May 19, 2019
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Every once in a while I come across a foreign author who will reach out to me and today was no exception. As I was writing my blog post on using a rubric assessment tool for narrator auditions, I received a message from Loredano Cafaro concerning his collection of short stories/flash fiction which was first published in 1997 in paper form and then in 2018, as ebook; both times in the Italian language. I found that extremely interesting because I am in the process of having all of my novels translated into foreign languages to increase my marketing base; therefore I was extremely interested. Cafaro's book, Of Reality and Dream: Tales for Underground is a collection of short stories and is available on Amazon and in English and I want to introduce you to it. Here is the book's trailer. For more information, contact Cafaro through his website at https://loredanocafaro.com/.
Using a Rubric Assessment Tool for Narrator Auditions
By Dr. Melissa Caudle
One of the most challenging
things for an author to decide is who will narrate the audiobook format of
their novel or book. I am speaking first-hand, of course, from my perspective.
When I started the audio narration auditions for my novel, “The Keystroke
Killer: Transcendence,” I thought I knew everything about the process
considering I had auditioned hundreds of actors for my films and helped to cast
numerous others for various projects. Whoa! Not the same. Now what?
At first, I was overwhelmed by
the sheer number of narrators who auditioned for my first audiobook – a total
of two hundred and fifty-six. My script wasn’t an easy one, and it was longer
than usual, because of the diverse voices that a single person would have to
have to make this book come alive. As I started listening, it was easy to tell
quickly the narrators I liked and didn’t like. The ones I liked, I marked as my
favorite. After I listened to all submissions, I had marked fifty-three as my
favorite. That is a lot of favorites, and I had to find a way to isolate who
and why I liked one over another until I eliminated forty-three narrators from
my favorites. At this point, I felt like one of The Voice judges listening to blind auditions.
I met with my casting team, and we
discussed what each of us was listening for in each audition and that’s when it
occurred to me that we needed an assessment tool that we could use to rate and
score each narrator objectively. After twenty years in the educational field,
as a teacher, principal, and adjunct professor, I returned to one of the essential
assessment tools – a rubric assessment. In
education terminology, rubric refers
to a scoring guide used to evaluate the quality of constructed responses based
on pre-determined evaluative criteria at particular levels of achievement. In
essence, a rubric is a scoring strategy often presented in a table format. Rubrics,
when used for formative assessment purposes to pinpoint something subjective,
can aid in assessing something the same way giving everyone equal ground. It is
a way to communicate expectations around a task, in my case, evaluating potential
narrators fairly.
After a lengthy discussion with my casting team, we identified several areas that were
important for us as we listen to each audition. From there, I developed our
rubric audition assessment tool and included the following areas:
1.
We scored from 1-10
how the reader narrated the narration parts of the script provided.
2.
We highlighted critical
dialogue statements from each of the character’s in the script. When a reader
would read those key dialogue statements, we rated each from a 1-10 on how well
they interpreted the sentence, and if they portrayed the character’s voice, we
could quickly identify them.
3. We rated an area
called, “Transitions,” to determine on a scale from 1-10 how each reader transitioned
from one character’s voice to another.
4.
Did the narrator
follow instructions and complete the audition? We awarded an automatic 10
points if they did and zero if they didn’t.
Sounds
easy enough; but wait. What it showed to us as a casting team, was the top
three narrators who stood out above the rest. It was right in front of our eyes
in a score – or scores based on pre-determined criteria. We averaged the scores
from the three of us, and ultimately, we had our top three. From there, we
began a new rubric assessment for only the top three, and the final narrator
surfaced.
Here is
where objectivity versus subjectivity played a key role. Several potential
narrators were knocked out of the running because they did not follow our
directions. This is what I mean. We sent a script with specific instructions to
follow. Those that didn’t follow them were eliminated. Some of the problems of
not following instructions were they didn’t narrate the entire audition script.
When they did that, they received zero points for those dialogue lines, they
failed to narrate. Others decided to rewrite the dialogue, which was a huge
mistake. Narrators are there to narrate and not rewrite a script. The last error
was not thoroughly studying the script and missing a character’s personality.
By this, when an author writes, “Matthew’s face turned crimson as his clenched
his jaw.” His dialogue that follows should not be soft and friendly but
angered.
