WEBVTT 00:00:10.830 --> 00:00:13.550 Welcome to Students Incorporated. I'm your host, 00:00:13.589 --> 00:00:16.329 Mr. Jason. Join me weekly as my students and 00:00:16.329 --> 00:00:18.870 I bring you content that's informative, positive, 00:00:19.010 --> 00:00:21.809 fun, and uplifting. This podcast is created and 00:00:21.809 --> 00:00:23.969 produced with the help of students from the International 00:00:23.969 --> 00:00:28.769 Community School of Bangkok. Hey, welcome back. 00:00:28.850 --> 00:00:31.469 I'm your host, Mr. Jason. And today we're asking 00:00:31.469 --> 00:00:34.450 a big question. If you were handed the keys to 00:00:34.450 --> 00:00:37.189 the school or even just the keys to the cafeteria, 00:00:37.609 --> 00:00:40.820 what would you actually change? We've all spent 00:00:40.820 --> 00:00:43.579 time complaining about long lunch lines, dead 00:00:43.579 --> 00:00:46.719 phone batteries, or the stress of homework. But 00:00:46.719 --> 00:00:49.600 today we're moving past the complaining. We've 00:00:49.600 --> 00:00:51.979 challenged our classmates to step into the role 00:00:51.979 --> 00:00:55.240 of student CEOs. You're going to hear some bold 00:00:55.240 --> 00:00:57.359 and honest solutions to the everyday problems 00:00:57.359 --> 00:01:01.000 that may drive some of you crazy. We're also 00:01:01.000 --> 00:01:03.719 continuing part two of our adventure story, The 00:01:03.719 --> 00:01:06.620 Mystery of St. Augustine. So buckle up and hang 00:01:06.620 --> 00:01:08.680 on as we get started with our quote of the day 00:01:08.680 --> 00:01:11.049 and some headline news. Our quote of the day 00:01:11.049 --> 00:01:13.549 comes from one of history's most respected leaders, 00:01:13.849 --> 00:01:16.670 Dwight D. Eisenhower, and it perfectly captures 00:01:16.670 --> 00:01:19.549 the heart of true leadership. Leadership is the 00:01:19.549 --> 00:01:21.329 art of getting somebody else to do something 00:01:21.329 --> 00:01:24.430 you want done because he wants to do it. This 00:01:24.430 --> 00:01:26.170 quote reminds us that leadership isn't about 00:01:26.170 --> 00:01:29.069 authority, titles, or control. It's about influence, 00:01:29.310 --> 00:01:31.950 trust, and shared purpose. Great leaders don't 00:01:31.950 --> 00:01:34.430 push people forward. They inspire people to move 00:01:34.430 --> 00:01:37.049 with them. In a world where leadership is often 00:01:37.049 --> 00:01:39.409 confused with power, Eisenhower shows us that 00:01:39.409 --> 00:01:41.989 the strongest leaders are those who listen, empower, 00:01:42.170 --> 00:01:44.709 and align others around a common vision. When 00:01:44.709 --> 00:01:46.530 people believe in the mission, effort becomes 00:01:46.530 --> 00:01:49.450 voluntary and excellence follows naturally. So 00:01:49.450 --> 00:01:51.569 take this lesson to heart. Lead with clarity, 00:01:51.769 --> 00:01:54.170 empathy, and intention. When you help others 00:01:54.170 --> 00:01:56.670 want to succeed, you don't just lead, you multiply 00:01:56.670 --> 00:01:59.930 impact. Here's our headline news for today. LVMH 00:01:59.930 --> 00:02:02.530 sentence succession plan as Arnold era steps 00:02:02.530 --> 00:02:06.069 into top leadership. Luxury giant LVMH made waves 00:02:06.069 --> 00:02:08.590 this week after promoting Antoine Arnold, son 00:02:08.590 --> 00:02:11.210 of CEO Bernard Arnold, to the company's executive 00:02:11.210 --> 00:02:14.729 committee. While succession at family -led empires 00:02:14.729 --> 00:02:18.069 is always closely watched, this move feels especially 00:02:18.069 --> 00:02:21.430 strategic. LVMH controls more than 70 global 00:02:21.430 --> 00:02:24.740 luxury brands. And leadership continuity is critical 00:02:24.740 --> 00:02:27.740 for investors' confidence, especially as the 00:02:27.740 --> 00:02:31.020 luxury market slows in China and faces shifting 00:02:31.020 --> 00:02:34.210 in consumer tastes. He has already held major 00:02:34.210 --> 00:02:36.349 roles inside the group, working on brand strategy, 00:02:36.629 --> 00:02:38.669 communications and sustainability initiatives. 00:02:39.409 --> 00:02:42.469 His elevation signals that LVMH isn't rushing 00:02:42.469 --> 00:02:44.930 a handover. Instead, it's carefully building 00:02:44.930 --> 00:02:47.409 credibility and experience at the top level. 00:02:47.629 --> 00:02:50.409 For investors, this reinforced the idea that 00:02:50.409 --> 00:02:53.550 LVMH is thinking decades ahead, not quarters 00:02:53.550 --> 00:02:56.169 ahead. For the luxury industry, it's a reminder 00:02:56.169 --> 00:02:58.849 that governance and legacy matter just as much 00:02:58.849 --> 00:03:02.050 as creative direction. Coming up next, Kroger 00:03:02.050 --> 00:03:05.090 appoints retail veteran CEO to navigate a high 00:03:05.090 --> 00:03:07.310 -pressure grocery market. Kroger, one of the 00:03:07.310 --> 00:03:09.710 largest grocery chains in the United States, 00:03:09.889 --> 00:03:13.090 has named former Walmart executive Greg Foran 00:03:13.090 --> 00:03:16.349 as its new CEO, a move that immediately caught 00:03:16.349 --> 00:03:18.550 Wall Street's