Melinda starts to wake up cause of Janice's snoring. Melinda turns over to look at her. "Janice... Janice hon... turn over." Melinda closes her eyes again and tries to get back to sleep..
Wanda Rolls over.
Janice is sleeping on her back.
Wanda and goes back to sleep, Wanda hears a louder sound.
Narrator The boys are able to fall back asleep and the girls have a long night .
Wanda looks at Mel "Can you throw some water on her or something?".
Janice is sound asleep.
Wanda "Smother her... anything?" laying on her accent thick..
Melinda to Wanda, "Oh no... I remembered what happened the last time I threw water on her.".
Narrator they all fall back to sleep despite the noise and wake in the morning.
Wanda walks over to where Mel is laying "She is still snoring.".
Melinda to Wanda, "Yeah and I'm the one that usually snores.".
Janice still looks pretty bad.
Wanda rubs her eyes "we have a long day we better get started".
Melinda opens one eye to Wanda, "What time is it? It can't be time ta get up already?".
Narrator Janice looks like someone that just woke up after new years.
Wanda nods.
Janice feels like she has been squished by a grand am.
Melinda sits up on her elbows and looks over at Janice, "Well at least I got some sleep.".
Janice turns over.
Wanda "I need to change, try and wake her.".
Charles *snooze*.
Wanda "I will change and get ze boys." and winks.
Janice arm needs a new bandage but the swelling has gone down .
Melinda looks down at Janice, "I really don't want ta. She should sleep as much as possible..
Zhou splash splash, snip snip "Ah, damn, that hurt." Gets something to stop the bleeding..
Wanda gets dressed and looks at Janice and thinks 'ouch'..
Charles must remember to put pants on when he opens the door this time.
Melinda taps Janice on her good shoulder, "Janice it's time ta get up.".
Wanda finishes putting on her clothes and heads to the door "Be right back Mel.".
Janice looks up and closes eyes, "Why?" groggy voice.
Wanda heads out the door towards Charles' room.
Melinda "We've gotta change those bandages of yours. How are ya feelin?".
Wanda knocks.
Janice eyes are fuzzy, like Mel's normally.
Charles opens just before she does , just in time to fall over Wanda.
Janice squints, "Like someone used me as a parallel parking cone at a highschool drivers ed course.".
Wanda "Oomph.".
Charles still forgot about those damn pants.
Janice puts some weight on her arm and regrets it.
Melinda "Well now that sounds like it would hurt.".
Wanda grins as she holds Charles.
Charles looks down at Wanda , and suddenly jumps up "Ur um , sorry , my mistake".
Wanda "You ah... forgot something, no?".
Melinda to Janice, "Can ya sit up?".
Wanda "You know I usually charge people for this" and lets Charles loose.
Janice rolls over on her back and bolts up from the pain, eyes bugged out.
Melinda "Oh... nevermind. Don't move, I'll just have ta do it while you're layin down.".
Melinda gets outta bed..
Wanda wonders if she should wake the new person or talk to Janice first, Wanda thinks she should ask Janice first.
Zhou is probably bleeding all over his room at the moment after missing that snip with the scissors.
Janice is still propped up in the bed, looking at her bruised arm.
Wanda is playing with Charles.
Charles is running away from Wanda.
Melinda gets outta bed to get the bandages..
Zhou is putting away his grooming implements.
Charles gets up turns and slams into the closed door again .
Janice looks like a woman that has had way too many long island ice teas at a strip club and has to fly later that day through a storm.
Melinda wonders where Wanda is and who she's doin... errrr what's she's doin..
Wanda giggles looking at Charles' door.
Janice buries her face in her hands, "Mel can you turn off all the lights.".
Zhou exits his room just as he watches Charles slam into the door..
Charles "I should really open that.".
Wanda yells to the door "We are all getting up, meet us back at ze room." and leaves giggling.
Melinda looks in the bag and realizes that she has to go downstairs to get more bandages..
Charles I am not to be treated like a peace of meat.
Melinda grabs her robe, "Janice I'll be right back. I'm goin downstairs for more bandages.".
Charles walks back into his room, to get his pants.
Melinda heads out the door..
Wanda heads back to her room giggling.
Zhou shakes his head at Charles as he heads downstairs.
Wanda looks at Mel "He has no pants again.".
Melinda passes Wanda on her way out to the lift..
Janice squints, dark circles formed under her eyes and red blood vessels popped over her eyes, "Okay." groaning and laying back down slowly.
Melinda "Oh my.".
Charles hopes Mel didn't see him.
Wanda "I thinks he doesn’t like ze pants.".
Zhou "He does this often?".
Wanda "You would have loved it Mel, no?" thinks aloud, "Well he does seem to be, how you say, nekkid allot.".
Charles walks out and up to Wanda , his flight jacket on backwards.
Melinda heads to the lift and downstairs thinking to herself, "No wonder Wanda insists on wakin up Charles.".
Wanda smirks.
Zhou looks at Charles "Ummm...".
Charles grins at Zhou "Sorry didn't catch your name?".
Wanda nods, "I am bad with ze faces too.".
Melinda heads to the desk clerk for more bandages, and orders up some food to be sent to her room..
Zhou heads downstairs in search of food.
Melinda makes her way upstairs..
Wanda looks at Charles "Come on, we need to talk about that new guy with Janice, no?" smiles, "And keep your pants on. ".
Janice is twitching.
Charles wonders were he is, "Oh right.".
Zhou yells from downstairs, "Yes Charles, please, keep your pants on.".
Wanda walks back to the room.
Melinda heads to the room..
Charles "I take them off?".
Janice is having an odd dream..
Wanda opens the door and heads on in.
Charles follows, confused .... all is right in the world.
Wanda walks over to Janice and looks to see if she is awake..
Melinda passing by Charles and Wanda, "Mornin Charles. I see ya put on some pants finally.".
Zhou knows better than to stick his nose into this business just yet, better to let them reacquaint themselves first.
Wanda thinks "Well at least she is not snoring.".
Melinda goes over to the bed and sees that Janice has fallen back a sleep..
Zhou I guess the director called for a second take....
Charles "Morning Ms Pappas.".
Wanda wonders if she will wake Janice so we can ask her about the young man..
Melinda sits down on the bed besides Janice and looks at the others, "I really hate ta have ta wake her again.".
Wanda "I want to ask her about ze new man.".
Melinda "What was it that I heard ya talkin bout in the hallway Wanda?" Pauses, "Then I guess I'll have ta wake her up." .
Wanda "Just Charles' pants.".
Melinda taps Janice on the shoulder lighty, "Janice?".
Wanda looks at Melinda "Do you trust that zat man.".
Charles "What?" pauses, "New guy?".
Melinda "The new guy. Well, I don't know what ta think bout him. He just walks up ta us outta the blue talkin about the book.".
Janice "Mel?" groggy.
Charles "He did?".
Melinda smiles to Janice, "We've gotta change those bandages.".
Melinda to Charles, "Yes. He said he heard us talkin bout it.".
Janice looks down at her arm.
Charles "About what?".
Wanda grins "I likes ze help.".
Melinda wipes Janice's hair outta her face and tries to feel if she still has a fever. "Well it looks like her fever is goin down a bit.".
Wanda mutters in French, <"She looks so young.">.
Melinda looks up at Wanda and shakes her head..
Janice sits up with help from Mel.
Melinda starts, slowly ta wrap Janice's bandages..
Wanda walks over to help.
Melinda "Janice? Do ya remember that fella that was in here last night with us?".
Charles "I say!".
Janice "Trent?".
