The Dive

"I'm entering the water now."

"Good. It's about time, Frank. How's your air supply?"

"Fine, you worrywart. I have probably five hours worth. More than enough time to locate the problem and fix it."

"Ok. Just do your job and get back up here little brother. And watch out for sharks. Last week a Great White was seen in these waters."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. You worry too much, old man."

"And you take way too many chances. Someone has to keep an eye on you. It's my job."

"The company have any idea how deep I might have to go?"

"I figure their intake valve can't be over a hundred feet down."

"How did you figure that out?"

"Beacause that is what they used in that job last year in Lake Michigan. And I am holding a copy of the building plans in my hands. You should soon start to see the maintenance shaft."

"Nothing yet. How far down is that?"

"Thirty five feet. The shaft runs out from under the base of the cliffs at an angle. How far down are you, Frank?"

" Something's wrong here. My gauge says I am already over a hundred feet down. But, that can't be right,. There hasn't been enough time. I've only been in the water for five minutes."

" Frank. My watch shows you have been down there for twenty minutes now. Check all your gauges. Mine are reading you at five hundred feet. Flip on your lights and camera. Let's see what the hell is going on."

"Ok, Joe. Lights and camera are on. Can you see anything? Are you reading me Joe? Come back."

"Frank! Are you screwing around again? Turn your communications back on. I can't read you. The camera appears to be operating normally. But, the picture's a little grainy"

"Joe. I don't know if you can hear me or see anything on the video screen. I'm going to keep talking as if you can. I see something coming up underneath me now. Some kind of structure. Looks too big to be an maintence shaft or the intake valve."

" Frank. I'm rechecking all the gear up here and all seems to be in working order. It must be something on your end. If you can hear me, than pause a moment to check yourself out. The teather to the camera has stopped moving. Is everything ok with it? Do I need to reel it back up?"

"Holy crap! Sweet Mother of Jesus! This is no intake valve or maintence shaft , Joe. There's an enormous building sitting on the bottom of the freaking ocean. Must be five or six city blocks in size. I'm going to check this out as long as I'm here."

"Heads up down there. Just got a weather update and there is a storm blowing in from the west. We should be ok for the next three or four hours. But, after that, things are going to be mighty rough and interesting up here."

"Joe. This place is amazing. I see a door and there's light coming from around the edges of it. I'm going to see where it leads.... Kind of hard to open, but I think I got it now."

"Frank. If I don't hear from you in ten minutes I'm going to call the Coast Guard. You're scaring the hell out of me. Come on, just click the intercom to let me know you are alive."

"I am in a long corridor now. I passed through four rooms of varying sizes. You wouldn't believe this place. All marble with accents of Gold and Jewels. Whoever these people were, they look to worship the Bull."

"The waves are increasing in size, Frank. Hurry the hell up and get back here."

"Don't know much longer I can go on. It's getting a little hard to breath. Turning around and heading back now. God, I wish you were here to see this with me in person. My legs are cramping up and not want to co-operate. Man, I have a headache. Joe...Joe..Can you hear me?"

"Frank, I'm calling the Coast Guard. Hang in there buddy. Help is on the way....Mayday! Mayday! This is the Beacon House Oceanic vessel SeaSpray. I have a diver down! I repeat. I have a diver down! He has been out of communication for over an hour now. I am reeling in the tether that's attached to him.... Get here as fast as you can. Over."

"SeaSpray. This is Coast Guard Rescue. I am sending help your way. Hang on. Over."

"Thank you Coast Guard Rescue. Here is the longitude and latitudes..... Hurry! Over"

"Joe...Everythings getting fuzzy. Think I am going to black out. I'm sorrrrryyyyy........."

"Hang in there Frank. The Coast Guard is on the way and I'm pulling you back up. I know you should depressurize and the chance for the bends are there. But, it can't be helped. Sorry. Damn, Frank. Did you gain weight down there? Come on help me out."

"SeaSpray. This is Coast Guard vessel 2648. Do you copy? Over."

"Yes, Vessel 2648. This is the SeaSpray.Over."

"We are almost there. We have you in sight. Over"

"I see you Coast Guard vessel 2648. I almost have him on board. Over"

"We'll lend medical attention when there. Over"

"Great to hear Coast Guard. He's above water and not responsive. Over"

"Ok! SeaSpray. Start CPR. Over"

"Roger that. Over"

"I'm Captain John Wesly. Are you the one I've been talking to over the radio?"

"Yes. I'm Joe. That's Frank there. Is he going to be alright?"

" I hope so. We are going to airlift him to the hospital, now. You following in the Sea Spray to Port?"

"As soon as I can. Thanks!"

"That's what we are here for Joe. Glad we could be of help."

***********************


"Frank, How you doing? Man, you had the crap scared out of me. I thought I had lost you. And that is one phone call I did not want to have to make to Mom and Dad. Hang on a minute. The customer is calling."

"Yes, Sir. Mr. Evans.... We were there right where you told me."

"Oh? Things are better now... Glad we could help.... Thanks..... I'll be looking for that check in the mail... Yes, we'd be happy to work for you again. Bye."

"Things ok? We never did find their problem, Joe."

"I know Frank. But, hey, things worked out for the best anyways didn't they. Their problem got fixed and more importantly, you survived. I checked over the video feed you took by the way, over the past three weeks, since you've been in here. Do you know what you found down there on the bottom of the Ocean?"

"Haven't a clue. Just an old city that sank during an earthquake at one time. Why?"

" Brother. I think you found Atlantis."