attention. The appointment comes 00:03:18.550 --> 00:03:20.830 after a turbulent leadership period and at a 00:03:20.830 --> 00:03:25.110 time when grocery margins are razor thin. Competition 00:03:25.110 --> 00:03:27.669 is fierce and consumer spending habits remain 00:03:27.669 --> 00:03:30.620 unpredictable. Foran is known for operational 00:03:30.620 --> 00:03:33.159 discipline and scaling massive retail systems, 00:03:33.419 --> 00:03:36.680 particularly during his time modernizing Walmart's 00:03:36.680 --> 00:03:39.580 grocery business. His challenge at Kroger won't 00:03:39.580 --> 00:03:41.860 just be growth. It'll be efficiency, pricing 00:03:41.860 --> 00:03:44.939 strategy, and supply chain resilience. With Amazon, 00:03:45.180 --> 00:03:47.139 Walmart, and discount grocers squeezing traditional 00:03:47.139 --> 00:03:50.319 supermarkets, Kroger's decision signals a shift 00:03:50.319 --> 00:03:53.199 toward execution -focused leadership rather than 00:03:53.199 --> 00:03:55.840 flashy innovation. In today's retail environment, 00:03:56.199 --> 00:03:58.280 stability may be the real competitive advantage. 00:03:59.500 --> 00:04:03.180 And lastly, CEOs return as founders reclaim control 00:04:03.180 --> 00:04:06.780 in an AI -driven business era. In a broader business 00:04:06.780 --> 00:04:08.919 trend, companies are increasingly turning back 00:04:08.919 --> 00:04:11.240 to founders and legacy leaders as artificial 00:04:11.240 --> 00:04:14.000 intelligence reshapes entire industries. One 00:04:14.000 --> 00:04:17.000 of the latest examples is Workday, which reinstated 00:04:17.000 --> 00:04:20.259 its co -founder as CEO amid investor pressure 00:04:20.259 --> 00:04:23.220 and strategic uncertainty around AI integration. 00:04:24.189 --> 00:04:26.529 This reflects a growing belief that original 00:04:26.529 --> 00:04:29.250 builders, not professional managers, may be better 00:04:29.250 --> 00:04:31.980 positioned to steer companies through. Technological 00:04:31.980 --> 00:04:35.939 disruptions. SAI changes hiring, finance, productivity, 00:04:35.939 --> 00:04:38.579 and decision makings. Boards are prioritizing 00:04:38.579 --> 00:04:41.259 vision and institutional knowledge over short 00:04:41.259 --> 00:04:44.680 -term performance metrics. For podcasts tracking 00:04:44.680 --> 00:04:47.019 leadership trends, this moment highlights a bigger 00:04:47.019 --> 00:04:49.800 question. In time of rapid change, do companies 00:04:49.800 --> 00:04:52.620 need innovation specialists or trusted architects 00:04:52.620 --> 00:04:55.240 who understand the system from the ground up? 00:04:57.199 --> 00:04:58.920 Thank you for the quote in the headline news. 00:04:59.079 --> 00:05:01.540 Let's jump into our first segment where we have 00:05:01.540 --> 00:05:03.579 asked several of our students to play the role 00:05:03.579 --> 00:05:07.600 of CEO. And we've assigned each of them an operational 00:05:07.600 --> 00:05:10.360 function, something that they have been put in 00:05:10.360 --> 00:05:13.160 charge of. So let's hear from our student CEOs 00:05:13.160 --> 00:05:15.500 and how they might tackle some of the things 00:05:15.500 --> 00:05:18.639 they are most passionate about. Proud and Vijay 00:05:18.639 --> 00:05:21.100 are leading this first segment. So go ahead and 00:05:21.100 --> 00:05:24.459 get started. Yosep, if you were the CEO of attendance 00:05:24.459 --> 00:05:27.250 and tardiness, what changes would you make? If 00:05:27.250 --> 00:05:29.490 I was to be the CEO of attendance and tardiness, 00:05:29.730 --> 00:05:31.750 I would give raises to people who come early 00:05:31.750 --> 00:05:35.350 and on time in order to incentivize them. As 00:05:35.350 --> 00:05:37.209 someone who's been late to school countless times 00:05:37.209 --> 00:05:39.709 myself, if I had the thought of making some extra 00:05:39.709 --> 00:05:42.009 money for simply being on time, I wouldn't have 00:05:42.009 --> 00:05:45.050 even needed an alarm clock to wake up. In order 00:05:45.050 --> 00:05:47.269 to not run out of money, however, I would simply 00:05:47.269 --> 00:05:49.829 give people a pat on the back after they come 00:05:49.829 --> 00:05:52.550 early a certain amount of times. Of course, I 00:05:52.550 --> 00:05:54.449 would always go to the other route in order to 00:05:54.449 --> 00:05:57.230 incentivize people, a more negative one. Instead 00:05:57.230 --> 00:05:59.769 of positive reinforcement, it would be negative 00:05:59.769 --> 00:06:02.209 reinforcement, where late students and absent 00:06:02.209 --> 00:06:04.870 students have to pay through embarrassing performances 00:06:04.870 --> 00:06:07.750 or acts the teachers of the classes they missed 00:06:07.750 --> 00:06:10.569 would order them to do. As such, if you missed 00:06:10.569 --> 00:06:13.149 day one, get ready to do some push -ups, ask 00:06:13.149 --> 00:06:15.629 by your A block teacher, sing for your B block 00:06:15.629 --> 00:06:18.250 teacher, do some interpretive dancing in C block, 00:06:18.310 --> 00:06:20.730 and fetch water for your teacher in D. Vanaj, 00:06:20.870 --> 00:06:23.230 if you were the