After a few moments they come to the end of one of the alleyways. Andy pushes open an old wooded door and leads them across a stone and cement courtyard. A weathered looking Arab man who introduces himself as Mujeeb warmly greets them.

Negotiate-J5.jpg (6766 bytes)"Greetings most favored guest," he says extending a handshake. His other hand contains a small menorah and a gold chain. "I was just getting ready to close up. Are you the ones Izmur told me about? If so you’re late. You almost missed me. Now lets see … you’re looking for a map of the chambers under Mount Olivet.

"Yea, sure," says Michelle cynically. "And you just happen to have a "special" on them right now. "

Mujeeb reacts quickly to this western female’s impolite remark with a quick barb of his own. "Well, well, since you have such little confidence in their value I’ve just raised the price."

"No, please, no Mujeeb. Forgive my friend's lack of faith. She’s just been exposed to all the frauds down in the pubic markets and heard the horror stories from the other members of our team. I’m personally confident you have the real thing. I trust Izmur. I’ve known him for years and if he says you’re for real." Andy nervously rubs his hands together and gathering up all his hope burst out, "So do you have the map with you?"

Without a blink of an eye Mujeeb answers. "Yes," he says pulling a roll of faded parchment from beneath his cloak. "There’s only one like it," he quietly snaps, looking narrowly at Michelle. "It was given to me by an Arab shepherd boy. He found it in the Dead Sea area. The Scroll hunters missed this one. It’s real alright and it will cost you plenty."

"Well, I just happen to have what you want," says Andy taking out the leather pouch the professor had earlier tossed aside. Shaking out three gold coins he offers them to Mujeeb.

Negotiate-J1.jpg (7837 bytes)"It will take five of those for something of this value," says the seller with incredulity. "I’m taking a great risk. Earlier today I had a nasty visit with some men who would have paid much more. Of course I didn’t take it. Their threatening manner and cheap foreign currency turned me off. 'But gold!'" says Mujeeb, his eyes gleaming down at the coins in Andy’s hand. "Now that a different matter completely.

Andy shakes two more coins from the bag. "Well let's make this quick. We’re late. Here’s your price."

Mujeeb, apparently as eager as the hungry students are to close the sale, takes the coins and bids them a hasty farewell.

As Andy and Michelle leave the private courtyard and turn up another narrow corridor, a mysterious figure darkens the entrance to Mujeeb’s private bazaar. Seeing the owner quickly putting away his wares the stranger approaches menacingly.

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