Frank was leading the meeting. He was Joe ’s top manager and old friend. He was tired of the constant hassles from the coast guard over management of the ECO-X. Also WAMI suits were adding their valuable insights and California engineers for good measure. Rebellion and temptation finally won and dammit he was going to have money the ECO-X could bring him.
Meeting over the three fast buck guys were taken to shore in a speed boat. Before they left Frank said to them.
“I know you’re tired of hearing it but police in Long Beach must never suspect we are stealing the ECO-X. If the cops show up to check into all of the activity. The less you say to them the less chance of saying something stupid. Refer them to the warehouse manager.
When I arrive at the warehouse tomorrow say nothing and set up our equipment as we rehearsed it. After I have the animals I will leave quickly to the boat while you clean up the area. . Got it?”
The three men just nodded and disembarked..
Frank’s plan went smoothly the following day. The warehouse holding the captured EXO-X was like a rain forest as the they devoured plastic tidbits. Workers in the warehouse stared at the strange appariton entering the area. Five men looked like the ancient mariner covered with bright yellow rain gear and large hats to match and black Wellingtons. To add to the strangeness were welding eye shields and large yellow gloves. In other words they were absolutely ECO-X weather proof.
The weirdness continued as they dragged a huge cargo plane parachute into the warehouse. Next came an airplane engine bolted to a trailer. Busy-ness went on as the parachute was opened and attached to a frame. It now resembled a white monster head with its jaws agape. They wheeled the airplane engine in front of the monster and started it. It was wide open in seconds
ECO-X had stopped feasting and flew over to check out the weird monster. They weren’t afraid it. It seemed to excite them as a new way to play. Chirping loudly they flew aerobatics around it while Frank patiently waited for the right moment. He found it. Roaring at top acceleration the engine began to rotate on its platform sucking up ECO-X as it turned 360 degrees on its axle.
Memory told them it was similar to the game the crew used so they rained heavily on the contraption.The cascade of water was molded into a small tornado inside the warehouse as the ECO-X were being sucked into the chute. This time the game ended quite differently as the last of the swarm was swept up.
The five men quickly closed the parachute. No escape this time they had been had. A tractor trailer was brought in and the chute was lifted onto the flat bed and secured. Like an army squad the well rehearsed men gathered up their equipment and left the warehouse on the truck.
Outside the three fast buck guys shed their protective gear and returned to the warehouse. Frank and the other manager drove to a Long Beach dock where a tugboat used for towing barges out on the open sea waited for its bizarre cargo of ECO-X. It was a rare moment since the creatures had become silent not knowing what was happening to them. Not a single chirp.
By dawn of the following day the ship and barge were docked at a wharf north of LA. A tractor trailer truck was parked near the mooring area to transport the ECO-X somewhere. The trip took them east and north of LA. At journey’s end they were in a rocky area near Simi Valley. On the way Frank spotted a particular rock formation. In the center was a huge boulder with a well worn path descending along its face to an open area. A memory suddenly came to mind of being a ten year old boy on a Saturday afternoon watching three cowboy movies.
He had been puzzled about several scenes that appeared in every one of the films. A chase on horseback with a white-hat hero closely followed by at least a half dozen black hats. Or in other scenes around the boulder the black hats were being pursued by the white hat with or without a posse. He was convinced this was the much used boulder area for chase scenes.
They arrived at an old football stadium once owned by a local high school. Out on the playing field the parachute was opened releasing the hundreds of ECO-X onto the playing field. The swarm came together then flew upward to escape from the containment. To their shock they collided with a net that covered the air space over the stadium. From a few furious charges at the cover at various places they learned not to do that anymore.
As the swarm circled around, the crew below prepared a tasty feast of plastic toys for the animals. At last the sound of cheerful chirps filled the stadium as they dove into the delicous repast. Everyone had donned weather suits when the chomping began in preparation for the down pour to follow. There were now ten men and one lady in the area watching the swarm.