Now you might be thinking how does this all work and whether as a casting member or author will you get confused. The answer is, "No." When you have a defined script and you hear it over and over again, you pretty much know what is coming next. As the author, you already know; therefore, it is not confusing. In fact, it is the opposite because you have guide points and assessment criteria in order to evaluate each narrator fairly.
Below is my
rubric for A.D.A.M., the current novel I am holding auditions for over on ACX. Below the rubric assessment is the Excerpt that the script came from. If you are a narrator/producer, the auditions are still open and before you submit your audition, you will at least know what my casting team will be assessing you on.
A.D.A.M RUBRIC ASSESSMENT FOR NARRATORS
Name of Narrator:_________________________________
Casting Team Member:
____________________________
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A.D.A.M. THE BEGINNING OF LIFE
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Rubric Requirement
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Points
Assigned
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Points
Earned
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Did the narrator record
entire script?
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10
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Rate the quality of the reader's narration of the descriptions, settings, etc. - The blue moon lit the
monolith crystal formations in Mono Lake, California. The tufa, limestone columns, towered over the glassy surface as they reflected onto the calm water. A canoe, filled with three passengers,
followed the moon’s reflection toward the island in the middle of the lake as
shelf storm clouds approached filling the ominous
cloudy sky.
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Dr. Bradford.
“We’re almost to
the spot where I’d prefer to gather the samples.”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Jessica.
“I didn’t know this
lake had fish.” Jessica gagged and shivered. “I just thought I hated it; now I know I do.”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Dr. Peterson.
Dr. Peterson rolled
his eyes. “You have nothing to worry your overloaded brain. We’ll be in and
out of the water before the lightning
gets close.”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Jessica.
Jessica squinched
her nose. “I’m going to throw up. This smell is nasty. How can anything survive living in this water?”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Dr. Bradford.
Dr. Bradford glanced
toward Jessica. “Since you asked, rumor has it that sometimes trout fish dart in from the freshwater streams to eat the brine shrimp. The lake is full of them. Then, it’s a death trap because of the saltwater.”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Dr. Peterson.
“That sounds like
two things.”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Jessica.
“I’m glad we have wetsuits this time. Last time I thought those
bitey shrimps were going to eat me for
lunch.”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Dr. Bradford.
“Not likely, keep on imagining Alice.” Dr.
Bradford pursed her lips.
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Dr. Bradford.
“Just sort the
gear, Jessica.”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Dr. Peterson.
“We’re about thirty
feet from the island. That’s the same distance as last time. By all indication, it is about fifty-six feet deep, and the water temperature is seventy-one
degrees.”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Dr. Bradford.
“Thanks for trusting
me. I wouldn’t be able to continue my research without obtaining more samples.
That means I would be up against the creek without a paddle if it
weren’t for both of you.”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Jessica.
Jessica dug through
the gear at her feet. “Me too. They have no right. Who do they think they are? The government or something?”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Dr. Bradford.
“That’s enough
Jessica, just sort the gear; which by the
way, was until you dropped them all
getting out of the car.”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Jessica.
“Yes, ma’am, but he
won’t keep quiet.”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Dr. Bradford.
“Jessica!”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Dr. Peterson.
“For once she has a
point.” Dr. Peterson glanced toward the nefarious sky. “Rain is approaching
faster than I thought it would.” His eyebrow raised with concern as he rubbed his chin.
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Jessica.
Jessica jumped as
she tossed a purple fin to Dr. Bradford. “I don’t like the way that sounds.
We could get struck by lightning and die.”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Jessica.
“The sky looks like
it belongs in a scary film. At any minute, I know something is going to jump out of the water and eat us. This is exactly how a horror film starts. The next thing you know, a large lizard or
alien creature like the one in The
Shape of Water is going to flop into this canoe on top of us.”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Dr. Peterson.
Dr. Peterson snickered
toward Jessica. “You look ridiculous. You don’t need that, yet. Wait until
you’re in the water.”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Dr. Peterson.
Dr. Peterson rolled
his eyes concerned as he gawked toward Jessica. “How in the hell are you going to see? Your blind as a bat.”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Jessica.