Melinda "No not Trent. The other fella. I forget his name now." wonders whatever happened ta Trent..
Wanda puts her hand on Janice’s good leg.
Charles blinks.
Janice "What other fellow?".
Wanda "Zhere was a man in ze bar... knew something about ze book?".
Charles "What?".
Melinda "We were in the bar and he walked up ta us talkin bout that book of Lao Ma's we're lookin for. Apparently he knows something about it.".
Janice "What?".
Wanda "Oui, what she said.".
Melinda "We didn't get all the details from him cause Trent walked in and started up about you being dead.".
Janice looks more confused than Charles.
Melinda "We don't know who is he. I don't even know where he's at right now. But he knows somethin about where it is.".
Janice watches Mel wrap her arms, "How would I know him?".
Melinda "It's not that Janice. We just don't know what ta do about him. Should we try ta see if he's tellin the truth or get rid of him." carefully wraps up Janice's arm..
Wanda "Janice we do not like ze looks of this.".
Janice "What do you want me to do about it?" groggy still.
Melinda "Well I think we should trust the man. At least talk ta him and see what he knows.".
Wanda "Feel him out?" thinks to herself and mutters, "I would but....".
Janice tries to stand up and slip out of the bed... "where did you meet him?".
Melinda "I didn't want ta say anything ta him about the book. You're much better at judgin characters then I am.".
Janice "Forgive me about Jack then?".
Melinda "Janice where are ya goin?".
Charles "Jack?".
Melinda "Forgive ya bout Jack? What bout Jack?".
Janice "There." points to the bathroom.
Zhou is downstairs, pushing some eggs around on a plate, suddenly wishing he had a book with him.
Melinda gets up from the bed to help Janice to the bathroom..
Janice leans on Mel still shaky.
Wanda watches the two shuttle to the bathroom .
Melinda helps Janice into that bathroom, "Are ya gonna be ok?".
Janice "I'll live." closes door.
Melinda looks at the others, "Well what are we gonna do bout that fella?".
Wanda "And on zat bright note..." turns to Charles "What do you think about zat man?".
Janice in the bathroom... "Who th hell is this fella?".
Melinda calls to Janice, "Well we don't know. Like I said he just walked up ta us outta the blue." Turns to the others, "I think we should talk ta him and see what he knows. Maybe he could help us find it." turns to Charles, "What do ya think bout that fella. Wish I could remember his name.".
Melinda wonders if Janice fell asleep in there..
Zhou finishes his breakfast, heads back upstairs to his room, retrieves a book, heads back down stairs to one of the tables.
Toilet flushes.
Melinda thinks, "Nope she didn't fall asleep.".
Janice walks out using the wall, chairs, and various handholds to make it back to the bed.
Melinda tries to grab Janice to help her back to bed..
Wanda feels Janice grab her shoulder, "Um do you need help to ze bed?" and thinks 'and I'm not even on the clock'.
Janice "Yes thanks dolls." Nods to the girls helping her..
Wanda hums "Oh la la.".
Melinda sits at the edge of the bed..
Janice lets Wanda help her back to the bed.
Wanda grins and begins to daydream.
Janice wonders why Wanda let her drop to the floor as this glassy looks over comes her, and gets comfortable, "So why is this man here, did he mention the scrolls".
Melinda "No he didn't say anything bout any scrolls, just the book." Thinks, "I don't even know where he went off to. He still might be in the hotel.".
Janice looks about trying to get her bearings, "And he just found you in the bar?".
Melinda "No he came up here with us. He was tryin ta help with your burns.".
Janice "Burns?" whispering aloud wondering why her back was hurting so much.
Melinda "Janice you got burned yesterday. Ya don't remember anything that happened?".
Wanda "Janice he knew about ze book... I thought it was ze secret, no?".
Melinda "Didn't he say something about it bein in his family or something like that?".
Janice looking back and forth between the women, confused, thinking then says "I remember saving you, waking up at the hospital, coming back here, hurting, and then waking up today.".
Wanda "He is meeting us today and wants to come along to ze cave.".
Melinda "Janice do ya remember dyin yesterday?".
Janice "I remember you kissing me.".
Melinda blushes slightly, "That was for Rod.".
Janice "No Mel, I meant the one in the hospital.".
Melinda "The one at the hospital? I don't remember kissin ya at the hospital." wonders what else Janice did while she was at the hospital..
Wanda giggles remembering her fondling Janice’s...er...pumping on her chest and blowing in her mouth..
Melinda is still wondering bout this kiss then remembers, "Oh that wasn't a kiss Janice. I was tryin ta... tryin ta get ya ta breath again." and looks down at her hands..
Janice "I was breathing Mel. Where is this man at?".
Wanda "Looks like he went downstairs Janice. Me thinks he will be back to ze room soon.".
Janice "Is he staying at this hotel?'.
Melinda shrugs, "I'm not sure.".
Melinda is getting upset remembering what happened at the hospital, "Janice you were not breathin and that stupid doctor didn't do a damn thing about it.".
Janice eyebrows shot up, speechless that Mel cussed...
Melinda "I think I heard he mention that he was.".
Zhou sighs, looks up at the ceiling, then continues reading.
Melinda looks at Janice, "What?".
Wanda "He is coming back to talk to us..."she sighs, "I do not know what to think about him. I do not like ze fellow.".
Melinda stands up from the bed, "I think we should at least listen ta what he has ta say bout it.".
Janice is still speechless.... pointing a finger wanting to say something then doesn’t..
Melinda "He already knows that we know something bout that book. He just doesn't know what we know. Which is nothing really." Melinda raises a eyebrow ta Janice, "What's on heaven sakes is wrong?".
Janice looks at Mel, "You just cussed.".
Melinda holds her hand up to her bosoms, "I did?".
Janice sighs, "Well I guess we will wait here for this 'fella' to return. Yes Mel you also said I died".
Melinda takes in a deep breath, "Well ya did Janice." And now remembers why she cussed. Thinks to herself, 'That good for nothing doctor didn't do anything bout it either.' she shakes her mind clear of her thoughts. "Well I guess I we wait then.".
Janice "Oh Mel I’m fine, a little sick, burnt, and sore, but fine." Smirks, "At least I didn’t get hit by a truck.".
Zhou sighs heavily, replacing his bookmark, he drags himself from his chair, heading upstairs, he stops in front of a door, almost hesitant for a second... finally, he reaches up and raps on the door..
Wanda is sharpening her letter opener when she hears the door..
Melinda makes her way to the door, "Yes?".
Wanda "I guess I will get zis." runs into Mel, "Or you can is fine.".
Melinda smiles and opens the door..
Zhou "Miss Pappas? This is Zhou. The man you talked to last night? I apologize if I am disturbing you, but I was hoping we could continue our discussion.".
Janice "Who's there?" Looks alert now.
Melinda turns back to Janice then back to Zhou. "It's Zhou? Did I pronounce that correctly?".
Janice "Zoo?".
Zhou smiles "Yes. May I come in?".
Melinda opens the door all the way, "Yes you may.".
Wanda raises a brow and puts her letter opener down her shirt.
Zhou walks in, a book still under his arm, he looks around the room at all the inhabitant. "Miss Wanda. Miss Covington." He bows slightly..
Janice looks down at her thin tank top and wraps up in the blanket still feeling shaky.
Zhou "I take it you are feeling better? You seem more cognizant to me now.".
Melinda pointing to the couch, "Zhou please have a seat.".
Wanda thinks "ouch that’s a bad spot for that letter opener" and nods to the Zhou..