After they were drenched by the creatures it was time for a meeting inside an office added by the buiness owners. Frank, the other manager and the three fast buck guys were with five executives from Miracle Pictures whose slogan was: “If it’s a good picture its a miracle”. The film company had been purchased recently by a Japanese conglomerate. CEO Wun Hung Lo began to talk.
“ I must ask pardon for lousy English. Velly preased to meet-no-let you see-no-hello famous Japanese director, Fuc Yu Tou.”
Beaming and showing an impressive set of white teeth a stubby man stood up next to Wun Hung Lo.
“ I’m so excited now that I’ve seen the ECO-X . They are absolutely perfect to star in my coming monster film. Think of it. A first in monster movies, the subjects acting out their natural lives. It’s temporarily titled, ‘Gigantic Temple Monsters’. I am the best director in the world for creating monster movies.Who could ever forget my film ‘The Green Dragon Scaly Lizard’? Some movie goers actually fainted when the monster ate Tokyo. Or ‘Godzilla Gorilla Green Ape’?”
Another Japanese man took over from Fuc Yu Tou. “I’m the stage director Chou Ma In. Here is an overview of the filming. This stadium has been made escape proof by adding the roof net. But that is not all, it is also completely ECO-X escape proof. All entries will be sealed off while filming.”
Several days of non stop conferences ensued. Thousands of details had to be hammered out. Frank was surprised to be named the ECO-X director but not too upset when told what he would earn weekly. The fast buck guys’ attorney worked out the terms of the contract for the ECO-X. The five men were paid $500,000 up front. More money would come their way as the film progressed then when finished 5% of the net profits. The good times had arrived. Chapter Twelve
The grand production schedule detailing every scene was indeed impressive. But right from the start there were unforseen snags in the scenes to be filmed. It was very fortunate they had Frank there to work with the ECO-X. The film people knew nothing about the creatures first hand until now. They were unruly wild animals without any fear of humans meaning no reason to obey anyone.
Frank knew them. He suddenly realized his job wasn ’t going to be easy. To get along with the film crew would require tact and patience to teach them how to work with the wild bunch. Most of all he would have to be present for every damned scene. The only thing he could do to have any cooperation from ECO-X was to tempt them and then reward them. It was a game.
So the frustrating work began slowly. The crew needed to film all sorts of actions to fit into the scenes. It took two days to finish a small part of shooting an ECO-X burrowing into the ground. Frank had to try a number of ways to get the creatures to burrow at the angles the crew needed to fit into the story. Only bright yellow toys buried in the ground worked to get them burrowing to eat them.
Everyone was tense and Frank was spared from sharp criticism by the film crew. Coming from their own crew the director and stage manager believed them about the time consuming moves necessary to achieve their goals. He now had the respect of the film crews as he worked minor miracles to get the ECO-X to perform.
It was over a month of movie making before anyone from SAMI or the EPA learned the ECO-X were gone from the warehouse. Not surprising given the on going chaos created by the animals marauding around the west coast. WAMI was saddled with the job of picking up captured ECO-X from police, fire departments an
d ASPCA. It was a maddening dichotomy having to chase down a creature doing major damage who was cute and cheerful.
The warehouse manager couldn ’t give the EPA any help with the whereabouts of the animals when they showed up to collect them. There were no addresses on the release documents and maybe the three fast buck guys existed or maybe not. They didn’t need anymore complicated deals involving the ECO-X so the EPA decided to hold off on starting a project to find them. It would have to wait. WAMI learned Frank and another manager had quit the job with no forwarding address. They suspected the two might have a connection to the missing ECO-X but there was no way to find out.
Miracle Pictures was now moving along on their production at the stadium. It was nearly unrecognizeable with cameras, sound booms and more equipment. Since the entire picture was made at the stadium. There were a number of temporary rooms erected for dressing rooms, costumes and other functions. It was like a beehive during the day as scenes were being created on several sets at the same time.