“Guns?” Jessica hyperventilated
as her eyes flashed and her chest heaved. “Who said anything about guns? That
wasn’t part of the plan, Dr. B?”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Dr. Bradford.
“It’s okay Jessica,
just breathe slow and easy.” Dr. Bradford digested their current situation.
Her chest constricted. One team member is already dead. I can’t let it happen
again.
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Jessica.
Jessica took a deep
breath. “I know what to do. Auh ommm. Auh ommm.” She used her right hand,
touched her fingertips and her thumb to her mouth and nose and pulled slowly back as if meditating a mantra chant. “Auh ommm.
Auh ommm.”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Dr. Peterson.
Dismayed, Dr. Peterson
patted Jessica’s shoulder. “Jessica, if you don’t calm down, you’re going to
run out of oxygen when you get below.”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Jessica.
“Then, then, I
might drown.” Jessica’s body trembled, and her voice cracked.
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Dr. Peterson.
Dr. Peterson rubbed
his chin. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Okay, Jessica. Do what Dr. Bradford
said and breathe in, and then out.”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Jessica.
“Auh ommm. Auh
ommm.” She motioned with her fingers again as if she pulled air from her mouth and nose. “I’m there. I’m good. Really,
I can do this.”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Dr. Bradford.
Dr. Bradford studied
Jessica’s body language and facial expression. “Okay, Jessica, move with me at the same time and sit backward on the edge of the canoe. Are you ready?”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Dr. Bradford.
Dr. Bradford glared
at Jessica. “Forget about the shrimp. One, two, and three.”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Dr. Bradford.
“Likely I’ll forget
Peterson; I’m not Jessica.”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Dr. Peterson.
Dr. Peterson shook
his head, gawking directly at Jessica. “Now you look like a creature from outer
space.” The boat on the horizon quickly gained distance on them. “Be safe and be quick. By the looks of things, we don’t have much time.”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Dr. Peterson.
Dr. Peterson
swallowed hard. “Excuse me, if you’re looking for Dr. Bradford, she’s camping in Canada right now. I’m just out here fishing for brine shrimp and relaxing
on my vacation.”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Dr. Bradford.
They removed their
masks and air pieces. Dr. Bradford pointed to the watercrafts. “We’re on our own.”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Jessica.
Scared, Jessica glanced
around. “What do we do now? I’ve got to pee, and I can’t see. My glasses are
in the canoe.”
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10
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Rate the following Critical
Dialogue interpretation for Dr. Bradford.
“One problem at a
time.”
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10
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Rate the overall
transitions from narration to character voices.
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10
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CASTING MEMBER COMMENT:
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TOTAL POINTS SCORED: __________
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CHAPTER 1 - SAMPLES
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T
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he blue
moon lit the monolith crystal formations in Mono Lake, California. The tufa,
limestone columns, towered over the glassy surface as they reflected onto the
calm water. A canoe, filled with three
passengers, followed the moon’s reflection toward the island in the middle of
the lake as shelf storm clouds approached filling the ominous cloudy sky.
“We’re almost to the spot where I’d prefer to gather the
samples.” Dr. Sandra Bradford rowed from the bow. Her shoulder-length platinum hair shone beneath the moonlight.
Thunder in the distance reverberated as the clouds pushed
passed the moon.
“Good to hear.” Dr. Peterson paddled aft in sync with Dr.
Bradford. “I don’t like the way the weather is looking.”
“I don’t like the way that sounds.” Jessica Parker, Dr.
Bradford’s twenty-six-year-old undergraduate student sat on the middle bench. She wore pink horn-rimmed glasses as she prepared a five-gallon
sample container marked “Biohazard.” A small twelve-volt battery-powered siphon pump with a one hundred foot clear one-inch
hose attached to it, an assortment of scuba gear, a small net and two diving
mesh bags with several plastic test tubes with caps rested up to her knees at
Jessica’s feet preventing any leg movement without her tipping the canoe.
Jessica’s nose flared. “I don’t think I could ever get used to this smell. What
is that? Pew.”
Dr. Bradford glanced over her shoulder toward her young
graduate assistant. “That is rotting fish and a
combination of ammonia causing the sulfurous smell.”
