In reply to Fredde ten Boom (msg # 16):

"Insha Allah," he grumbled quietly before responding in an equally frosty tone:

"Not at all, Miss. If you wish to procure an automobile, which we advise against for reasons mentioned previously, we suggest that you contact the Eastern Automobiles Supplies & Transport Company. They are located on Sharia el Marasik, just past the mosque."
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:06, Sat 26 Jan 2019.

In reply to Dr. Leonardo Elias (msg # 15):

Tiny begins putting away his kit and says, "I'll be happy ta play a rich, 'onorable tourist or act as someones bodyguard. Just let me know what you want me to do." He continues putting away his kit.

"Well, a few foreign couples shopping nearby should not stand out too much."

"Who speaks like local lingo?" Price asked trying to figure out the best pairing.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:59, Sat 26 Jan 2019.

"I have a reasonable command of Arabic," Rosalie offered.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:34, Sat 26 Jan 2019.

"Nah, sorry, just Bantu and Dutch. I know where we can get a car though."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:55, Sat 26 Jan 2019.

”I’m afraid that my language skills are geared toward the Far East. China and Siam.” McNeil admitted.

Leo shook his head. "My study of language was more geared toward the study of medical textbooks. If we meet any Romans here I can speak Latin with them."

"Ego in eadem navi"

"Though I do speak some French and German I picked up as well. Though it is mostly limited to ordering wine and demanding surrender." Price replied without a hint of humor.

"As loathe as I am to suggest it, perhaps it would be useful to have Miss Elias with you or very nearby to eavesdrop. People are prone to speak very openly in their native tounge if they think you can not savvy their lingo. It is a strategy I sometimes employ in my practice when dealing with a foreign party." Price suggested.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:08, Mon 28 Jan 2019.

"I'd be glad to accompany Mr. McNeil on his errand," she said, "and agree that it would be well to have others nearby. That said, I believe that we'll be needing to figure out how to get wherever it is we're going. This city is in so many ways breathtaking, but definitely a warren."

Leo nodded. "I thought I saw some guides that were looking to be hired back near the port. Though perhaps the hotel will have suggestions in that regard."

”I’ll go down and speak with the concierge,” McNeil volunteered, ”Tell him we’re hoping to buy some antiques and see some of the sights in the Old Quarter. That we need someone knowledgeable to steer us.”

He made his way back to the lobby, in search of the concierge.

Making his way back to the lobby, McNeil easily drew the concierge's attention. He listened to the inquiry politely, and nodded.

"Ah, yes. You require a dragoman to guide you through the city. We would recommend nothing less. Let me see if one of the people we work with is available," he said, pulling out a thick book and sifting through it quickly to the most recent page, and running his finger down a couple of rows, before a satisfied smile came onto his face.

"I was concerned that we wouldn't have anyone available, but there are a couple of them that I can recommend, depending on your need. There is a Mr. Reginald Fortworthy, an Englishman who has made Egypt his home. He speaks the best English of any of the guides, of course, and is very familiar with the most frequently desired tourist attractions and is very well connected in Cairo society. Also, there is Asim. He is a former serviceman and works sometimes as a digger for expeditions, so he speaks good English and some French and German even. He knows both the new city and the old city well, so if you may wish to get off the beaten path, he might be the one for you," he said.

"There are other guides, of course, that will offer themselves into your service if you go nearer the port, if neither of the gentlemen I mentioned seem to fit the bill, though you will be on your own there as to assessing their qualifications and strengths."

Leo nodded at Dominic. "Please let us know what you find."

He turned back to the others. "So how should we arrange ourselves?"

In reply to Dr. Leonardo Elias (msg # 29):

Fredde looks up from rolling a cigarette.

"Me, I can kip down anyplace I can unroll a blanket, but seems like Miss Elias and I should share. Unless she has a prior arrangement, that is." Her eyes slide toward Harry.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:55, Fri 01 Feb 2019.

Leo shook his head. "I was referring to the meeting with this gentleman, Mister Najir."

She settled Fredde with a brief, but frosty glance, otherwise ignoring the woman's implications.

”Would it be possible for you to put me in contact with Asim?” McNeil asked, ”Given our group’s interests and itinerary, he sounds as though he would be well equipped to assist us.”

In reply to Rosalie Elias (msg # 32):

Fredde gives Rosalie a raised eyebrow. She shrugs, pops a match with her thumbnail, and ignites her cigarette. She blows a smoke ring at the ceiling.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:00, Sat 02 Feb 2019.

"I will send a messenger over to him, letting him know that you wish to engage his services. He will meet you here at the hotel, and you can negotiate a rate with him directly. Do you know how long this will be for?"

The concierge took down the information from McNeil, and then relayed it in a brief Arabic conversation with a young boy no older than twelve, who promptly made for the hotel exit, walking in a dignified manner, though McNeil saw him take off running as soon as he had cleared the doors.

"I believe he can meet you here in the hotel in an hour. I will ring up when he arrives if you would like, Mr. McNeil."

OOC:

I didn't want to hold up the interaction for the answer, but would be interested in knowing how long you plan to engage Asim's services for.

“I would appreciate that. Thank you for your help,” McNeil said politely, ”Please let Asim know that we will likely be in need of his services for a week, possibly two.”

Returning to the suite, he related the details of his talk with the concierge to the others, along with his selection of Asim. ”I have the sense that we may end up well off the beaten path,” he told them, in explaining his decision.

”I have a friend, a fellow archaeologist, who is employed by the Egyptian Museum. I’m going to try to look him up, either late this afternoon or in the morning. Speak with him regarding Faraz Najir. See if he’s familiar with the man and his business practices.”

Harry ignored Freddie's joke by excusing himself for a quick bath before changing into a well tailored linen suit and a Panama hat.

Leo nodded at Dominic's suggestion. "That sounds like a good plan. Perhaps we should target the meeting with Mister Najir for tomorrow afternoon."

The physician touched his breast pocket. "I've a letter of introduction from Lord Balfour to one of his contacts here. I may try to connect with him tomorrow."

Once everyone had discussed their plans briefly, to speak to Faraz Najir the next day, they retreated to their rooms to freshen up, change clothes, and rest. McNeil was able to make contact with his friend at the Egyptian Museum, and set up an appointment for later that afternoon. Moments after he hung up the phone with the museum, the phone rang in McNeil's room again. Upon picking it up, he was greeted by the concierge.

"Mr. McNeil, Asim has arrived. Shall I send him up, or do you wish to come down to speak with him in the lobby?"

Fredde sits in the armchair of the room she is sharing with Rosalie, smoking and watching the other woman 'freshen up.'

Once installed in his quarters, McNeil changed into a fresh set of clothes. They were the same kind of garments he would choose for a dig, or for a day spent among the familiar streets of Bangkok: a camp shirt, canvas trousers, and boots. He had just finished filling his flask, and taking a long drink from the supplying bottle, when the concierge rang.

”I’ll be down momentarily,” he said in response to the inquiry. He took a moment to comb his hair and have one last sip of liquor before heading downstairs.