The Theatre of Dreams: A Dream Comes True [Part1], Mission Mystery Island [Part 2]

By James P Thomas

The hub of activities in this riveting story takes place in Easter island, an island full of mysteries that lies in south Pacific Ocean, about 3500km off Chile. The story is about a young sociologist named Gustaaf Rapu who is also a descendant of Easter island,set out on an exploration from Atlanta USA.

The first part of the novel tries to piece together the archeological and historical explorations by Gustaaf and his friend Miss Sandra to find out answers to so far unanswered questions. The second part is about how Gustaaf busted a global drug mafia and saved the heritage wonder from the hands of terrorists and drug peddlers.

The novel is narrated as memoirs of Gustaaf Rapu about his epoch making journey of 22 days starting from 28th December 2004 to 18th January 2005 that waves out from his heart on the plane as he return from Heathrow to Atlanta,his home theatre.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Apr 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496976482

James P Thomas

James P Thomas was born in 1967 in Kerala, India. ‘The Theatre of Dreams’ is his first fiction ,penned in 2006. He comes from a family of writers. James P Thomas is a practising Architect in Kochi ,lives with his family.

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© 2014 James P Thomas. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in

a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means

without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 04/02/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4969-7647-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-7648-2 (e)

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Contents

Introduction

PART ONE A DREAM COMES TRUE

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

PART TWO MISSION MYSTERY ISLAND

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Notes

For my daughters

Aiswarya and Athena

Then Jesus stood up and said to her, "Woman, where are

they? Has no one condomned you? She replied, No one".

And Jesus said, "Neither do I condomn you; go away and

don’t sin again"

John. 8:10-11

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Introduction

The hub of activities in this riveting story take place in Easter Island. This island is famous for giant stone structures known as Moais, dotting the coastal line of the tiny triangular island in south Pacific ocean that is 2300 miles off the west coast of Chile. It is one of the most isolated inhabited places in the world and the growth of a full-fledged culture in total isolation over a period of 1000 years is a miracle. This island is in limelight eversince the Dutch admiral Jacob Roggeveen discovered it on Easterday in 1722. Easter island is full of mysteries and could boast of an open air rock art museum, only one of its kind in the universe.

Felling of palm trees for the transportation of stone giants fast turned out the island as a barren scape. Non availability of woods for making sea worthy canoes eventually isolated them from the rest of the world. Preserve or Perish and never exploit any ecosystem beyond Easter Island Point(EIP). Other wise the system itself would collapse. It is the bottom line.

The story is about a young and dynamic sociologist named Gustaaf Rapu who is also a descendant of Easter island set out on an exploration from Atlanta USA, to the island. He does meet a smart and savvy friend Miss. Sandra Boxer at Santiago and together they reach the island and do complete many studies. One morning the lady is found dead. On further investigation Gustaaf found out that she was actually murdered. In the process he becomes instrumental in busting out a big drug lobby operated in American continents and Europe, using the most horrifying as well as state of art technology in spreading drugs and terror. Back home Gustaaf is showered with whopping rewards for his active involvement in exterminating global outlaws and saving a heritage museum from the hands of drug peddlers and criminals. Gustaaf becomes a billionaire celebrity overnight.

The first part of the novel tries to piece together the archeological and historical explorations by Gus and Sandra to find out answers to many questions about the mystery island. They covers fascinating topics like When and how inhabitants reached there, how and why they got isolated from the rest of the world, why islanders made big stone images of the legend Hotu matua and placed it along the coast, how they had transported mammoth rock cut structures to the present locations, the story of man automatically becoming a cannibal if no flesh from other mammals available, the atrocities indigenous people underwent from the hands of occupiers and missionaries and so on. It discusses many social issues and view the development of an enigmatic culture in total isolation thru’ the eyes of a sociologist. It also warns the world against destroying a culture at any place on earth whatever may be its size.