CEO of Lunchline Logistics, what 00:06:23.230 --> 00:06:26.029 changes would you make? If I were the CEO of 00:06:26.029 --> 00:06:28.310 our school's lunch lines, I would start by changing 00:06:28.310 --> 00:06:30.709 how food is distributed. Having only one line 00:06:30.709 --> 00:06:33.050 for a popular dish creates long waits and wastes 00:06:33.050 --> 00:06:35.290 students' time. I would add multiple serving 00:06:35.290 --> 00:06:37.689 stations for high -demand meals and possibly 00:06:37.689 --> 00:06:40.009 create an express line for students who are grabbing 00:06:40.009 --> 00:06:43.110 just one item. Spreading the same dish across 00:06:43.110 --> 00:06:45.430 several lines would reduce bottlenecks and make 00:06:45.430 --> 00:06:48.829 the process much faster. I would also introduce 00:06:48.829 --> 00:06:51.689 a simple pre -order system where students could 00:06:51.689 --> 00:06:53.910 choose their lunch earlier in the day. This would 00:06:53.910 --> 00:06:56.029 help staff prepare the right amount of food and 00:06:56.029 --> 00:06:59.269 speed up service. In addition, proving the cafeteria 00:06:59.269 --> 00:07:01.430 layout with clearer signs and better traffic 00:07:01.430 --> 00:07:04.170 flow would prevent crowding. Together, these 00:07:04.170 --> 00:07:06.290 changes would shorten wait times and make lunch 00:07:06.290 --> 00:07:09.029 more efficient and enjoyable. Simpson, if you 00:07:09.029 --> 00:07:11.589 were the CEO of Fountain Politics, what changes 00:07:11.589 --> 00:07:14.050 would you make? The changes I would make would 00:07:14.050 --> 00:07:16.970 be simple. First, I would have a fountain cleaning 00:07:16.970 --> 00:07:20.110 every two days. This is because in school water 00:07:20.110 --> 00:07:22.829 fountains often get dirty due to frequent use. 00:07:23.050 --> 00:07:25.889 By having it cleaned every day, it will reduce 00:07:25.889 --> 00:07:28.230 the risk of germs and diseases from spreading 00:07:28.230 --> 00:07:31.290 around campus. Not only will it make the fountain 00:07:31.290 --> 00:07:34.050 cleaner, but it will help give us a healthier 00:07:34.050 --> 00:07:37.040 school life. The second thing I would add to 00:07:37.040 --> 00:07:40.180 fountains is a soda option. This would increase 00:07:40.180 --> 00:07:42.800 the options for drinks for students to drink 00:07:42.800 --> 00:07:46.040 and stay hydrated throughout the day. The sodas 00:07:46.040 --> 00:07:48.779 I'm talking about are plain soda with no sugar. 00:07:49.000 --> 00:07:52.420 This is a good drink option because it is healthy 00:07:52.420 --> 00:07:55.319 and it can be offered as a refreshment. Dorcas, 00:07:55.439 --> 00:07:57.899 if you were the CEO of Hall Passes, what changes 00:07:57.899 --> 00:08:00.399 would you make? Okay, if I was the CEO of Hall 00:08:00.399 --> 00:08:02.620 Passes, everyone would have different ones. So, 00:08:02.639 --> 00:08:03.920 like, one would be used to go to the bathroom, 00:08:04.079 --> 00:08:06.040 one would be used to go get water, and one would 00:08:06.040 --> 00:08:07.480 be used when you just need to step out of the 00:08:07.480 --> 00:08:08.959 classroom. Because sometimes, you know, you're 00:08:08.959 --> 00:08:10.540 tired and you just need to walk around to wake 00:08:10.540 --> 00:08:12.959 up. They would be different colors, so when you're 00:08:12.959 --> 00:08:15.560 in class, you just raise whichever one you need 00:08:15.560 --> 00:08:17.660 to do. Like, oh, you need good water, so you 00:08:17.660 --> 00:08:19.759 raise this card so the teacher would know. It 00:08:19.759 --> 00:08:22.019 is way more subtle this way, and then the whole 00:08:22.019 --> 00:08:23.500 class doesn't have to stare at you while you 00:08:23.500 --> 00:08:25.959 ask to use the bathroom. It also helps the teachers 00:08:25.959 --> 00:08:27.779 because they don't have to stop their lesson 00:08:27.779 --> 00:08:31.259 just to let you get water. I'd also let people 00:08:31.259 --> 00:08:33.179 decorate their hall passes. Of course, the teachers 00:08:33.179 --> 00:08:35.299 will still need to see what color it is you raised. 00:08:35.360 --> 00:08:38.019 So they know like, oh, they're raising, I don't 00:08:38.019 --> 00:08:40.000 know, red. So I'm going to let them get water 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:41.639 or something. But yeah, they'll need to still 00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:43.399 see that it's red. But they can get like, oh, 00:08:43.419 --> 00:08:46.340 little stickers on like the corner or like the 00:08:46.340 --> 00:08:48.720 border or something. You know, just because like 00:08:48.720 --> 00:08:50.980 everyone likes to customize things so they can 00:08:50.980 --> 00:08:52.940 like make their hall pass match their personality. 00:08:53.360 --> 00:08:56.679 So yeah. Pan, if you were the CEO of Low Battery 00:08:56.679 --> 00:08:59.639 Anxiety, what changes would you make? Ooh, interesting. 