stories and sagas
Smilin’ Jack 
ConocoPhillips continued their 54-year tradition
of turning a 3-million gallon storage tank
at its Los Angeles refinery into the world’s largest Jack-O-Lantern:
Preparing Smilin’ Jack for his annual appearance requires
more than 100 gallons of orange, black and white paint.
OH, I LOVE HALLOWEEN.
Only 5 more days…
TRICK or TREAT my followers.
Barbara KisKis
October 26, 2023
AUTHOR OF SAGAS, BARBARA KISKIS
(San Diego)
Books allow you to travel anywhere you want.
You meet different types of people.
Experience many adventures.
All these from the comfort and security of your home.
Also, can serve as a short escape from your present situation
while giving you a feeling of control.
However, I still prefer to travel in person
by plane, train, boat or bicycle.
I’ve been to 31 countries and cruised the high seas 10 times.
Each trip was an adventure because I looked for it.
From my African Safari with my best friend, Margarita
to Jamaica with my son, Jamie, who was only 10 years old.
My travel diary is full of stories, yet to be told.
My sagas reflect the places I’ve explored.
My passport has expired but I’m still living
through the characters in my stories/sagas.
God Bless & Safe Travels wherever you may go.
My Cancun trip to Mexico
to see the ruins. (2002)
By far the most famous Mayan ruins
in Mexico, Chichén Itzá.
CHEERS to more sagas!!!
With French Champagne.
By Barbara KisKis
October 24, 2023
Rebecca Rice went back to Paris and picked up her luggage.
She met with William Wicket and said good-bye.
It was through William that learned that her friend Sandy Smith from Santa Fe
was the one who cracked the case of the missing/stolen pink diamond.
Thanks to her computer lab.
Sandy contacted the FBI which started the investigation.
Sam Harley was headed back to Washinton DC with the reward money.
Poor Kenneth Schaefer was left holding, NOTHING.
Rebecca wasn’t sure when she would go back to her ranch
in New Mexico.
She found traveling more to her liking.
Hong Kong was on her list.
Sam Harley completed his mission in Europe and it was a success.
“So, tell me Rebecca what are you plans for the near future. Are you going back to Paris?”
“Yes, I’ll be going back to Paris. I left some unfinished business there.”
“William is a very nice guy. Spend time with him and get to know him.”
“How did you know about William, I didn’t tell you.”
“Let’s just say, William and I go way back.”
Rebecca laughed.
She seemed to have surrounded herself with men from law enforcement.
Well, apart from Garrett, who was a thief.
Rebecca played her part well and was rewarded for it.
“Sam, are you going to Hong Kong at the end of the month?”
“Yes, why?”
“You know I was thinking….
I’ve never been to the Far East.”
They both laughed.
BARBARA KISKIS
October, 2023
TIME TO MOVE ON.
Rebecca sat on the bar stool with a stranger named Sam Harley
and thought about the last 24 hours.
Here she was in Zurich, Switzerland, alone
and was just told that her boyfriend stole a valuable diamond.
Even though Rebecca was not in love with Garrett
she was traumatized by the assignment she was given.
The whole episode seemed surreal.
“What’s wrong, Miss Rice. You feeling alright?”
“Yes, I just need a moment to collect myself, excuse me.”
Rebecca got up and walked to the ladies room.
Once inside the restroom, Rebecca cried. It was all too much to take.
A woman walked in the restroom and saw Rebecca crying.
She said to Rebecca, “Darling, you’re a goddess, a total badass
and you’ve totally got this.
Go out there and be a brave woman.”
Rebecca stopped crying and looked at the woman and said, “Thank you.”
That woman was right, and Rebecca went back to her bar stool
and ordered a double shot of Tequila.
(To be continued)
HAND OFF COMPLETE, TIME FOR A DRINK.
Sam Harley grabbed Rebecca’s arm and led her down the street to the closest pub.
“What’s going on?”
“We are going for that drink I promised you.”
“No, I meant, what the hell happened back there with the black SUV?
You exchanged packages with someone in that car.”
“Yes, that’s correct. The owner got his prize procession back,
as per our agreement with him. He in turn gave a reward for recovering the stolen property.