The second part is about how Gus busted a global drug mafia and saved the heritage wonder. Gustaaf Rapu corners the murderer of Sandra Boxer and a timely action saves his land of ancestors becoming a hot bed of terrorists and drug peddlers. The sinister design for trafficking contrabands across the globe using new methods like enfishing, clay cocaine, wetting, fashion shows etc were thwarted and gangs like Radon 12, Cobras and Silver shadows were withered to ashes. In the cold blooded commando action at the air port in Santiago many global outlaws were killed and dreaded drug mafia was exterminated for good. The biggest incident was the killing of a drug God Carlos Castro, from whose laboratory the latest technologies like using infra red rays for conducting bomb explosions to making of miniature nuclear weapons targeting major cities in the west, feared to be passed on into the hands of terrorists.

This fact-fiction salad is narrated at a fast pace and in unique lucid literary style as memoirs of Gustaaf Rapu about his epoch making journey of 22 days starting from 28 th December 2004 to 18 th January 2005, that waves out from his heart on the plane, as he returns from Heathrow London to Atlanta his home theatre.

It is only a fiction and the characters, concepts, circumstances and ideas could be considered as the figment of imagination of writer only. Any resemblance to actual person, living or dead, event or material is entirely coincidental.

I personally thank everyone who inspired and assisted me in completing the fiction, the first of its kind written in the back ground of Easter island.

Truly,

James P. Thomas

28 February 2006

E mail: [e-mail]

PART ONE

A DREAM COMES TRUE

Chapter One

28 December 2004: It is almost three hours since the Cathay Pacific jet with over three hundred passengers on board took off from Heathrow air port London heading towards Atlanta USA. It shot into air at 10 pm sharp on 17th January on a very cold evening.

Gustaaf Christmas Rapu alias Gus is a traveller on the plane. He is a twenty four years old young and vibrant man hails from Atlanta. The tired looking Rapu is suffering from severe back pain and stiff neck. The reason is simple. A marathon journey started off from Atlanta on 27th December 2004 and that continued to 18th January 2005 crisscrossing oceans and continents many times ruined his health. He started off from Atlanta as a simple explorer to a tiny remote island in Pacific ocean named Easter Island that is 2300 miles(3700kms) off west coast of Chile, that is famous for mammoth monolithic stone statues but later on it turned out to be a journey of a lifetime. At Santiago airport he had met a young and enthusiastic explorer Miss. Sandra Boxer in mid twenties who was enroute to the island. She became his intimate friend soon and together they did explore many heritage sites ont the island. His studies were mainly focused on the growth and collapse of an enigmatic culture.

Exploitation of natural resources to make stone giants eventually resulted in the collapse of an ecosystem. Once green Easter island is now a barren land with no greenery and water body. Their fascinating explorations continued and at same time their intimacy grew to newer levels.

But one morning Sandra Boxer was found dead in her hotel room and later his active investigation not only brought out the murderer but a big drug lobby, operated in many continents using deadly and state of art techniques in their diabolic activities, to the light. In the operation against them at Santiago, few global outlaws were killed and mafia was busted. Many countries bestowed whopping rewards on him for moral courage, bravery and determination. The man from Atlanta who is also a descendant of Easter island became a billionaire celebrity overnight. He remembers 23 days of his epoch making and indefatigable journey day by day. The jet is passing over vast Atlantic ocean and it might take more than half a day to reach his home theatre, the city of Atlanta.

He double clicked his memory and from the moment at which he reached the air port in Santiago, starting off a breath taking exploration. As the plane darted ahead thru’ the thick and cold clouds the files of memory opened up slowly. He does remember everything candid from the very first day itself.

AT THE STROKE of 10 o’ clock in the morning hours on Tuesday 28 December 2004 in Santiago the capital of nation Chile, Mr. Gus was relaxing in a restaurant at the international airport. He was watching the ascending and descending of jet planes with the interest of a studious student. In front airport roads are stretched out endlessly on both sides of the beautiful median. Columns of vehicles were moving out at brisk pace over the arteries of the impressive city.

The hard celebrations of Christmas which dated a couple of days ago was still apparent elsewhere in Santiago. Blinking malls, decorated apartments, illuminated tree lined avenues and colourful stars were seen everywhere in the elegant city. She was really dressed up like a bride awaiting her first wedding ring. Along with other cities across the globe she was also gearing up for the reception of a promising year. Gustaaf also sensed a welcome spirit to the approaching new year with no nonsense grief for the passing one.

