Welcome to Students Incorporated. I'm your host,
Mr. Jason. Join me weekly as my students and
I bring you content that's informative, positive,
fun, and uplifting. This podcast is created and
produced with the help of students from the International
Community School of Bangkok. Hey, welcome back.
I'm your host, Mr. Jason. And today we're asking
a big question. If you were handed the keys to
the school or even just the keys to the cafeteria,
what would you actually change? We've all spent
time complaining about long lunch lines, dead
phone batteries, or the stress of homework. But
today we're moving past the complaining. We've
challenged our classmates to step into the role
of student CEOs. You're going to hear some bold
and honest solutions to the everyday problems
that may drive some of you crazy. We're also
continuing part two of our adventure story, The
Mystery of St. Augustine. So buckle up and hang
on as we get started with our quote of the day
and some headline news. Our quote of the day
comes from one of history's most respected leaders,
Dwight D. Eisenhower, and it perfectly captures
the heart of true leadership. Leadership is the
art of getting somebody else to do something
you want done because he wants to do it. This
quote reminds us that leadership isn't about
authority, titles, or control. It's about influence,
trust, and shared purpose. Great leaders don't
push people forward. They inspire people to move
with them. In a world where leadership is often
confused with power, Eisenhower shows us that
the strongest leaders are those who listen, empower,
and align others around a common vision. When
people believe in the mission, effort becomes
voluntary and excellence follows naturally. So
take this lesson to heart. Lead with clarity,
empathy, and intention. When you help others
want to succeed, you don't just lead, you multiply
impact. Here's our headline news for today. LVMH
sentence succession plan as Arnold era steps
into top leadership. Luxury giant LVMH made waves
this week after promoting Antoine Arnold, son
of CEO Bernard Arnold, to the company's executive
committee. While succession at family -led empires
is always closely watched, this move feels especially
strategic. LVMH controls more than 70 global
luxury brands. And leadership continuity is critical
for investors' confidence, especially as the
luxury market slows in China and faces shifting
in consumer tastes. He has already held major
roles inside the group, working on brand strategy,
communications and sustainability initiatives.
His elevation signals that LVMH isn't rushing
a handover. Instead, it's carefully building
credibility and experience at the top level.
For investors, this reinforced the idea that
LVMH is thinking decades ahead, not quarters
ahead. For the luxury industry, it's a reminder
that governance and legacy matter just as much
as creative direction. Coming up next, Kroger
appoints retail veteran CEO to navigate a high
-pressure grocery market. Kroger, one of the
largest grocery chains in the United States,
has named former Walmart executive Greg Foran
as its new CEO, a move that immediately caught
Wall Street's attention. The appointment comes
after a turbulent leadership period and at a
time when grocery margins are razor thin. Competition
is fierce and consumer spending habits remain
unpredictable. Foran is known for operational
discipline and scaling massive retail systems,
particularly during his time modernizing Walmart's
grocery business. His challenge at Kroger won't
just be growth. It'll be efficiency, pricing
strategy, and supply chain resilience. With Amazon,
Walmart, and discount grocers squeezing traditional
supermarkets, Kroger's decision signals a shift
toward execution -focused leadership rather than
flashy innovation. In today's retail environment,
stability may be the real competitive advantage.
And lastly, CEOs return as founders reclaim control
in an AI -driven business era. In a broader business
trend, companies are increasingly turning back
to founders and legacy leaders as artificial
intelligence reshapes entire industries. One
of the latest examples is Workday, which reinstated
its co -founder as CEO amid investor pressure
and strategic uncertainty around AI integration.
This reflects a growing belief that original
builders, not professional managers, may be better
positioned to steer companies through. Technological
disruptions. SAI changes hiring, finance, productivity,
and decision makings. Boards are prioritizing
vision and institutional knowledge over short
-term performance metrics. For podcasts tracking
leadership trends, this moment highlights a bigger
question. In time of rapid change, do companies
need innovation specialists or trusted architects
who understand the system from the ground up?
Thank you for the quote in the headline news.
