CHAPTER ONE

He slipped on his clothes and rushed out the door, running through the hallway of his apartment haphazardly. He pushed his way through two arguing tenants and dodged a maid, ran down the stairs, and headed for the main doors. But just as he reached the handles of the double doors, he was halted by the screeching voice of a terrifying monster.

His landlord.

“Mr. Giovanni!” Screeched the voice of Derek O’Riley, who was sitting behind his desk in the lobby.

“What is it, Derek?” Dom groaned, turning around to face his crotchety landlord.

“You haven’t paid last month’s rent yet, that’s what!” Derek snarled.

“Yes I did, Derek.” Dom reminded quickly.

“No, you didn’t!” Derek replied. “You told me at the end of the month that you had the money, and said you were gonna give it to me that night! But you didn’t, you no good moocher! You never paid me squat!”

“Fine.” Dom said with a heavy sigh. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of five dollar bills. “If I give you this, will you shut up long enough for me to get to my meeting before I’m too late?”

“Depends,” Derek snorted, getting up and waddling over to Dom. He was a very obese man. “How much is it?”

“It’s exactly twenty bucks.” Dom said, extending the fist full of cash.

“Then that’s good. For now. You better have the rest later!” Derek snapped, snatching up the money and stuffing it in his pocket.

“Yeah, sure thing Derek…” Dom muttered, shoving the doors open and leaving.

Dom headed out into the crowded streets of NYC and made his way downtown. He sidestepped from the crowd and jogged up a set of old stairs. At the top was a freshly painted green door, leading to the inside of the large, old-fashioned building. Dom paused a moment, looking up at the rotating Channel 4 logo painfully. Dom was a reporter for Channel 4 News, and as of late he had been having trouble at his workplace. Now his boss, Jerry Olmer, had called him in for a “meeting”. In other words, Jerry didn’t like the job Dom was doing and wanted to yell at him for a bit.

Dom opened the door and walked into the Channel 4 building, and was greeted by the secretary. She lowered her overly-large spectacles and pursed her lips as she filed papers.

“Hello, Mr. Giovanni. Jerry’s been expecting you.” She said in a screechy, high pitched voice.

Dom looked up at the clock and cringed. It was 10:07, he was already seven minutes late. Great. Now Jerry would really have something to shout about- he was a stickler on punctuality, and would surely raise hell about being seven minutes late. I can’t believe your late again, Dom thought slyly as he pushed open the door to Jerry Olmer‘s office, You just wasted seven minutes of my precious time, and I’m a busy man! If you’re ever late again, I’ll-

“I can’t believe your late again, Giovanni!” Jerry roared as Dom closed the door. “You just wasted seven minutes of my precious time, and I’m a busy man! If you’re ever late again, I’ll-”

“I know, I know. Sorry. My landlord stopped me on the way out again…” Dom sighed, sitting down in the chair in front of Jerry’s desk. Jerry narrowed his beady eyes on Dom and puffed a cigar silently.

“You look like crap.” He finally said, glaring at Dom’s greasy, uncombed hair.

“Thanks,” Dom muttered, running his fingers through his hair. “So what do you want, Jerry?”

“I want to tell you,” Jerry sneered. “That you couldn’t possibly be doing your job any worse! Your last report was a snore-fest, Giovanni, an absolute snore-fest!”

“With all due respect, Mr. Olmer, you told me to cover that story.” Dom said.

“No,” Jerry hissed, his face turning red. “I told you to cover anything interesting that might be going on in the area. INTERESTING, GIOVANNI! INTERESTING! A kitten stuck in a tree isn’t interesting, you greasy-”

“It was all that was there to cover. It was a slow day in New York City…” Dom muttered resentfully.

“There are NO slow days in New York City, Giovanni! That’s a give-in!” Jerry shouted, slamming his fist on his desk. “And it’s not just that, Giovanni! It’s all your reports lately- They stink!”

“I just cover what’s going on in the places you send me,” Dom responded. “It’s not my fault you send me to parks and museums to get stories.”

“I’ve about had it with you, Giovanni!” Jerry roared, standing up. “I’m giving you ONE, LAST, CHANCE. You got that? If this next story sucks as bad as your last, you’re through!”

“And where are you sending me?” Dom sighed, crossing his arms. He had heard this spiel before.

“You’ll find THAT out tonight,” Jerry said, grinning contently. “I’m going to find somewhere where you can’t possibly muck up. Someplace where you’ll HAVE to cover a decent story- or else.”