Janice nods being uncharacteristically quiet.
Zhou If anyone can read Japanese, the book has Kanji lettering on the cover..
Wanda points to her own neck "you seem to have a little something here".
Zhou looks around, and finally has that seat.
Melinda makes her way back to the bed, sitting down on the edge of it again. "Zhou, tell Dr Covington here what ya know bout this book you were talkin us about.".
Janice nods making room for Melinda, which Mel finds odd that she’s being quiet.
Zhou "Ah yes..."He clears throat a little bit, "Well, the truth of the matter is, I know very little that is verifiable.".
Melinda looks at Janice to see if she's listening, "Are you ok?".
Wanda eyes him warily.
Janice nods to Mel and taps her on the back three times and moves her finger in the shape of the first character of the book title (in Japanese).
Zhou "The book that I search for is said to have been in my family for many thousands of years... I have heard stories, from my grandparents, about the book, the journeys that it has made.... And certain, I suppose 'powers' is the best way to describe what it contains. Myths, old stories, mostly, that I don't believe... But I would still wish to find it.".
Melinda is wondering what Janice is doing to her back and looks over her shoulder at her..
Zhou "I heard, last night, that your party is searching for a book as well, I think it may be the same book.".
Janice clears her throat, "Why did you find us? What can we do to help you?" coughs and giggles a bit, "I'm not in the search and recover business.".
Janice taps Mel's back again and draws a circle.
Zhou "Well, to be honest, I do not have the skills or the means to search for something as this. It would seem you do. And of course. ".
Janice draws an L on her back.
Melinda to Zhou, "And how do ya know that we're talkin bout the same book?".
Wanda yawns.
Zhou "We would not have to locate right now, or even in the near future, but I dread what would happen if the book fell into the hands of the Reich.".
Wanda plays with her letter opener then decides to sharpen it again.
Janice draws an O on Mel's back, "Why would the Reich be interested in an old book.".
Wanda "And What about your hands? Are they clean or dirty?".
Melinda is getting chills from Janice's finger on her back..
Zhou "Well there have been stories and rumors that Hitler is interested in artifacts, ancient artifacts. For what reasons, I do not know.".
Janice draws an A on her back.
Zhou "My hands are as dirty as any man's in this war.".
Melinda is not pay attention to the conversation because she's being distracted by Janice playing with her back..
Janice looks at Zhou, "Why? A man bent on destroying the world, why would he want something like that, that's so valuable.".
Zhou "I believe the book would qualify as an artifact.".
Wanda "Its stands to reason that it shouldn’t be in a mans hands".
Janice draws an M on Mel’s back.
Zhou "Then we find it and destroy it.".
Janice "I don't destroy artifacts".
Melinda at this point doesn't care what Janice is trying to spell out, she's enjoying it too much..
Janice draws an A.
Zhou "Then we don't have to destroy it. We can take it... to America, I believe would be the best place. I am interested only in keeping it out of the hands of the Reich.".
Janice "Then why don't you leave it where it's at? The Greek government won't let Nazi's run around digging all over the place" Janice stops drawing on Mel's back, trying to see if she got it or not.
Melinda notices that the whole conversation has just gone by her, but she's waiting for Janice to continue. .
Zhou "But what if Greece should fall to them?".
Janice "Where is this book at?".
Zhou moves the book in his hands, rubbing the cover with his thumb in a habitory fashion.
Janice could use a drink, her throat is parched.
Melinda sighs and turns slowly around then it hits her what Janice was spelling out. .
Janice draws a box on her back and taps in the direction of Zhou.
Melinda smiles to herself. Melinda looks over at Zhou..
Zhou "I've tracked it here, to Greece. But the trail has grown cold. As I said, I do not possess the skills or the means to search any further.".
Janice frowns, "I don't have the man power to begin a cold search for something.".
Zhou "I know it was in a cave somewhere..."he pauses, thinking. "A tomb perhaps?".
Melinda "And she not in any condition to go on a dig right now also.".
Janice coughs and pats Mel's back about to draw something else, "I'm fine Mel".
Zhou "Well, as I said, it does not have to begin in earnest. I am at your disposal, not the other way around.".
Janice looks at Zhou, "Do you know where this cave was?".
Zhou "No, I'm sorry, I do not.".
Janice pulls her hand out from the blanket and holds the palm out, "May I see that book you have?".
Zhou hesitates, but he hands the book over. It is black with gold lettering on the cover, the spine is broken. "Do you know what it is?".
Janice carefully opens the book and delicately turns the pages skimming them thinking, "The book is the Tao Te Ching, a Japanese translation. The author is of course attributed as Lao Tzu, not Lao Ma.".
Zhou "I have read it many times. That is why it is in such horrible condition." He smiles sheepishly.
Janice raises an eyebrow, "It's very old.".
Zhou "I've had it for awhile. It was given to me by my grandmother.".
Janice "It's not originally Japanese, is it?".
Zhou "No, it's a translation of a Chinese work.".
Janice "How did you get it? Is it a family artifact, or did your grandmother get it from someone else?".
Zhou "I honestly don't know, I never thought to ask her about it. I had always assumed it had been in our lineage for a time.".
Zhou "She died when I was young. She always read from it to me. The lessons didn't start to take until much later though.".

Melinda is still sitting on the bed with Janice lookin at the book..
Wanda is playing with her letter opener.
Melinda knows she can't understand a word of it. Melinda whispers to Janice. "What does that book say?".
Janice "What lessons were you taught? About the book? Or Chinese language?".
Zhou "Can either of you read Japanese?".
Wanda doesn’t trust this man.
Melinda shakes her head no to Zhou..
Janice shrugs.
Wanda raises her eyebrow and remains silent.
Janice looks at Zhou, "I usually can sober, but I can speak it perfectly drunk.".
Zhou "Philosophical lessons... About the nature of the universe, of life, of love... About conduct and etiquette, about courage and sacrifice.".
Melinda continues to try to translate something, anything from the pages of the book..
Zhou "My knowledge of the background of the book is limited however.".
Melinda "And do ya carry it around everywhere ya go?".
Zhou "Everywhere.".
Janice "So it's more of a personal bible?".
Zhou "That book, plus a few others." Looks at Janice "In a sense..." He nods his head..
Janice flips a few pages looking for something grinning from his words and sideways glancing at Melinda. "We can understand that, can't we Mel." she winks and nods to the direction of the scrolls..
Melinda smiles and nods her head in agreement..
Zhou looks curious, but remains silent..
Wanda looks up "And what do you want from us?".
Melinda whispers to Janice, "Do ya think we should help him out?" turns her attention back to Zhou..
Zhou "I wish for your particular expertise. Miss Covington is a woman of some renown in the archaeological community... or so I've heard." Turns to Wanda, "There is another book I wish to find. A much older one. And my skills can only take me so far.".
Melinda acts like she doesn't know what he's talkin bout. "And ya want us ta help ya find it. Well I don't know." Looks at Janice. "What do you think Janice?".
Janice hands the book back to Zhou.
Zhou takes the book back, cradling it in his hands....
Janice "I wouldn't know how to begin to help you with something I know nothing about or the location of. I'm sorry." She lies. Janice coughs and eyes the water sitting on the nightstand..
Melinda stands up and goes over to sit besides Zhou, "May I see it?".
Janice scoots back and reaches for the water..
Wanda looks at Janice.
Zhou looks up at Melinda, hands the book over.
Melinda takes the book in her hands..
Janice pours a glass from the pitcher with shaky hands and drinks some trying to regain her depleted strength.
