Hank pulled on his jeans, socks, and boots and looked for his toothbrush. Since his belongings had been tossed everywhere, he hadn’t found it the night before, and therefore did one of those trusty-finger-with-toothpaste scenarios. As he lifted various items in search of the toothbrush, on the floor behind the desk, he eyed it. Bending down, stretching out his hand, he noticed a gold coin lying close by.
This coin was different than any he had ever seen. Picking it up while still crouched on the floor, he read embedded in the gold coin the word: Epigram. Turning it over, were the words: Secret Formula.
A surge of electricity shot up his spine. What was an epigram, was his immediate thought, along with, secret formula? Secret formula for what? The fact that this was on a very old gold coin must also be considered. The question was ‘did he find it?’ Or was it placed there on purpose, as a breadcrumb of sorts? Something for him to pay attention to and follow? His investigative prowess was in high gear. Questions looking for answers flowed swiftly though his mind.
Hank flipped open his laptop computer and went directly to the word processor. He typed in Epigram and sent it to the thesaurus. Decree, dictum, edict, precept, maxim, canon, axiom, truism, verity, truth, mastery, were the words in common with Epigram. There was that ‘Mastery’ word again, just as the Genie of Aladdin’s Lamp, used the word master. This must be a major key to his quest.
Time to shave and get down to the restaurant. While running the razor along his jaw line something startled him and he almost cut himself. He thought he saw or sensed someone behind him. He abruptly turned, but no one was there. He was anxious to get on his way and out of that room!
Hank grabbed his favorite blue denim shirt, glanced in the mirror and noticed his abs. He hadn’t made time to work out during this mission, and he realized he was losing a bit of his six-pack tone. His fitness level was always important to him, as it helped him feel strong and sure of himself. It also didn’t hurt where women were concerned. Once again, his mind wandered back to the times Jocy would let him know when he was getting flabby. He always knew she was joking and she knew very well how to show appreciation of his physique. Hank quickly shook away that thought; he must get downstairs for breakfast.
Breakfast was never much of a big deal for Hank, but this morning he felt that the carbohydrate overload of last evening’s fettuccine noodles needed some balance of a huge western omelet filled with protein, and of course more coffee. He felt quite good about himself after a great breakfast and a fun flirtatious banter with the waitress.
Glancing at his watch, he grabbed his duffel bag and laptop from the restaurant seat at his side and made his way to the front desk to check out. The concierge assured him that his ride to the airport, as well as his flight, were right on time.