When the band arrived at Addis Ababa Airport they were 5 days ahead of the tour schedule and were now planning ways to fill in this time constructively.
Marcel knew exactly what he wanted to do – for years he longed to do missionary work in the field and wanted to visit the missions and encampments of the displaced populations. He wanted to see in person where he could direct large chunks of his vast personal fortune.
James took him by the arm and said
“I know exactly the place”
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Part 23 Great Ambitions
Mr. Blanc liked what he found in the Central African republics. Lots of ambitious men willing to accommodate any man who showed he possessed power and influence.
“Who knows? One day he might come back and do it for real. It would be nice to run your own Country” thought Mr. Blanc.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Part 22 A Short stop
The bands stay in Zimbabwe was cut to only 2 hours when their plane was told to leave because all their visas were no longer valid under the new Government coming to terms with it’s function and roles. It seemed all the bands equipment had been unloaded the day before and was currently impounded until some one who understood the new customs laws could be found. Many phone calls were made and the Mr. Sincerity had arranged for an Events specialist to take on the responsibility of the Ethiopian leg of the tour.
“Ethiopia?” asked Marcel “What happened to Kenya?”
“Kenya’s just got it self a new Government as well , much to the surprise of the old government” replied David without taking his eyes from his book.
“We’re not going to get much singing happening at this rate” sighed Marcel
“As expected” said James who the others thought was still napping.
“Ethiopia should be a different story I believe” James said and within seconds began snoring again.
“Ethiopia?” asked Marcel “What happened to Kenya?”
“Kenya’s just got it self a new Government as well , much to the surprise of the old government” replied David without taking his eyes from his book.
“We’re not going to get much singing happening at this rate” sighed Marcel
“As expected” said James who the others thought was still napping.
“Ethiopia should be a different story I believe” James said and within seconds began snoring again.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Part 21 The tour begins
Marcel was a bit put off about traveling in the band jet, it always seemed to conflict with his vow of poverty. Even that was a massive contradiction, Marcel knew because of his circumstance that he would never be poor materially or spiritually especially with James. One day he would stop thinking about it and be happy for himself. David of course didn’t care and was happy going over the figures and arrangement of tour and even though he knew it was a lost cause he used that fact to try and make it less non profitable, more like a game than a challenge, while James lay asleep at the back of the plane.
James had taken to sleeping 18 hours most days just to preserve his strength. The others were used to it and deflected concerns from Mr. Sincerity, Doctors and Security staff. Marcel was probably affected most because he couldn’t sing as often as he wanted. But everybody had to make sacrifices.
The first leg of the tour was Zimbabwe, though there had been some problems pre and post election the tour was welcomed because the band’s largest fan base out side of South Africa was in Harare.
When they landed at Harare International Airport it was unusual not to find a massive crowd of fans to push through, it however wasn’t that pleasant having all those fans replaced with angry men with guns.
James had taken to sleeping 18 hours most days just to preserve his strength. The others were used to it and deflected concerns from Mr. Sincerity, Doctors and Security staff. Marcel was probably affected most because he couldn’t sing as often as he wanted. But everybody had to make sacrifices.
The first leg of the tour was Zimbabwe, though there had been some problems pre and post election the tour was welcomed because the band’s largest fan base out side of South Africa was in Harare.
When they landed at Harare International Airport it was unusual not to find a massive crowd of fans to push through, it however wasn’t that pleasant having all those fans replaced with angry men with guns.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Part 20 Dangerous Liaison
Transcription of telephone conversation: 15.32 : 15 September 2015
Mr. Sincerity: I know it’s late in the planning but is there anything you can do?
Speaker: There are options available
Mr. Sincerity: I don’t want to know what they are and nobody, I repeat NOBODY is to be hurt in the slightest way , I just want the tour to be abandoned.
Speaker: So you want it to appear as if it was an outside influence?
Mr. Sincerity: Yes, let the tour start then do what ever you need to do. I’d rather lose early than go bust at the end, who knows if you’re as good as you say you are maybe we should have a legitimate Insurance claim.
Speaker: We know our business well Mr. Sincerity, don’t worry. Africa can be a unpredictable place at the best of times, we have friends we can call on to make chaos a little more controllable, if you get my drift.
Mr. Sincerity: Well no I don’t and I don’t want too know just handle it and make sure the boys are protected. That is what you were hired to do originally and is still your main concern. Understood?
Speaker: Crystal Mr. Sincerity. I will be in touch.
As he hang up the phone Mr Blanc was surprised how easy everything was working in his favour.
That was his biggest mistake.
Mr. Sincerity: I know it’s late in the planning but is there anything you can do?
Speaker: There are options available
Mr. Sincerity: I don’t want to know what they are and nobody, I repeat NOBODY is to be hurt in the slightest way , I just want the tour to be abandoned.
Speaker: So you want it to appear as if it was an outside influence?
Mr. Sincerity: Yes, let the tour start then do what ever you need to do. I’d rather lose early than go bust at the end, who knows if you’re as good as you say you are maybe we should have a legitimate Insurance claim.