Zhou looks rather defeated at this point. He tries his best to hide his disappointment but fails utterly... "I understand Miss Covington. I apologize for wasting your time.".
Wanda looks at the man "Where exactly did you hear about zis old bookie thing?".
Janice looks at Mel and says something with her eyebrows just beneath the glass rim, and clears her throat at Mel.
Melinda looks up from the book to Zhou, "Well I think we might be able ta help ya, but we don't know where ta start lookin for it.".
Zhou shakes his head, thinking on Wanda's question. "Family stories mostly. Tales passed down through the millennia... The book was part of my families heritage.".
Melinda looks over to Janice..
Janice "Mr. Zhou, why would it be in Greece?".
Zhou "There are stories, old stories of course, that a warrior brought the back from Qin. A Greek warrior.".
Janice "What was his name?" she sips eyeing him carfully, "This Greek warrior?".
Melinda is shaking her head at herself now..
Zhou "Well, first off, the stories place the warrior as a she, not a he. It was a woman, as was my ancestor. She was called Xena.".
Janice "Anything taught about this warrior? what year she came from?".
Melinda leans in closer to Zhou and places her hand on his knee, "We can't really help ya if even you don't know where it is.".
Janice perks up at the name, "Xena?" a whispered hiss still playing a poker face..
Melinda eyes perk up, "Xena?".
Wanda sits forward listening.
Janice looks at Mel then back at Zhou, "What else do you know about this Xena?".
Zhou "Yes, Xena." he looks curious again. "Does this name mean anything to you? Not much.." He shakes his head....
Melinda still has her hand on his knee..
Janice "Who was your ancestor?".
Melinda "Xena was your ancestor?".
Janice shakes her head at Mel and rolls her eyes. "Mel pay attention." she whispers to her.
Melinda takes her hand away from his knee and sits back thinkin, ‘So much for tryin ta flirt it outta him. I was never any good at that in the first place. Should have let Wanda do it.’.
Janice shrugs thinking, ‘her flirting usually works, she must not be his type.’ shakes her head, ‘Must not like blue eyes.’.
Melinda thinks ‘It always use to work on the gentlemen’..
Zhou "I know she traveled to ancient Qin, and met one of my ancestors. A woman named K'ao Hsin, who was in possession of the original manuscript for the Tao Te Ching." .
Janice nods to Mel, she motions for Mel to go get her notes on the scroll she translated..
Melinda looks at Janice then gets up to retrieve her stenopad..
Wanda looks at the group and then at Janice and thinks ‘I wonder what she thinks about all this.’.
Janice adjusts herself to the edge of the bed waiting for Mel to return with her notes, "Get the scroll too." turns to Zhou, "Sorry please continue.".
Wanda looks at the stranger "Why is zis book so important?".
Zhou "There was a conflict with a Mongol warrior, who was also being aided by, as odd this sound, by my ancestors twin sister and brother." .
Melinda rummages through the pile of scrolls on the desk..
Zhou "The odd part was that the brother and sister were both supposed to be dead by this point.".
Janice swallows the lump in her throat, "Zhou, we know that story well.".
Zhou "You do?".
Janice nods and stands shifting on an unsteady leg, "As odd as that may have sounded, I have reason to believe that my ancestor wrote the tale you have heard." She wonders if Mel got lost over there.
Zhou stares, open mouthed at Janice for several seconds... .
Melinda grabs a scroll, the pad and goes back to sit besides Zhou..
Zhou "Hmm, that's odd as well, because the stories also contain a bard who traveled Xena.".
Wanda stares at Janice a bit confused.
Melinda "Yes Zhou, what Janice said is correct. We believe that her ancestor Gabrielle wrote the scrolls.".
Janice joins Mel and holds onto the chair arm and Mel's leg for support as she crouches next to them both. "That is my ancestor." hands the original scroll to Zhou, "Careful it's very fragile, but I think this is what you would want to see.".
Melinda gets up, "Janice you sit down. You shouldn't be up in your condition anyway.".
Zhou "Your ancestor?" Zhou voice is barely a whisper at this point..
Melinda wonders if she should tell Zhou who her ancestor is..
Janice smirks and shakes her head at Mel, "I'm fine, you sit back down." looks back at Wanda, "Can you get Zhou some water I think he will need it".
Zhou gingerly accepts the scroll, unrolling it slowly... then crosses his eyes at the writing. "I'm afraid I don't have the skills to read this.".
Wanda "I think I’m related to a monk.".
Janice turns to Zhou, "Are you related to a Loa Ma?".
Melinda giggles to herself, "That’s how I felt when I looked at your book.".
Wanda almost feels left out.
Janice grins, "Why not a nun Wanda?" coughs.
Wanda grins at Janice "Can you see me as a nun?".
Janice shakes her head, "No Wanda, not really.".
Zhou "Yes... I believe she may have been in my lineage... The stories credit her with the original writing.".
Melinda gives Janice a stern look, "Janice sit down here please." Nods at Zhou.
Zhou frowns at Janice. "I would concur with Miss Pappas. You still must be in pain. You will heal faster if you give your a body chance at rest.".
Janice turns to Mel and sits down. She looks at Zhou at his level, "I think then you and Mel need to talk, she is the descendant of Xena, your Warrior that you have been looking for.".
Wanda stares at Mel and points "Her? You must be pulling our leg, no?".
Janice gets comfortable as she can in the chair, "I think that I do know of this book, but I wasn't sure until now.".
Zhou looks at Mel. "You are a descendant of Xena?".
Melinda gives Zhou a shy smile, "Xena was my ancestor." nods .
Janice turns around to Wanda, "Do you know Xena too?".
Wanda "She faints at ze smell of scotch.... she cant be zis warrior.".
Zhou "A spirit is not confined by the physical manifestations of former lives.".
Melinda sighs laying her accent on thick, "Wanda I'm her descendant, not Xena.".
Janice laughs, "Just because your ancestor is something don’t make you the same thing Wanda. I'm hardly a bard." grins at Mel, "Unless she is tired.".
Wanda looks at Janice "Ze only stories I know were bed time stories about women that hated men.".
Shakes her head, "But no Xena or zis warrior.".
Melinda grins back but is still looking at Wanda..
Janice laughs, "Women who hated men? How did you get into your profession then?".
Zhou "The stories that I heard contained Amazon Queens as well... Perhaps you are one of them Miss Wanda?".
Melinda shakes her head at the way the conversation has turned. To Zhou, "Yes she was my ancestor. I just recently found out bout that.".
Wanda "I do not love them. ".
Zhou "Or your descendant was, at least.".
Wanda "You cant love them and be in zis profession.".
Janice turns to Zhou, "I think we need to all think this through, I have an idea where you book is." laughs at Zhou, "No, I doubt Wanda and I are related, I have no French relatives." interested, "So tell me Zhou, the Amazons, what have you heard about them?".
Zhou "There was more than one Queen in the stories however. One was a good friend of the warrior and bard, she was a regent.".
Melinda thinks Zhou knows way more then she expected him too..
Wanda giggles "Oh yeah royalty. That'll be the day".
Janice looks at Melinda, "We haven't had a chance to translate most of them." she says to Zhou still looking at Mel.
Wanda "I may have a liking of ze leather but ze amazons? I do not know about that.".
Janice "Oh not even any French queens? No royalty there?".
Melinda glances to Janice then back at Zhou..
Zhou "Miss Covington. You say you may have an idea as to where this book is?".
Wanda "If I were royalty why would I be doing this?".
Janice "It is the French royalty Wanda, of course you would end up doing that.".
