out … to geologists, for example.”
“OK, OK. Sorry. It’s just so unexpected … But out with it now, this story of crocodile hunters, it’s a load of nonsense, isn’t it.”
“Not at all, they weren’t lying.”
“But you’re not afraid?”
“With me it’s different. You see, I do a bit of business with them. I take fresh supplies to them from time to time. They’re not so bad if you leave them in peace. But that’s my business. You know nothing, see nothing, and there’ll be no problem.”
“How much do you want?”
“Ah, now that’s the question,” Herman said, baring all his false teeth in a laugh. Becoming serious again, he went on, “I want 400,000 cruzeiros and … 30 percent commission on the sale of the first fossils.”
Dietlev was struck dumb by the enormity of his demands, less because of the sum of money he wanted, they could always come to an agreement on that, but the crazy idea of a commission.
“It seems to me you haven’t quite understood, Herman,” he said, trying to remain calm. “It’s not gold nuggets I’m looking for. If I do find these bloody fossils, if my hypothesis isn’t mistaken and if foreign scientists are interested in them, then we might perhaps think of selling some. But in that case it will be the department that deals with it and all the money will revert to theuniversity. To the u-ni-ver-si-ty! I won’t get anything at all out of the business.”
“There’s always ways and means, aren’t there? There must be a trick somewhere. You’re not going to get me to believe …”
“But I’m telling you it’s impossible, Herman. Unthinkable even.”
“Then it’s no,
amigo
. Find yourself another boat.”
“You can’t do that to me, Herman. Just think a little about what I’ve told you. I’m happy with the 400,000 cruzeiros and that’s one hell of a good deal, isn’t it? As for the fossils, we don’t even know if they exist. What you’re basing your demand on is nothing but thin air. If everything goes as planned you’ll be the only person to know where they are and there’ll be nothing to stop you going back and helping yourself. The only thing I could promise is to send collectors to you …”
Herman sipped at his beer, a vacant look on his face. He was about to reply when Elaine came in, followed by Mauro and Milton.
Dietlev made the introductions as the little group settled at the bar. Captivated by the charms of Elaine, Herman’s smile returned. She had been back to the hotel to shower and change. In a plain, almond-green cotton dress, her hair still damp, she exuded freshness.
“What are you drinking?” Dietlev asked.
“I don’t like beer,” Elaine said, seeing the empty mugs. “Would it be possible to have some wine?”
“But of course! Herman Petersen has everything, especially for a pretty girl like you. Here, try this, you’ll like it,” he said, taking a bottle from under the bar. “Valderrobles red. It’s Bolivian and, just between ourselves, a cut above the stuff you find in Brazil.”
Mauro having asked for wine as well, Milton decided he would join them.
“How did it go?” Dietlev asked Elaine.
“Not bad. Mauro and I found three excellent examples of
Corumbella
. The impression is very clear, we’ll get some nice casts.”
“But it was Mauro who found the most interesting one,” Milton interrupted in a sugary voice. “The boy has talent.”
Turning his back on Milton, Mauro raised his eyes heavenward to show Dietlev how irritating he found this obsequious solicitude.
“A truly auspicious start to our expedition!” Milton added, rubbing his hands. “So when do we leave, Dietlev?”
Elaine saw a glint of panic in her colleague’s eyes. He turned to Petersen, who had just finished pouring the wine. He put down the bottle and said, smiling at Elaine, “Whenever you want.” He spoke slowly, as if replying to a question from her. “I’m at your service.”
Relieved, Dietlev held out
“OK, OK. Sorry. It’s just so unexpected … But out with it now, this story of crocodile hunters, it’s a load of nonsense, isn’t it.”
“Not at all, they weren’t lying.”
“But you’re not afraid?”
“With me it’s different. You see, I do a bit of business with them. I take fresh supplies to them from time to time. They’re not so bad if you leave them in peace. But that’s my business. You know nothing, see nothing, and there’ll be no problem.”
“How much do you want?”
“Ah, now that’s the question,” Herman said, baring all his false teeth in a laugh. Becoming serious again, he went on, “I want 400,000 cruzeiros and … 30 percent commission on the sale of the first fossils.”
Dietlev was struck dumb by the enormity of his demands, less because of the sum of money he wanted, they could always come to an agreement on that, but the crazy idea of a commission.
“It seems to me you haven’t quite understood, Herman,” he said, trying to remain calm. “It’s not gold nuggets I’m looking for. If I do find these bloody fossils, if my hypothesis isn’t mistaken and if foreign scientists are interested in them, then we might perhaps think of selling some. But in that case it will be the department that deals with it and all the money will revert to theuniversity. To the u-ni-ver-si-ty! I won’t get anything at all out of the business.”
“There’s always ways and means, aren’t there? There must be a trick somewhere. You’re not going to get me to believe …”
“But I’m telling you it’s impossible, Herman. Unthinkable even.”
“Then it’s no,
amigo
. Find yourself another boat.”
“You can’t do that to me, Herman. Just think a little about what I’ve told you. I’m happy with the 400,000 cruzeiros and that’s one hell of a good deal, isn’t it? As for the fossils, we don’t even know if they exist. What you’re basing your demand on is nothing but thin air. If everything goes as planned you’ll be the only person to know where they are and there’ll be nothing to stop you going back and helping yourself. The only thing I could promise is to send collectors to you …”
Herman sipped at his beer, a vacant look on his face. He was about to reply when Elaine came in, followed by Mauro and Milton.
Dietlev made the introductions as the little group settled at the bar. Captivated by the charms of Elaine, Herman’s smile returned. She had been back to the hotel to shower and change. In a plain, almond-green cotton dress, her hair still damp, she exuded freshness.
“What are you drinking?” Dietlev asked.
“I don’t like beer,” Elaine said, seeing the empty mugs. “Would it be possible to have some wine?”
“But of course! Herman Petersen has everything, especially for a pretty girl like you. Here, try this, you’ll like it,” he said, taking a bottle from under the bar. “Valderrobles red. It’s Bolivian and, just between ourselves, a cut above the stuff you find in Brazil.”
Mauro having asked for wine as well, Milton decided he would join them.
“How did it go?” Dietlev asked Elaine.
“Not bad. Mauro and I found three excellent examples of
Corumbella
. The impression is very clear, we’ll get some nice casts.”
“But it was Mauro who found the most interesting one,” Milton interrupted in a sugary voice. “The boy has talent.”
Turning his back on Milton, Mauro raised his eyes heavenward to show Dietlev how irritating he found this obsequious solicitude.
“A truly auspicious start to our expedition!” Milton added, rubbing his hands. “So when do we leave, Dietlev?”
Elaine saw a glint of panic in her colleague’s eyes. He turned to Petersen, who had just finished pouring the wine. He put down the bottle and said, smiling at Elaine, “Whenever you want.” He spoke slowly, as if replying to a question from her. “I’m at your service.”
Relieved, Dietlev held out
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