We won one and lost one yesterday. The second game we were up by two and laying a well protected two when the other skip made "one of those shots" and got 3 points to give them  a one point win. Ouch! It was hot yesterday, will be more so today.

 The few moments stretched out to fifteen minutes and then the door opened and two men walked through, the first was Fernando Flores who Marsh had met the year before, a tall well built, well groomed man of about fifty.  The second was short, fat and balding; he sported an oversize mustache beneath an oversize nose.  Marsh had the impression of an over fed mustachioed rat.

 With no apology, Flores greeted Pauolo then Marsh, introduced Raul Fernandez ignoring Elena in the process.  As Marsh shook Fernandez’ moist hand, he said, “ And may I introduce to you both my interpreter and advisor, Senora Rosada.”

 “Yes, yes of course,” Fernando Flores replied with barely a glance in Elena’s direction.  He seated himself at the opposite end of the table to Pauolo quickly followed by Fernandez.

 “I am very busy, so we must conclude this meeting quickly,” stated Flores.  

 “Yes, quickly,” echoed the airport manager.

 Marsh glanced at Pauolo and waited for him to take the lead, but Pauolo was busy looking at the contents of his briefcase and appeared to not have heard the comments.  “Very well, “Marsh said, “ Our aircraft, the DC6, Aerostar and the Bell 205 should be arriving no later than this Friday, April 27th. This is three days ahead of schedule.  The Bird Dog training officer will be with the Aerostar and the ground crew trainer will arrive on Monday the 30th.    I believe you were to have an interpreter ready for the ground crew trainer and after our meeting I would like to meet him.  Also I would like to examine the site you have set aside for the parking of the aircraft.”

 Marsh paused and waited for some response.  When none was forthcoming he went on, “I believe by the contract that the trainee you have selected for Bird Dog training was to be here today, I would like to meet him also.”

 Again Marsh paused and again there was no response, he lifted his palms in a gesture towards Flores and Fernandez and sat back in his chair and waited.

 Several moments passed, and then Fernandez cleared his throat, “ I will arrange for an assistant to guide you to the parking site I have personally chosen for the aircraft.”

Again there was a pause then Fernando Flores looked directly at Marsh and said, “There is aproblema, I have no one on my staff suitable for this training, I had passed this on to Senor Montez some time ago, he was to alert the Fire Service Center in Mexico City in order that they could provide a candidate.” Turning to Pauolo he continued,  “Were you not advised Senor?”

 Pauolo looking uncomfortable replied, “No Senor Flores, this is the first I have heard.” Turning to Marsh he added, “I am sorry, perhaps there has been a, how you say, a meex up.  I will place a call to my office immediately and arrange for a suitable trainee.”  Marsh, with a strained smile, said, “That will be fine Pauolo, have your man meet us in Saltillo tomorrow and then he can come on to here later.  It will be a few days before we will be operational and the only loss will be some early introduction to procedure.” Then, “Actually this will work out, I will have the Aerostar diverted to Saltillo and he can hitch a ride here to Cancun.”  Turning to The State Chairman he asked, “By chance do you recall, Senor, when it was you made Senor Montez aware of this problem?”

 Flores, with a slight flush on his face, tersely replied, “ No, No perhaps a week a go, perhaps less.”

 Por favor Senor, I’m not sure I understand why you would communicate this to Senor Montez rather than directly to Senor Romero or his assistant.” Said Marsh looking perplexed.