“I didn’t know this lake had fish.” Jessica gagged and
shivered. “I just thought I hated it; now
I know I do.” A clap of thunder jolted Jessica as she tossed the flipper in her
hand and it smacked into Dr. Bradford’s leg.
“Will you be careful?” Dr. Bradford grabbed the flipper
and eased it back to Jessica.
“Careful! That’s a strange thing to say since we could
all get electrocuted if those things hit the
water.” Jessica shivered; her lips
spread into a thin line as she pushed her
glasses higher onto her squinched nose. “Did you know that lightning strikes
forty-five million times a year, and about fifty people a year are killed that
way? Thousands are injured.”
Dr. Peterson rolled his eyes. “You have nothing to worry your
overloaded brain. We’ll be in and out of the water before the lightning gets close.”
Jessica squinched her nose. “I’m going to throw up. This
smell is nasty. How can anything survive
living in this water?”
Dr. Bradford glanced toward Jessica. “Since you asked,
rumor has it that sometimes trout fish dart in from the freshwater streams to
eat the brine shrimp. The lake is full of them. Then, it’s a death trap because
of the saltwater.”
“I learn something new every time we come here.”
Dr. Peterson shook his head. “Okay, Jessica, name one
thing you learned the last time.”
"That’s easy. All of these towers were created when rainfall couldn’t keep up with the lake’s
evaporation allowing the minerals to build up like that.” Jessica pointed to
the largest tufa in the area. “They grow one inch a year.”
“That sounds like two things.”
“I’m glad we have wetsuits
this time. Last time I thought those bitey
shrimps were going to eat me for lunch.”
“Not likely, keep
on imagining Alice.” Dr. Bradford pursed her lips.
“Why did you call me Alice?”
“Jessica, ever heard of Alice in Wonderland? Forget it;
start sorting the gear.”
“What do you think I’ve been doing?”
“Just sort the gear, Jessica.”
The murky lake water splashed against the side of the
canoe as Dr. Bradford and Dr. Peterson
paddled; a low rumble filled the air.
Jessica attached the clear hose to the siphon pump.
“This is the area I retrieved the original samples.” Dr.
Bradford released her grip from the oars. “I’m certain of it.”
Dr. Peterson freed his oars and retrieved a Hawkeye DepthTrax
hand-held sonar depth finder from his small black duffle bag that rested at his
feet. He fiddled with the device and studied the results. “We’re about thirty
feet from the island. That’s the same
distance as last time. By all indication, it is about fifty-six feet deep, and the water temperature is seventy-one degrees.”
He picked up the small eight-pound black mushroom-shaped
anchor and tossed it overboard. “That should keep us in place with these winds.”
A loud clap of thunder
caused Jessica to jump. “I don’t like the way that sounded.” She bit her bottom
lip.
With her hands above her head, Dr. Bradford took a deep
breath and sighed. She carefully maneuvered her body to face the others. “Thanks
for trusting me. I wouldn’t be able to continue my research without obtaining more
samples. That means I would be up against the creek without a paddle if it
weren’t for both of you.”
“No pun intended; I presume.” Dr. Peterson grinned as he
returned the depth finder to his duffle bag.
With an aw-shucked shrug, Jessica flashed a grin. “It’s my
pleasure, Doctor B; besides, it’s
exciting even with the thunder and bolts of lightning.” She tossed a blue dive
fin to Dr. Peterson.
As Dr. Peterson caught it, he dodged it as if it were a
bullet. “Not so hard, Jessica. I’m not that far away.”
“Sorry, I’m a little anxious.”
Dr. Bradford’s eyes narrowed. “Jessica, just focus and be
careful.”
“Like I’m not.”
Dr. Peterson cleared his throat. “Sandra, I’m glad you
included me. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get this research back on
track.”
“Glad you think that way because I’m still furious over
NASA confiscating everything.” Her voice laden with emotion and intensity
indicated her sheer frustration.
Jessica dug through the gear at her feet. “Me too. They
have no right. Who do they think they are? The government or something?”
“That’s exactly who
they are.” Dr. Bradford huffed as her brow furrowed.
“How can they take it from you? It isn’t right! You discovered that microbe, not them.” Jessica
pouted her lips. “It’s not fair. If they believe for one second that Stephen
Stone Diamond is going to keep his mouth shut on this one, they have another
thing coming. Mark my words, he’ll blast this over and over again on his blog
radio show.”
