by B. C. CHASE
He led them toward a long row of what appeared to be dozens of escalators. As they were all riding up the long length of one of them to the next level, Henry asked, “Tell me about this airport. How much did it cost?”
Jinkins explained, “Aha, well moving people quickly to the fun was one of our primary concerns. We are prepared for passenger traffic of about 69.3 million per annum—and we have allowed for easy expansion."
“How much have you spent?” Henry persisted.
“Oh, it's all in the balance sheets,” he chuckled. “All in the balance sheets!” He flitted his hand, “And, you know, I don't really trouble myself with trifles like that—not when so much is at stake!”
Henry shot Lady Shrewsbury an incredulous glance.
She leaned forward and asked, “And what is at stake, Ignatius?”
“That the world experience Paradeisia, of course, and have the time of their lives!”
As they reached the top of the escalator and stepped off, Jinkins said, “What you are about to witness is perhaps one of the greatest technological miracles of Paradeisia: our transit system. We call it the FlyRail, a tourist-friendly term for Suspended Rail System. We think we could easily market the FlyRail to major cities around the world!” Above sliding glass doors was a yellow sign with the words "Anaconda Alley" and a picture of the snake. The doors whooshed open and a burst of warm tropical air greeted everyone as they went through. Outside was a long platform with a railing. Peeking over the edge, Aubrey saw a dizzying drop to the ground below. Across the gap was another platform (for exiting passengers, she assumed), and suspended horizontally over the chasm was a thick, steel, green-painted beam—the rail.
Henry said, “So you said passenger traffic of 69 million? What is the capacity of the island?"
Jinkins replied, "Well, we have 165,000 hotel rooms with more on the way. The retirement community, StarLine Haven, has an additional 5,000 suites. When we are operating at full capacity, Paradeisia will host about 95,000 workers—”
“And that will have to change,” Henry said.
Jinkins ignored him, “—or Bwanas, as I like to call them.” He chuckled at himself, then said, “Some of them will live on other islands or South America, but about fifty thousand will live here. For them there is a compound, a city, really, on the south end of the island. So, the short answer to your question is that Paradeisia has the capacity, at the moment, to house and feed somewhere around 700,000 happy people at one time if every space was occupied—but of course it won't stop there. Disneyland Paradeisia will be opening in seventeen months. That will add an additional seven thousand rooms.”
Henry interrupted, “And Disney agrees to this?”
“Well, we haven't spoken with them yet, of course, because it's still a secret, but once we let the cat out of the bag,” he chuckled, “the House of Mouse will be begging our permission to erect one of their little castles here!”
Henry said dimly, “I see. And have you projected an occupancy rate?”
“Occupancy rate? I'd expect 100%, no question. Who wouldn't come to see the paradise of dreams we have here?”
“Paradise or not, occupancy rate is important to establish. Orlando, for example, is lucky if they get eighty-one percent.”
“Mr. Potter!” Jinkins exclaimed, clearly affronted. “I certainly hope you're not trying to compare Paradeisia to Disney World, because there simply is no equivalence. This is the most extraordinary place on earth and, given the chance, anyone staying in Orlando would immediately drop whatever silliness Mickey had them doing and jet straight over here!” He moved closer to Henry and furrowed his brows at him, “What they discovered when they were digging is beyond anyone's wildest dreams. I hope you understand, Mr. Potter: I am not toying with some pixy tomfoolery. I am offering people a chance to experience the impossible. So do not compare Paradeisia as if it's like anything else at all. It's not.”
Jinkins then cleared his throat and continued, “Now all the projects on the table, including the Disneyland, will expand total capacity to some 180,000 guest rooms—aha. It's coming!” Jinkins smiled, staring down the tunnel in the foliage.
Aubrey could tell that something was coming because a deep rumbling sound rose above the adventurous music that was playing over loudspeakers. Everyone looked down the suspended track in anticipation, and with a blast of air, the gondola arrived, slowing to a stop. It had a sleek nose, tinted glass windows, and a blown-up image of a toucan at the rear. The guardrail on the edge of the platform receded into the floor and, with the sound of escaping air, two round doors on the gondola lifted up.
