The Quiz 2nd Edition

By Wessam Eldein

Wessam Eldein presents The Quiz - 2nd Edition.

The Quiz - 2nd Edition - Wessam Eldein.

Where most stories begin with a once upon a time, John

• Language: English
• Publisher: Self Publisher
• Release date: Jan 25, 2024
• ISBN: 9781962624794

Wessam Eldein

Meet Wessam Eldein - a biomedical engineer, author, and actor with an insatiable thirst for adventure! Originally from Egypt, Wessam moved to the USA in 2008 and has been making waves ever since. In addition to his career as a biomedical engineer, Wessam is also a published author, having written the inspiring book "Checkmate: The Game of Life," which was inspired by his three wonderful boys. But that's not all - Wessam is also an actor who has appeared in multiple commercial projects and short films. His latest accomplishment is the release of his science fiction novel, "The Quiz," which is sure to captivate readers of all ages. With his boundless energy, infectious enthusiasm, and unwavering dedication to his craft, Wessam is a true force to be reckoned with.

Book preview

THE QUIZ

2nd Edition

WESSAM ELDEIN

Copyright © Wessam Eldien (2023). All Rights Reserved.

Wessam Eldien is to be identified as the author of this work. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication will be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the author's prior permission.

Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable for civil claims for damages.

ISBN (Ebook) 978-1-962624-79-4

Edition – 2

It is never the number of years that counts, but it is always what you accomplish during those years. Thank you, our friend, brother, and mentor, for being part of our family and for the significant impact, touching the lives of many other families; all of us—especially the kids—cherished and remarkable memories with many stories to tell!

Your knowledge, manners, and ethics will continue as a heuristic process; you are an everlasting role model for everyone who crosses paths with you.

Thank You for the unforgettable time you spent with us in this life.

RIP Michael DiQuinzio, The Quiz.

Table of Contents

The End

Terry

Suzan

Joseph

Sarah

David

The Statue

Pandemic

The Pharaoh

The Sign

Invasion

Night Visit

The Affair

Laura

Jacob

Memories

Adam

Diary of the Grandfather

Akhenaten

Intruders

Michael

The Code

Afreet

Fatima & Isaac

The Dream

The council

The Inscription

Chaos

The Beginning

The Conference

Nefertiti

The Ancestors

Fate

The Deal

Time

The Experiment

Dilemma

Message

Control

Death

The Beginning

Next Level

The End

Los Angeles - California

Monday, March 19, 2035

10:10 pm

My name is John Carter. Ten minutes ago, I was one of the oldest humans living on Earth. I will… BANG….

John stopped typing when he heard a gunshot coming from the apartment next to him.

That must be Peter, John whispered.

At the exact moment, a message appeared on his phone, laptop, and TV.

John Carter, congratulations, you made it. You are officially one of the oldest humans living on Earth. We grant you free and endless resources starting now; enjoy!

The message faded; John looked back to his computer, and before he started typing again, his doorbell rang!

The closed-circuit TV showed his front door; a drone had dropped a bag.

Here is my favorite coffee, sandwich, and …. a gun.

He held the gun closer to his face, looking at his reflection in a mirror next to his desk; he paused for a second, looking at himself in his black robe that matched his salt and pepper hair and beard, placing the gun aside and fixed his reading glasses, looked back at his computer, he begins to type again…

My name is John Carter. Today, I am officially one of the oldest humans living on earth. I will enjoy this title for the next 24 hours before I kill myself. Today, I am 40 years old!

Terry

Brooklyn – New York

Monday, March 3rd, 2025

Time 5:30 am

Ring!

John snoozed his alarm and mumbled in an exhausted voice, Another day in paradise!

With a sudden burst of energy, he jumped off the bed to start his day with fifty pushups as a wake-up routine.

He went to the bathroom, and pinned on the mirror was a note that said…

You are awesome…Go, prove it to the world.

John read the note aloud, smiled, and said, Yes…I will.

My name is John Carter, and I am 29 years old, about to turn 30 in a few days. I am tall, good-looking, and athletic, with thick black hair, a baby face, and a nice short beard that helps me look older. I am a reporter at Facts, a popular weekly newspaper in New York, one of the few newspapers that is, in fact, still printing, although almost everything is digitalized.

