By the time McNeil arrived in the lobby again, the concierge waited there with a rather large man beside him.

"Mr. McNeil, this is Asim, the man I spoke to you of," he said. "I will leave the two of you to discuss your terms of engagement, but he has indicated that he is available for the indicated period."

"As-salam aleykum, Ustaaz," the large man greeted him. Asim's voice was deep, warm, and resonant. "I am told that you want for a guide for Cairo, and there is none better to meet your need than Asim. What sights do you wish to see?"

”’ahlaan” McNeil responded with a smile. ”I am glad to make your acquaintance, sir. My employers and I, we are hoping to see some portions of the city that are not as regularly visited by tourists. Among us, there is some interest in antiquities. It’s my understanding that there are dealers in such items of note in Cairo’s Old Quarter. That’s one of the first stops we wish to make.”

“I had hoped to retain your services for two weeks or so, Asim. I can assure you, you will be well compensated for your time.”

"Very good, Ustaaz. No one knows the old city like Asim, and people make way when I walk through," the large man said with a smile.

"For 40 piasters a day, I will guide you through these streets to any place you wish, and will be with you for that time, and can help you speak to people if you don't know Arabic well," he said, extending a hand to McNeil as if to shake on the deal.

OOC:

The exchange rate is $1 to 20 P.T. (piasters).

This message was deleted by the player at 22:42, Sun 10 Feb 2019.

In her room with Fredde, Rosalie patted her face dry and then began to button up her skirt.  Her eyes met the other woman's in the mirror.  "You are a queer sort, aren't you?" she commented.

Moving to her side of the room, she pulled a jacket from the clothes press and brushed it out with her hand.  If dressing casually was an art, Rosalie was a master.  She wasn't so foolish as to wear silks in the desert when linen breathed so beautifully.  Her suit was a smart cut that downplayed her figure, marking her as a tourist, but not one particularly of wealth or note.

She threw the woman another glance as she pinned on her hat.  "If you keep me up with your particularly loud snoring, you might find yourself smothered with a pillow by morning." 

In reply to Rosalie Elias (msg # 46):

"Yeah, I've always been different than most." Fredde shrugs. "I just do what I want and anyone doesn't like it, well... I don't let it bother me."

She shifts around to lace up her boots.

"Look here, though, Miss Elias, I'm not looking to get up your... That is, I don't want to fight with you. Let's be pals. I'm good to have in your corner, I promise you. Here's my hand on it."

Standing, she crosses a step to the other woman, her rough and weather-beaten hand extended.

"As for the snoring," she shrugs, "You wouldn't be the first to put a pillow over my face. No hard feelings, if you do. And if it gets too bad, like I say, I can always doss down in the sitting room or even the bathtub. Wouldn't be the first time for that either."

She laughs heartily.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:08, Tue 12 Feb 2019.

McNeil couldn’t help but feel an immediate kinship with the guide. They were both hirelings after all, their knowledge at the service of others’ will. For McNeil, it was the price he paid to live in relative freedom. He hoped Asim enjoyed some degree of liberty as well.

McNeil took Asim’s extended hand, returning a firm handshake. “Excellent. Your terms are more than reasonable.”

“Would you be able to meet me here first thing in the morning? There is a specific merchant in the Old Quarter I and my employers would like to visit tomorrow.”

He opened his wallet, counting out a week’s pay and handing it to Asim. “Shall we say around nine?”

"Very good, Ustaaz," he said, happily accepting the offered payment. "I will gladly be here at that appointed hour, or earlier if you wish." Asim bid him goodbye, promising again to meet him in the morning.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:07, Wed 13 Feb 2019.

Rosalie's hand was softer and feminine, but still strong as she gripped Fredde's.  Her gaze was direct and serious.  "Pals, then, or at least working at it.  Just how handy are you in a fight?  Backed into a corner?  What's your background?  These crazies have already killed my cousin and three other people I loved most in the world.  Chances are, we're going to die in the attempt to stop them.  So why get involved?"

In reply to Rosalie Elias (msg # 50):

A smile ghosts around Fredde's lips. "Haven't had a pal in a long time.

"I grew up around miners in the gold camps. I can fly an' drive better'n most men, brawl as well as many. I'm a fair shot. I don't like t'back down from anything.

"I don't like those that hurt my people an' I got nothin' I'd rather do than help you lot chase down this bunch an' put paid to 'em. Once I'm in, I'm in. I won't quit you."