Let's jump into our first segment where we have
asked several of our students to play the role
of CEO. And we've assigned each of them an operational
function, something that they have been put in
charge of. So let's hear from our student CEOs
and how they might tackle some of the things
they are most passionate about. Proud and Vijay
are leading this first segment. So go ahead and
get started. Yosep, if you were the CEO of attendance
and tardiness, what changes would you make? If
I was to be the CEO of attendance and tardiness,
I would give raises to people who come early
and on time in order to incentivize them. As
someone who's been late to school countless times
myself, if I had the thought of making some extra
money for simply being on time, I wouldn't have
even needed an alarm clock to wake up. In order
to not run out of money, however, I would simply
give people a pat on the back after they come
early a certain amount of times. Of course, I
would always go to the other route in order to
incentivize people, a more negative one. Instead
of positive reinforcement, it would be negative
reinforcement, where late students and absent
students have to pay through embarrassing performances
or acts the teachers of the classes they missed
would order them to do. As such, if you missed
day one, get ready to do some push -ups, ask
by your A block teacher, sing for your B block
teacher, do some interpretive dancing in C block,
and fetch water for your teacher in D. Vanaj,
if you were the CEO of Lunchline Logistics, what
changes would you make? If I were the CEO of
our school's lunch lines, I would start by changing
how food is distributed. Having only one line
for a popular dish creates long waits and wastes
students' time. I would add multiple serving
stations for high -demand meals and possibly
create an express line for students who are grabbing
just one item. Spreading the same dish across
several lines would reduce bottlenecks and make
the process much faster. I would also introduce
a simple pre -order system where students could
choose their lunch earlier in the day. This would
help staff prepare the right amount of food and
speed up service. In addition, proving the cafeteria
layout with clearer signs and better traffic
flow would prevent crowding. Together, these
changes would shorten wait times and make lunch
more efficient and enjoyable. Simpson, if you
were the CEO of Fountain Politics, what changes
would you make? The changes I would make would
be simple. First, I would have a fountain cleaning
every two days. This is because in school water
fountains often get dirty due to frequent use.
By having it cleaned every day, it will reduce
the risk of germs and diseases from spreading
around campus. Not only will it make the fountain
cleaner, but it will help give us a healthier
school life. The second thing I would add to
fountains is a soda option. This would increase
the options for drinks for students to drink
and stay hydrated throughout the day. The sodas
I'm talking about are plain soda with no sugar.
This is a good drink option because it is healthy
and it can be offered as a refreshment. Dorcas,
if you were the CEO of Hall Passes, what changes
would you make? Okay, if I was the CEO of Hall
Passes, everyone would have different ones. So,
like, one would be used to go to the bathroom,
one would be used to go get water, and one would
be used when you just need to step out of the
classroom. Because sometimes, you know, you're
tired and you just need to walk around to wake
up. They would be different colors, so when you're
in class, you just raise whichever one you need
to do. Like, oh, you need good water, so you
raise this card so the teacher would know. It
is way more subtle this way, and then the whole
class doesn't have to stare at you while you
ask to use the bathroom. It also helps the teachers
because they don't have to stop their lesson
just to let you get water. I'd also let people
decorate their hall passes. Of course, the teachers
will still need to see what color it is you raised.
So they know like, oh, they're raising, I don't
know, red. So I'm going to let them get water
or something. But yeah, they'll need to still
see that it's red. But they can get like, oh,
little stickers on like the corner or like the
border or something. You know, just because like
everyone likes to customize things so they can
like make their hall pass match their personality.
So yeah. Pan, if you were the CEO of Low Battery
Anxiety, what changes would you make? Ooh, interesting.
Well, as the CEO of Low Battery Anxiety, with
a specialty in mobile phones, I would direct
our company to redesign a 7 -day lifespan mobile
phone battery for all major brands in demand,
like Apple, Samsung, Huawei, and many more. and
so at an affordable price for all mobile phone
users. I would also offer a premium monthly membership
for our luxurious lounges across major cities
and airports all around ISIS in the world. And
no more fear for those malicious charging stations
set by cyber criminals and teachers who always
do their jobs too well. Anyways, wherever you
go, whether to your nearby airport, your community,
a living mall or to the other side of the world
during your travel or just ICS. We will always
be there. Anywhere in your journey and anytime
you need us. Choose Pun for your next CEO of
low battery anxiety. John and Eunwoo, if you
were the CEOs of Interview, what changes would
you make? If I were the CEOs of Interview, I
would create my own channel and allow people
to listen to the interview I conduct. If I make
a channel that posts my interviews, more people
will have access to diverse opinions and personal
insights. This would help the society to listen
to individual stories and improve the social
mood to be more empathetic. Not only that, the
channel will allow me to make finance that will
allow me to hire people, which will ultimately
lead me to collect more voice of people and more
empathetic society. As CEO, I'll try to maintain
this positive cycle of interview, to money, to
more interview, to better society. If I were
the CEO of Interview, I would focus on making
Interview a bold and influential platform for
culture, art, and conversation. I would ensure
that every feature feels authentic and creative,
allowing people to share their real thought and
personality, instead of giving scripted or predictable
answers. My goal would be to keep Interview expressive
and always ahead of trends. I would also make
my digital platform by creating more interactive
content such as live conversations, short -form
video, and behind -the -scenes features. At the
same time, I would continue highlighting diverse
and rising talent while maintaining a strong,
recognizable identity that makes interviews stand
out. Porsche, if you were the CEO of homework,
what changes would you make? If I was the CEO
of homework, I would ensure that students only
get homework when it truly helps them understand
the lesson or subject better, rather than just
adding an extra grade. There should also be little
to no homework on the weekends, as people should
have time to spend with their families, friends,
or just rest as homework and school overall can
take a toll on students' mental health. By doing
this, students will be able to see homework as
helpful practice rather than another source of
stress, leading students to have a healthier
balance between their education, and their personal
or social life. And this would allow students
to build different skills, like time management.
