Page 38 of Ra
“The throne, of course.”
“I can’t take the throne! It’s still in the tomb.”
“Temple,” Ra corrected. “You should have it removed and have it displayed behind you on a dais during all of your presentations. There is no need for anything else if you present the throne.”
Azi spent another hour on her laptop searching through photos of antiquities not only from the Tomb of Ra, but from other digs she’d assisted her father on before she gave up, signed out of the shared database she’d been searching through and placed a call to the director of the Department of Antiquities who was responsible for sending her on this tour. After several different secretaries and assistants, she finally heard her voice across the line.
“Good evening, Dr. Clement. How may I be of assistance?” Dr. Neti Weaver asked.
“Dr. Weaver. Thank you for taking my call.”
“Of course. What is it that my assistants weren’t able to help with?”
“I didn’t discuss my needs with them. I didn’t feel it was appropriate considering the scope of my request.”
“Well, now you have my curiosity at an all time high. What do you want?” Dr. Weaver asked, as usual not enjoying spending time on pleasantries. She sat behind her huge desk, examining her highly polished, bright red pointed nails gleaming in the light reflected from the array of antique mirrors positioned just so around her over-crowded office. Her office looked like its own tomb, filled with far too many antiquities for one person to be buried with. But she was quick to advise any who happened to be fortunate enough to enter her office that the decor was all imitations of the real thing. Of course, they were, because no one would be foolish enough to surround themselves with the real thing and provide no more security for them than the simple turn of a key. Would they?
“As you know, Dr. Weaver, I’m expected to make our first presentation to the university here, just day after tomorrow.”
“As it was I who agreed to an academic tour of the findings in the Tomb of Ra, I’m well aware.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ve been trying to choose which of the antiquities would be best to put on display and travel with me. I don’t feel that it is convenient to box up and account for multiple items, when none will quite speak to the opulence and uniqueness of the find, even when combined.”
“What do you propose, then?” Dr. Weaver asked, as she sat back and crossed the heels of her very pointy, very high, Louboutin heels on the edge of her desk. Azi of course, was completely unaware of the smirk she wore, waiting for her to get to the point.
“Well, as you and I both know, the purpose of the tour isn’t solely academic. We are looking for donations to bolster the Department of Antiquities and subsequent digs.”
“Go on,” Dr. Weaver said, her voice not quite hiding the ever growing lack of patience.
“I think it would serve us best if I were to amaze all who attend. And I think that would best be done by displaying Ra’s throne. I would only need to bring the one item. It’s easier to keep safe, easier to account for, and without a doubt would make the most impact. I will supplement my presentation with photos of the rest. But the throne is the one I will bring with me. With your approval, of course.”
Dr. Weaver’s lips curved into a sly grin. “Impossible!” she exclaimed.
“I understand I’m asking for quite a lot, but I believe all of our needs would benefit from its usage.”
“It is still anchored in the tomb!” Dr. Weaver said, her voice still clearly unhappy with the idea, though the expression on her face clearly showed that she was quite delighted.
“I can have Abasi remove it, and secure it. It’s already been examined and found to be in excellent condition. Its movement would not endanger it in the least.”
“What would we possibly put in its place for those making the pilgrimage to visit the tomb?”
“Nothing. We’d just put a placard there stating that the throne is currently making an academic tour, or if you prefer we could say that it is undergoing restoration.”
“Perhaps you are correct. It would certainly make a greater impact than any other item you could display.”
“Yes, ma’am. I agree, and as I said, we will be displaying photos of the other items, as well. And we’d only have one item to travel with.”
“I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll speak with Abasi myself. If he feels he can secure the throne and prepare it for travel within the alloted amount of time, I’ll agree to it. If he for any reason is not comfortable with removing it from the tomb, you will have to make other plans of which antiquities will go with you.”
“That’s all I can ask, Dr. Weaver.”
“I know. I will be in touch.”
“Thank you, Dr. Weaver.”
Dr. Weaver disconnected the call and smirked at Abasi, sitting across the room from her, on the throne.
“I told you she’d call about taking the throne,” Abasi said.