“Come in, all of you!” Jinkins exclaimed. “There's room for fifty, and by fifty I do mean forty-eight precisely!”
The gondola was cool inside as they boarded. Except for the floor, the entire circumference was glass.
Jinkins commented, “It's acrylic glass, in fact. So the passengers have a 360 degree view! It's so strong you'd be safe from an explosion in here, and by explosion,” he chuckled, “I do mean a nuclear blast!"
As everyone found their seats, Jinkins' recorded persona interrupted the music, "Please stand clear of the doors. Smoking is prohibited except in designated areas on Paradeisia." There was an unnatural pause followed by, "Welcome to Anaconda Alley. Our next stop is the FlyRail Hub." The doors closed and the gondola began to move. It gained speed as it cleared the walls of the airport. As it emerged over the foliage, Aubrey held her breath. The gondola was much higher than she had realized. It was a spectacular view: to the left were the tropical mountain peaks and to the right were the coastline and the port.
The resonant voice of Jinkins began again as the gondola ascended a forested ridge, "When visiting paradise, you would expect to ride on the wings of angels. Welcome aboard the most advanced transit system in the world: Paradeisia's FlyRail. The route you are currently taking, Anaconda Alley, is eleven miles long, but at a top speed of ninety miles an hour, we'll reach our destination shortly. Extending a total of one hundred eighty-six miles for your convenience, Paradeisia's FlyRail is one of the most expansive public transportation systems in the world."
Henry muttered, "Don't you mean most expensive?"
Paradeisia
“Certainly not the most expensive, Mr. Potter,” Jinkins countered.
“How much was it?”
“Oh, it's all in the balance sheets. The important thing is that our guests will be comfortable and get where they're going with ease.”
“The important thing,” Henry said loudly, “Is that the balance sheets are not balanced at all.”
“How can you quibble about cost when you're riding on the most extraordinary transport system in the world?” Jinkins exclaimed jovially. “There are no wheels here—the tracks and the couplings above us are electromagnetic so they never touch! At any rate, costs such as these were not borne by the company itself. They were subsidized by all of our developers collectively.”
“I see,” Henry said, not impressed. “And how many developers do we have?”
Jinkins puffed his chest, “Thousands—from all over the world.”
“Fantastic, that means thousands of lawsuits if we don't open,” Henry said glumly.
Jinkins seemed to not hear the comment, “The developers were responsible for all the different tourist areas. Paradeisia has thirteen unique locales, planned and designed mostly by us but built by the developers. Since our developers are from all over the world, we gave many of the locales an international flair.” Jinkins was so enthusiastic that he had to wipe his brow of a sweat that had broken out, “Each area has hotels, restaurants, even rides—the locales are attractions of their own. Nothing, of course, compared to what brought us here in the first place!”
Aubrey marveled at the beauty of the rich green forest that was sometimes beneath and sometimes surrounding the gondola's glass walls as it rose ever higher along the curving ridge. The voice began again, "Now visible to your left, beyond the valley, is Paradeisia's Greece." A cl
uster of white buildings with blue trim could be seen tucked onto a hillside in the distance by the shore. “The Greek Holiday Hotel—a StarLine resort—offers visitors an authentic Greek travel experience, featuring the finest in Greek cuisine, hospitality, and entertainment. The Olympia restaurant presents a magnificent display of Greek folk dancing several times daily. Adjacent to the Greek Holiday Hotel is Homer's Greece, a delightful entertainment, shopping, and dining district featuring a five-star Hotel and spa. At the Athena Theater, the story of the Trojan War is told nightly through brilliant theatrics and special effects. On special nights, Homer's Odyssey illuminates the stage with all the original splendor of ancient Greek drama. Whether touring modern Greece or taking a trip back in time to the Greece of old, your visit to Paradeisia would not be complete without a journey to the heart of Greek Culture and civilization: Paradeisia's Greece. Get show times or make dinner reservations on your phone. To reach Paradeisia's Greece, take Parrot Path from the FlyRail Hub."
Aubrey noticed that the more the voice spoke, the more fidgety Henry became.