“That’s enough Jessica, just
sort the gear; which by the way, was until
you dropped them all getting out of the car.”
“Yes, ma’am, but he won’t keep quiet.”
“Jessica!”
Jessica disappointedly continued to sort the scuba gear.
“I think it’s about to pour cats and dogs. Look at the sky.”
“For once she has a point.” Dr. Peterson glanced toward
the nefarious sky. “Rain is approaching faster than I thought it would.” His
eyebrow raised with concern as he rubbed his chin.
Dr. Bradford glanced upward. Large dark shelf clouds covering the once blue moon created an
eerie sight as lightning crashed toward the tufa followed by loud claps of
thunder. “We need to quickly retrieve the
samples because weather like this is so unpredictable.”
“That’s what I’ve been saying since we got out here.” Jessica
huffed exasperatedly.
Another bolt of lightning jetted from the sky, followed
by a thunderous clap.
Dr. Peterson’s eyes widened. “I agree. We don’t want to be used as lightning rods.”
Another massive
crack of thunder escaped from the clouds above. Jessica jumped as she tossed a
purple fin to Dr. Bradford. “I don’t like the way that sounds. We could get
struck by lightning and die.” She broke into tears and buried her face into her
hands.
Dr. Peterson smirked. “Then, if that happens, we won’t
have to worry about our careers, now will we?” His sarcasm to relieve Jessica’s
troubled state of mind had the opposite
effect.
“Did you have to remind me of that too?” Jessica whimpered
as she tossed Dr. Peterson his second blue dive fin.
Dr. Bradford exasperated by the pair intervened. “Both of
you listen to me. Retrieving another sample is the only way any of us are going
to have a career. I was on the verge of a major discovery. We’re pretty much ruined if we don’t get these samples.” She looked sternly at
Jessica. “Pull yourself together and focus.”
Jessica forced a smile, removed her glasses, and dried
her tears. “I got this.”
“What can I say other than I do owe my career to you.”
Dr. Peterson presented a grateful-heartfelt nod toward Dr. Bradford.
“That would be the
government you owe, not me.”
Jessica took in a deep cleansing breath. “Hell, I don’t
even want to imagine what I’m going to owe between tuition and taxes. I hate
paying taxes.” She tossed a purple scuba fin to Dr. Bradford hitting her leg
with it.
“Please be careful. We can’t afford any mistakes or
mishaps.”
“Sorry, I’ll be extra careful.”
Another bolt of lightning hit the water making Jessica jump
and almost toss a dive mask out of the canoe as she looked upward. “The sky looks
like it belongs in a scary film. At any minute, I know something is going to
jump out of the water and eat us. This is
exactly how a horror film starts. The next thing you know, a large lizard or
alien creature like the one in The Shape
of Water is going to flop into this canoe on top of us.”
Dr. Bradford’s eyes tightened as she pursed her lips. “Relax,
the largest living creature down there is likely a brine shrimp. As alien as
they look, they are not creatures from the Black Lagoon. Although, maybe they’re
from outer space.”
“What! Stephen Stone Diamond is right. We do have aliens
from outer space here on earth.”
“You just keep sorting gear and get ready to collect the
samples.”
Dr. Peterson chuckled. “Amen to that!”
Jessica glanced toward Dr. Bradford with a scowl. “I got
this Dr. B.” She held up two small mesh dive bags that contained several small
vials with lids. “Look, I took the liberty and marked each vial.” She proudly
grinned. “Sample A, sample B, and sample C. I used a black Sharpie and labeled
them before we left the lab.”
“Good job on that one; but there are six vials.”
“I’m not stupid. I used a hot pink Sharpie to label the
samples I’ll collect.”
“Of course, you did.”
“I told you, I’m smarter than I look.”
“We know.”
Dr. Peterson chuckled. “Having intelligence isn’t your problem,
you lack common sense. Just like you don’t think we should have to pay taxes.”
Jessica waved her finger at both professors. “Let
me tell you something. Taxes are part of a government conspiracy, and the government is full of conspiracies. I
know this for…”
“. . .Jessica!” Dr. Bradford’s reprimanding
tone darted straight toward her young assistant. “The gear, just focus on the
task at hand.”