00:09:00.039 --> 00:09:04.000 Well, as the CEO of Low Battery Anxiety, with 00:09:04.000 --> 00:09:06.919 a specialty in mobile phones, I would direct 00:09:06.919 --> 00:09:10.679 our company to redesign a 7 -day lifespan mobile 00:09:10.679 --> 00:09:13.960 phone battery for all major brands in demand, 00:09:14.240 --> 00:09:18.279 like Apple, Samsung, Huawei, and many more. and 00:09:18.279 --> 00:09:21.240 so at an affordable price for all mobile phone 00:09:21.240 --> 00:09:24.899 users. I would also offer a premium monthly membership 00:09:24.899 --> 00:09:28.200 for our luxurious lounges across major cities 00:09:28.200 --> 00:09:31.279 and airports all around ISIS in the world. And 00:09:31.279 --> 00:09:33.720 no more fear for those malicious charging stations 00:09:33.720 --> 00:09:36.779 set by cyber criminals and teachers who always 00:09:36.779 --> 00:09:41.000 do their jobs too well. Anyways, wherever you 00:09:41.000 --> 00:09:44.220 go, whether to your nearby airport, your community, 00:09:45.049 --> 00:09:47.509 a living mall or to the other side of the world 00:09:47.509 --> 00:09:50.350 during your travel or just ICS. We will always 00:09:50.350 --> 00:09:53.269 be there. Anywhere in your journey and anytime 00:09:53.269 --> 00:09:57.129 you need us. Choose Pun for your next CEO of 00:09:57.129 --> 00:10:00.090 low battery anxiety. John and Eunwoo, if you 00:10:00.090 --> 00:10:02.750 were the CEOs of Interview, what changes would 00:10:02.750 --> 00:10:05.970 you make? If I were the CEOs of Interview, I 00:10:05.970 --> 00:10:08.090 would create my own channel and allow people 00:10:08.090 --> 00:10:11.850 to listen to the interview I conduct. If I make 00:10:11.850 --> 00:10:14.309 a channel that posts my interviews, more people 00:10:14.309 --> 00:10:17.110 will have access to diverse opinions and personal 00:10:17.110 --> 00:10:20.289 insights. This would help the society to listen 00:10:20.289 --> 00:10:22.669 to individual stories and improve the social 00:10:22.669 --> 00:10:26.230 mood to be more empathetic. Not only that, the 00:10:26.230 --> 00:10:28.350 channel will allow me to make finance that will 00:10:28.350 --> 00:10:30.710 allow me to hire people, which will ultimately 00:10:30.710 --> 00:10:33.690 lead me to collect more voice of people and more 00:10:33.690 --> 00:10:36.909 empathetic society. As CEO, I'll try to maintain 00:10:36.909 --> 00:10:40.860 this positive cycle of interview, to money, to 00:10:40.860 --> 00:10:44.120 more interview, to better society. If I were 00:10:44.120 --> 00:10:46.500 the CEO of Interview, I would focus on making 00:10:46.500 --> 00:10:49.559 Interview a bold and influential platform for 00:10:49.559 --> 00:10:52.179 culture, art, and conversation. I would ensure 00:10:52.179 --> 00:10:54.679 that every feature feels authentic and creative, 00:10:54.899 --> 00:10:57.259 allowing people to share their real thought and 00:10:57.259 --> 00:11:00.080 personality, instead of giving scripted or predictable 00:11:00.080 --> 00:11:03.700 answers. My goal would be to keep Interview expressive 00:11:03.700 --> 00:11:07.100 and always ahead of trends. I would also make 00:11:07.100 --> 00:11:09.809 my digital platform by creating more interactive 00:11:09.809 --> 00:11:12.990 content such as live conversations, short -form 00:11:12.990 --> 00:11:15.909 video, and behind -the -scenes features. At the 00:11:15.909 --> 00:11:18.470 same time, I would continue highlighting diverse 00:11:18.470 --> 00:11:21.090 and rising talent while maintaining a strong, 00:11:21.210 --> 00:11:24.049 recognizable identity that makes interviews stand 00:11:24.049 --> 00:11:27.429 out. Porsche, if you were the CEO of homework, 00:11:27.610 --> 00:11:32.450 what changes would you make? If I was the CEO 00:11:32.450 --> 00:11:35.549 of homework, I would ensure that students only 00:11:35.549 --> 00:11:37.490 get homework when it truly helps them understand 00:11:37.490 --> 00:11:40.230 the lesson or subject better, rather than just 00:11:40.230 --> 00:11:43.190 adding an extra grade. There should also be little 00:11:43.190 --> 00:11:45.570 to no homework on the weekends, as people should 00:11:45.570 --> 00:11:47.649 have time to spend with their families, friends, 00:11:47.830 --> 00:11:50.509 or just rest as homework and school overall can 00:11:50.509 --> 00:11:54.169 take a toll on students' mental health. By doing 00:11:54.169 --> 00:11:57.169 this, students will be able to see homework as 00:11:57.169 --> 00:11:59.490 helpful practice rather than another source of 00:11:59.490 --> 00:12:02.149 stress, leading students to have a healthier 00:12:02.149 --> 00:12:04.860 balance between their education, and their personal 00:12:04.860 --> 00:12:07.559 or social life. And this would allow students 00:12:07.559 --> 00:12:10.259 to build different skills, like time management. 00:12:11.259 --> 00:12:13.700 Bang, if you were the CEO of Playground Duty, 00:12:13.879 --> 00:12:16.860 what changes would you make? If I were the CEO 00:12:16.860 --> 00:12:20.080 of Playground Duty, I would make sure to help 00:12:20.080 --> 00:12:22.440 students feel safe and supported rather than 00:12:22.440 --> 00:12:25.639 constantly watched. Supervisors would focus on 00:12:25.639 --> 00:12:28.940 encouraging kindness, including everyone in activities, 00:12:29.259 --> 00:12:31.620 and stepping in calmly when conflicts happen 00:12:31.620 --> 00:12:34.299 instead of being overly strict. There should 00:12:34.299 --> 00:12:37.320 also be a balance between safety and freedom 00:12:37.320 --> 00:12:40.620 so students can relax and enjoy their breaks. 