The voice continued anyway, "Coming next year to the area is Paradeisia's Rome. A life-size recreation of the Coliseum will be the staging area for spectacular sporting events, shows and fireworks displays unlike anything you've ever seen.”
Jinkins giggled gleefully, “After the Italians heard the Greeks had come, they just had to have their piece of the pie.”
“Beyond Paradeisia's Greece is Escape from Atlantis featuring five spectacularly themed restaurants and five award-winning StarLine resorts. Poseidon's Platter, created by world renowned chef Cenon Kyriakou, invites you to dine surrounded by the beauty of the ocean. You might spot a dolphin, a stingray, or even a shark through the glass as you enjoy course after course of delicious seafood.
“Any boaters in the family? Atlantis Bay offers every vessel imaginable from two-seaters to fully staffed yachts. Every night, the bay comes alive with the 'Tale of Atlantis' told through music, special effects, and fireworks including one very special surprise you're guaranteed never to forget. Viewable from the many restaurants, hotels, and walkways that line the bay, 'Tale of Atlantis' is a story you'll be telling your friends about for years to come! Don't forget to obtain show times and make dinner reservations online, at your hotel's desk or at one of the many Information Centers located throughout Paradeisia. To reach Escape from Atlantis, take Parrot Path from the FlyRail Hub."
The gondola steadily moved up to the top of the ridge. On the right side was an enormous forested plain stretching to the coast. The voice spoke again, "Paradeisia is home to two incredible water parks, visible to your right. High Seas Cove recalls the noble (and not-so-noble) seamen of old through six swashbuckling restaurants and three exciting hotels as well as rides and attractions. Captain's Orders is bound to be a favorite with the little pirates in the family as a cast of hilarious sailors show you what life on the High Seas of Hilarity are like through song, dance, and acrobatics. The second water park, Ocean South, celebrates the wonders of life under the sea. At Whalebreach Restaurant, you'll join a school of Orcas on an incredible journey across the ocean as you dine. Also featured at Ocean South is the terrific Ocean Speed roller coaster. You're sure to get wet as this ride sends you soaring like a bird and swimming like a fish through loops and a breathtaking two hundred-foot drop. And don't miss a dip in the world's largest wave-pool: Tidal Beach. Ocean South and High Seas Cove are accessible via Sparrow Speedway."
The gondola continued its ascent up the ridge and the view expanded. "Now visible in the valley to the right is Out of Africa, Paradeisia's authentic African savannah—”
Henry interrupted the voice in exasperation, “Authentic African savannah!?”
Jinkins sing-song laughed to himself and said, “Wondrous isn't it? Just listen!”
The voice: “Stay at any of the three StarLine resorts in Out of Africa, and you could find a giraffe standing just outside your balcony when you wake up. Enjoy breakfast at one of four wildly themed restaurants. During the morning, take an African Safari through countless acres of lush African plains where animals roam freely all around you. In the afternoon, learn about conservation up close and personally with the furriest animals at the Cuddle Club. As the sun sets, hear ancestral African lore told around the mysterious beauty of a campfire. And to close the evening gaze at the stars from your very own watchtower, surrounded by the beauty of the African savannah. There's no end to the fun and adventure at Out of Africa, so don't leave Paradeisia without taking a walk on the wild side. To reach Out of Africa, take Sparrow Speedway from the FlyRail Hub."
The voice paused. "Visible on the coast are India Explorer and ¡Fiesta Mexicana!. These exciting destinations are home to some of the best rides, shopping, and dining options at Paradeisia and have a total of five amazing StarLine resorts. India Explorer boasts the fastest roller coaster in the world, the White Tiger, which attains speeds of nearly 150 miles an hour in six point four seconds. At ¡Fiesta Mexicana!, you'll find the fantastic Mercado Plaza, an open-air shopping and dining experience that immerses you in Latin American cultures and tastes. To reach India Explorer or ¡Fiesta Mexicana!, take Leopard Line from the FlyRail Hub."
Henry spoke again, “How much of this is actually complete?”