Bang, if you were the CEO of Playground Duty,
what changes would you make? If I were the CEO
of Playground Duty, I would make sure to help
students feel safe and supported rather than
constantly watched. Supervisors would focus on
encouraging kindness, including everyone in activities,
and stepping in calmly when conflicts happen
instead of being overly strict. There should
also be a balance between safety and freedom
so students can relax and enjoy their breaks.
By doing this, playground duty would feel positive
instead of stressful, helping students build
social skills and return to class refreshed.
Lucas, if you were the CEO of in -school suspension,
what changes would you make? If I was the CEO
of in -school suspension, I would make it a space
where students can talk to certain teachers or
staff on why they're in their first place. I
feel like right now, students are there just
kind of sit there and do homework and whatnot.
So I would actually definitely add a layer of
reflection and counseling. In addition to that,
I would actually limit the amount of work that
can be done. So it's really targeted towards
counseling and reflection instead of a study
hall for the whole day. I feel like a lot of
the stigma around suspension is just that to
make the students feel bad for whatever they
did. But I feel like it really shouldn't be that
way. But instead, a way to guide students from
their wrongdoings. It can actually be a good
thing to help students back on track. I also
put some workout equipment there just in case
I pent up emotions that they want to get rid
of. And that's a wrap on segment one. It's fascinating
to hear how differently things would run if students
were actually in charge. From positive reinforcement
raises for attendance to soda fountains in the
hallways, our student CEOs have definitely given
us a lot to think about. We're going to take
a quick pause for a break, and when we come back,
we are diving back into part two of our adventure
story, the mystery of St. Augustine. So don't
go anywhere. The Senior Capstone Service Projects
is the final countdown to the biggest milestone
for the ICS Class of 2026. The research is done,
the service hours are being logged, and the finish
line finally has a date. Mark your calendars
for March 24, 2026. This is the day the seniors
move from the classroom to the stage. The senior
capsule and service projects are more than just
a graduation requirement. They are a showcase
of leadership, grip, and community impact. Our
seniors will present the culmination of months
of hard work, proving they are ready to step
out of the halls of ICS and into the world. What
to expect on March 24? Firstly, the presentations.
Seniors will defend their research and reflect
on their service impact before a panel of judges.
Secondly, the learning stretch. A celebration
of the moments where students push past their
comfort zones to solve real -world problems.
Lastly, a legacy of service. A look at how the
Class of 2026 has left their mark on our community.
To the seniors, use this time to polish your
visuals, refine your speech, and ensure your
data reflects the heart of your project. The
stage is yours on March 24. And we are back.
For this segment, we will be bringing you part
two of our 10 -part adventure story titled The
Mystery of St. Augustine. Before we jump into
part two, here's a brief recap of part one. The
story opened on a North Florida beach where operatives
of the shadowy syndicate called The Table. unearth
the box of 16th century Spanish coins, confirming
the existence of a legendary shipwreck. Their
leader, First Chair, orders them to find the
main prize while also disrupting the research
of Tom Reynolds' team at St. Augustine's Historical
Society. Back in California, Dr. Conrad, the
president of El Dorado College, presents... Professor
James Hawthorne, and Professor Amanda Chase,
with an opportunity to join a research project
with one of his longtime friends, Tom Reynolds.
While James ensures his wife, Anne, can join
the trip, Amanda uncovers a small but very important
lead in the college library, which suggests there
may be more than one Drake shipwreck. And now,
without further ado... Here is part two, titled
The Arrival. That evening, James Hawthorne walks
through his front door, sets his keys down, and
takes off his shoes. He looks up and sees Anne
rearranging some of the chairs around their old
wooden dining table. Did you see my text, he
asks. I did, but it was pretty vague, Anne replies.
Yeah, I couldn't text you all the details, but
I can explain more now that I'm home. So, he
began. Dr. Conrad called Amanda and me into his
office today. Oh, that sounds official. It was,
James said. He's approved a special project for
our department, a collaboration with the St.
Augustine Historical Society in Florida. Anne
raised her eyebrows. Florida? That's new. What
kind of collaboration? Research and survey work.
James said, sticking to the official version
of the story. An old friend of Conrad's runs
a historical society there. They're looking into
some old maritime theories. Some would even call
them legends. And they want our department's
expertise in the field. And they don't want local
media or government officials to know about it
yet. Ann walked over toward the front door, grabbed
a jacket, and started putting on her shoes. How
long? What about your classes? Conrad's handling
it. He's bringing in adjuncts to cover for us.
As for how long? A few weeks, maybe. It's an
initial survey. He paused, then added, It would
mean traveling soon, and I made you a promise
after Mexico. Yes, you did. Are you going somewhere?
Did I miss something? James asked. You did promise
I'd be on your next trip. And then added, Florida?
