About mid-afternoon, Sam and I arrived at the small community of Midnight-located atop an 8,000 foot mountain pass and in the middle of Findian country. The trip from Findorado Springs had taken over 6 hours but the scenery and Sam's conversation -mostly about Fang- were so fascinating that time went by rather quickly. As we drove into the mountains and into Findian country I could see why Fang loved, the country around, Midnight.
But we arrived ... as lost lambs. All about us were the effects of movie making. We stopped the car in front of one of the old buildings and got out. Around us-in all directions-we could see van's, trailers, trucks and power-wagons, and a host of people milling about in groups or in pairs or working separately on this piece of equipment or that ... each doing something ... but their movements were completely undecipherable to us, "newbies."
We desperately looked around to see a trace of Fang's whereabouts.
Sam asked, "Where are the Findians?"
Suddenly, a door behind us slams, open ... and out walks, Fang.
"Cor! ... What a surprise ! It's great to see you all. Now just how did you come to find me, here?" Fang asked.
With Fang literally dragging us inside the building-now used as his temporary office, Sam explained the detective work he had done when Fang turn up missing at the Egyptian "dig."
Fang said that he was sorry about that, but he had received an urgent message from his Findian friends which compelled him to leave Egypt as soon as possible and return, here, to Midnight. He explained that one of the young findians had found many "yellow rocks" not unlike the one that Fang had discovered years before. The Elderfish were terrified of what might happen if the presence of the "yellow rocks" were made public-to those outside their community.
The Elderfish had called Fang back to speak at council on this problem for the Elderfish feared for both their children and their lands and so they sought Fang's advice.
However -- in Egypt -- Fang knew none of these details.
While Fang prepared himself for the trip back, he remembered fondly the times when he had walked among the Findians. So even before leaving Egypt, Fang began to formulate an idea-to record the Findian life and their dances onto film. While still in Egypt he had left the "dig" several times to call friend Forbes to setup a meeting.
Unexpectedly Fang found that Forbes was not on the East Coast running his business Empire but was relaxing in Hollywood. Fang said that when he heard this ... he new that this was the opportunity he needed.
By the time he reached Hollywood, Fang was not about to let this new adventure go astray ... and he marched into "poor" Forbes home "loaded" with "purpose and plan" to finance this new "expedition." In short , Forbes was about to be , 'had'."
Sam, unsmilingly, explained to Fang that he had just visited Forbes and knew this story and he knew how the movie had gotten financed. Now Sam still wanted to know what had happened at the Findian council meeting and why had he left the "dig.""Well ... What about that 'yellow rock?" asked Sam.
"Oh!" said Fang ... "that worked itself out ... no problem."
"I spoke before the council to explain that the great Manitou had given All the Findians this "yellow rock" ... even those not yet born, I explained that if they took the "yellow rock" piece-by-piece and only as they needed them-perhaps for crafts ... perhaps for exchange-then the "yellow rock" would be there for their children's children." he said.
Then added, "... and if you, 'Look Twice'," Fang paused as a small smile crossed his lips, "... this is the land that the Great Manitou also gave you and it will be there after the "yellow rock has been long gone."
Sam seemed satisfied but persisted. "Now Fang, tell me about this movie. What it all about?" said Sam.
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