Michelle Prince and Andy Smithson, part of an archeological team working at a site on the Mount of Olives have been sent by the director, Professor Bob, on an errand to buy food for their group’s belated lunch. They feel that the task is a bit beneath their rank of serious students of Middle Eastern studies. None the less are eagerly seeking to fulfill their assignment. Their stomachs have been growling since the meager continental breakfast they’ve had in their hotel earlier in the day. The conversation though has turned to more important things than lunch.

"What do you think Michelle,"says Andy, pointing down a narrow alley way near the Eastern wall of the Old City, "Do we have time to check it out?"

"Andy you know how hungry I am," replies Michelle, still somewhat irritable from lack of what she considers real nourishment. "If we get caught up in some wild goose chase I’ll never get to eat."

"Don’t worry," says Andy. "This is no goose chase. My friend Izmur assures me that his man has the goods. He doesn’t sell in public markets but only in his private courtyard and then only by appointment. I set up a possible meeting hoping we could make it when the professor sent us on the regular lunch pick up duty. It’s just a little later than I thought. Waiting for him to come out of the cave has made us late but if we hurry I think we can still make it."

Andy gently takes Michelle and steers her up a narrow alley to their left. "Come on we’ll be through with our negations in a few moments and since I’ve got this gold now there’s something more to barter with than promises of a possible gift from the college’s antiquities fund."

Michelle reluctantly agrees and lets Andy continue to lead her along even while she voices her doubts. "What makes you think he’s got the real map anyway?  For every real artifact there are hundreds of fakes here in Jerusalem."

"I know," says Andy. "Just come and see".

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