Jessica pouted her lips, took a deep breath,
and conformed to Dr. Bradford’s last demand.
Dr. Peterson winked at Dr. Bradford with
doubt as he shrugged his shoulders.
As if Jessica wasn’t in the canoe, Dr. Bradford
winked back and jetted a thin-lipped grin. “I was just like her at one point in
my life.”
Dr. Peterson chuckled again as he shook his
head. “Just think, her generation is our nation’s brightest and our future.”
“We have no hope for survival.” Dr. Bradford’s
tone teased Jessica.
“I’m right here, you two. I may not see well,
but my hearing is fine.”
The professors ignored Jessica’s comments.
Dr. Peterson blew air from his lips. “Hell, I wouldn’t have joined the
astrobiology institute much less research if...”
“. . .No ifs.” Dr. Bradford’s tone filled with authority
reinforced her no excuse policy. “You provided the scientific skill I required.”
“I can’t find one of my fins.” Jessica dug fast through
the pile of gear at her feet.
Dr. Bradford shook her head in disappointment and stared
directly at Dr. Peterson. “Who said to bring her along?”
“I believe that one is on you.”
“Don’t remind me.” Dr. Bradford sighed.
Jessica extended her left arm as far as she could barely
able to reach her pink fin. “I got it. I got it. I just can’t reach it.” Jessica stretched and began to stand as she
grabbed for it. The canoe tilted to one side and almost tossed Jessica from it.
Dr. Peterson grabbed Jessica’s left arm and pulled her to
safety. “Sit down, Jessica!”
The canoe rocked and almost flipped over. Jessica flopped
down with the flipper in her hand. “Got it. That was close.”
Dr. Peterson rolled his eyes. “I’d say.”
A stern glare from Dr. Bradford revealed more than any words
could, and Jessica recognized it
immediately. “I’ll get my own. You sit still.”
Jessica flopped her hands onto her lap and bit her lower
lip.
Dr. Bradford eased toward the pile of gear and tossed Dr.
Peterson his mask. She zipped her diving suit, grabbed her air tank, put it on
over her shoulders, and then secured it.
Jessica struggled with the weight of her air tank as she noticed
boat lights flicker in the distance. She managed the maneuver and grabbed her
hot pink full-face diving mask and put it on over her glasses. She pointed to a
small boat in the distance. “We have company.”
Dr. Peterson snickered toward Jessica. “You look ridiculous.
You don’t need that, yet. Wait until you’re in the water.”
Jessica lifted the mask and rested it on the top of her
head as Dr. Bradford, and Dr. Peterson
continued to put on the remainder of their scuba gear.
“You know Sandra; now I’m older, I realize
no one took me seriously about any of my research.”
Dr. Peterson zipped his diving suit.
Jessica, using
her fin pointed at the boat in the distance. “Hey! Does anybody but me care
about the boat heading our way?”
Dr. Bradford slipped her fins onto her feet. “You were
attached to the crazy list for your theories about alien lifeforms here on
earth.”
“You apparently
have decided to join me.” Dr. Peterson grabbed his face mask. “Even I found it
hard to believe a lifeform used arsenic to reproduce.”
“I’m honored to be in such prestigious company.”
The boat approached at a faster rate. Jessica waved her
fins high into the air to get both professor’s attention. When that didn’t
work, she tossed one fin to Dr. Peterson and then pointed at the boat. “I don’t
like the way this looks. Yep, just like a horror film; one of us is going to
die.”
Dr. Peterson glanced over his shoulder. “Expecting
company?”
“Finally!” Jessica sighed. “I hate it when you two ignore
me. Sometimes, I have something really important
to say. You know I’m not just another pretty face.”
A concerned frown twisted Dr. Bradford’s brow. “I say we get
the sample and get out of here.”
Dr. Bradford and Jessica quickly put on the remainder of
their scuba gear.
With a discerning frown, Dr. Peterson glanced toward
Jessica. “Don’t turn the canoe over when you go overboard.”
“I am a licensed
scuba diver. I know how to dismount from a boat.”
“That’s my point, a boat; a canoe is different. How many canoes have you gone overboard wearing diving
gear?”
