[B"]When do you want me to look at this letter?"[/B] She still wasn't 100% sure that this wasnt an elaborate ploy to get in her pants, but she would give him the benefit of the doubt.

"Ok, how about this? You give me $1000 now, and $5000 more if you letter turns out to be the genuine article!"

"What are you crazy, If the letter is genuine I got pay for it!" TJ looks over at Chip who is waving him over. "Wait a bit, I'll get back to you!"

TJ returns to Chip and picks up his glass and takes a long pull. Chip whispers to him. "Red Cloud is at the airport Hilton. He will be there till 6 tonight. If we are going to do this we have to move fast, and he wants 25 now!"

TJ almost chokes"25 what 25, he agreed to 15, you people down here have been in the sun too long! This one " he points to Chloe. "wants 6 just to look at it, now he's jackin me for 10 more, this place is insane. " TJ sit in his chair and looks at Chip. What am I gonna do?" he runs his hand through his hair. I mean if what is in the letter is true it could be millions, true!" He picks up his glass again and takes a drink.Fuck it let them try to repo the car TJ looks up "Ok offer him 20 tell him half is going to be in Euros the rest in American. "

TJ walks over to Chloe. "Here's the deal I give you three Franklins now, for 1 hours work. We leave go to the airport Hilton you check out the letter, if its real I'll cut you in for 10 percent as a finder fee at the end of the road!" he whispers to her.

Chloe mulled this over. Hmm, it seemed like a reasonable deal to her. She glanced at her watch, okay Mister, you got a deal! I'm off the clock in 10 minutes, you wanna go look at it now? At his nod, she went and made up her tips, and signed off the till, her float balanced for next week. She clocked out, and changed into her more normal attire of tight jeans and a tee shirt, with scuffed cowboy boots. It was cooler, now that the sun was going down.

She came out into the bar, and made a bee line for the man in the Straw hat. Realising she didn't even know his name, she stuck out her hand, "I'm Chloe, by the way, Chloe Strickland, and your name is .....?"

my name

"I'm Chloe, by the way, Chloe Strickland, and your name is .....?"
TJ looked at her, he knew her name she had had a name tag on, what ever "My name?" He paused. He looks over at Chip who is standing up dropping money on the table.
"Well my friends call me TJ isn't that right Chip!" Chip gives them the thumb up sign. They head out the door. As they get near, the valet sees him. He picks up a set of keys and throws them to one of the runners. "Get Mr. Johnson's car on the double!" The boy runs off.
TJ can only grown."ARRGG"

Chloe surripticiously got out her cell phone and texted a friend a brief description on TJ and his name, and also his car reg when it pulled up! A girl could not be too careful!

She listened to the noises of exasperation coming from TJ, and wondered why he was put out at having to wait a few moments. Finally, the car pulled up and she climbed into the passenger seat, fastened her seat belt, as he revved the engine, and they pulled off.

airport Hilton-may be

TJ looked over at Chloe. Not the fancy dancer type I see that. "Are you with the horse people here or you from Loxahachee, those are the only ones I know of that dress like that."
TJ pulls out the drive and heads east on South Shore. In a few minutes he comes up on a line of traffic. A Palm Beach Sheriff deputy is holding up traffic down the road.
"Oh great, now I'll be late for sure!" He looks around and sees Big Blue Trace is suprisingly empty of traffic. He waits a second to get seperation from the car in front of him then turns the wheel sharply and heads in the other direction. Turns again on Big Blue. He guns it. In to the subies we go. He smiles at Chloe"Looks like I got to take a short cut!"

Chloe was more than a little embarrassed at his off the cuff comment about her clothes. What? They were comfortable and practical. "Well, neither really, but I grew up spending a lot of time on my cousin's ranch, and I just like these clothes! There! Did he want his letter examined or not??!!

Threy were stuck in a long line of almost stationary traffic, winding like a snake toward a police check point. TJ, obviously very familiar with the area, turned off, and they drove through suburbia, passing an array of homes, moving though some quite well off areas, and through other obviously poorer ones, before they pulled up at the Airport Hilton, some thirty minutes later.

Mr. Red Cloud

TJ parked in the valet parking. The valet opened the door for Chleo and she steps out. TJ leaves the car running and looks to the valet. "Don't park it too far away. We will only be here a short time" They walk into the lobby.

Chloe got out of the car, and walked into the foyer of the Airport Hilton, with TJ, anticipation eating at her, as she thought of seeing the letter in question. She tried to tamp down her enthusiam, assuring herself that it was a fraud, but despite her commonsense, she could not wait to see it!

Red cloud

TH walks in to trhe lobby and up to the front desk. A young woman in a Hilton Hotel uniform smiles at him"May I help you sir?" she enquires.
TJ smiles back at her "Yes Mr. Red Cloud's room please."
The woman starts typing on her computer . "Yes sir, Mr. Red cloud ask that you have a seat and he will see you in our lobby, I'll Give him a call."
TJ leads Chloe over to a sofa near the main desk. "I might as well pay you now, we have a few minutes." TJ sits and pulls his wallet out and pulls three hundreds out of his wallet and hand them to Chloe. She quickly slips the three bills into a pocket.
TJ then leans back and looks around the lobby!

Chloe looked around the lobby taking in the opulent fixtures and fittings. Obviously Red Cloud wasn't stuck for a buck or two - there were pleanty of cheaper options in the vicinity, if he was just looking for a clean room.