Zhou "I have heard stories of deposed royalty before." Laughs at Janice’s remark..
Melinda goes to sit at the edge to the bed..
Janice glances at Mel then her arm, "Yes, Zhou I have an idea." smiles when Zhou laughs, "I think we need to find this book." nods to Mel that it's okay..
Wanda "Al I know about ze amazons was a story about some village kid zat tried to save one and became ze queen.".
Zhou it's the first time he seems to seems to smile without reservation.
Wanda "It was my favorite bedtime story as a child.".
Melinda smiles and nods back. Looks at Wanda, "What are ya talkin about?".
Janice glances at Wanda half heartily, "Did this girl have a name?".
Zhou Smiling at Wanda. "There is great power in stories. You should take whatever strength you get from them.".
Wanda snaps her head up and remembers where she was "Oh sorry, my apologies. Never mind.".
Janice looks at Zhou, "Even all those dirty limericks I know?".
Wanda smiles at Zhou suddenly liking him a bit more.
Melinda holds back a smile. "Janice Covington, I swear." and shakes her head..
Zhou "Dirty limericks have powers as well." Smiles at Janice..
Janice adopts her Covington lopsided grin and wiggles her eyebrows at Mel looking a bit better in the face..
Zhou "Just not the conventional kind.".
Melinda just rolls her eyes and shakes her head again..
Janice nods, "True." hands the notes to Zhou, "Does this look familiar to you?".
Wanda smiles.
Zhou looks at the notes..
Janice gets up and walks over, handing the scroll back to Mel, "Maybe there is more where this came from, you said there was three scrolls so far about this?".
Melinda takes the scrolls and gets up to place them with the others..
Janice walks over to her duffle bag, and pulls out some cleanish clothes and retires to the bathroom for a moment. You hear water running..
Wanda puts the letter opener away and walks over to the bed.
Zhou looks over the notes for several minutes. "Yes... I recognize these." A grin pulls at his lips. "They look like stories that my grandmother used to relate to me.".
Narrator Water shuts off after a few minutes.
Melinda "Those are what I've translated so far from the scrolls." realizes that she is still in her nightie and robe..
Melinda closes the front of her robe and goes to look for something to wear..
Janice opens the door fully dressed except for one arm dangling out of her shirt (unbuttoned) and walks up to Mel. "Can you wrap this up." looking at the gash in her arm that’s quickly bandaged from Janice's attempt..
Melinda "Yes Janice I'll help ya with that.".
Wanda stares at Janice and quirks a grin.
Janice turns to Zhou, "Any combat training?".
Melinda leads Janice to the edge of the bed to have her sit down..
Janice sits.
Wanda thinks ’Oh to be Melinda right now.’.
Zhou looks up suddenly from the scrolls at Janice. "Umm, some.".
Janice opens up the nightstand and pulls out a few fresh cigars.
Melinda unwraps the bandage and redoes it..
Janice "Good you will need it, apparently I died in that cave. But I can't remember it.".
Zhou "Cave?".
Melinda gives Janice a look, "Do ya think you should be smokin those things?".
Janice puts one in her mouth. "I feel better, you are my angel of mercy Mel" nods to Zhou.
Zhou "Is this where you suspect the book to be located?".
Janice "Something is in there. Something we aren't suppose to see.".
Wanda mumbles "A bit too saintly.".
Melinda is finished wrapping up Janice's arm and gets up to find something to wear again..
Janice squints at the pressure on her arm, "And don't touch anything on the walls." Looking at Mel..
Zhou nods slowly, putting the notes down, "How far out is it?".
Wanda looks away so Mel cant see her smile.
Janice "Mel, remember... trousers and boots.".
Melinda looks down grabbing her clothes and heads to the bathroom..
Janice "Not far, just outside of town.".
Wanda looks at Charles who is abnormally silent but wearing pants.
Janice looks around, pats her pants pockets.
Melinda sighs, "Yes Janice." Thinks to herself as she closes the door, "I can't stand those boots.".
Wanda thinks ‘he must not have slept last night.’.
Zhou walks over and pokes Charles in the chest....
Melinda is in the bathroom busily getting dressed..
Charles is confused about all this ancestry stuff.
Melinda opens the bathroom door and peaks out wondering why the room got quiet..
Charles looks at the clock.
Janice takes a bite of the food that's been sitting there, nothing like a good dose of adrenaline to get your white cells pumping.
Charles "I better go get ready if we are going to head out." walks to the door thinking about ordering some tea.
Janice nods .
Melinda checks herself in the mirror..
Zhou puts the notes down and retrieves, "If we are leaving today, then I must go get ready myself.".
Janice has eaten all the food.
Bell Hop knocks on the door.
Zhou doesn't mind, because he's eaten already, opens the door to run smack into the bell hop.
Janice wipes off her hands and gets her coat and hat ready. She walks over to the door.
Wanda wasn’t hungry..
Bell Hop enters and moves towards the empty trays.
Melinda is trying to finish lacing up those awful boots..
Bell Hop stands with them and wait <"Anything else?">.
Janice knocks on the bathroom door, "Mel are you alright in there?".
Janice <"No that will do, thank you"> thinks and stops the Bell hop.
Bell Hop <"no problem"> and waits .
Janice <"Wait, any word on that murder?"> pauses, <"We knew them I would like to know what the authorities have found out">.
Bell Hop <"The couple that was in the room next to you? the police will be around to question any witnesses later tonight. They wanted to do their prelim investigation first.">.
Janice <"Oh come on, I know the gossip mill here, come on you can tell me"> chews on her cigar and pats her jacket down and sighs in relief, pulls out her lighter.
Bell Hop <"Look lady if you want to know more information call the front desk or something.">.
Melinda can't hear what Janice is saying to the bell hop..
Janice nods and walks over and picks up the phone and proceeds to ask them.
Charles forgot where he is .
Front Desk <"yes?">.
Melinda "Janice who are ya callin now?".
Janice <"Any word on that couple that was murdered?">.
Front Desk <"Were you related to the two?">.
Janice shushes Mel with a finger and points to the vacant room next door.
Melinda "Oh.".
Front Desk <"The police will be here later today to continue the investigation.">.
Melinda sits besides Zhou while patiently waiting for Janice..
Janice <"Helena was my sister."> pretends a sniffle.
Melinda's eyebrow shots up on her forehead, "Her what?" if she translated that word right..
Wanda tries not to giggle.
Janice sniffles again <"I just need to know">.
Front Desk <"Your sister eh?"> Moments of silence pass, <"Well they think it was a professional. That’s all I can tell you. But you didn’t hear it from me."> pauses, <"It’s a big hush hush kinda thing.">.
Melinda sits patiently waiting for Janice..
Janice sniffs and rolls her eyes at the phone, <"I appreciate your help, my family thanks you."> hangs up the phone, "Moron.".
Charles wonders if he should put his scarf on clockwise or anti-clockwise.
Janice "Well they wont tell me any new news on Steel and Helena. Come on Mel lets go press a few more stones in the wall." winks, "You coming Wanda?" hiding the fact she feels horrible and she's not doing a good job of it .
Wanda "You couldn’t stop me." and smiles.
Melinda didn't think that comment was funny..
Wanda "You sure you are up to zis?".
Janice chokes on her cigar, and not from the smoke. "Fine." she chokes out.
Melinda "Yes Janice. Are ya sure your body can take this. I mean it's only been 24 hours.".
Janice hides her eyes from everyone under her hat, "I need to quit smoking these things.".
Melinda stands up, getting ready to leave that room with the girls..
Wanda "You sure you do not want to wait here and we will come back for you, no?".