Above the floor was a strange collection of various sized nets created to film the ECO-X in a number of actions. Frank had invented every one of these cages for the film crew trying to capture their movements as ordered by the director. Frank was able to work out techniques somewhat like those controls used in dog training. The animals in flight performing a number of stunts such as loops, turns, dives and chasing actions. All of these had to be filmed at many angles as the ECO-X had fun but not fun for Frank.
Miracle Pictures had been keeping their monster picture a secret so far. Rumors and information leaked out but no solid information about the production. They were now about a month away from finishing the shooting. The promotions people began their campaign to market the movie. Many press conferences blossomed in the media.
As natural as the sun rises in the east the coming debut of the ECO-X in the big picture caused all hell to break loose. Reactions ranged from who? what? and where?. The EPA made no comment. Can we get a piece of the action? came from WAMI. Dr. O was bewildered by it all. Joe had more of a handle on it. He learned Frank was involved and about an empty warehouse in Long Beach.
EPA attorneys demanded the immediate return of the ECO-X hinting darkly about the certain consequences if their order wasn’t honored immediately. Legal brains from Miracle Pictures responded by arguing that the ECO-X in their possession were being rented from a five person group. A common practice in the movie industry. Not our problem.
WAMI also demanded a return of the ECO-X as their property in conjunction with the inventor Dr. O. Miracle Pictures responded with the same advice as they gave the EPA. A little investigation brought them to Frank working for the film company. Soon after they also knew about the other people in the group renting the ECO-X to Miracle.
All of this action wasn ’t too much of a shock to the three fast buck guys who had their own legal maneuvers in place. Coming on to the scene was a famous shark of an attorney. What a surprise. The EPA was informed that the ECO-X in question were no longer anyone’s property because of their own ruling. They had been officially declared to be a public nuisance and a destructive pest.
WAMI was also informed about their lack of any grounds for a lawsuit against anyone. Both of the entities were told that after the monster film had been finished they were welcome to file suit for a return of the ECO-X. WAMI took umbridge to this high handed defiance and in a rush to judgement they filed multiple lawsuits against Miracle Pictures.
Feeling agressive and sure of themselves WAMI attorneys slapped on motions to Cease and Desist using the ECO-X in the film. Also money damages in the millions and, one mistake, seeking a court injunction to block further filming with the creatures.
In Hollywood halting production was a serious matter in the film industry. It ruined many carefully planned and timed scenes. The losses could be translated into the daily cost to Miracle Pictures to keep everything in place.
Possible stopping of the production reached the ears of several workers unions. This would mean the loss of union jobs and dollars in everyone’s pockets. It was time to point out to WAMI the error of their actions. The unions joined forces to dissuade the corporate executives and their attorneys from going forward with these humorous law suits.
Certain union officials from each union were sent to the homes of the principal officers and attorneys. These emissaries were sent forth loaded down with information on each of the men included in the reign of terror. It was amazing how quickly the mob, oops I mean unions could gather intimate secrets about every one of them.
Two teams were organized to carry out these visits. One would deal with the attorneys. WAMI had the largest team of thugs, oops I mean union representatives. Three Finger Manicotti was in charge of the attorney crew. One Eyed Pete Linguini had the corporate bunch.
On a particular Tuesday night the emisaries with the precision of the Rockettes hit the homes of everyone at the same time. Black mail was the major weapon based on some past miscue of the individual. Threats of bombings and executions were necessary tools in some cases. The easiest individuals who crumbled quickly were those who had gambling debts owed to the organization. On Wednesday several courts were scrambling to cancel the law suits against Miracle Pictures.
Chapter Thirteen
Joe learned of the controversy about the ECO-X from Maggie since he had cut himself off from any news regarding the outside world. At present they were docked in Puget Sound with plans to cruise up the Inland Water Way to Alaska. On the trip they would sail around searching for whales to observe and photograph. Maggie was an amateur photographer and used her somewhat powerful charms to persuade Joe. She didn’t particularly like his mule headed ways but did respect his strong defense of himself against the world. Sort of like herself.
