The Last Dragon
Chapter Five
Norfolk, Virginia
January 12th, 1998
Tariq arrived at the Norfolk International Airport without incident. Using a French passport that identified him as Armand Camp, a foreign exchange student, he quickly passed through customs and hurried to grab a cab. He had just over 3 days to set himself up in Washington D.C., Aziz didn't like delays, and Tariq had never caused any.
Cabs are easy to obtain at the airport, and one that would be willing to make the trip to D.C. at top fare were even easier to find. Tariq settled in to the back seat of the cab, and asked for the official tour of the tidewater area. The cabbie was only too happy to oblige a rich foreign exchange student.
Oceana, Dam Neck, Little Creek, NOB, there were so many bases here....so much water....so very much water, thought Tariq. The jets roared above as they left Oceana, the thunder was deafening. They will be quiet soon enough Tariq thought to himself, soon enough.
"Stop", shouted Tariq, let's go here. Lynhaven Mall, an American mall, Tariq had heard about them and had always wanted to see one, especially now.....while there was still one to visit. The cabbie reminded Tariq that he would have to keep the meter running, and Tariq casually tossed him $100 and asked him to wait.
Tariq strolled the mall.....the American women were not to his liking....they looked at him....he was soon to be a hero....they should bow before him. They should bow now....he thought......in a week they will be dead.....they should bow now! So much decadence.....displaying undergarments in show windows......women eating alone in the mall.....as though they were people......this is why America will fall, he thought. They have no morals........fed up with his short excursion through the mall....he left to find his cab, and head on North.
"Take me to your Newport News", he instructed the cabbie as he climbed in the back. The cabbie answered, "yes sir", and they were on their way. Virginia Beach fell behind....Norfolk.....the bridge tunnel....Phoebus and Hampton....and finally Newport News was ahead. Tariq could see the large cranes of the shipyards....these were his primary interest......."take me there", he said. The cabbie complied. Ships....big ships....ships so large as to boggle the mind...setting on water.....repairs underway.....so much water....so very much water........the plan was so perfect. "I have seen enough of the area", said Tariq, take me to DC. "Yes sir", and the cabbie headed for 64....and on to DC.
DC was more than Tariq had imagined, so many cars, so much traffic, how did anyone ever get anywhere? What was the point of it all? While the cabbie drove into the city, Tariq pulled out his newspaper clippings, and asked the driver to find an address.....a room for rent. Pulling up to the house, the sign advertising the room was still in place and Tariq asked the driver to wait , just in case, he tossed him another $100 just for fun. The cabbie smiled and said he would wait.
The landlady was only too happy to accept the 6 months advance on the room, and allowed Tariq to move his belongings from the cab into the room right away. Tariq paid the cabbie, and tipped him $500.....at least today the cabbie would be happy, Tariq thought.
Tariq settled in at the little desk in his room, pulled out his lap top and typed a memo.....
DC and Norfolk are wonderful. I can't wait to see Phoenix.
Send my regards to Father,
and I look forward to Mother's package.
Armand
Tariq hit send, and then settled back in his chair. He felt confident, he had achieved his goal, now it was time to relax, see the sites while there were still sites to see.
Due to the fact that Wraithen's Last Dragon is being reviewed by publishing companies, I can post no more chapters. Congraulations to Wraithen, and, hopefully, you can buy it in your local bookstore!>
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