I've never been to St. Augustine. Can you believe
that? Ann grabs James' keys off the counter,
puts them back in his hand, and then says, Put
your shoes back on. Let's grab a bite to eat
at Ethan's Cafe in town, and you can fill me
in on all the other details. The following morning,
Amanda called Olivia Park into her office. Olivia,
I'm bringing you on to a new project, Amanda
said, getting straight to the point. Professor
Hawthorne and I are leading a fieldwork assignment
starting immediately. Olivia, surprised by the
offer, then asked, what kind of project? A research
and survey trip in St. Augustine, Florida. It's
a high -level collaboration with the historical
society there. It's paid, it's confidential,
and I've already cleared it with Dr. Conrad for
you to be a research assistant. Prof. Amanda
continued, I'm offering this to you specifically
because it's not just another credit. This is
the kind of high -profile field work that graduate
programs look for. It's a major opportunity,
and I think you'd be a valuable teammate. Olivia's
face could not hold back her excitement. Yes,
absolutely. Yes, I'm in. Thank you. When do we
leave? Prof. Amanda answered, soon, probably
within a few days, so be ready to pack on short
notice. And Olivia... Amanda added, we are keeping
this trip quiet for now. No social media, no
telling friends any of the details about the
research. For the short term, we're keeping this
strictly need to know. Our colleagues in Florida
don't want any of the attention this may bring
just yet. That time will come, especially if
we are successful. Professor, for the official
record, will we be documenting the survey with
photo and video? Olivia asked. Yes, standard
procedure, Amanda confirmed. Site logs, reference
photos, and recorded video. That's one of the
main reasons I'm inviting you to be part of this.
I can handle all of it, Olivia said. I've got
my pro camera and recording gear. I can create
a full visual as she... of the entire project,
from our initial research to everything we do
in the field. It would be perfect, comprehensive
record that the college and the historical society
could use sometime when they are ready to go
public. And as a bonus, this could be the perfect
project I can use for the grad school admissions.
Of course, with the college's permission. Yep,
my thoughts exactly. Prof. Amanda reaffirmed
Olivia's excitement and then said, This will
be a great experience for you, and I believe
it will help you get into that grad program at
Cambridge. The flight from Sacramento crossed
three time zones, and by the time the team, Professor
Hawthorne, his wife Anne, Prof. Amanda, and Olivia
landed in Jacksonville, it was late afternoon
and they were all starving. As they exited the
plane and collected their luggage, Hawthorne
mumbled to the others, that $15 snack box on
the plane was an insult. Agreed, Anne said. Our
first order of business should be food. I won't
argue with that, Amanda replies. Me neither,
says Olivia. After gathering their luggage and
finding their rental, a large and comfortable
white SUV, James got in the driver's seat, took
the wheel, and slid open the sunroof. As they
turned south onto the highway, the cabin filled
with the clean, mild air of a perfect Florida
spring. It was a pleasant, welcome change from
the dry California heat. So where are we eating?
Anne asked while getting the GPS set up from
the passenger seat. I already have a spot, Amanda
said, looking up from her phone. It's supposed
to be a local, best -kept secret on the St. Augustine
Bayfront. Will's Seafood Bar and Grill. All right,
sounds good, Ann replied while punching in the
name in the GPS. Looks like we have an hour on
the road, but I'm sure it'll be worth it. After
an hour's worth of conversations in the SUV between
the four of them, they pull into the small parking
lot beside Will's Seafood Bar and Grill. Will's
wasn't on the main tourist drag. It was one of
those places that you had to know about. Most
tourists who visit St. Augustine visit the larger
chain seafood restaurants on a different street.
However, Will's was special, and the locals wanted
to keep it that way. Prices were cheap, and the
food was fresher. The restaurant was a sprawling
old wooden building that sat close to the marina.
It had a wide porch that overlooked the water.
As the four travelers stepped out of their rental,
they noticed the fresh salt air and cool breeze
that came with being located right on the water.
A man in a floral shirt and khaki shorts was
wiping down a table on a porch. He looked up
with a friendly smile. Afternoon, folks. You're
looking new in town. Welcome to Will's Seafood
Bar and Grill. I'm Will. Yes, this is my place.
James Hawthorne, James replied, shaking his hand.
This is Anne, Amanda, and Olivia. We were told
you have the best seafood in town. At least that's
what Amanda had found out online. This place
was hard to find online, but I happened to come
across a few blog posts that raved about this
place. Anyway, we also like to support locals,
Amanda replied. Well, I hope we live up to the
hype, Will said. You're just in time for the
late afternoon fresh catch. Some of the local
fishermen got some yellowfin tuna earlier today.
And, well, I bought two of them. Anyways. Grab
a table you like, and I'll send a server right
over. After a quick, delicious meal, Hawthorne
paid the bill. As the four were getting up to
leave, Will walked back over to their table.