Gus had noticed plenty of cheerful tourists moving over terminals in groups. He came alone long way from the distant Atlanta in United States to Santiago in Chile. Gus was going for an exploration to Easter Island where his ancestors once lived and ‘perished Gustaaf was born on an X’mas day to Mr. William Rapu and Maria Rapu. So William named him Gustaaf Christmas Rapu. He turned 24 on previous Christmas day. He had completed post graduation in sociology in first grade from the University of Atlanta. The sad thing in his life was the demise of his dad William happened about six months ago. He was suffering from brain cancer for long. Gus was looking after the real estate business of his father for the past three years since he fell seriously ill. William’s wife Maria and two children Gustaaf and Irene in their early twenties were living together in a moderate home in Atlanta. All of them shared a special love and affection with each other.

Time ticked on. William Rapu had died without fulfilling a big dream in life. A visit to Easter Island, an island in Pacific ocean 62 sq. miles of land area and 3700 kms off west coast of Chile.

Rapanui calls me always William used to tell occasionally. Rapanui was the name given out by proud natives of the island in 1860’s. The name Easter island was given by Dutch captain Jacob Roggeveen who accidentally found the island on an Easter Sunday 5 th April 1722. People like Rapu senior who nursed a special relation with the island called her fondly Rapanui.

One day I’ll go there and communicate with my ancestors. I am looking for an opportunity to fulfil my dreams since I crossed over to Atlanta with my parents from Bahamas. But it is always put off due to my laziness. Dad’s voice even from the death bed echoed in his ears. The final put off was decisive and was due to his illness. All were shocked when they heard about the malignant growth in his brain. His staff in the real estate office were shocked and disheartened about the news. At that time Gus was doing his studies. Gus was hopeful of his survival but not William. The pain increased day by day. Medicines proved ineffective in lessening the pain.

Maria my journey is bound to finish shortly William told his wife many times.

No darling cancer is now a days a curable disease She tried to inject confidence into his veins. Her words always calmed his mind.

Maria was working as a nurse in a local hospital. She was also from Bahamas. The church of Bahamas had sent her along with few other girls to Atlanta for better education. She had chosen medical field and became a nurse. William and his family were being sent to Atlanta by the Dutch missionaries who were working in Bahamas at that period. The historical importance of Bahamas is that the great Italian explorer Christopher Coloumbus landed there for the first time in 1492. Later on many missionaries and travellers marched over the land.

William gave the name Gustaaf to his lone son as a memory of a loving Dutch priest Fr. Gustaaf who cared much for his family. William was always fond of talking about those days and his romances with Maria.

When I met Maria, the first time she appeared me a shy girl he talked about the days when their eyes locked with each other.

Now she looks exhausted he used to comment on her present appearance after quarter of a century.

Maria was a lady of wisdom and was coolheaded all through the years.

I met him the first time on a Christmas eve. His child like innocence and good nature readily attracted me She kept on adoring the qualities of her husband occasionally. The relationship grew for better and finally they tied a knot within a year. Gus awoke from the memories of his parents and looked around. The airport outside looked like a graveyard of vehicles. The streets were filled up with people, anticipating for a prosperous new year. Gustaaf had celebrated the previous new year day with his caring dad and loving mum. The eyes of Gus suddenly became reddish and wet.

You would be fine soon he kept on pacifying his ailing dad during his last days.

No my days are counted. I am not afraid of death but the pain is terrible. If you don’t mind do a favour. Kill me immediately. he cried out of severe pain. The one point he repeatedly mentioned in those days was about his unfulfilled dream journey into the native land.

I could not make it, so you fulfil it for me. Never put off to tomorrows that you can easily do it today. I missed the trip due to my laziness he advised his son from death bed. The land of ancestors was dear to his heart and he was a Rapanui down to earth in innocence and intrepid.

Ancestors of William were mercilessly caught and brought as slaves by unhygienic American ships in early nineteenth century and were sold to big farmers to the sugar fields of Bahamas and other West Indian islands. Many generations of Gus worked in agricultural fields. Finally his parents got an opportunity to migrate to Atlanta with the help of missionaries. William lived and worked in Atlanta for decades until he fell sick. His last few months were terribly painful, but he fought the losing battle against cancer courageously. Maria attended him as a duty bound beloved wife with scrupulous fidelity. His daughter Irene was always at his deathbed. The end of William happened very quickly as in the case of any cancer patient. Total deterioration of health condition occurred in a period of two days. Gustaaf was in his real estate office when William breathed his last. By the time Gus reached the hospital dad had already set off his eternal voyage.

