The Firm Part 15 – Intergalactic Finance Minister

We continue down into the rocky cave complex. The sound of moving water. A deep subterranean aqueduct. The water moves adjacent to our path. We board a small boat.

We sit down and hold on to each other. A cool stream of air jets from the vaulted ceiling above. The sound of a banjo plays.

The stream departs the footpath and begins to snake through unlit caverns. From time to time we see shimmering lights of small villages far in the distance. The sound of wind chimes, chirping crickets, laughter of children.

The scene is disrupted, a fog forms in front of us. We sense the waters bubbling around the boat. A great shaking, our tiny boat lands on a conveyor belt, the sound of pneumatic pumps and grinding chains. We remain seated with our hands inside the craft.

We’re set free, the boat lurches forward. We see a stoned lined grotto, great columns rise from the water to join the cavernous ceiling above. We’re afloat, drifting in the smooth waters of this massive underground complex.

On the far side of the cave people begin to assemble. They arrive one by one from stairs carved in stone. They sit down and observe a film. The film contains no dialogue, the music is Tchaikovsky, pictures of a flying bird cascade across the screen.

The film ends, the people exit using the stairway carved in stone.

"It's a ritual. They form up in queues to ride."

"The ride is entertaining. It goes round and round, fake money for all chosen people."

"Where are the ancient alien artifacts?" I ask.

"I don't know" You reply.

All of a sudden a massive earthquake! The stone stairway crumbles into tiny pebbles. Large torrents of compressed air rush past, the smell of burning sulfur in the air. We plant ourselves in the bow of the small boat.

A magnificent rainbow appears in the far corner of the grotto. The boat heads towards the strange light. Small mermaids swim at our side. We exit the boat and follow the path through the gift shop.

The people. The people. Have mercy on the stupid people.

We make it to the end. We never find the space artifacts.

The Firm Part 15 – Intergalactic Finance Minister.