She wondered if Red Cloud was a native American. The name was certainly indicative of a native American heritage, but then perhaps it was like a code name. Her mind conjoured up all sorts of images evocative of wild west movies, steriotypical images.

Just as she pocketed the $300, she spotted a conservatively dressed, dark haired, swarthy looking man approach from their left. TJ stood, as did she, and they shook hands with Red Cloud, TJ introducing her, not by name, but as his "expert in the field".

expert in the field

Mr. Red Cloud arrived and TJ stood and greeted him. "The day grows late, I have my expert in the feild with me. As soon as .....oh here he is now."
Chip walks in the front door and joins the group in the lobby.
"Mr. Red Cloud this is Chester Henderson from Royal Research here in Palm Beach. "
"Ah and it is a pleasure to meet you too Mr. Johnson thanks to you and your company, many have been helped by your products. And of coarse your adventures shall we say, have given many of my people many enjoyments. And we look forward to working closely with you in the search.
Chip looks at Mr. Red Cload then back at TJ.
"I'm sorry Mr. Red Cloud, what search? We are here to see a letter you have from am English spy written in 1560?"
Mr. Red Cloud smiles"Oh yes the letter, yes silly of me, yes I guess you would at that. And you have the money correct, the 25 thousand dollars?

Chloe watched with inerest as TJ transformed from affable laid back beach guy to capable businessman in the blink of an eye. "red cloud, the deal was twenty - half in euros, half in dollars. We have it here" he flashed as zip up case, closing it as quickly as it opened.

"of course, he continued, we're not paying in full, til we verify it's authenticity" TJ continued. Chloe wondered where Chip fit into all of this. There were quick quiet words between then men as they stood apart from Chloe for a minute, then TJ announced she was to check the letter. $10000 had changed hands, with a draft for the euros available immediately the letter was confirmed to be the real deal.

They adjourned to a meeting room, and surrounded the table as the jar was produced, remnants of the wax which had kept it airtight, still evident. The jar itself was clearly hand blown, and would be in keeping with the era.

The parchment was carefully unrolled, and Chloe examined it. The parchment itself was certainly if the correct era, and the faded, antiquated Spanish script appeared genuine too. She e amines the unbroken wax seal at the bottom of the parchment, next to de leon's sigiture, and indeed it bore his family's coat of arms, the imprint of the signet ring correct. The signature also appeared correct.

Chloe's heat hammered with excitement! It was real! She was sure it was! She pulled TJ to the side, excitement clear on her flushed face. "TJ it's authentic! I'm sure of it!". Some of her excitement faded, and she added "but for so much money, you aught to have it carbon dated".

mouth of the rat

Chip got very excited. "Carbon dating is for academics not.....what our need are" he turned to TJ"If she says its real thats good enough for me!" TJ turns to Mr. Red Cloud. " You and your people have done me a great service. Mr. Henderson and thank you, here is the money agreed to 20k a fair deal where all are winners, again thank your people." Chip leads him to the door. "But the search...replies Mr. Red Cloud.
"Thank you again, Mr. Red Cloud." and Chip closes the door behind him.
TJ quickly glances at the back of the parchment and sees writting."YES" he shouts. Chip looks at him "Its on the back, the translation from the spy!" he pumps his arm up and down several times. After a few minutes chip opens the door a crack and looks out the hallway. "All is clear we better get out of Dodge quick!" The three quickly walk through the lobby to the valet. Both cars are out front in no time TJ tips the valet with $20. Soon they are on I-95 going south.
Chloe looks at TJ"Where are we going?" TJ looks at her"The mouth of the rat"
Chloe looks back"oh"

Chloe could read between the lines. TJ and Chip did not want anyone else to see the map, that was why they were willing to spend so much money, with only her opinion for confirmation of its authenticity! In moments they were out of there, and the valet was bringing the cars, Chips and TJs.

the excitement between the two men was palpable, and Chloe wondered what exactly it was all about. This letter obviously held some information they wanted badly, and she wondered if it might be a treasure map, or some such thing. Certainly, she had not seen a map as such drawn on it, but maybe the text indicated the location of a map, or perhaps clues to where a treasure might be!!

She was finally brought out of her reverie, when she heard TJ speak, he may have been speaking for a few moments, but she had been away in a world of her own!

"What was that? Hmmm, TJ, Where are we going?" she asked, and with a grin, he replied "The mouth of the rat" Chloe had absolutely no idea where or what that was, but it certainly didn't conjure up a pretty image!!

He was gunning the car, and weaved in and out of the traffic on the I95. She suddenly thought of her seat belt, and grabbed it , clicking it into place. TJ grinned at her "nervous huh?" and as she stamped on the imaginary brake, to slow them down, she replied "No, not at all! I cant imagine what gave you that impression! Now, where or what is the Mouth of the Rat, and why exactly are we going there?"

Boca

TJ headed south for about 20 minutes then started to change lanes then got off at Clint Moore road turned right and moved into traffic. After a fewlight he turned on to Military trail. He pulled in to s strip mall. They parked in front of a store. American products. TJ got out of the car opened the door with a key and guided Chjoe in to the darkened store. He made his way to the back of the store and opened another door. After closing the door he turned on the light and the room fllooded with light. On the walls were maps. Every inch from top to floor. Some are gas station maps some are so old they were mounted behind glass.
He walked over to a drafting type table. Took out the parchment and put it under padded clips.
"Ok now you start to earn your 10%. "
"We go line per line. Its in old english so we need all the possible meanings, understand?"