Speaker: We know our business well Mr. Sincerity, don’t worry. Africa can be a unpredictable place at the best of times, we have friends we can call on to make chaos a little more controllable, if you get my drift.
Mr. Sincerity: Well no I don’t and I don’t want too know just handle it and make sure the boys are protected. That is what you were hired to do originally and is still your main concern. Understood?
Speaker: Crystal Mr. Sincerity. I will be in touch.
As he hang up the phone Mr Blanc was surprised how easy everything was working in his favour.
That was his biggest mistake.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Part 19 Mr. Sincerity's worries
“What on earth are you touring central Africa for?”
Mr Sincerity was pacing his office talking a bit too loudly at the speaker phone. No matter how urgent or private he could never bring himself to actually sit down and pick up the receiver.
“Have you any idea the cost of such an exercise, let alone the danger and for what? Small crowds and a loss on every country visited. Can’t we at least include South Africa into the Itinerary to make up our losses?”
There was no reply forthcoming from the telephone speaker that had been taped together from the times Mr Sincerity had thrown it on the floor in the last couple of days. It was currently screwed to his very expensive desk.
“Hello” Mr Sincerity asked after a couple more seconds of silence. He started to fret had he gone too far this time with his tone and frustration.
“Are you finished Mr Sincerity?” came a calm voice.
“James” thought Mr Sincerity , why couldn’t it be David. At least David knew how to make a dollar or two. “Yes, sorry James it’s just frustrating, I’m in the business of making money not charity like you.”
“No one loses here Mr Sincerity, you have my word on that. There is a bigger picture to view here and I remind you to keep that in mind”
There was a click over the speaker signaling the end of the teleconference.
Mr Sincerity felt both dread and confidant. A strange combination. James’ words made him feel as if everything was going to be fine, how did he convey that calming effect over a piece of wire and a speaker, but just as worrying was the warning at the end, it carried its own measure of menace.
What was so damn important about touring Africa?
Mr Sincerity was pacing his office talking a bit too loudly at the speaker phone. No matter how urgent or private he could never bring himself to actually sit down and pick up the receiver.
“Have you any idea the cost of such an exercise, let alone the danger and for what? Small crowds and a loss on every country visited. Can’t we at least include South Africa into the Itinerary to make up our losses?”
There was no reply forthcoming from the telephone speaker that had been taped together from the times Mr Sincerity had thrown it on the floor in the last couple of days. It was currently screwed to his very expensive desk.
“Hello” Mr Sincerity asked after a couple more seconds of silence. He started to fret had he gone too far this time with his tone and frustration.
“Are you finished Mr Sincerity?” came a calm voice.
“James” thought Mr Sincerity , why couldn’t it be David. At least David knew how to make a dollar or two. “Yes, sorry James it’s just frustrating, I’m in the business of making money not charity like you.”
“No one loses here Mr Sincerity, you have my word on that. There is a bigger picture to view here and I remind you to keep that in mind”
There was a click over the speaker signaling the end of the teleconference.
Mr Sincerity felt both dread and confidant. A strange combination. James’ words made him feel as if everything was going to be fine, how did he convey that calming effect over a piece of wire and a speaker, but just as worrying was the warning at the end, it carried its own measure of menace.
What was so damn important about touring Africa?
Monday, December 20, 2010
Part 18 Mr. Blanc's new life part 2
All of this building was part of Mr Blanc’s masterplan
MR. Blanc had now established where his brother was, it all came back not long after his release. Why or even how Edward had become a Monk and a singing one at that had confounded him at first.
He remembered the first time he had seen his brother after he had disappeared after using him to smuggle precious stones into the country.
And one precious stone in particular.
When Mr.Blanc’s mind finally connected the final piece of his memory puzzle he understood everything completely. He was well aware of the power the Epiphany Stone possessed and he had been a victim of his own greed and power. The way his brother looked through him the night he was arrested still sent chills up his spine. He knew that his brother was lost to him now and the Epiphany stone was behind all the good fortune that had bestowed Edward and the other Monks. He really only had one purpose now that overshadowed all his other plans.
Destroy the Epiphany Stone and anyone who got in his way to achieve this.
MR. Blanc had now established where his brother was, it all came back not long after his release. Why or even how Edward had become a Monk and a singing one at that had confounded him at first.
He remembered the first time he had seen his brother after he had disappeared after using him to smuggle precious stones into the country.
And one precious stone in particular.
When Mr.Blanc’s mind finally connected the final piece of his memory puzzle he understood everything completely. He was well aware of the power the Epiphany Stone possessed and he had been a victim of his own greed and power. The way his brother looked through him the night he was arrested still sent chills up his spine. He knew that his brother was lost to him now and the Epiphany stone was behind all the good fortune that had bestowed Edward and the other Monks. He really only had one purpose now that overshadowed all his other plans.
Destroy the Epiphany Stone and anyone who got in his way to achieve this.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