After paying up the bill Gustaaf rose from the seat. He walked away from the restaurant with the Nikon camera on shoulder and a bag in hand.

His next station was the departure launch at the port. It was a hot and humid day. The sun was blazing over the city. At the departure terminal Gus verified the flight timing. The ticket to Easter island was by Lan Chile flight at 2 o’ clock in the afternoon.

He then decided to spend somemore time at the launch‘watching’ TV.

Gustaaf had booked a ticket to Easter island for US $500 with the help of an agent on previous day. Then onward he was thinking only about the fascinating island and was in an exuberant mood. As a descendant of Rapanui he always took pride in their great culture and dynamic way of life. William always advised fellow rapanuis in Atlanta to go and see great monolithic stone works of MOAIS and AHUS created by their courageous seafaring ancestors. Being a vociferous reader he had a big collection books on Easter island and he used to circulate it among the migrants. Gus carried with some of those books on Rapanui in his maiden journey to the island.

Gus pulled out a book from his shoulder bag. It was about Easter island and the title read The mystery Island. The front page carried the signature of William Rapu. His fascination to mystery island was tantamount to his love and affection to wife and children. Rapanui is my first love he used to say to all his friends. Even at his death bed he was narrating stories about the island. He was confident about the fact that all puzzles un answered so far who inhabited the 171 sq. kms of triangular island for the first time, why and how the moais were built and then laboriously carried away to the present locations, everything would be known to the world one day. Mr. Gustaaf went through the first few pages of the book. It had begun with the informations about names of the island. It was known as Tepito ote Henua (means the navel of the world) for long. San carlos, Davisland, Isla de Pasua and Rapa nui(great island) are the other names. Finally Jacob Roggeveen landed there in 1722 and named her Easter Island. He was amazed seeing the mammoth statues now known as moais. His team had thought the moais were made of clay only. When the real picture about moais emerged out the world was appalled.

Moais are monolithic rock cut structures and are dotted with back to the ocean in the triangular piece of island area in south Pacific ocean. It’s culture land and people are being referred as Rapanui. It’s developments in remarkable isolation underlines great importance in social science and archeology.

Gus closed the book and sat there in silence. Some kind of excitement started building up in his mind. He took a cigar from the packet and lighted it. He then rose from the seat and looked around. The Manhattan structures dominating the skyline of Santiago were brilliantly dressed up and illuminated for new year. Gus closed his eyes for a moment. What dominated the mindscape of Gus was moais its angular faces and wide open eyes.

We are made up of nerves of steel. Our forefathers adventured across Pacific ocean, covered thousands of miles against all odds. We should never give in any wars of life The words of William always echoed in his ears. Boldness and fighting spirit were always in their blood. Gus was managing the real estate business of his dad for the last few years. Severe economic recession in US in late 1990’s and worsening health of William affected the financial fortunes of Rapu family. But never say die rapanui spirit of Gustaaf kept his business on a roll and without big perils. His interest to do some research project in sociology got contradicted with the business interest of his family. But he never resigned to the fate. His exploration to the island was with an academic eye. As a sociologist Gus was obsessed with sociological transformations and cultural evolutions that took place in the mystery island due to the isolation factor over a period of 1500 years. He knew that the informations gathered from the books were exaggerated and were not fully reliable. He hoped against hope that this exploration to Rapanui might provide vital clues about sociological transformations, consequences and answers to hitherto unanswered questions about the most isolated inhabited island in the world.

Gustaaf was in a mission to find out the truth about a lost culture and was on search about his ancestral roots in the island which forefathers thought once the Navel of the world and science is still confused and bewildered about the history of the land.

Gustaaf looked at his radon watch. It displayed 12.30 pm sharp. A stream of travellers were rolling out from the arrival terminal. A flight from London had descended at the port few minutes ago. Many travellers were returning