My role model and superhero is Clark Kent, aka Superman; his character was the reason I pursued this career. However, my life’s thrill level is nothing compared to Clark Kent…yet!

Like many dreamers, I felt that someday I would engage with something to change and protect the world, but I never knew that the someday would be today!

John looked at himself in the mirror. He wiped his glasses that he didn’t need but wore anyway because they made him look like Clark Kent.

With quick steps, John left the building holding his coffee, heading toward the subway.

Good morning, John, Laura said.

Hey, good morning, Laura. Happy Monday, John said. I called you yesterday to play chess.

Oh... yeah, sorry, I had girls’ night; how about tonight?

With a sly smile, John replied, I don’t see a reason why not. Remember, before I say goodnight, I always say…checkmate!

You wish. We’ll see, silly!

Laura Midgley had been my neighbor for many years. In her late thirties, white, tall, blonde, and skinny, Laura is a psychiatrist and has been a family friend for several years. We play chess almost every night. I win nearly every night!

John and Laura waved before they both disappeared into the crowd.

Good morning, Peter!

Peter was a receptionist at Facts newspaper. He is the first face you see in the morning and the last face you see at night. No matter how early I go or how late I leave, he is always there. Peter is in his late twenties, constantly smiling whether he tells you good or bad news.

Peter said smiling, Good morning, John, the boss is here waiting for you!

Yep, another day in Paradise, John mumbled while walking to the chief editor’s office.

Good morning, Mr. Jackson. Mr. Jackson (Terry) could feel the energy in John’s greeting.

Good morning, John, be seated. Terry Jackson is our Chief Editor and is in his late forties; he is African American, has curly hair, and wears thick glasses with a big black frame that always slides on his nose. He is tall, muscular, and has a big gray mustache. Terry loves his job more than anything else. He is always the first to be at the office and the last to leave, not counting Peter. He is always loud, excited, and screaming all the time, but he is very supportive... Terry is a genuine and transparent soul; even his office walls are all glass.

John: Are you doing okay, Terry? You look exhausted!

Terry ignored John’s comment and, in a calm voice, replied, Your report about this Virus is upsetting many people.

That means a lot of people are reading the paper! John sounded proudly happy.

With his eyes still on the papers and a subtle smile, Terry replied, Yes, our numbers are through the roof this week. However, I think you are exaggerating about this conspiracy theory!

John looked like a professor about to start a lecture. Terry, I am pretty sure this virus issue is just an economic war and overwhelming propaganda started by China so they can control the global financial market!

Terry interrupted him, As if they need all that to control a market they already control. Wasn’t that the same debate five years ago when we all blamed China for the Coronavirus?!

John continued like he hadn’t heard Terry, There are many facts to support my theory. First, they arrested the doctor who discovered this new virus and accused him of misleading information until he himself died from the virus. Secondly, they didn’t lock down the city until it was too late, and the virus started spreading worldwide. Finally, they created generated propaganda about this virus, which I believe is just a kind of flu that, in the end, we may all get but recover from like any other flu. The people who will die from this virus will die from any preexisting condition, but because of the propaganda and the media, all major stockholders panicked, and that led to the international economic crisis. Guess who will buy these stocks? Of course, Chinese businessmen, and then….

Terry interrupted again, I didn’t discuss this with you before publishing the report, but I see two contradictory theories here. If the virus is not that dangerous, why would they arrest the doctor who discovered it? Besides, I heard the same thing and debate five years ago, which became a rumor. And we couldn’t outrun the Coronavirus until scientists from all countries, including China, gathered and worked on a vaccine. But before the vaccine went global, the virus mysteriously disappeared!

Terry continued in a severe and sad voice, Before our country faced another tragedy, and the protesting goes all over the states and the country was going into chaos until we figured how to get out from this vicious circle and…

In a nervous and sharp voice, John interrupted, I remember Terry. His voice then sounded perplexed! I remember Terry…I remember.

John paused for a moment and continued.