Jinkins clapped his hands together and answered, “Oh, only all of it, Mr. Potter! Our developers are already receiving customers at these attractions—mostly yachters who pull in at Atlantis Bay, the occasional cruise ship and so forth.”
The gondola rose yet further along the ridge revealing a spellbinding view. A cluster of tall buildings could be seen on the opposite coast as well as a magnificent statue: an elegant female figure draped in a tunic with her arms stretched skyward and her back curving gracefully. A blue sash wound its way up her figure to form a huge arch above her head. "The statue you see in the distance is called the Paradeisia Angel. Designed by the renowned artist Andreas Nikolovski, she was constructed over a period of five years at a cost exceeding seventy million euros.”
Henry slapped his forehead with his hand.
“The tallest statue in the world, she dwarfs the Statue of Liberty at a height of one thousand feet. A platform at the crown of her head offers a magnificent view from her eyes—made especially memorable by the nightly CelestiaSky fireworks spectacular." The music climaxed and the voice continued, "The Paradeisia Angel is not the only hot spot in Paradeisia's centerpiece resort area, Living Paradise. Also featured are the Eden Grand StarLine Hotel, the Novae StarLine Hotel, and the Paradise Regal StarLine Hotel, all of which offer heavenly, five-star accommodations.
“Additionally, Living Paradise claims one of the three exciting nightlife districts located on the island. Additionally, a stunning lineup of fifteen fantastic thrill-rides challenge only the bravest visitors. And finally, the Living Paradise dining and shopping district features some of the largest restaurants and stores anywhere including the planet's largest McDonald's as well as nightly performances by world-famous artists. With this much to see and do, a visit to Living Paradise is sure to be at the top of everyone's Paradeisia to-do list. To reach Living Paradise, take Leopard Line from the FlyRail Hub."
“This is indeed a nightmare,” Henry said, rubbing his temples.
Jinkins was not dissuaded from his enthusiasm. “I don't understand how you could say such a thing about such marvels. You must admit that this is the grandest place on earth, even without the main attraction!”
Lady Shrewsbury interjected, “Our money has certainly been exploited to grand effect and I'm sure we all appreciate the magnificence of the place, but Henry is here to ascertain if Paradeisia can be profitable.”
“And profitable it will be,” Jinkins crowed, “once we open the doors!”
The gondola was now nearing the crown of the tallest peak. Jagged stone outcroppings projected over the greenery to form a sharp summit. Several miles below the top, between the two mountains, was a gigantic glass building. Shaped like a triangle w
ith one vertical side, the structure was 320 feet tall, 340 feet wide, and 280 feet long. It was made of shining glass supported by huge columns of rose colored stones dwarfing the palm trees planted beside it. Five FlyRail tracks serviced the rear of the structure on five concrete levels. A stream flowed from under the glass in the front and down towards a precipice where it dropped hundreds of feet to a misty pool below.
The voice began, "We are now nearing the FlyRail Hub. Please remember your personal belongings as you exit, and have a wonderful stay in Paradeisia: Eden on Earth." The gondola slowed as it moved underneath a cement floor on the rear of the structure. Sliding glass doors could be seen twenty feet away on the docking platform. Slowing to a stop, the gondola's glass doors lifted open. "Please allow those needing special assistance to exit first. Keep your personal belongings with you at all times."
Everyone stepped onto the platform and through the sliding doors. Inside, the FlyRail Hub was cavernous and light. Signs with FlyRail track names and icons lined the ceiling. Glass elevators overlooked an open plaza containing shops and quick dining options ringing a giant waterfall.
They took an elevator to the ground floor. Their shoes squeaked with the newness as they walked through sliding doors that read, "Parrot Path.” Once outside on a platform, it was only seconds until a gondola pulled up.
As they boarded, Henry, looking very grumpy now, asked "And how much did this FlyRail Hub cost?"
"All in the balance sheets!" Jinkins smiled. “Not to worry, I'm sure you'll have a look at them in good order.”
“Couldn't we have a look at them now?”
“All in good time, Mr. Potter,” Jinkins reassured. “All in good time.”
Aubrey heard Henry say under his breath, “And by 'good time,' I suppose he means 'at the last possible moment.'”