“Ugh, none; but I practiced in Dr. B’s pool.”
“Don’t worry Peterson. She’s got this, I hope.”
“Well, I do.” Jessica proudly nodded. “Are we going in or
staying here? There’s a research sample down there waiting for me.”
Dr. Bradford carefully stood, adjusted her stance, and gained
her balance. She reached for Jessica’s hand and with Jessica’s assistance, made her way to the center of the
canoe and sat next to her.
Jessica took off her glasses and put them in her small
pink duffle bag.
Dr. Peterson rolled his eyes concerned as he gawked
toward Jessica. “How in the hell are you going to see? Your blind as a bat.”
“Aquawear dot com. This prescription mask is the best
available. I’m smarter than I look. I’m not just another pretty face.”
It is all Dr. Peterson could do to keep from laughing. He
noticed the boat ramped up its speed and retrieved his handgun from his
backpack.
Puzzlement shrouded Dr. Bradford’s face. From her
expression, she didn’t have to ask the question on her mind as she stared at Dr. Peterson.
“I’m better with a gun. I’ll stay on top. You two retrieve
the samples.”
“Guns?” Jessica hyperventilated as her eyes flashed and
her chest heaved. “Who said anything about guns? That wasn’t part of the plan,
Dr. B?”
“It’s okay Jessica, just breathe slow and easy.” Dr.
Bradford digested their current situation. Her chest constricted. One team member is already dead. I can’t let it happen again.
Jessica took a deep breath. “I know what to do. Auh ommm.
Auh ommm.” She used her right hand, touched her fingertips and her thumb to her
mouth and nose and pulled slowly back as if meditating a mantra chant. “Auh ommm. Auh ommm.”
Dismayed, Dr. Peterson patted Jessica’s shoulder. “Jessica,
if you don’t calm down, you’re going to run out of oxygen when you get below.”
“Then, then, I might drown.” Jessica’s body trembled, and
her voice cracked.
Dr. Bradford looked Jessica straight into her eyes. “Girl,
just calm down. Breathe.”
Jessica used her right hand, put it over her mouth and nose
as she pretended to pull air with her fingers again. “Auh ommm. Auh ommm.”
Dr. Peterson rubbed his chin. “You’ve got to be kidding
me. Okay, Jessica. Do what Dr. Bradford said and breathe in, and then out.”
“Auh ommm. Auh ommm.” She motioned with her fingers again
as if she pulled air from her mouth and nose. “I’m there. I’m good. Really, I can do this.”
Relieved, Dr. Bradford smiled and nodded at Jessica. “Fantastic
news. Let’s do this. You take the right side, and
I’ll take the left. Remember Jessica, we
have to go into the water at the same time, or
we’ll tip the canoe.” Even through her
calm words, Dr. Bradford felt her nervousness. She forced her breathing to
remain in control.
“I got this. I can do it.” Jessica took inventory of her
gear as she visually scanned for each item. “Fins. Check. Wet Suit. Check. Air
tank. Check. Mask…”
“…Check.” Dr. Peterson tapped Jessica’s shoulder. “You’re
good. It’s all there.”
Dr. Bradford studied Jessica’s body language and facial
expression. “Okay, Jessica, move with me at the same time and sit backward on the
edge of the canoe. Are you ready?”
“Ready, I got this. Auh ommm. Auh ommm.”
Dr. Bradford and Jessica moved in unison as they slowly
stood. Together like a perfect choreographed dance,
they sat on opposite sides of the canoe ready for their backward entry.
“Great job, ladies.” Dr. Peterson nodded and smiled.
“Okay, Jessica. On
the count of three, just like we practiced in the pool. One. Two. Three.”
“I got it. I’m good. Really, except for the shrimp.”
By the look on both Dr. Bradford’s and Dr. Peterson’s
faces, they weren’t too confident in Jessica’s ability to go overboard backward.
Dr. Bradford glared at Jessica. “Forget about the shrimp.
One, two, and three.”
Both women bailed backward
into the lake and almost tipped over the canoe. Dr. Peterson grabbed each side
of it and maneuvered his weight to prevent it from flipping.