00:12:41.100 --> 00:12:44.779 By doing this, playground duty would feel positive 00:12:44.779 --> 00:12:47.659 instead of stressful, helping students build 00:12:47.659 --> 00:12:49.779 social skills and return to class refreshed. 00:12:51.580 --> 00:12:54.440 Lucas, if you were the CEO of in -school suspension, 00:12:54.879 --> 00:12:57.500 what changes would you make? If I was the CEO 00:12:57.500 --> 00:12:59.519 of in -school suspension, I would make it a space 00:12:59.519 --> 00:13:01.419 where students can talk to certain teachers or 00:13:01.419 --> 00:13:03.659 staff on why they're in their first place. I 00:13:03.659 --> 00:13:05.620 feel like right now, students are there just 00:13:05.620 --> 00:13:06.960 kind of sit there and do homework and whatnot. 00:13:07.139 --> 00:13:08.879 So I would actually definitely add a layer of 00:13:08.879 --> 00:13:10.820 reflection and counseling. In addition to that, 00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:12.360 I would actually limit the amount of work that 00:13:12.360 --> 00:13:13.960 can be done. So it's really targeted towards 00:13:13.960 --> 00:13:15.740 counseling and reflection instead of a study 00:13:15.740 --> 00:13:17.720 hall for the whole day. I feel like a lot of 00:13:17.720 --> 00:13:19.799 the stigma around suspension is just that to 00:13:19.799 --> 00:13:21.179 make the students feel bad for whatever they 00:13:21.179 --> 00:13:22.679 did. But I feel like it really shouldn't be that 00:13:22.679 --> 00:13:24.679 way. But instead, a way to guide students from 00:13:24.679 --> 00:13:26.220 their wrongdoings. It can actually be a good 00:13:26.220 --> 00:13:28.299 thing to help students back on track. I also 00:13:28.299 --> 00:13:30.279 put some workout equipment there just in case 00:13:30.279 --> 00:13:33.200 I pent up emotions that they want to get rid 00:13:33.200 --> 00:13:37.659 of. And that's a wrap on segment one. It's fascinating 00:13:37.659 --> 00:13:40.500 to hear how differently things would run if students 00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:43.580 were actually in charge. From positive reinforcement 00:13:43.580 --> 00:13:46.820 raises for attendance to soda fountains in the 00:13:46.820 --> 00:13:49.620 hallways, our student CEOs have definitely given 00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:52.019 us a lot to think about. We're going to take 00:13:52.019 --> 00:13:54.440 a quick pause for a break, and when we come back, 00:13:54.460 --> 00:13:57.460 we are diving back into part two of our adventure 00:13:57.460 --> 00:14:00.440 story, the mystery of St. Augustine. So don't 00:14:00.440 --> 00:14:08.639 go anywhere. The Senior Capstone Service Projects 00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:10.500 is the final countdown to the biggest milestone 00:14:10.500 --> 00:14:14.480 for the ICS Class of 2026. The research is done, 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:16.580 the service hours are being logged, and the finish 00:14:16.580 --> 00:14:19.000 line finally has a date. Mark your calendars 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:22.379 for March 24, 2026. This is the day the seniors 00:14:22.379 --> 00:14:25.080 move from the classroom to the stage. The senior 00:14:25.080 --> 00:14:26.919 capsule and service projects are more than just 00:14:26.919 --> 00:14:29.600 a graduation requirement. They are a showcase 00:14:29.600 --> 00:14:32.659 of leadership, grip, and community impact. Our 00:14:32.659 --> 00:14:34.960 seniors will present the culmination of months 00:14:34.960 --> 00:14:37.259 of hard work, proving they are ready to step 00:14:37.259 --> 00:14:40.320 out of the halls of ICS and into the world. What 00:14:40.320 --> 00:14:43.519 to expect on March 24? Firstly, the presentations. 00:14:44.159 --> 00:14:45.980 Seniors will defend their research and reflect 00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:48.259 on their service impact before a panel of judges. 00:14:49.399 --> 00:14:52.100 Secondly, the learning stretch. A celebration 00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:54.039 of the moments where students push past their 00:14:54.039 --> 00:14:56.220 comfort zones to solve real -world problems. 00:14:56.720 --> 00:15:00.419 Lastly, a legacy of service. A look at how the 00:15:00.419 --> 00:15:02.860 Class of 2026 has left their mark on our community. 