Hortons Bend

revered or under suspicion. The general public wants to know what archaeologists find but collectors are afraid of the professionals taking their collections from them. Farmers don’t want archaeologists taking up their crop space looking for rocks or bits of ancient trash. Landowners do not want archaeologists around to attract attention to trespassers who want to collect on their property. Many Native Americans find the science of archaeology offensive to their heritage. There were a lot of hurdles to uncovering the past. Brody stopped and looked at the archival boxes neatly lined up on the shelf. He smiled and spoke to no one in particular. “What’s an old rock hound to do?” Brody heard a voice call out to him. “I knew it would get to this point one day. You’ve finally resorted to talking to the collections! I’m leaving if they talk back.” Darwin walked down the last of the stairs toward him and smiled. Brody knew he had been caught in the act and merely shrugged. “What can I say? I’m the arrowhead whisper.” They both laughed but Brody hid his embarrassment thinking about his actions. He quickly changed the subject. “How was your weekend?” Darwin threw up her hands in gesture. “Great! Just damn great! Until Saturday evening when I had a flat tire on my jeep. I had just been to the High Museum to catch a retrospective on Klimt and Egon Schiele. It was pretty cool by the way. I almost made it to my friend’s house when it just went Blam! Some friends came to my rescue and things got a little better.” Brody let her finish since it was a better story than he had to tell. When she finished she asked him “What about you? You look like you didn’t sleep well.” Brody was about to answer when a different voice called out to him.

    “Mr. Brody? Are you down here?” It was the unmistakable screech of Mrs. Peabody. Darwin looked at Brody and took the data collector from him. “I’ll finish this up” she whispered. Brody stepped out from the shelving and called out “Yes Mrs. Peabody I’ll be right there.” He walked towards her looking up as she was stood looking down at him from the landing at the top of the stairs. “I should like to speak with you in private…if you have a moment?” Mrs. Peabody reminded him of the television character Charles Winchester III. She was always haughty even though she was appointed to the museum without any training in the museum world. He didn’t want to admit it but it was also her weight. She was very flabby around her neck and he always had trouble not making eye contact with the flubber. Brody met her in his office. “How are you doing this morning?” he asked her. “Fine. Fine. I wanted to check on your progress with the inventory.” Brody knew the routine. Barbara always showed up on Monday mornings to reassert authority. He was used to it and he rarely had any other interaction during the rest of the week. Except for the weekly staff meeting to discuss exhibits and then he was just another body at the conference table. “Darwin and I were working on it this morning. I think we can finish it up soon and put it behind us for the year.” Mrs. Peabody looked down her nose through her glasses “Very well then. The board asked about your progress last week and so I thought I would check in with you.” She gave his office a glance around and wrinkled her nose. Mr. Brody I also want to mention that the board is particularly interested in the completion of this inventory. There is a committee which is applying for a collection’s grant which will enhance the museum. We’ll use the money at our digression, of course, but I must emphasize the importance that this task be completed in a timely manner.” Brody felt somewhat confused since he had kept her updated throughout the process. Barbara seemed to have an agenda but one without specifics. “Yes ma’am. I will stay on task” was his quickest verbal response. Mentally he was thinking “God…when will you leave?” Mrs. Peabody started to leave but turned toward him again. “I realize your research interests also have a priority to you but let’s stay focused on the job at hand. Hmm?” This time he was quite certain of her agenda. Having said that, Peabody simply stated “I’ll leave you to your duties.” She turned and abruptly exited the office and left him without a goodbye. It was the same when he spoke to her on the telephone. He couldn’t think of one instance where she