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Stacie had to gaze at the sight. The sun had broken through the clouds and gave way to a glorious morning. She hadn’t seen the sky so clear in months. Beyond the few clouds to the north were blue skies.
Stacie pulled up to the parking lot and saw the chartered bus Eric had procured for the group. It looked impressive, at least from the outside. She was reasonably sure it would look even better once she entered and viewed it from the inside.
Any average person would have been excited, but for Stacie, there were thoughts of uncertainty that still hounded her. Eric’s excursions started off thrilling, but had progressively become perilous. There was the time Jack almost fell during their rock-climbing trip. The time Claudia’s kayak overturned and she almost drowned. But, this last trip, it had stayed with her and wouldn’t go away. Within her head, she continued to hear Claudia’s voice, the haunting words she said to her during their last excursion, “To think she traded places with you. I mean, if you hadn’t, that would have been you.” The words reverberated repeatedly, “That would have been you.... that would have been you....”
She pressed hard on her car’s brakes as another thought overpowered all others; turn around and go back home. But, too late as she was sighted by Jack, who adamantly waved her forward towards the bus. Their eyes met and what she saw on his face resembled a fervent look – likened to one not wanting to be abandoned. She gave up any hope of racing away after she resolved herself to the fact he wasn’t going anywhere until she parked.
In a soft voice, Stacie inhaled slowly and told herself, “Courage, Stacie, you’ve never backed down and never will.”
Jack’s voice rang out loud and clear from just outside the bus, “Stacie! What are you waiting for?”
“Yes, there was no turning back now.” She thought. Stacie pulled forward and parked her car. She began assembling her gear, which consisted of a sleeping bag and as much outdoor clothing as she could have jammed into her backpack. Out of nowhere, a Jeep pulled up next to her. “Where’s your hat?” A voice shouted at her. She recognized the voice as Cole’s.
“My what?” Stacie replied.
“Your hat. Don’t you realize you’re going to need a good hat?” Cole turned, looked up at the sun, and shielded his eyes. “Yeah, that sun’s gonna be bearing down on that pretty head of yours.” He turned around and faced her. “That, my dear, is why you’re gonna need a good hat.”
Cole pulled out a commando-style hat, looked in his side-view mirror, and adjusted it. “Just the kind of hat one would need when out in the woods.” He reached around to the back of his Jeep and pulled out a crossbow. “Along with this, of course.” He proudly displayed his treasure. Jack took notice and walked over.
“Whoa! No one told me this was going to be a hunting trip!” Jack declared.
“It isn’t!” A slightly annoyed Vincent shouted from the steps of the bus.
“Well, it never hurts to be prepared. Especially when you’re out in the woods.”
Claudia emerged from the bus to see Cole’s prized and cherished weapon. She chuckled a bit and said sarcastically.
“I imagine that’s supposed to make you feel safe...should you run into a fierce bunny rabbit?”
“No, but it damn ‘will’ if we run into a fierce bear,” Cole responded as he flung it over his back and stormed away.
Just then, Eric drove up in his limo and emerged. The driver quickly ran to the trunk and unloaded several bags. Jack blurted out, “We’re only going for the weekend, boss. That’s quite a bit of luggage for one person.”
“You’re right, Jack. But, it isn’t just mine. It also belongs to our newest team member....” From the limo, out stepped Cora.
“Everyone, say hello to Cora Foster.” Vincent’s eyes widened, filled with a touch of animosity. Jack was delighted to see Cora but embarrassed as if he were trying to forget something from her past.
Claudia walked over to Cora, “Well, I see you finally made it.” She extended her hand to her. “Congratulations. Hope you’re up to the task.”
Cora smiled, “Thanks...I am.”
Jack walked over and did his best not to make complete eye contact, “Yes, welcome, Cora. Nice to see you again.”
“Thank you, Jack. It’s been a while. I-I’m sure we can work together as a team.”
Cole walked past Cora, “You thought the pressure in the unit you came from was enormous. Wait and see what our group delves out.”
She raised her voice so that all the group would be able to hear her, “I assure you, I can handle the pressure.”
Cora felt Eric’s hand on her shoulder, “Glad to hear you say that, Cora. But, right now, a team-building exercise awaits us. Please, all aboard, everyone. Take your seats while Vincent and I make sure all the gear has been properly stowed away.”
Eric walked towards the back of the bus, where his limo driver placed the last gear inside its cargo hold.
“All set, Edward?”
“All set, sir.”
Eric looked deep into the cargo hold. “What’s that box? I don’t recognize it.”
“Just some essentials in case of emergency.” Explained Ed.
“I see.”
Eric turned towards Vincent, “The keys, Vincent?”
Vincent reached in his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. He shot them over to Edward who was quick to catch them.
“How ‘bout you get us ready to go, Ed?”
“Is that what you want, Mr. St. Clair?” Ed responded as he stared at Vincent.
“You heard the man. Let’s get ready to go.”