"Good.  We've come too far to simply let it go now.  This isn't justice.  It's revenge."  Rosalie straightened her collar and smoothed down her jacket.  "I know we should probably get some rest for whatever we're going to be doing tomorrow, but I'm damned hungry.  You?"

"Like a starved hyaena," comes the grinning reply, "Let's eat, Ro."

Seeing the title of the book Dominic handed him, "Life as a God? Well, that certainly sounds promising."

Unless otherwise occupied Price will be engaged in reading the strange text.

Fredde doesn't quite stomp as she leaves Leo's presence, but it's clear she isn't pleased. She comes to a halt in front of Price where he sits reading some moth-eaten book.

"C'mon, Harry. Doc wants us t'go promote some transport. We'll stop at th' front desk an' get directions."

Price looks up, "Honestly I don't really see the value in acquiring an automobile here. This is an old city and none of us know it well."

"But probably best no one wonder around on their own. So I shall escort you.  In any case, I needed to speak with the concierge to ask for the last week's worth of English newspapers."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:57, Sun 17 Feb 2019.

Leo nodded at Price's commentary. "While I've never been to Cairo before, this doesn't seem a particularly good place for driving. These small, labyrinthine, er, passageways are hard enough to navigate on foot. I imagine driving is far more difficult."

After grabbing a bite to eat with Fredde and being entertained by the woman's eccentricities, Rosalie took her uncle's advice to accompany Dominic to meet his contact at the museum.  Not only did she have a fascination with the museum, itself, but she was interested in meeting Dr. Kafour.  Considering what had happened to Stanley, she also agreed it was best if no one traveled alone.

On her own, Fredde goes down to the front desk to get directions to the used auto dealers. She asks if she should hire an interpreter or will she be dealing with English-speaking dealers?
This message was last edited by the player at 14:36, Thu 21 Feb 2019.

While Dominic and Rosalie were away, Leo attempted to engage Tiny in conversation. "So, Tiny, what do you think of Cairo so far? This your first time here?"

In reply to Dr. Leonardo Elias (msg # 60):

About that time, Tiny finishes putting away his kit and responds, "Yes sir, I've been in Cairo once before.  During the Great War one of the missions was on was the Gallipoli Campaign.  I was a proud to be in the Plymouth Battalion Royal Marine Light Infantry.  Well, the Turks took a toll, me being hit in the side.  I was patched up, pulled from the line and sent to Cairo for several weeks, 'fore being shipped back to England for a complete heal.

I was able to take in a few 'sites' in the last few days in Cairo.  I don't think you or the major would have been caught dead in a couple of them.  Enlisted folks, no brass.  I did get to see the Pyramids on one outing, they were just unbelievable."

Leo nodded. "Good that you have some experience here. It is...very different than New York, that's for certain. Which pyramids did you visit?"

In reply to Dr. Leonardo Elias (msg # 62):

Tiny thinks for a few seconds, "Sir, me and me new found mates went to see the three biggest, just outside Cairo, at ahh Gez...Giz... ahh Giza. Biggest things I've ever seen. Didn't get to climb any, was still a bit weak, also passed on donkey or camel rides.  I did not get to the Egyptian Museum though, I had to leave. But surely wanted to see it, maybe I'll get a chance this trip.
Don't know much about New York, but you're probably right, Cairo is very different. At least Cairo's different from everywhere else I've been."

After some time, the newspapers that Price requested were delivered to his room.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:22, Mon 25 Feb 2019.

Having received the papers, Price quite experienced at scanning the news for stories that might impact one of his clients or perhaps provide a lead to a new client made quick work of the pile of newspapers.

"Not very much of interest, but I did come across one story."

"One article discusses an expedition that is currently excavating at Giza. Called The Clive expedition, they recently unearthed the mummy of an unknown female from a secret chamber in the smallest of the three Great Pyramids. Several authorities have speculated that it is Queen Nitocris, a mysterious figure of the Sixth Dynasty."

"Before tests could be carried out or the mummy unwrapped, the sarcophagus and contents disappeared, to the bewilderment of all concerned. Considerable efforts by the police have turned up no leads. The site was well guarded, and only one entrance to the secret chamber existed."

"The byline is a Nigel Wassif. Nigel is an interesting name for an Egyptian."

"Even if it is not related this fellow has excellent English and he is certainly better informed about these local digs then are we. I think I shall go for a stroll and see if I can have a chat with this Mr Wassif."

Leo nodded. “An excellent idea. Take Tiny with you. I may try to find a library that may contain information on ancient Egyptian Queens once Fredde returns.”