Your recommendation was delicious, and the service
was spot on, Hawthorne said. Thank you for the
warm welcome to St. Augustine. Happy to hear
it. So what brings you to town? You don't look
like the usual tourist. Amanda jumped in before
James could answer. Our university sent us to
do some historical research, a work trip, you
could say, all the way from California. Well,
you picked the right time for it, Will replied.
It's not peak season, so you'll miss those big
summer crowds. Should be a nice and quiet visit
for you. He reached into his shirt pocket and
pulled out a business card. You get free time
and want to get out on the water. My friend Robert
Mitchell, but he's known as Bobby around here.
He runs First Coast Charters right here in the
harbor. He's a great captain. Besides, I like
to promote his business. Most of my fresh catch,
including what you just ate, comes from his boat
every morning. Anne took the card. Thank you,
Will. If we get some free time, we'll definitely
check it out. With a final wave, the four left
the restaurant and headed for their SUV. As they
all got into the vehicle, Anne said, What's next
on the agenda for today? Amanda checked her phone.
We have an introductory meeting with Tom Reynolds,
Dr. Conrad's friend, and two other society members,
Mrs. Ferguson and Ms. Harper. The historical
society is only 10 minutes from here, Hawthorne
said, looking out the window. Let's drive around
a bit first, get the lay of the town, and maybe
find some ice cream. As he said this, he looked
over at Anne and cracked a small smile, only
to see her roll her eyes in response. That's
a great idea, Olivia said from the backseat.
I can get some generic B -roll footage of the
town with my camera. Good thinking, Olivia, Amanda
agreed. Let's do it, and if we find some ice
cream along the way, I won't complain. Inside
the St. Augustine safe house, second chair washed
as sixth chair placed a small stack of archival
documents on the glass coffee table. Chair 3
was pacing by the window. Report, Midnight said
as she stared directly at Chair 6. The Society's
storage room is compromised, Chair 6 stated simply.
The small safe was an antique. It was easy. I
was in and out under 10 minutes. I didn't even
need the combination. Third Chair stopped pacing.
That's it? A few pieces of old paper? This, Six
Chair said, tapping an old, brittle logbook.
It's Tom Reynolds' entire case. This and these
two old worn letters are the only primary sources
he has that point to the 1586 shipwreck and the
only one shipwreck theory. Chair 3 picked up
one of the letters, scanning its contents. This
is what he was protecting? This is what he was
planning to share, 6th chair corrected. He has
a meeting scheduled for this afternoon with an
outside team. He intended to give them copies
of these. I'm not sure who the outside team is,
but I don't think they are a threat. Minnie smiled
slightly and said, And now he can't. He has nothing.
It's a dead end for them. She then asked, Are
you sure there are no copies of this stuff? I
need some guarantees here or I'm going to report
back to First Chair. Sixth Chair was silent but
raised her eyebrows as if to communicate. No,
and if there were any copies, I would have found
them in that small safe with the rest of the
stuff. Midnight, after observing the Sixth Chair's
reaction, then said, Okay. I'll let the first
chair know we have discreetly and secretly taken
care of the other evidence. I'm sure we'll be
able to move on to the next phase. Sixth chair
then said, as if to make a point, the people
at the historical society will be chasing shadows
and dead ends. There's no need to pay any more
attention to what they'll be doing. Good, chair
three said, now looking down at the old logbook
and worn letters. Let them and their new friends
play historians. We have the small strong box
from the beach, and we now have the other clues
and research. Don't touch that stuff. The less
it's handled, the better. We don't need it falling
apart before we can study and evaluate it. Chair
2 then followed that up and said, Tell 4 and
5 to finish the errands. Our work in the harbor
and along the coast will begin soon. The team's
brief driving tour gave them a feel for the city's
ancient, narrow streets and unique stone architecture.
Professor Hawthorne pulled into the parking lot
of the St. Augustine Historical Society. The
Spanish colonial -style one -story building sat
off the street at a distance with a back alley
and included a shaded front courtyard. A woman
who introduced herself as Mrs. Sarah Ferguson
met the Eldorado team in the lobby. Mrs. Ferguson
was stoic and professional, and James had to
guess she was in her early 50s. Her welcome felt
restrained, almost tense. Hi, I'm James Hawthorne,
James said. This is my wife Anne, who will be
helping with research, and two of my colleagues
from the college, Professor Chase and Olivia
Park. Welcome to you all, Mrs. Ferguson said,
her voice flat. I'm the resident archivist. Tom
is waiting for you all. Please follow me. Tom
Reynolds stood when they entered the conference
room. He looked frustrated and put off and was
obviously trying to maintain his professional
composure. Beside him sat a younger woman with
an eager and ready expression on her face. James,
Amanda, Tom said, moving to shake their hands.
Thank you for coming. Tom, this is my wife Anne
and our research assistant Olivia Park, James
said, completing the introductions. I'm glad
we can meet. Dr. Conrad speaks very highly of
you. As he does with all of you, Tom replied
and then continued. I suppose that's the reason
he recommended you all. And not to mention your
experience and somewhat of a celebrity in fieldwork.