Melinda stares at Janice and notices how slow she's walkin, "Janice are ya sure about this?".
Janice puts on her gun belt and whip, moving slowly. "I feel fine, really ladies, now come on lets go" turns to move towards the door and gets lightheaded and falls onto Melinda..
Melinda catches her before she falls. She slowly lowers Janice's body to the floor, "Janice? Janice are you ok?".
Janice tries to compose herself, "Must have a rock in my boot or something." She prevents Mel from putting her on the floor.
Melinda smirks to Janice, "If ya say so.".
Janice "I'm fine really!" shouts, "Let's go get that damn book." stands up and storms through the door carrying the rucksack at her side..
Charles walks to the ......place with the people.
Melinda shakes her head at Janice, "I swear she's gonna hurt herself one day if she doesn't slow down.".
Wanda follows Janice's eyes and grabs her bag.
Janice hits the elevator button with her fist, "I feel fine." she mumbles mad, teetering a bit.
Zhou storms down the hallway, swearing under his breath at the large bag slung under his arm..
Janice "Wanda I can carry that.".
Charles " Good day ladies.".
Wanda sees Charles coming and smiles.
Melinda "Hello Charles.".
Janice nods to Chuck. "Charles ready to go back into that killer cave again?" coughs, "Damn cigar, must be Russian.".
Wanda smiles and whispers in Janice’s ear "If you have trouble I can get zat and we do not have to tell little miss worry wart over there.".
Melinda to Janice, "I think you could at least let one of the men carry that thing, Janice.".
Charles "Can’t be any worse the forgetting to wear pants, can it?".
Janice would have let Wanda carry it, but on hearing that from Mel, "I have got it." and she slings it over her shoulder.....
Wanda looks at Charles and smiles "Oui, I hate when I do zat.".
Melinda "Wanda I don't think she should be carryin that thing or out here at all. Now help me out her." And tries to grab the bag from Janice..
The Sound was more of a scream that they heard back in Springfield Illinois.... .
Farmer "Did you hear that?".
Wife "Sounded like a head strong archaeologist slapping her back with a ton of scrolls..." .
Farmer "That's what I thought it was... what's for dinner?".
Zhou rushes down the hall, catching up with the others... He stops suddenly... "What was that?".
Melinda thinks to herself, "That's what she gets for bein stubborn.".
Wanda thinks she went deaf.
Zhou doesn't say anything, but smiles. Knowing he probably would have done the same thing..
Janice fell into the elevator as the doors opened up and jumped up with a whoosh looking at Wanda... "Here." handing her the bag.
Melinda grabs the bag from Janice, "Now well ya let one of the men hold that for ya?".
Janice "Hey!".
Charles " Are you alright there Miss Covington?".
Wanda Takes it and winks "No problem.".
Janice watches Mel and Wanda fight over her bag.
Wanda takes it outta mels hand "Can’t have it, you might break a nail, no?".
Janice nods to Charles, "Thanks, but I am f-I-n-e!!".
Melinda "Well now that's true Wanda.".
Charles "I once knew a man who could break nails, fascinating young chap".
Wanda looks down and is thankful Mel isn’t wearing pumps again.
Melinda turns around to look at Janice, "Oh you want sympathy now, huh?".
Wanda giggles.
Zhou "You don't look fine.".
Janice leans her good shoulder against the elevator and sighs thanking whatever the gods of Lifts are that it opened..
Zhou "I'm sure you've looked better... Though I wouldn't know.".
Janice walks out ignoring Melinda..
Wanda shakes her head.
Charles follows Janice.
Wanda (can we break for a sec?).
Melinda smirks at Janice as she passes by her..
Zhou follows obediently.
Janice "Women." she mutters under her breath heading out into the bright morning sunlight for her truck.
Charles "Still didn't catch your name old chap." To Zhou.
Wanda follows the group.
Zhou follows after Janice.
Janice looks at Wanda, "Can you drive?".
Melinda starts to feel bad for teasing Janice and walks up to her, "Janice I'm sorry. Are ya sure you're gonna be ok?".
Charles follows some one.
Wanda smiles "Oui.".
Zhou thinks about tying a string around Charles's neck "Come on...".
Wanda hopes all those French parking tickets don’t come back to haunt her.
Janice looks back and up at Mel nodding, "I'm fine, old Mad Dog like me won't let a little arrow or fire stop her." slaps Mel's rear, "Get in the truck." throws the keys to Wanda and hops in the back.
Melinda "Oh my! Janice Covington I swear..." and makes her up in the truck..
Wanda looks back at Janice "What you aren’t going to slap my rear?".
Zhou dumps his bag in the back climbing. Suddenly realizing he doesn't know what kind of truck it is..
Janice shakes her head at Wanda.
Wanda misses the keys and bends over to pick them up "Now iz your chance...".
Zhou hopes it has an open back.
Melinda closes the door, "Wanda now don't ya go speedy all over the place.".
Janice is in the back with the boys.
Wanda hops in the truck and starts it up "Iz everyone in?".
Charles hops in.
Wanda looks at Mel "Now I am not stopping 300 times so you can go wee.".
Zhou sits with his bag propped up between his legs.
Melinda looks in the back, "Yes I think they're all ready." shakes her head..
Wanda Pulls away with only a small fish tail.
Charles stares into space, grinning.
Janice holds on and hits the top of the roof, "Wanda...".
Wanda cringes "Sorry." and slows down.
Melinda "Wanda do ya always drive like this?".
Janice "Oh no Wanda speed up, you are driving too slow." laughs knowing Mel just went white.
Zhou pulls out a book, a different book from before, and begins reading..
Wanda "Anything you want Janice." and floors it.
Charles gets up, and dusts himself off "Well wasn't that fun chaps" chuckles.
Janice leans on the truck bed not letting her back or shoulder bump into anything.
Melinda grabs anything she can to hold on. "Oh my. Wanda, for heaven sakes slow down.".
Zhou Looks up at Janice. "She doesn't get motion sickness, does she?".
Narrator the entire group survives the ride (barely) and arrives at the cave.
Charles gets up again laughing .
Janice shakes her head no to Zhou.
Wanda comes to a scratching halt.
Charles "Well wasn't that a grand spin?".
Janice jumps down from the truck and opens the door for Wanda, "Great ride".
Melinda gets outta the truck as fast as she can, "And I thought Janice was a crazy driver.".
Zhou puts his book away, jumping down..
Wanda grins "I thought you would like zat.".
Charles climbs out .
Janice holds hand out for Wanda, "Anytime Wanda".
Wanda looks in Janice’s pack and hands her a cigar .
Zhou looks around at the destination. "So which way do we go?".
Wanda takes her hand "Why thank you.".
Melinda thinks, "What am I gonna do with those two?".
Janice winks, "Girl after my own heart." says then heads to the back of the truck and pulls out a few extra things.
Wanda wonders why it is so easy to team up with Janice and thinks It’s like we are sisters..
Melinda tucks away the strands of hair that had gone outta her bun..
Wanda runs her hand through her blonde curls.
Charles just stands there grinning.
Janice hands out some ropes, a few collapsible shovels, and a pick for Mel.
Zhou Looks around again... "Are we likely to run into sanctioned patrols out here?".
Melinda thinks, "Lordly we have ta go into that cave again.".
Charles " What caves that?".
Melinda takes the pick and looks at it, "And what am I suppose ta do with this thing?".
Janice stops at the entrance, "Don't anyone touch..." looks at Mel then Charles then Mel again. "Anything!".
Zhou "I would guess, carry it for now.".