“Alright, Jerry, when will you tell me?” Dom asked, standing up.

“You’ve still got your cell phone, don’t ya?” Jerry snorted. “I’ll call you when I find a good place to send you.”

“Fine.” Dom said casually. “That all?”

“Not quite,” Jerry snarled. “Make sure to tell that washed up cameraman of yours to get some shots that are actually worth looking at. Something exciting.”

“Will do…” Dom said, leaving Jerry’s office.

“I mean it!” Jerry shouted as Dom departed.

Dom left the Channel 4 building in a huff. First he had to take lip from his fat, pea-brained landlord, and now this. Jerry had threatened to fire him before, but this time it seemed like he actually meant it. Dom wondered where he’d send him this time. Maybe somewhere exotic. Once he had been sent to cover a story in Florida, and had enjoyed a week of warm weather and beachside leisure. But Dom had a gut feeling that this time he wouldn’t be so lucky.

He headed back to his apartment, this time slinking through the alley and entering through the back door. He crept upstairs unnoticed by Derek and breathed a sigh of relief. Time to find Will and tell him what’s up, He thought. He came to room 108 and knocked on the door. Someone stirred inside and pressed their face against the door, staring through the keyhole.

“It’s me, Will. Open up.” Dom said.

The door swung open, and Dom was now face to face with his cameraman, Will Griffin. Will was a dark skinned man of age 24, 7 years younger than his Italian reporter friend. He had short black hair and brown eyes, and was wearing the same clothes he had been wearing when Dom last saw him.

“Rough night?” Dom asked, stepping in.

“Yeah…” Will grumbled, rubbing his head. “How much did we have to drink last night?”

“I dunno.” Dom replied, shrugging. “Too much?”

“Sounds about right.” Will groaned, sitting back in his recliner. “What’s up, Dom?”

“Just talked to Jerry.” Dom said, shaking his head. That caught Will’s attention fast.

“Uh-oh. What’d he say?” Will asked, leaning forward.

“He said my last story sucked, and you’re washed up.” Dom sighed. “And he said that he’s going to send us somewhere, but he didn’t say where. But he did say that if the story we get there isn’t any good, I’m fired.”

“Me too, I bet…” Will whispered, his brow furrowed with distress. “This is serious, man. We gotta shape up and do a really good job this time.”

“I know, I know… but we don’t even know where we’re going yet.” Dom said. “Let’s not worry about it too much until he tells us where we’re going. Okay?”

“Yeah, alright…” Will mumbled. “You had anything to eat yet?”

“Nah, I accidentally slept in and had to head straight to Jerry’s office. I was late too, thanks to Derek…” Dom mumbled.

“Aw man, your not having trouble with Derek again are you?” Will asked. “You know I’ll lend you the money, man. All you gotta do is ask!”

“I know, I know… but I’ve been taking money from you for too long. I know you’ve been saving up for a new camera, the last thing you need is me sucking down all your cash. I’ll get the money on my own this time… don’t worry…” Dom said, rubbing the back of his head.

“Alright.” Will said, raising an eyebrow. He didn’t believe a word of it. But he’d let it go for now. “Come on. Let’s go get a bite to eat.”

“Sure. I’m starving.” Dom said.

****

Dom had spent the day with Will, trying not to think about what Jerry had said that morning. They had eaten out for breakfast and lunch, and lazed around New York City for hours. Now they were back in the apartment, watching TV in Will’s room. They were watching a cheesy old science fiction movie about some murderous alien monster. As the unconvincing puppet moved across the screen towards it’s victim with a whirling probe and a lashing tongue, the phone rang.

“I’ll get it.” Dom said, standing up. “I need to go get another can of Coke anyways.”

Dom headed into the kitchen and picked up the phone as he opened the fridge. As he reached in for is soda, he heard the voice of the person calling him. And froze.

“Hello?” Growled the deep, smoky voice. It was Jerry Olmer.

“Hello, Mr. Olmer. I wasn’t ex-”

“It’s about damn time.” Jerry spat before Dom could finish. “I’ve been calling your place for half and hour. Should’ve known you’d be over there with your lazy friend! You’re not drinkin, are ya?”

“Of course not.” Dom said, popping the top of his Coke next to the phone. He could hear Jerry puffing up angrily. “So you’re going to tell us where we’re going now?”

“You bet I am. Turn on the news, channel six.” Jerry growled. “You’ll never believe this.”

“Hey, Will! Change it to channel six, okay?” Dom yelled, walking out of the kitchen with his Coke.