00:15:03.200 --> 00:15:05.840 To the seniors, use this time to polish your 00:15:05.840 --> 00:15:08.080 visuals, refine your speech, and ensure your 00:15:08.080 --> 00:15:10.379 data reflects the heart of your project. The 00:15:10.379 --> 00:15:15.279 stage is yours on March 24. And we are back. 00:15:15.320 --> 00:15:17.419 For this segment, we will be bringing you part 00:15:17.419 --> 00:15:20.159 two of our 10 -part adventure story titled The 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:23.320 Mystery of St. Augustine. Before we jump into 00:15:23.320 --> 00:15:37.039 part two, here's a brief recap of part one. The 00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:40.500 story opened on a North Florida beach where operatives 00:15:40.500 --> 00:15:43.889 of the shadowy syndicate called The Table. unearth 00:15:43.889 --> 00:15:48.490 the box of 16th century Spanish coins, confirming 00:15:48.490 --> 00:15:51.990 the existence of a legendary shipwreck. Their 00:15:51.990 --> 00:15:55.549 leader, First Chair, orders them to find the 00:15:55.549 --> 00:15:58.909 main prize while also disrupting the research 00:15:58.909 --> 00:16:02.970 of Tom Reynolds' team at St. Augustine's Historical 00:16:02.970 --> 00:16:07.429 Society. Back in California, Dr. Conrad, the 00:16:07.429 --> 00:16:10.990 president of El Dorado College, presents... Professor 00:16:10.990 --> 00:16:14.409 James Hawthorne, and Professor Amanda Chase, 00:16:14.649 --> 00:16:17.629 with an opportunity to join a research project 00:16:17.629 --> 00:16:21.669 with one of his longtime friends, Tom Reynolds. 00:16:22.070 --> 00:16:26.269 While James ensures his wife, Anne, can join 00:16:26.269 --> 00:16:30.289 the trip, Amanda uncovers a small but very important 00:16:30.289 --> 00:16:33.769 lead in the college library, which suggests there 00:16:33.769 --> 00:16:38.169 may be more than one Drake shipwreck. And now, 00:16:38.309 --> 00:16:43.129 without further ado... Here is part two, titled 00:16:43.129 --> 00:16:52.470 The Arrival. That evening, James Hawthorne walks 00:16:52.470 --> 00:16:55.029 through his front door, sets his keys down, and 00:16:55.029 --> 00:16:57.950 takes off his shoes. He looks up and sees Anne 00:16:57.950 --> 00:17:00.350 rearranging some of the chairs around their old 00:17:00.350 --> 00:17:03.509 wooden dining table. Did you see my text, he 00:17:03.509 --> 00:17:07.410 asks. I did, but it was pretty vague, Anne replies. 00:17:08.089 --> 00:17:10.250 Yeah, I couldn't text you all the details, but 00:17:10.250 --> 00:17:12.930 I can explain more now that I'm home. So, he 00:17:12.930 --> 00:17:16.250 began. Dr. Conrad called Amanda and me into his 00:17:16.250 --> 00:17:20.569 office today. Oh, that sounds official. It was, 00:17:20.890 --> 00:17:23.769 James said. He's approved a special project for 00:17:23.769 --> 00:17:26.009 our department, a collaboration with the St. 00:17:26.009 --> 00:17:28.990 Augustine Historical Society in Florida. Anne 00:17:28.990 --> 00:17:33.950 raised her eyebrows. Florida? That's new. What 00:17:33.950 --> 00:17:37.390 kind of collaboration? Research and survey work. 00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:40.119 James said, sticking to the official version 00:17:40.119 --> 00:17:43.059 of the story. An old friend of Conrad's runs 00:17:43.059 --> 00:17:45.579 a historical society there. They're looking into 00:17:45.579 --> 00:17:48.779 some old maritime theories. Some would even call 00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:51.339 them legends. And they want our department's 00:17:51.339 --> 00:17:54.299 expertise in the field. And they don't want local 00:17:54.299 --> 00:17:56.599 media or government officials to know about it 00:17:56.599 --> 00:17:59.779 yet. Ann walked over toward the front door, grabbed 00:17:59.779 --> 00:18:03.019 a jacket, and started putting on her shoes. How 00:18:03.019 --> 00:18:06.480 long? What about your classes? Conrad's handling 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:09.319 it. He's bringing in adjuncts to cover for us. 00:18:09.400 --> 00:18:13.259 As for how long? A few weeks, maybe. It's an 00:18:13.259 --> 00:18:16.960 initial survey. He paused, then added, It would 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:19.420 mean traveling soon, and I made you a promise 00:18:19.420 --> 00:18:23.519 after Mexico. Yes, you did. Are you going somewhere? 00:18:23.740 --> 00:18:27.119 Did I miss something? James asked. You did promise 00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:30.819 I'd be on your next trip. And then added, Florida? 00:18:30.960 --> 00:18:33.640 I've never been to St. Augustine. Can you believe 00:18:33.640 --> 00:18:36.839 that? Ann grabs James' keys off the counter, 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:40.019 puts them back in his hand, and then says, Put 00:18:40.019 --> 00:18:41.980 your shoes back on. Let's grab a bite to eat 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:44.019 at Ethan's Cafe in town, and you can fill me 00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:52.480 in on all the other details. The following morning, 00:18:52.640 --> 00:18:55.619 Amanda called Olivia Park into her office. Olivia, 00:18:55.799 --> 00:18:58.099 I'm bringing you on to a new project, Amanda 00:18:58.099 --> 00:19:01.019 said, getting straight to the point. Professor 00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:03.640 Hawthorne and I are leading a fieldwork assignment 00:19:03.640 --> 