Dr. Bradford and Jessica floated to the top of the water
and doggy-paddled. Jessica screamed
paddling her finned-feet as she swooshed hundreds of brine shrimps away from
her. “Oh my God. Shrimp! Shrimp! I hate shrimp.” She gagged and took in a small
amount of salty water which choked her. She quickly spat it out and coughed
several times.
Dr. Peterson glanced down at Jessica. “Remember Jessica; the shrimp are a part of this lake. They
belong here. You’re the intruder. You’re the alien in these waters. Forget
them. Trust me; they’re more scared of you than you are them.”
Jessica huffed as she doggy-paddled
toward Dr. Bradford.
Dr. Peterson handed Dr. Bradford the tip of the hundred-foot
hose and the two dive bags containing the marked sample vials.
“Thanks, Peterson.
Just give us a couple of minutes to retrieve the samples before turning on the siphon pump.”
“When you’re ready, jerk the hose three times, and I’ll turn it on. Then, when finished, jerk five times, and I’ll secure the samples.”
“Likely I’ll forget Peterson; I’m not Jessica.”
“Just reviewing the plans. Initially, I was going below with you two.”
“Good point. Stay close Jessica. Just like we practiced.”
Jessica acknowledged with a fist pump and put her thumb up.
“For the third time, I got this.” She secured her dive mask over her face.
Dr. Peterson shook his head, gawking directly at Jessica.
“Now you look like a creature from outer space.” The boat on the horizon quickly gained distance on them. “Be safe and be quick. By the
looks of things, we don’t have much time.”
Another lightning bolt jetted across the sky as Dr.
Bradford, and Jessica disappeared beneath
the water. The clear hose began to unwind from the bottom of the canoe.
“Good luck, you two.” Dr. Peterson stuffed his gun beneath
his left thigh. He nervously observed the boat gain distance as he retrieved a
beer from a small ice chest. The boat stopped about six feet away from the
canoe as a bright spotlight shone onto his face.
The Zodiac Boat with two Navy Seals floated closer to the
canoe powered by a small electric outboard trolling motor. Stationed at the bow,
Petty Officer Mendez glared toward Dr. Peterson while Ensign Devon Ray steered
the craft.
As they approached the canoe, Petty Officer Mendez stood.
“You’re trespassing on a restricted area. What are you doing here?”
“Taking a break from fishing and having a cold brew.”
“I doubt that, Sir. Not much survives in these waters.
I’m afraid we’re going to have to ask you to leave.”
“I’m trying to catch brine shrimp.”
“Without a fishing net?”
He grabbed a net and held it up. “You never know what
could be lurking in the water below.”
Ensign Ray held a satellite phone as he spoke into it. “Dr.
Bradford isn’t with the professor. She’s nowhere to be found.”
Dr. Peterson swallowed hard. “Excuse me, if you’re looking
for Dr. Bradford, she’s camping in Canada right now. I’m just out here fishing
for brine shrimp and relaxing on my vacation.”
Chief Petty Officer Mendez lifted his Beretta M9 and
fired the kill shot right between Dr. Peterson’s eyes propelling him backward
onto the switch of the siphon pump. He collapsed
as a pool of blood formed around him.
Navy Seal Mendez, who held a rope, transferred into the
canoe. “Ready, let’s get out of here.”
“What about Dr. Bradford?” The young Ensign seemed dismayed
and confused.
“Not our problem.” He immediately retrieved the anchor
and flipped the switch off from the pump. “Our orders were to kill anyone on this
canoe after finding out what they were doing here. Do you see anyone else?”
“Negative, Sir.”
Once seated
securely in the canoe, Chief Petty Officer Mendez signaled with his index
finger toward the horizon. “Forward. Move
out!”
“Copy that.” Ensign Ray steered the Zodiac with the canoe
in tow. As the watercrafts left the area, the clear siphon hose pulled out of the canoe
and floated in the water. The Zodiac and canoe
faded into the distance as they headed back to the shore.
Within a minute, Dr. Bradford and Jessica emerged to the water’s
surface.
They removed their masks and air pieces. Dr. Bradford
pointed to the watercrafts. “We’re on our
own.”
Scared, Jessica glanced around. “What do we do now? I’ve
got to pee, and I can’t see. My glasses are in the canoe.”
“One problem at a time.”
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