Janice "Just hold onto it.".
Melinda looks down.
Wanda straps it to her pack and gets out her gun.
Zhou pulls out his rifle and slings it over back, and his gun belt before running to catch up with the others.
Janice passes out flashlights, "Everyone ready?".
Zhou "Ready.".
Melinda tries ta lug the pick around. .
Janice "Okay Mel give me the Map.".
Charles " I suppose so, oh boy, are we going to go spelunking again?".
Melinda nods.
Wanda giggles as her mind wanders, has a gun in one hand and flash lighting the other.
Janice is waiting, watching Mel look for the Map.
Wanda follows Janice.
Zhou wanders to the edge of the cave... a gun on his back, at his side, and a flashlight in hand..
Melinda tries to think where she put the map. "Oh I know." And heads for the bag Janice is carrying..
Wanda shakes her head "Do not tell me you left it in the cave".
Melinda opens up the bag and reaches in for the map..
Janice "Mel this is how we got stuck in Burkittsville.".
Melinda "Janice I've got it right here." And hands her the map, puts the pick down on the ground..
Janice opens the map and looks at Mel, "Where about was that jade on there?".
Melinda lowers her head, "And this time I won't touch it.".
Wanda looks into the cave.
Janice "Okay this part should be safe now that there is no more traps" smiles goading Mel on, "But be careful anyway.".
Zhou stands at the entrance of the cave... shining the light in.
Janice takes point.
Narrator The cave looks the same as you left it.
Janice walks following her past footprints.
Zhou will take up the rear.
Melinda smiles shyly, "I won't touch anything. I promise.".
Wanda follows behind Janice, thinks <"suuuuuuuure.">.
Charles might though, evil, evil laugh.
Melinda follows along still carrying that heavy pick..
Janice is still checking for traps.
Wanda aiming her light into the dark.
Charles "Do you need a hand Ms Pappas?".
Melinda "I'll be ok with it for now Charles. Thank you for askin.".
Janice makes it back up to the jade, "Don't touch it, you all mustn’t ever touch it!".
Wanda Follows, over the filled pit to the jade.
Melinda looks at the jade from a distant..
Charles "Why's that?".
Melinda "Just don't touch it.".
Charles " Righto".
Zhou wonders...a jade what exactly?.
Janice looks past the area and down to the ground seeing if she left anything behind last time.
Melinda notices she's getting too close to the jade and steps back. thinks ta herself, "It's just awfully pretty.’.
Zhou stares at figure... "The Green Dragon." his voice not too loud in the cave.
Narrator You hear a noise in the darkness.
Charles "Why thank you Ms Pappas".
Melinda rolls her eyes..
Janice checks again for traps and hops she has better luck this time, shines her light on the walls and the floors and ceiling, she sighs.
Melinda is wondering what could be making that noise..
Charles doesn't really seem to notice.
Melinda "What is that sound?".
Janice doesn't hear anything, but then she is feeling a bit dizzy anyway, bumps into Mel, "What noise?" squinting to see.
Melinda to Janice, "That noise. Can't ya hear it?".
Wanda shrugs "I do not know but I do not like ze sound of it.".
Melinda looks down at Janice, "Are you ok?".
Zhou twists about sharply, the rifle sliding easily from his back..
Janice tries to pop her clogged ears, "I’m fine Mel." head is stuffy.
Wanda looks at Zhou "what...what is it?".
Melinda "Well ok, but it ya feel tired at all we're stoppin.".
Janice shines her light to where they are facing, "I don't see anything".
Zhou It's almost a practiced motion. "I hear laughter. More like cackling.".
Wanda turns her gun to the darkness.
Melinda tries again to listen and points her pick to the darkness..
Janice takes a few steps into the area where her torch is shining. "I don’t hear anything".
Charles watches every one point.
Zhou "I do." He takes a few steps forward. The flashlight along the barrel of his gun..
Janice walks a bit further, checking as she goes. She sees a break in the ground ahead, looks like a crack. She shines her light on the ground and bends down to inspect it..
Melinda follows closely behind them..
Zhou keeps his light firmly forward as he stops next to Janice.
Wanda freezes in her tracks.
Melinda "Zhou do ya still hear it? I think it stopped." quickly checks to see what's behind them..
Charles bumps into Wanda.
Janice is crouching and touching the dirt with the flashlight in another hand, the crack doesn’t extend all the way across. Just half and it looks like a shape of a square to the left side of the cave. She runs the light to the side of the cave, "Follow me exactly".
Melinda looks down at Janice, "What is it?".
Janice stands up and motions for everyone behind her.
Zhou is silent, letting his senses adjust to the darkness surrounding them... "Yes, Miss Pappas, I do.".
Melinda thinks to herself, "Oh not again.".
Zhou follows Janice.
Janice steps gingerly.
Melinda gets in line behind everyone and holds the pick with both hands so she won't drop it..
Janice shines her light along the crack as she goes, "Don't anyone touch anything." she says feeling dizzy again.
Zhou continues next to Janice, the rifle firmly in hand and pointing forward...
Charles looks at Wanda.
Janice tries not to brush up against the right side of the cave walls that are only 5 to 6 feet across, "Nearly there.".
Wanda hears the laughter again.
Janice wonders why everyone seems spooked.
Wanda this time it is lower in tone.
Janice "You all okay back there?".
Melinda is just watching where she's walking..
Melinda "I think so." .
Charles decides to follow the rest.
Wanda "Oui, but zat does not sound good, no?".
Janice looks around, watching them twitch and murmur.
Zhou looks back, "Who has the rear?".
Melinda squeaks out, "I do.".
Janice "Folks come one, there is nothing to be scared of... it's just an old cave filled with a few booby traps to stop gravediggers.".
Wanda follows along the wall behind Janice.
Janice stops and inspects the area again.
Melinda turns to check behind her again..
Zhou stops, behind Wanda....
Janice is looking at something.
Zhou "Mel, you wanna come up here? What have you got there Covington?".
Melinda squeaks out again, "No I think I'll be ok.".
Janice "Not sure yet, don’t anyone move a muscle.".
Melinda tries to catch the pick before it lands on her toe, "Oh.".
Janice shines her torch on the left wall and looks back, "Don't move".
Charles stops dead in his tracks, then watches a bug land on his nose.
Melinda bumps into Charles..
Wanda hold tight.
Zhou keeps his rifle up, pointed forward....
Melinda "Sorry bout that.".
Janice "Mel don’t look" at the charcoal skeleton sitting cross-legged against the wall. A sword in one hand and a wound to its skull..
Melinda can't hear what she said, "What?" tries to peak around to Janice, "What did ya say?".
Zhou "She told you not to look.".
Charles " Mel got looks I think.".
Melinda looks around. "At what?".
Zhou "I don't know.".
Janice bends down and picks up a couple of rocks and throws them at the skeleton.
Zhou hasn't moved anymore than jade figure back there.
Melinda to Zhou, "Well fercryinoutloud... ask her what I’m not suppose to look at before I see it.".
Janice backs up, turns around, "Oops." shines her light on a loud rumbling noise in front of them down the cavern..
Melinda eyes start ta widen, "What is that?".
Zhou "Oh shit...".
Janice "This is suppose to happen to that other fella!".
Narrator you move against the right side and a cloud of dust surrounds you.
Janice coughs.
Melinda moves up against the right side of the cave, coughing up a storm from all the dust that is surrounding her..
Janice leans against the wall and regrets it, "Ouch." she coughs out.
Melinda waves her hand in front of her face and yells, "What is goin on?".
