Chapter 11
It was late and they were all tired. Senor Guzman left for Mexico City almost immediately after Jane's performance with Paco. Dr. Gorman, dead tired from the strain of the past ten days, had gone to bed right after Guzman left. Consuela and Mark had a quiet dinner together in the main dining room, neither having much to say and both eating their food with a distinct lack of interest.
Mark's mind was cluttered with a thousand and one thoughts. He didn't know what he was going to do, but he knew that he had to do something. All evening long Consuela had shot him meaningful glances, but he chose to ignore her. He knew she was certain that he was plotting the rescue of Jane Horner and he laughed to himself. He felt sorry for Jane Homer, like one might feel sorry for a dog with its tail caught in a door, but he had no intention of rescuing her. In Mark's mind, Jane Homer had brought most of this on herself.
What concerned Mark was his own rescue. What had seemed noble, exciting and fun at the beginning was now all rotten to him. He not only did not understand Senor Guzman, he had lost all respect for his employer. The problem Mark faced was that he had nowhere to go. The felony conviction in the States placed him between a rock and a hard spot. He could hardly go back and make any sort of a decent life for himself there. The goody-goodies had fixed that for him!
At the same time, he couldn't stay here. Perhaps Consuela was right. Maybe he was noble. He only knew that he couldn't stand by and watch human beings reduced to slaves.
Antonio Marelan arrived shortly after nine, in-tempting a charged silence between Consuela and Mark in the living room. He said that El Jefe, always liking to call Senor Guzman "The Chief," had called and wanted him in on a brief conference that night. They told him to pour himself a drink and they all chatted until Guzman arrived a few mintues later.
"I have to fly to Guadalajara in the morning," Guzman said hurrying into the living room, "so we'll keep this very brief and have a long conference when I get back tomorrow night. Where's Dr. Gorman?"
"He said he was beat and headed for bed right after you left," Mark replied, standing and going to the sideboard for another brandy.
"Well, it's not too important for him to be here tonight," Guzman confined, "he can catch up tomorrow. Consuela, get some pads and pencils so we can make some notes."
Consuela went to the large chest against the wall and began distributing a small pad and a pencil to each of the men.
"Mark, let's get your assignments down first. Dr. Gorman has had Miss Horner sign her name at the bottom of thirty blank sheets of paper. I believe he told her it was for handwriting analysis, but we'll make better use of her signature. I want you to compose a letter that will be sent to each of the groups in Miss Horner's organization. We'll cover big cities only, so make a list of the best places to hit."
"What's this letter supposed to say?" Mark asked.
"I was getting to that. The idea is that Jane has made an amazing discovery that will be most meaningful to these groups. She has kept it secret because it's so important. What she wants them to do is arrange to have a sixteen millimeter motion picture projector at their regularly scheduled meeting next month. Say no more than that. Get them interested and wondering what she is up to, and make certain that they have a sound projector at that meeting. Give it your best public relations twist and make sure they're excited about attending that meeting. You might even mention that she expects a full attendance.
"Have the letters typed on the sheets Miss Horner has signed. No return address, just the date and Mexico at the top. Okay?"
"Okay," Mark responded, "but I sure wish to hell I knew what we're doing."
"We'll go into that soon, Mark. And I think you'll be very pleased with what I have in mind. By the way, send a similar letter to Mildred Thatcher and Reverend James. Have them get a projector for the big meeting next month, and mention to Mildred that she should play this whole thing up in the newsletter."
Guzman walked to the sideboard and poured himself a brandy before continuing.
"Consuela, I want you to arrange a sex orgy. I want a half a dozen strong men and four or five girls down here for an all day orgy this Saturday or Sunday. You can use some of the girls we've had here before or hire prostitutes, but they must be attractive people."
"What about the men?" Consuela asked with a smile on her face.
"I'd like to use some of those minor officials in the government, the ones we always have to pay off, and the ones who come down here expecting us to supply their sex all the time. What I have in mind may come in handy in dealing with them later on. Think you can round up a good crew?"
"The men will be simple," Consuela replied, "but the girls will take some work. You want some real wild, any thing-goes types, I take it."
"Right! No shy ones. I want gals who'll do anything and have themselves a real ball."
"It's short notice, Avillo, but I think I can arrange it."
"Good!"
He poured himself another drink and walked over to Antonio Marelan.
"Yours is the toughest assignment of all, Tony. I want you to find the best cameraman in Mexico City and bring him down here. You'll have to do this tomorrow because the two of you have to do whatever is necessary to the Game Room to make it a movie studio.
"I want the cameras concealed in a small room Mark will show you. The participants in the orgy should not know that they're being photographed or recorded. You'll have to set up special lights and all that, but we'll pass that off as some experimental lighting we've installed. Think you can do it?"
"I guess so, Senor Guzman, but it's one hell of a tall order!"
"That's precisely why I called you down here to handle it. It has to be sound. I'd prefer color, but black and white will do if color is too difficult. Pay the man whatever he asks, but get me the best man available.
"And while you're at it, find me the best film editor in town. We're on a tight schedule and he'll have to go to work immediately after the film is developed. I don't want any hacks or drunken bums. We need the best man in the business, a real artist. Okay?"
"I'll head back tonight and see what I can dig up."
"Good! If you have any problems, call Mark. I'll be in Guadalajara most of the day tomorrow and Mark'll give you a hand where he can. In fact, you might send down a couple of typists to do Mark's letters for him. This whole thing is on a crash basis."
Guzman shook Antonio's hand as he headed for the door to get his car in order to race back to Mexico City. Mark and Consuela exchanged puzzled looks. Consuela shrugged her shoulders and headed for the stairs.
"I know you have a million questions, Mark," Guzman said, putting his glass down and following Consuela up the stairs. "Just be patient with me. We'll talk the whole thing out as soon as I get back."