The team took their seats. Tom, what's wrong?
Hawthorne asked, cutting straight to the point.
Tom then looked over at Mrs. Ferguson, nodded
his head, and said, Go ahead. You can explain.
An hour ago, Mr. Reynolds went to our archival
safe in one of... the back storage rooms in to
retrieve the primary source documents for your
briefing. Mrs. Ferguson said in a controlled
monotone, and they were gone. Amanda leaned forward.
Gone? What do you mean gone? I mean gone, Tom
said, his voice cracking slightly. The entire
file, the 17th century logbook, the two corroborating
letters, everything, the entire evidentiary basis
for this project, vanished. But it was in a safe,
Hawthorne said. A secure archival safe, Sarah
Ferguson confirmed. There is no sign of forced
entry. Cecilia Harper, the young researcher,
spoke for the first time. I'm Cece, by the way.
No need to call me Ms. Harper, even though most
people introduced me that way. Cece stood up
and started pacing back and forth and continued
talking. Anyway, the safe is an old Tumblr system.
It's not electronic. It's old school. The combination
is known by exactly two people. mrs ferguson
and mr reynolds we can't find any evidence of
a break -in none of our alarms went off and nothing
else in that storage room was touched mrs ferguson
and i would know since we kept detailed records
of all our historical inventory and everything
else in that room was accounted for there's plenty
of other stuff in that room that's both valuable
and not in a safe but none of it was taken. Only
the documents that were in the safe are missing.
Anne looks over at James Hawthorne and whispers
under her breath. The mystery of the missing
documents. How do you always seem to find yourself
in these situations? Good question. I'm still
figuring that out as well, Hawthorne whispers
back. An awkward silence then filled the room
for several seconds. Tom, James said gently,
when did you last see the documents? Friday afternoon,
Tom said, running a hand through his hair. I
checked them myself. I went to pull them this
afternoon, right before you arrived, and nothing.
Just an empty shelf. We've quietly searched the
archives, thinking I might have, I don't know,
I misplaced them. But like Mrs. Ferguson and
Cece said, they're gone, and I was the last to
see them. Tom continued, I've called you all
the way across the country. We have state and
private grant money tied to this research, and
we have nothing. No proof, no starting point.
I don't know who or why, but someone or something
has just wiped our entire project off the map
before we could even begin. Hawthorne and Amanda
exchanged a brief critical glance. Tom's one
shipwreck theory the entire official funded project
was dead, but their own clue was not. Safe in
Amanda's bag were the photocopied pages from
that one -of -a -kind logbook. The evidence pointed
not to one shipwreck, but two. Professor Hawthorne
and Professor Amanda both silently understood
that the missing documents from the Historical
Society's archive hadn't ended the project yet,
but rather it just made their secret exponentially
more valuable. Not nothing, Tom, Hawthorne said,
his voice calm and steady. Your documents have
gone missing, but your memory has not. Tom looked
up, confused. I'm not sure I understand what
you're saying. You brought us here for our expertise,
Hawthorne continued, so let's start there. Tell
us everything you remember, every detail from
those documents. Let's build it and try to piece
it together. Half an hour later, the conference
room had been converted into a research center.
Tom, his initial panic, replaced by a focused
urgency, was dictated from memory. The logbook
was in Spanish, 17th century. It mentioned the
loss of the Englishman, north of the city. Cece
Harper typed furiously at her laptop, pulling
up digital maps and other files. Was it north
of the inlet or north of the fort? The old boundaries
are different. Tom squinted his eyes a bit, then
looked up at the ceiling, a habit he had since
his school days. Whenever he had to think and
try to remember small details, he would squint
his eyes and then look up at the ceiling. hoping
that this small repetition of an action would
trigger his memory. North of the fort, he recalled.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure the documents mentioned
the wreck was north of the fort. Amanda was taking
her own notes, cross -referencing what Tom said
with her own knowledge. Sometimes she would glance
over at Professor Hawthorne. Olivia sat at the
end of the table, her camera on, recording Tom's
testimony as an official record, and listened
and observed, taking it all in. A sharp, polite
knock broke the rhythm. Sarah Ferguson, who had
been standing by the door, opened it. A man in
a pressed polo shirt and slacks, his badge clipped
to his belt, stood in the hallway. He was sharp
and looked like he missed nothing. Mr. Reynolds,
Sarah said. Lieutenant Walsh is here. Tom stood,
relief and stress on his face. Dan, thank you
for coming so quickly and quietly. Tom, Sarah,
Walsh said, nodding. His eyes immediately swept
the room, cataloging the new faces. Dan, this
is Professor Hawthorne, his wife Anne, Professor
Chase, and Olivia Park, Tom said. They're consultants
from El Dorado College out in California. They're
here to help with a research project. Walsh gave
a single nod to the team. Lieutenant Daniel Walsh
sent Augustine PD. He turned back to Tom and
said, consultants from California. You all just
arrived? Landed a few hours ago, grabbed a late
lunch, and then came right here, Hawthorne answered.