Ed made his way towards the driver’s seat of the bus. As Eric began to make his way to the bus entrance, he felt Vincent’s hand grab his arm, “Cora? Really? How could you bring her into the team without first telling me about it?”
Eric glanced down at Vincent’s hand, which was still grasping his arm. Vincent saw Eric’s face filled with a look of utter disdain. A face that broadcast he would not respond until Vincent released his grip on him. Vincent reluctantly let go of Eric’s arm.
“I need not consult with you on decisions made where ‘My’ team is concerned. You’re good at what you do, Vincent, but I’m getting annoyed having to remind you that it’s me you’re doing it for.”
Eric jumped up to the bus doors and entered. “We’re all ready to go, Mr. St. Clair?” Jack informed him from a few seats back.
“That we will, just as soon as Vincent boards.” Vincent slowly entered the bus. As he did, Eric leaned behind his ear, and semi whispered to him, “Time’s a-wasting, Vincent. We need to get to our destination with enough time to set up camp.”
Vincent had hoped no one had noticed Eric scolding him, “Whatever you say, Eric.” Vincent shuffled his feet and hurriedly boarded the bus. He sat a few seats near the front, never turning his head towards the others seated towards the rear of the bus. However, he did see Ed’s eyes watching him through his rearview mirror as he started it up. Vincent was none too pleased when he saw Ed add a chuckle under his breath.
The team was quite impressed with the bus. It had room for at least 20 passengers, with more than enough space to individually stretch out and relax. It also had a great sound system, complete with earbuds so as not to intrude on one another’s privacy. There were four HD TVs, Bluetooth capabilities, touch screens, and LED lights. Not to mention a large bar and ice chest.
After a few hours of everyone enjoying their ride, Eric rose and faced his team. “I’m sure you’re all wondering what we are going to do this weekend. So, allow me to whet your appetite for an excursion you’ll never forget.”
Cora and the others leaned forward in their seats. Stacie did not seem as interested, although the others appeared quite anxious to hear what they were going to be doing on their trip.
“About a hundred and fifty years ago, some miles north of NYC, a group of men who were trying to dig a well unearthed the body of a giant man.” With this introduction, Eric could see he had his team’s attention. “But, this was no ordinary man. He was over eight feet tall. And, here’s the kicker - His body was in a state of petrification - that is, it had essentially turned into stone.”
Jack shouted out, “Hey! Wait a minute. I think I’ve heard of something like that? Yeah, yeah. Wasn’t his body exhibited somewhere in this vicinity?”
“You’re correct, Jack. A tent was placed around the area where he was discovered. People came from all around to see the man of stone!”
Cole was bored with Eric's long explanation. “OK, what’s this got to do with us?”
“Patience, Cole, patience. Allow me to complete the tale.” Heeding Angela’s words, Cora spoke up, “Yeah, some of us want to hear the rest.” Her comment drew the ire of Cole.
Eric continued, “Now, where was I?”
Jack reminded him, “You were talking about the man of stone.”
Eric continued, “Oh, yes. The man of stone. Well, news of the discovery spread far and wide. Not wanting to miss out on this opportunity, his body was purchased by none other than PT Barnum.”
“The circus guy, right?” Asked Claudia.
“The same.” Confirmed Eric. “So, as the story goes, old PT tried to purchase it, but when the people who discovered it refused to sell, so he fashioned a duplicate out of plaster and displayed it as genuine. They got into a dispute over which one was real, and that’s when it was revealed both were fake. Nonetheless, people continued to pay outrageous amounts to see the petrified man.”
Stacie added, “Some people just can’t help themselves.” Eric was delighted she made that comment.
“That’s a great observation. It plays into that old saying, ‘There’s a sucker born every minute.’”
Cole laughed, “Kinda like what we do, look for suckers to invest their money.”
“As long as we don’t become suckers with them, I’m all in on that. Of course, thinking of them as suckers aren’t quite the terminology I would use when referencing them.”
Jack asked, “So, it sounds like going to see this petrified man is what you’ve planned. Is that what we’re going to do this weekend?”
Eric shrugged his shoulders, “Why do you ask?”
“Because I looked it up on the Internet, and it says the Cardiff Giant in a museum in Cooperstown.”
Eric was waiting for Jack to finish, “Yeah, and your point?”
Cole interrupted, “I don’t know about Jack’s point, but Ed passed the highway to Cooperstown about twenty minutes ago.”
They all looked at Cole, slightly perplexed, “Hey! I like to keep track of where I’m going.”
“Impressive, Cole. Very observant. We did indeed miss the highway.” Admitted Eric.
Jack shook his head, “I’m confused; are we or aren’t we going to see the terrible and frightening Cardiff Giant? The one they called a petrified man?”
Eric smiled devilishly, “Oh, we’re going to see a petrified man, but it isn’t the Cardiff giant.”
Claudia chimed in, “If we’re not going to see the Cardiff Giant, where are we going?” Eric could see they had reservations about their final destination.
“Don’t worry, and you will all be finding out soon....very soon.”