The next two weeks are intense in a way that’s hard to describe. The best way to put it is, yeah, I’m living two lives. I planned on spending eight hours of the day in the suitcase, four hours researching and coordinating, four grooming and on break, and eight sleeping. I planned on that... but... and I’m not as young as I used to be!
So by Week Six I’m getting cranky, although I do find that time in the suitcase is not has hard on me as I expected. This learning-to-be-Na’vi business is coming fast and smoothly, and feels intensely rewarding. Part of it is that Shee’la is a good teacher, and part that what she is teaching me really seems to suit my Na’vi body -- it seems built for this. Still, it feels better than it should, and it makes me feel better than I should. I sense another mystery here.
The outside-the-suitcase stuff is not going so smoothly. The mysteries remain, but the time is running out.
Not making my day, even more, is a message from Tyler in response to my report.
“Andrew, glad to see you’re making progress there. The place sounds interesting, and many people here at the capital are looking forward to your full report.
“Oh, and something you may want to keep in mind: One person who’s shown a lot of interest is Selfridge. After he heard your report, he went to the investors and said, ‘Look, Main Base isn’t a smoking ruin.’ I hear he’s organizing an expedition to salvage his mining equipment. He doesn’t have a lot of support for this, but he may get enough.
“You and I both know that he’s more interested in taking another cheap shot at getting his fairy dust, but out here you don’t stop a person based on woulda, coulda, shoulda. I’ve talked to him, and warned him, but I’m letting you know on your end, too. Be on your toes, Andrew.”
Yeah, that didn’t make my day. But, it would take Selfridge time to get anything organized. By then, I should have a report finished. God! Only two weeks to go!