He looked too calm when she broke the news to him about the latest ECO-X crisis. Joe asked her to please go below for a few minutes of time, alone, He had a strange look in his eyes that unsettled her but she went below.
Joe slowly walked to the bow of the boat. There he grasped onto the safety rail. It is doubtful if the universe had ever heard the unbelievable scream coming from his lungs. On shore several eagles took flight in alarm. A school of killer whales leaped from the sea to see if the world was still there. Mainly every living creature within a mile of the boat scurried to take shelter. It was a superhuman strain on his lungs so the scream of protest finally ended. All living things including Maggie were mightily relieved to be able to breathe.
She returned to the main deck looking around for Joe. He appeared from the bow looking calm but his face was a ghostly white and one eyelid was rapidly twitching
“ I’m fairly certain you know I have to see Dr. O. I’m not sure I know what I can do but I must be there for him. The poor man sacrificed twenty years of his life to find a solution to the world’s pollution. It has become a terrible disaster, probably irreversible, but I know O is working eighteen hours a day to fix it. He isn’t a business man and WAMI had no problem taking charge. Their intense pressure on him to speed up production of ECO-X caused this whole mess. I have to see this through with my friend.”
“ I would have been surprised if you didn’t help. Besides I need to get back to my business before I lose it.” Maggie replied.
Joe rounded out all of the people involved in the ECOX project. No matter how any of them tried to remove themselves from the major disaster it had a death grip on their lives. Only Joe was concerned about Dr. O. He had gone from brilliant scientist to a failure responsible for their troubles at warp speed.
Joe was quite nervous when he arrived at the university where Dr. O was set up in his own laboratory by his friends. The scientist was delighted to see him but not with an air of desperation. What a relief to see Dr. O with the familiar lopsided grin. He remarked.
“ I haven’t seen you this happy for a long time O.” O wrapped his large arms around Joe and squeezed. He gasped for air and O squeezed. Joe made a strangulation sound and O squeezed.
In a desperate move to stay alive he managed to punch O in his gut thus breaking the hug.
He sat down on a stool to recover. O scrambled over to a work area then grabbed a stack of papers, He said. “ I’m so pleased you came back Joe. I tried to find you and no one knew anything. I’m so relieved. I thought you were dead. Your timing is perfect I finished my project today. Look at these figures! I have found the formula to gain control of the ECO-X. The answer came to me that I should have seen days ago. Look.”
Joe stepped over to the desk only to please O. Obviously he had forgotten his former assistant was ignorant about high powered mathmatical equations and chemistry. He bent over to look at the mass of numbers to pleaase O.
. “Oh yeah O I can see clearly the path you took to find an answer.” Joe lied. “When will you apply it?” He wanted to add how in hell could the damned figures be translated into something, anything?
Looking very pleased with himself O went over to a gadget looking somewhat like a satellite dish except it had probes all over it. Kind of looked like a mechanical porcupine. Joe was now in a bad place. How could he ask O what the hell is that? It would be admitting he had no idea what all the numbers were about. He waited.
He needn’t have worried Dr. O was eager to demonstrate to Joe what he had designed. At a panel next to the dish O twiddled some dials and it came to life with lights blinking. Then he pushed a button. There was no noise and Joe assumed something went wrong. He was wrong. Through an open window in the lab Joe heard the twittering sound of ECO-X. They flew through the opening then came to rest in a cage just like the embryo ECO-X. He was awe struck after all of the gyrations made to catch the creatures, a signal worked.
Joe found his voice.
“I have just seen a miracle O how did you do it?” “ My original error was deciding the egg laying ECO-X were radically different from the embryo animals. It took an exhausting study of all of my work to reach the end of the possibilities. Then a hunch the creatures might respond to low frequency sound like the embryo ECO-X.” “But this disaster started because they wouldn’t obey
DR O and the ECO-X Page 7