00:19:07.180 starting immediately. Olivia, surprised by the 00:19:07.180 --> 00:19:11.099 offer, then asked, what kind of project? A research 00:19:11.099 --> 00:19:14.700 and survey trip in St. Augustine, Florida. It's 00:19:14.700 --> 00:19:16.880 a high -level collaboration with the historical 00:19:16.880 --> 00:19:19.880 society there. It's paid, it's confidential, 00:19:20.180 --> 00:19:22.720 and I've already cleared it with Dr. Conrad for 00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:25.200 you to be a research assistant. Prof. Amanda 00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:28.019 continued, I'm offering this to you specifically 00:19:28.019 --> 00:19:30.660 because it's not just another credit. This is 00:19:30.660 --> 00:19:33.519 the kind of high -profile field work that graduate 00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:36.200 programs look for. It's a major opportunity, 00:19:36.279 --> 00:19:39.640 and I think you'd be a valuable teammate. Olivia's 00:19:39.640 --> 00:19:42.660 face could not hold back her excitement. Yes, 00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:47.640 absolutely. Yes, I'm in. Thank you. When do we 00:19:47.640 --> 00:19:51.240 leave? Prof. Amanda answered, soon, probably 00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:54.900 within a few days, so be ready to pack on short 00:19:54.900 --> 00:19:58.539 notice. And Olivia... Amanda added, we are keeping 00:19:58.539 --> 00:20:01.740 this trip quiet for now. No social media, no 00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:04.059 telling friends any of the details about the 00:20:04.059 --> 00:20:06.779 research. For the short term, we're keeping this 00:20:06.779 --> 00:20:10.279 strictly need to know. Our colleagues in Florida 00:20:10.279 --> 00:20:12.920 don't want any of the attention this may bring 00:20:12.920 --> 00:20:16.119 just yet. That time will come, especially if 00:20:16.119 --> 00:20:19.920 we are successful. Professor, for the official 00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:23.460 record, will we be documenting the survey with 00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:27.480 photo and video? Olivia asked. Yes, standard 00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:30.500 procedure, Amanda confirmed. Site logs, reference 00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:33.220 photos, and recorded video. That's one of the 00:20:33.220 --> 00:20:35.519 main reasons I'm inviting you to be part of this. 00:20:35.859 --> 00:20:39.440 I can handle all of it, Olivia said. I've got 00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:42.619 my pro camera and recording gear. I can create 00:20:42.619 --> 00:20:45.769 a full visual as she... of the entire project, 00:20:45.930 --> 00:20:48.730 from our initial research to everything we do 00:20:48.730 --> 00:20:51.430 in the field. It would be perfect, comprehensive 00:20:51.430 --> 00:20:54.970 record that the college and the historical society 00:20:54.970 --> 00:20:58.150 could use sometime when they are ready to go 00:20:58.150 --> 00:21:02.390 public. And as a bonus, this could be the perfect 00:21:02.390 --> 00:21:05.130 project I can use for the grad school admissions. 00:21:05.529 --> 00:21:09.150 Of course, with the college's permission. Yep, 00:21:09.230 --> 00:21:11.829 my thoughts exactly. Prof. Amanda reaffirmed 00:21:11.829 --> 00:21:14.170 Olivia's excitement and then said, This will 00:21:14.170 --> 00:21:16.289 be a great experience for you, and I believe 00:21:16.289 --> 00:21:18.690 it will help you get into that grad program at 00:21:18.690 --> 00:21:26.730 Cambridge. The flight from Sacramento crossed 00:21:26.730 --> 00:21:29.710 three time zones, and by the time the team, Professor 00:21:29.710 --> 00:21:33.029 Hawthorne, his wife Anne, Prof. Amanda, and Olivia 00:21:33.029 --> 00:21:35.750 landed in Jacksonville, it was late afternoon 00:21:35.750 --> 00:21:38.869 and they were all starving. As they exited the 00:21:38.869 --> 00:21:41.190 plane and collected their luggage, Hawthorne 00:21:41.190 --> 00:21:45.410 mumbled to the others, that $15 snack box on 00:21:45.410 --> 00:21:49.269 the plane was an insult. Agreed, Anne said. Our 00:21:49.269 --> 00:21:52.269 first order of business should be food. I won't 00:21:52.269 --> 00:21:54.910 argue with that, Amanda replies. Me neither, 00:21:55.170 --> 00:21:58.210 says Olivia. After gathering their luggage and 00:21:58.210 --> 00:22:00.390 finding their rental, a large and comfortable 00:22:00.390 --> 00:22:03.769 white SUV, James got in the driver's seat, took 00:22:03.769 --> 00:22:06.900 the wheel, and slid open the sunroof. As they 00:22:06.900 --> 00:22:09.220 turned south onto the highway, the cabin filled 00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:11.900 with the clean, mild air of a perfect Florida 00:22:11.900 --> 00:22:14.920 spring. It was a pleasant, welcome change from 00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:18.019 the dry California heat. So where are we eating? 