That about sums it up, end of story and the completion of your assignment. You are now free
of all of this. Go have a happy life.”
“Just like that, it’s over. I can just walk away and forget this escapade?”
“Isn’t that what I just said to you?”
Sam ordered two bourbons on the rocks from the bartender.
“Mr. Harley, can you at least tell me what the prize procession was?”
“Why don’t you call me, Sam.”
Sam took a long drink of his bourbon and sat his glass on the bar and said,
You were carrying the most famous pink diamond called the Pink Star,
which weighed in at 59.6 carats, selling for $71.2 million in 2017.
The Pink Star is the largest known diamond having been rated Vivid Pink.
As a result of this exceptional rarity, the Beny Steinmetz Group
called Steinmetz Diamonds took a cautious 20 months to cut the Pink.
It was unveiled in Monaco on 29 May 2003 in a public ceremony.
On 3 April 2017, the Pink Star was sold at an auction in Hong Kong
for US$71.2 million to Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, but after the auction
The Pink Star disappeared.”
” You mean it was stolen, Sam?”
“Yes, it never got into the hands of the owner, until today.
You made Mr. Chow very happy to finally get his diamond back
after all of these years.”
“The Pink Star was really worth $71 million dollars?”
“Probably even more in today’s market.”
“Wow. I have another question, who stole the diamond?”
“Your boyfriend, Garrett Gardiner.”
(To be continued)
THE PINK STAR diamond.
THE HAND OFF.
As Sam Harley and Rebecca Rice walked out of the bank and down the steps
a black SUV pulled up.
This would be the HAND OFF.
“Give me the package, Miss Rice.”
Rebecca was confused but obeyed Sam and took the object wrapped
in brown paper out of her bag and handed it Sam.
Sam felt the package and then unwrapped it a little to view the contents.
He was satisfied that it was the real deal, he walked up to the SUV’s open window
and exchanged
packages with the car’s occupant.
“Nice doing business with you, Mr. Chow.
See you in Hong Kong at the end of the month.”
The black SUV sped off down the street.
(To be continued)
IT’S A BEAUITFUL AUTUMN DAY IN ZURICH.
Rebecca and Sam arrived at the train depot in Zurich, Switzerland in the early afternoon.
FIRST STOP: The Swiss bank
They both entered the bank, but only Rebecca approached and met with
the vice-president, Mr. Gill.
Mr. Gill was an elderly gentleman who moved slowly.
He read her letter and walked Rebecca to the bank vault where the
safety deposit boxes were kept.
She was alone when she secured the correct box and inserted and turned the key.
Not knowing what she would find in the drawer, she carefully opened it.
There was an object wrapped in brown paper, nothing fancy.
She didn’t unwrap the object because she wasn’t told to do so.
Rebecca place it in her handbag and then replaced the drawer and locked it.
Walking out of the vault she waved to Mr. Gill and continued to the door
where Sam was stationed.
“Got it.”
“Good job, Rebecca.”
(To be continued)
“Everyone has a movie or a song or a book that they hold in their heart and can say “if I hadn’t experienced this piece of art at this specific point in my life I would not be the person I am today” and it’s just kind of beautiful how someone can create a piece of art that means something to them and share it with the world, and that thing can literally change another persons life… it’s so uniquely human and so intimate I think.” –Tennessee Willams
Rebecca was remembering her Santa Fe art studio and how much she missed it.
She had received a letter from Anna Perez a few days ago.
The letter cheered her up. Anna said that her music was getting better
and her dad, Peter sends his regards.
Sitting on a train going to Zurich was not ideal. Her only hope was that her
assignment would formally be over and she could move forward with her life.
She wasn’t sure if Santa Fe was the place where she would stay.
Maybe, a new adventure.
(To be continued)
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?
It was a matter of minutes before the lights came back on
in the dining car on the train.
Sam assisted Rebecca to her feet.
“Well, that was close to scaring me. Why are you carrying a gun?”
“In my line of work, it’s for survival. Are you OK, Miss Rice?”
“Yes, I’m fine but I could use a good drink.”
“Please don’t ask for Champagne, it’s too early.”
“I think bourbon is in order. Care to join me, Mr. Harley?”
“Maybe later after we concluded our business in Zurich.”
(To be continued)
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