They arrived for our pre -planned meeting shortly
after. I called you earlier, Sarah said. Some
welcome, I see. Walsh said, his tone dry. He
was all business. So the phone call was grief
and well. Since I was in the neighborhood, I
thought I would come by and check it out instead
of sending one of my Other officers. Was this
a high -value theft? This way, Sarah said, leading
him from the conference room down a short hall
to the archival room. The team followed, clustering
in the doorway, Sarah pointing to the old safe,
then said, There's no sign of forced entry. Only
Tom and I have the combination. Walsh nodded,
unfazed. Then my job here is to find out who
else might have gotten it, or who else was in
this room. He continued, By the way, what's missing?
Tom spoke up and walked toward the safe. Some
very important and one -of -a -kind old documents
that are crucial to our research project were
in that safe. Emphasis on were. Walsh nodded,
unfazed. Tom, we've known each other for some
time now, and I can't remember a time when my
department had to investigate an incident here
at the Historical Society. Very unusual. Walsh
then said, I guess my job is to find out who
else might have gotten the combination, or who
else has been in this room besides you and Sarah.
Sisi, who is standing in the doorway with the
others, then says, I've been in this room before,
sir. I work here, but I don't have access to
any of the archival safes. Walsh then turned
and looked over at the doorway, then said, And
who are you exactly? My name is Cece Harper and
Mrs. Ferguson hired me over a year ago to help
be a liaison between the Historical Society and
the city's tourism board. Walsh Lieutenant Dan
set down a small hardened case on a nearby table
and opened it. It contained a set of sterile
swabs, vials, and a handheld UV scanning device.
So who else has had access to this room besides
the three of you then? Walsh then asked, To our
knowledge, no one, Sarah answered. This lock
and handle are high -contact surfaces. Walsh
explained as he put on a pair of nitrile gloves.
If they weren't wearing gloves, they left trace
DNA. But even if they had gloves, they might
have left fibers. He carefully swapped the dial,
the handle, and the floor directly in the front
of the safe. He bagged each swap individually.
Lower on these at the lab, he said. He then took
out the UV scanner and passed it over the safe.
No obvious residues. They were clean. Professional.
He packed his kit. All right, Tom. I'll get these
to the lab for now. I would like the names of
everyone who has entered the building within
the last 72 hours. Additionally, if you have
any security camera footage from the same period,
that will also be helpful. Maybe we can match
a face with a name. I'll also mention this to
Chief Sullivan and get it on his radar. This
historical society means a lot to this town,
so we'll follow up with you shortly. In the meantime,
if you find anything or remember something, let
me know. And with that, Lieutenant Dan Walsh
left in the same abrupt and straightforward way
as he came. Later that evening, second chair
and sixth chair were once again in the condo's
living room, reporting to the first chair via
the secure laptop. Chairs 3, 4, and 5 were not
present, having spent the day conducting surveillance
around the Castillo de San Marcos Fort, which
sits just north of the Bridge of Lions. It's
not really an active fort anymore. It's actually
called the Castillo de San Marcos Natural Monument.
Built between 1672 and 1695, this historic fort
is the oldest masonry fort in the continental
United States. The Spanish built the fortification
to help defend Florida and the Atlantic trade
route at the time, and it has a long history
of changing hands between the Spanish, English,
and the United States. The fort is laid out in
a unique star -shaped design and was never breached
or conquered. However, nowadays, it is a tourist
destination with a $15 admission fee. The stolen
documents from the Historical Society were still
neatly spread out on the glass coffee table,
where they had been earlier. 6. The low and non
-emotional voice from the laptop began. The documents
you retrieved. My assessment is they are authentic.
The logbook, the letters, the paper, and the
ink are consistent with the time period. They
seem to support the shipwreck theory Tom Reynolds
was building his research project on. Your assessment
is noted, First Chair replied. I require verification.
Absolute confirmation is essential before we
move on. As our next course of action must be
calculated and methodical, we need confirmation.
Iroh's red list demands it. What are your orders?
Minet asked. I'm diverting Chairs 3, 4, and 5
from the fort. Their time is better spent elsewhere.
We can get back to the old fort later. Instead,
they will be traveling to Jacksonville. They
have two objectives. The voice paused. First,
their primary target is a person of interest,
Eleanor Bennett. I want full, discreet surveillance.
Her habits, her contacts, her schedule. I want
to know who she talks to, where she goes. She
is a variable. Even though this is not in our
mission brief from Iroh, I found out through
a mutual contact that Miss Bennett is financing
this job. So, just out of curiosity, I want to
know why. Midnight processed this. Understood.
And the second objective? The second objective,
First Chair said, is to complete the authentication
I require. While they are in Jacksonville, they
will take one of the documents Six stole from
the Historical Society to the University of North
Florida. Make sure the documents are insignificant.
We don't want any unwanted attention. The UNF
lab? Six Chair said, her voice showing some doubt.