As Dom entered the room, Will was already on channel six and gawking at the screen. Dom started to ask Jerry what he was supposed to be seeing on the channel six news, but as soon as he saw the screen, he shut his mouth and watched. On the screen was live footage from Tokyo, Japan. There was a crowd of people, civilians, police, reporters, and the lot. They were all gathered around something…

A ship. And a big one, too- it looked like a commercial fishing vessel. It was laying on it’s side on a white beach, anchored to the ground with heavy chains, as if to keep it in that exact position. And as the camera zoomed in, he could see why. The bottom of the ship was torn wide open, and all around the bottom of the ship’s surface were massive… claw marks.

“What the heck did this?!” Dom gasped, staring at the ravaged ship.

“That’s the million dollar question, Giovanni. The whole world wants to know.” Jerry boasted. “And that’s why you’re going to Tokyo!”

“What?!” Dom shouted, spraying his Coke. Will turned around and stared.

“You heard me! I’m sending your lazy butt to Japan.” Jerry growled.

“But that story’s already being covered!” Dom argued. “Channel six has already got it, and so have the Japanese!”

“Ahahaha- But there you are wrong, Giovanni. The story of the ship is being covered… and that’s it.” Jerry said slyly. Dom could see where this was going, and he didn’t like it. “Your going to be covering a very special story, Giovanni. I want you and your cameraman to find out what did this and catch it on film. This is the story of a lifetime, Giovanni! The story of a lifetime!”

Dom was silent, looking down at the TV screen.

“I’ve already booked your flight. Channel four is paying for your tickets, but that’s it. You’ve gotta buy your own food and pay for your hotel, and all that. I’m not made of money, you know!” Jerry continued.

“Of course not…” Dom muttered bitterly. “When does our flight leave?”

“Tonight.” Jerry said casually. “At eight o’ clock.”

“Your kidding me, Jerry. Eight o’ clock?!” Dom cried. “That’s in less than an hour! We need to pack, and get our equipment ready, and-”

“All the more reason to shut your big mouth and get your butt in gear.” Jerry snapped, hanging up. Dom could tell Jerry was enjoying this- he was probably laughing in his office right now.

“Don’t tell me we’re going where I think we’re going…” Will gulped.

“Alright. Then I won’t.” Dom said, shrugging. “Come on. We’ve got to pack.”

Will got up and retrieved his suitcase. As he began to pull his clothes out from his drawer and stuff them into his suitcase, he spoke to Dom:

“So what are we doing in Tokyo if the press has already got the ship story?”

“We’re supposed to find what sunk the ship.” Dom said loathsomely. “And get it on camera before anyone else does.”

“Are you serious? Did you see the claw marks in that ship? Man, that thing must be the size of a whale!” Will complained. “And it’s in the ocean- how are we supposed to even find it at all?”

“I don’t know.” Dom admitted. “The ocean’s a big place…”

“Well… I guess we’re going to have to find a way, huh?” Will sighed, going to the corner and foraging for his tripod. “Or else Jerry will can us…”

“Well… if we DO find this thing… I know it’ll be the highlight of our careers. Who knows… I might finally get enough money to get a place of my own. Then I could get away from that fat lard Derek for good.” Dom laughed.

“Which reminds me… didn’t you say he’s still expecting money from you?” Will said, grinning. “And didn’t you say he wanted it tonight?”

“Oh crap…” Dom whispered. He had forgotten all about that.

“Dom.” Will said sternly, putting one hand on Dom’s shoulder. “I’m serious, man. I’ll lend you the money. Right here, right now. I know you’ll pay me back eventually. Come on.”

Dom looked up into the face of his cameraman and best friend, and pondered- what was the right thing to do?

“I can’t believe you made me climb out the window to avoid the landlord.” Will sighed, burying his face in his hands as he and Dom sat in the backseat of a musty taxi cab.

“I told you, Will. I’m not taking your money. You earned your cash, so you deserve to keep it.” Dom said. “When we get back from Japan rich and famous for being the first people to see this sea monster, then I’ll pay Derek the rent. Okay?”

“Yeah, right.” Will groaned, leaning back in the cushy fake-leather seat. “And what if we don’t find it? What if it’s just a wild goose chase that loses us our jobs? Then how are you going to pay Derek?”

“You could always be a street performer, like my brother Bindu!” The Indonesian cab driver spoke up, looking into the rearview mirror. “He dances for pennies!”