"Back to your point, Terry, that’s what they wanted: the public to think about the 2020 Virus; they created a theme for a solid story. These restrictive countries do not leak information unless they want the world to know. More people are dying from car accidents than this virus; we can’t stop driving. You said yourself that the virus mysteriously disappeared; now I see a link between what happened five years ago and what’s happening now. I will be more focused on my next report.

Terry interrupted John without looking at him, John, when was the last time you saw Suzan?

John, surprised by Terry’s interruption, said, It was in Los Angeles on Thanksgiving, why?

I was thinking you may want to visit her on your way to the museum!

Museum? ...What Museum?

The California Science Center. They have an Egyptian Exhibition about one of the pharaohs, and I need you to cover the event.

Why me, Terry? Let one of our Reporters on the West Coast cover the exhibition."

Terry was calm, Reporters are busy with different projects, so considering you’ve had an interest in Egyptian civilization, I want you to do a special report on this exhibition, another success for yourself and the Paper.

John took a deep breath to gather his thoughts before replying. Thanks, Terry, but that is why I wish to continue working on my report. This virus matter is not over yet; it is escalating suspiciously and…

John, I need you to cover this Museum event in Los Angeles, period!

Looking confused, John replied, OK, Terry…I’ll get ready and be there in two days…

Terry Interrupted him again, Tonight, John…. your flight is tonight. You will find the tickets and all other information with Peter.

Terry looked back at the papers on his desk and continued, This is a bag of Suzan’s favorite coffee; please tell her I said Hi!

John was about to say something but held his thought, turned, and left the office.

If John had looked back at Terry’s office, he would see Terry holding the phone, saying, All good…. he’s leaving tonight.

On his way back to the subway, John passed by the coffeehouse next to the newspaper building, where he usually takes lunch every day. Sometimes, he meets Laura and has Lunch with her, but today, he decided to skip lunch as he was running late!

Through the coffee shop window, he saw the waiter, chubby, short, almost bald. He looks smart with his sharp eyes and pointy long nose.

They waved at each other and smiled.

The manager standing by the door waved to John as a signal to come inside.

John waved back, Sorry, not today.

On his way back, John kept looking at the coffee bag, repeating Terry’s words, Suzan’s favorite coffee.

He prepared his luggage and then left for the airport. He couldn’t stop thinking about his meeting with Terry; something was wrong, especially how abruptly Terry had ended the meeting!

Terry was not just his boss; he was also Suzan’s ex-husband. After they agreed to divorce five years ago, Suzan decided to move to Los Angeles with their only son. Terry and Suzan have been married for over ten years, and Terry knows very well that Suzan …doesn’t drink coffee.

Suzan

Los Angeles - California

Tuesday, March 4th, 2025

Time 2:00 am

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Los Angeles. The pilot announced.

John woke up as the plane landed. He picked up his rental car from the airport and drove straight to the hotel, rested for a little while before he started the day with his daily routine: a workout followed by a shower; he didn’t forget to write his quote on the bathroom mirror, You are awesome…Go, prove it to the whole world!

It was already 7:00 am, so he decided to give Suzan a good morning call.

John!! Good morning… a long time. Is everything okay?

Yes, all good…. I am here in LA. Are you home today or busy?

Suzan was surprised, Oh, you’re here! We are at home today; Joseph is sick and skipped school today; you can stop by anytime.

OK, let’s all have breakfast together.

Suzan Garner, My half-sister. A virologist, almost forty. When you look at Suzan, it’s almost like you are looking at a Hollywood star celebrity. She is tall, has long black hair with a round face, wide eyes, a small nose, a light-skinned athlete body, a soft voice, and a very strong personality; super smart. After the divorce, she decided to focus on her career and her son…

You are getting bigger and stronger, Joseph.

Joseph started laughing, followed by hard coughing, Thanks, Uncle John!

Joseph, my nephew. Ten years old. Joseph is like an exact copy of me. We both share the same dark hair and the same baby face. He is a super-intelligent kid and loves to read, especially history. When Joseph was born, he showed signs of Autism. Suzan worked with him daily, embracing all the gifts that came with his case. He is super good at solving puzzles, and he mastered chess in record time, to the point where he could even beat me. Terry was engrossed in his career and didn’t give enough time to his family. That was why they ended up getting a divorce. Joseph is now dealing with people but with certain limits.