I think security there is pretty tight. Don't
you think I know that? First Chair replied sharply.
They will pose as research assistants from a
South Florida university, I don't care which
one, claiming to need a non -destructive analysis
for an academic paper. You and Midnight need
to secure proper IDs and credentials for them.
Midnight nodded. Survey Bennett and authenticate
the document. All in one trip. Yes, First Chair
concluded. But first, get them proper IDs and
credentials. We don't want to be compromised
on such a trivial technicality such as a poorly
made fake university ID. So just get it done.
I want a report by the end of the week. The connection
clicked off. With the laptop screen black now,
fixture knotted and lit at midnight, is there
no way to bypass IRO and the timeline? Remind
me what they do. The International Artifact Recovery
Organization, Minda replied, sorting through
the stolen documents. They are financing this
job. Our commissions will be significant. They
have deep pockets and a long red list. She continued,
their relationship with the table goes backward
for our time. Iroh's international standing and
Swiss headquarters allowed it to appear neutral
in this cat -and -mouse game of artifact recovery.
When they need unconventional results, they contact
us. There's a reason we were recruited. Each
of us has a colorful background and a valuable
skill. Chasix slid two nondescript letters into
protective plastic sleeves, then into a hardcover
binder for transport. Besides, first chair, you
and I have been at this the longest, she said.
I just hope three, four, and five understand
what's at stake. Oh, they understand, Midnight
said, her voice flat and non -emotional. The
alternative for them, and us, frankly, is either
a small cell at the Hague or a dirt nap in an
unmarked grave. She looked at sixth chair and
then said, those are the choices. I'll take my
chances with the table. The next morning, the
Eldorado team walked back into the Historical
Society's conference room. The mood was somber,
but focused. Tom, Sarah, and Cece were already
at the long table, with a large video monitor
at the far end. You're just in time, Tom said.
She's expecting us. He clicked the mouse, and
after a moment, the screen lit up. The face of
a woman in her late 40s appeared. She was poised
and smiling. sitting in a bright, elegant room.
This was Eleanor Ellie Bennett. Tom, good morning,
she said. Her accent was a polite transatlantic
blend of British and American, and I see you
have a full room. Good morning, Tom replied.
As I mentioned, the consultant team from El Dorado
College has arrived. I'd like to introduce you.
Tom motioned to the team. Dr. James Hawthorne,
his wife Anne, Dr. Amanda Chase, and their research
assistant, Olivia Park. Oh my, Ellie said with
a smile. How wonderful. Tom didn't tell me he
was bringing in such an esteemed group. Dr. Hawthorne,
I've heard and read some of your past, should
I say, harrowing experiences. She gave a small,
almost apologetic laugh. I must admit, Tom, you've
assembled quite the team. I just want to be sure
we can keep this, well, you know, confidential.
Hawthorne leaned forward with a reassuring nod
of his head. Mrs. Bennett, James Hawthorne, it's
a pleasure to meet you. And please, I understand
completely. My team is small and they are the
best at what we do. More importantly, they're
discreet. We've handled sensitive projects before.
As you know, your confidentiality is our top
priority. Oh, I'm sure it is, Dr. Hawthorne.
Thank you. That's very reassuring. She said,
seeming genuinely pleased. Please call me Ellie.
She turned her attention back to Tom. Well, Tom,
how are things progressing? We are underway,
Tom said, choosing his words with care. We've
hit a small snag, a procedural issue with some
of our archival data. Nothing that we can't overcome.
Ellie's smile faded. Oh dear, a snag. Is it serious?
It's a temporary delay, but it's actually why
Dr. Hawthorne and Dr. Chase's expertise is all
the more valuable, Tom said, trying to backpedal.
We are already rebuilding the research framework
and are confident we can move forward. Well,
I certainly have faith in you, Tom. And with
this new team, I'm sure you'll have it sorted
out in no time, Ellie said. Please just keep
me informed. I'm so excited about what we might
find. We will, Ellie. Thank you, Tom said. Wonderful.
I'll let you all get to work. A pleasure to meet
you all, she said with a final bright wave. The
screen clicked to black, leaving the team in
the quiet room. Hawthorne then broke the silence
and said, All right, what's the plan for today?
And that's a wrap. Today we saw what happens
when students stop complaining and start leading.
From Venage's efficient lunch lines to Punn's
battery solutions and Lucas's vision for a better
suspension system, our student CEOs prove that
their solutions are both creative and innovative.
But will the solutions work? That's the big question.
I'll leave with you all today. Also, stay tuned
for part three of our adventure story in our
next episode. as we continue to follow our heroes
and villains as they seek to uncover the mystery
of St. Augustine. And as always, this podcast
would not be possible without the hard work and
support of our international student production
team. All music and sound effects are courtesy
of Pixabay .com, a vibrant community of creatives
sharing copyright -free images, videos, and music.
And we're signing off until next time. We are
Students Incorporated, because your voice matters.
Ooh.