“Uh… yeah, I’ll keep that in mind.” Dom grumbled, a little offended that the cab driver had been listening to their conversation. They were both silent for a while, then the cab driver spoke up again.

“We are here.” He announced twenty five minutes after they first stepped into the cab. “You are lucky traffic was not bad tonight!”

“Yeah…” Will said, looking down at his watch. “Our flight’s gonna leave pretty soon.”

“Then lets go!” Dom said as Will gave the taxi cab driver his payment. “Jerry paid for that flight. If we miss it, we’re toast!”

They moved towards the La Guardia Airport at a brisk jog, and caught their flight. Much to their delight, there were no complications or flight delays. They boarded the plane and took off from Queens NY, their destination Tokyo, Japan. The plane soared off into the night sky, and Dom began to doze off in his somewhat-comfortable seat. Will stayed awake, donning microphones and watching the in-flight movie that was playing. Will grinned, it was one of his favorites. Jurassic Park.

Meanwhile, Dom was asleep almost instantly. He began to dream about being on a sandy white beach and drinking tropical punch as he laid back in a fold-out chair, but his dream ended abruptly with the sound of… a roaring Tyrannosaurus?

Dom shook his head and opened his eyes to see the climax of Jurassic Park on the TV screen nearby. He turned his head to look at Will. He too had dozed off, though he slept much more soundly, and his headphones had slipped down to his neck- treating Dom to the various dinosaur sounds of the movie. He sighed and leaned back. He reached into his pockets and pulled out earplugs.

I should’ve put these on in the first place, He thought, putting them in his ears. Now maybe I can finally get to sleep without any interruptions. No sooner had Dom closed his eyes, his cell phone began to vibrate in his left pants pocket. Dom groaned and pulled it up. He recognized the number immediately- It was Jerry again. He pulled out the earplugs and pressed the green button.

“Hello again Jerry…” Dom muttered into the cell phone.

“You on the plane yet, sleazebag?” Jerry yawned.

“Yeah, Jerry, we’re on the stinkin plane. It’s 10:32.” Dom snorted.

“I was just making sure you hadn’t screwed up already, Giovanni!” Jerry barked.

“Yeah, well, I haven’t. Is that all you wanted?” Dom growled, inching his finger towards the red ‘END’ button.

“Naw… I wanna talk to your no-good cameraman. I haven’t heard from him all day. I wanna know if his equipment’s holding up and all.” Jerry said.

“Will’s sleeping.” Dom replied, looking over at Will as he snoozed. He was beginning to snore. Loudly.

“Heh, figures. I’ll call again tomorrow then,” Jerry snapped.

“That’s okay.” Dom said hurriedly. “His equipment is perfectly fine. He tested the camera and pulled out a new roll of film before we left. And my mike is working alright, too.”

“Meh… just cause you said it’s alright doesn’t mean it is. I remember the last time-”

“Yeah, yeah. You remember everything, Jerry.” Dom growled. “Now how long are we supposed to be out here?”

“I don’t know…” Jerry sneered. “How long is it gonna take ya to find the monster?”

“Fine.” Dom sighed. “I read you loud and clear. Basically, you’re dumping us in a foreign country at their mercy until we manage to find something that’ll get you something to put on the Channel 4 News. Right?”

“You hit the nail on the head, Giovanni! Maybe your not as stupid as you look! HAHA!” Jerry boomed, so loud that a slumbering passenger in the seat across from Dom woke up.

“I’ll call you when we’ve got your precious little story, then… Adios, senior Diablo!” Dom snorted, snapping the phone shut and hanging up on Jerry. He shoved the cell phone back into his pocket, put his earplugs back in, and fell asleep in a huff.

Dom’s dream resumed shortly after. He was on the beach again, sipping fruit punch under the shade of a swaying palm tree. Beautiful women offered him overstuffed briefcases of money, and seagulls cawed overhead in harmony with the crashing waves. He exhaled happily and closed his eyes. Then the beach began to shake. He rose up from his chair, spilling his drink in the sand. His bikini-clad company fled, taking the thousands of dollars with them, and the sea gulls scattered in a panic. Dom stood up and watched with dread as the ocean began to churn and rise. A titanic dinosaur exploded from the disturbed waters and roared ferociously. Dom woke with a quiet gasp, and wiped a cold sweat from his brow.

It was just a dream… a pretty crappy dream… but that’s all. He thought, reassuring himself calmly. He shook his head and laughed nervously under his breath, then went back to sleep as the plane continued towards it’s destination.