Janice "Don’t know." coughs, shines her light into the cloud.
Charles is crouched .
Wanda is crouched with Charles against the wall.
Narrator The rumble is loud, the cave surrounded in dust..
Melinda asks through the cloud of dust, "Is everyone one alright?".
Janice "Alright that I can hear.".
Zhou falls back quickly against the wall, his rifle pressed flat against his chest and stomach.
Melinda is still trying to see what's around her..
Janice wipes her face and eyes from the dust, "Wanda, Zhou, Mel, Charles?.
Narrator there are 3 foot square blocks from both sides of the skeleton that have fallen away.
Melinda "Janice?".
Janice grabs Mel's arm, "You okay?".
Melinda almost jumped outta her skin when Janice grabbed her, "Oh god lord. Yes I'm ok." still trying to clear the dust away from her face..
Wanda coughs.
Zhou stumbles forward, coughing a little bit... "Everyone okay?".
Janice "Charles?".
Charles "Yes?".
Janice shines her light on the skeleton.
Wanda holds her pinkie finger, "Argh!!" cries out in pain..
Zhou looks at skeleton. "What just happened?".
Janice holds Mel's arm tighter, "It's okay Mel I got you.".
Melinda spots the skeleton..
Janice shrugs, "I think I triggered something.".
Melinda "Janice..." and feels her knees go from under her..
Narrator The skeleton in front of Janice looks to have been dead for a very long time. It is wearing some ancient green silk.
Melinda tries to turn her head away from it..
Janice wraps her arm around Mel, "It's dead Mel it cant hurt us." thinks 'please don’t faint'.
Narrator but there is not much left.
Janice "Come on Mel we have to see it, it's just like those in the museums.".
Zhou walks forward, shining his light all over the skeleton, examine it closely. Not touching anything!.
Janice tugs Mel with her arm still around her.
Melinda is looking at the wall, "That's right... it's dead." .
Charles " Defiantly Miss Pappas , I don’t think a seen a deader person." laughs.
Janice pulls on Mel, "Nearly there." Walks up to the skeleton, "See Mel its nothing." shines a light on it.
Melinda is trying to control her shaky knees..
Janice inspects the thing intently "Look Mel he died from a blow or arrow to the head, that or he was scorched.".
Zhou looks at Janice and Mel, then back at the skeleton..
Melinda "I see it's...." And falls forward onto Janice, out cold..
Zhou "Someone was a long way from home.".
Narrator in its hand is a sword ready to fight.
Janice sighs and grabs her, "Shouldn’t of said scorched".
Charles "Well I say".
Janice puts her flashlight in her teeth and picks Mel up, amazed at how dizzy she is she can still cradle Mel. With Mel tucked in her arms she looks back on the gang, "Well should we take her like this or wake her up?" hiding a grin.
Wanda "Hey any way you can take her is fine with me.".
Charles thinks and starts tickling Mel's feet, unfortunately she is wearing boots..
Zhou eyes fixate on the sword then rakes his eyes over the silk, falling on a symbol emblazoned on the chest. "Whoever this was... Was a part of Lao Ma's clan.".
Janice "Mel Might know." slaps her leg she holding, "Mel wake up.".
Zhou looks over at Janice, then down at Mel. Suddenly realizing what just happened. "She do this often?".
Janice nods.
Zhou nods and looks back at the skeleton.
Janice "Blood, death, bodies, skeletons, naked people, all that.".
Melinda starts to stir and blink her eyes open. "Blood?".
Janice "Welcome back stranger." looks at Mel.
Melinda looks around. "What happened?".
Zhou frowns at the pair, but remains silent.
Janice "You fainted and I caught you." Smiles, "Normal day.".
Melinda looks down and notices Janice is carrying her..
Janice is strong, "Zhou how did they wind up here. Book maybe?".
Melinda "Janice I think I'll be ok. You can put me down now.".
Wanda "Why would he be holding his sword like that?".
Janice "Well I could." smirks, "But this saves me the trouble of having to catch you again.
Charles "Do you want me to carry that pick Miss Pappas?.
Melinda smiles, "Really Janice, I'll be ok.".
Zhou shakes his head. "I don't know, there are. theories, I suppose, that state ancient Chinese people actually had extensive travel methods.".
Janice "Oh I don't know Mel." hides a giggle, "Might not want to risk it".
Wanda "I wonder why the sword is out in his hand?.
Janice "True Zhou, but why this cave? Must have had something to do with the book.".
Zhou "I don't see how, he or she would have been given such a burial so far from home.".
Melinda raises an eyebrow at Janice, "Janice put me down. You're in no condition to be carryin anything, especially me.".
Janice shifts Mel's weight a bit, "Oh I don't know you are lighter than the scrolls.".
Zhou looks back at Wanda. "They must have been a warrior, looks like it's getting ready to attack.".
Janice "Looks like a man to me, I wonder what though".
Melinda sighs and feels like a big baby that is being carried by her mommy..
Wanda and Charles look around.
Zhou "The book could be here. The silks would seem to mean that there was cultural pollination going on here.".
Janice sees Mel pouting and puts her down, "Sorry Mel, told you I feel fine".
Melinda "Thank ya.".
Wanda "Why here?" looks at Janice.
Melinda has no idea what is going on now..
Charles welcomes Mel to his life.
Melinda smiles to Charles..
Zhou "Like I said. Someone seems to be far from home." He pauses, thinking for a second..
Janice "The Chin dynasty has had relations with Greece for decades, possibly centuries.".
Charles "They have?".
Janice "According to these scrolls, it wasn't too strange for a messenger to be sent out.".
Zhou "Of course, it's also possible that this is a Greek dressed in Chinese silks.".
Janice "Don’t think so by the shape of the head, Zhou.".
Charles "It is?".
Melinda is wondering what they are talking about..
Zhou "Hmm, I wouldn't know much about that anyway.".
Janice shines the light on his other hand, "What's this?".
Wanda looks.
Zhou looks over, "What's what?".
Janice bends down and removes something from the skeleton’s hand.
Charles .
Wanda "He iz holding something.".
Zhou "What is it Miss Covington?".
Janice holds it up to the light and for all to see, "I don’t know." And examines it, thinking through all the possibilities..
Wanda "Zis is getting ze spooks.".
Janice wonders how Mel became an anthropologist if she’s afraid of bones.
Melinda "What is it Janice?".
Wanda "What iz that?".
Janice shrugs, thinking it can only be three things..
Melinda moves closer to Janice to get a better view of it..
Zhou thinks to himself, ‘Some archaeologist you are.’.
Narrator You all see what looks like is a long slender object, it is crocked on one end and moves to a point.
Charles turns his head side way's.
Zhou "Looks like it could be a dagger of some kind...".
Narrator it looks like a hardened wood.
Melinda "It looks like some kind of hair pin or letter opener.".
Zhou "Hmm, not a knife... It's too small...".
Janice hands it to Mel. .
Melinda takes the hair pin and sticks it in her hair.

Melinda "Well it looks like a hair pin to me.".
Janice nods, Mel got it right. 'Wasn't sure about that.'.
Wanda looks at Mel.
Melinda looks around at everyone staring at her, "What?".
Janice "Very pretty." nods to the hair pin.
Zhou looks at the hairpin Mel has, then in the direction of the jade figure, then back at the skeleton. The gears turning in his head.
Wanda smiles "Oh yes it's nice.".
Melinda glances down at the skeleton, "What bout him?" and shudders slightly..
Janice "Well he's beyond medical attention I'm afraid.".
Melinda looks up away from it..
Wanda smirks..