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:21.079 Anne asked while getting the GPS set up from 00:22:21.079 --> 00:22:24.059 the passenger seat. I already have a spot, Amanda 00:22:24.059 --> 00:22:26.640 said, looking up from her phone. It's supposed 00:22:26.640 --> 00:22:31.119 to be a local, best -kept secret on the St. Augustine 00:22:31.119 --> 00:22:34.660 Bayfront. Will's Seafood Bar and Grill. All right, 00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:37.480 sounds good, Ann replied while punching in the 00:22:37.480 --> 00:22:41.299 name in the GPS. Looks like we have an hour on 00:22:41.299 --> 00:22:49.720 the road, but I'm sure it'll be worth it. After 00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:52.779 an hour's worth of conversations in the SUV between 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:55.559 the four of them, they pull into the small parking 00:22:55.559 --> 00:22:59.000 lot beside Will's Seafood Bar and Grill. Will's 00:22:59.000 --> 00:23:01.599 wasn't on the main tourist drag. It was one of 00:23:01.599 --> 00:23:04.000 those places that you had to know about. Most 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:06.740 tourists who visit St. Augustine visit the larger 00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:09.039 chain seafood restaurants on a different street. 00:23:09.559 --> 00:23:13.180 However, Will's was special, and the locals wanted 00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:15.960 to keep it that way. Prices were cheap, and the 00:23:15.960 --> 00:23:19.299 food was fresher. The restaurant was a sprawling 00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:22.079 old wooden building that sat close to the marina. 00:23:22.160 --> 00:23:24.799 It had a wide porch that overlooked the water. 00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:27.720 As the four travelers stepped out of their rental, 00:23:27.880 --> 00:23:31.000 they noticed the fresh salt air and cool breeze 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:33.680 that came with being located right on the water. 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:36.559 A man in a floral shirt and khaki shorts was 00:23:36.559 --> 00:23:38.859 wiping down a table on a porch. He looked up 00:23:38.859 --> 00:23:41.259 with a friendly smile. Afternoon, folks. You're 00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:43.460 looking new in town. Welcome to Will's Seafood 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:46.440 Bar and Grill. I'm Will. Yes, this is my place. 00:23:46.920 --> 00:23:50.140 James Hawthorne, James replied, shaking his hand. 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:53.700 This is Anne, Amanda, and Olivia. We were told 00:23:53.700 --> 00:23:56.420 you have the best seafood in town. At least that's 00:23:56.420 --> 00:23:59.339 what Amanda had found out online. This place 00:23:59.339 --> 00:24:01.599 was hard to find online, but I happened to come 00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:04.240 across a few blog posts that raved about this 00:24:04.240 --> 00:24:07.259 place. Anyway, we also like to support locals, 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:10.640 Amanda replied. Well, I hope we live up to the 00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:12.980 hype, Will said. You're just in time for the 00:24:12.980 --> 00:24:15.400 late afternoon fresh catch. Some of the local 00:24:15.400 --> 00:24:17.839 fishermen got some yellowfin tuna earlier today. 00:24:17.900 --> 00:24:22.079 And, well, I bought two of them. Anyways. Grab 00:24:22.079 --> 00:24:24.279 a table you like, and I'll send a server right 00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:32.440 over. After a quick, delicious meal, Hawthorne 00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:34.640 paid the bill. As the four were getting up to 00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:37.039 leave, Will walked back over to their table. 00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:40.079 Your recommendation was delicious, and the service 00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:42.819 was spot on, Hawthorne said. Thank you for the 00:24:42.819 --> 00:24:45.700 warm welcome to St. Augustine. Happy to hear 00:24:45.700 --> 00:24:48.099 it. So what brings you to town? You don't look 00:24:48.099 --> 00:24:50.890 like the usual tourist. Amanda jumped in before 00:24:50.890 --> 00:24:53.829 James could answer. Our university sent us to 00:24:53.829 --> 00:24:56.710 do some historical research, a work trip, you 00:24:56.710 --> 00:24:59.529 could say, all the way from California. Well, 00:24:59.710 --> 00:25:01.730 you picked the right time for it, Will replied. 00:25:02.230 --> 00:25:04.589 It's not peak season, so you'll miss those big 00:25:04.589 --> 00:25:06.970 summer crowds. Should be a nice and quiet visit 00:25:06.970 --> 00:25:09.109 for you. He reached into his shirt pocket and 00:25:09.109 --> 00:25:11.170 pulled out a business card. You get free time 00:25:11.170 --> 00:25:13.869 and want to get out on the water. My friend Robert 00:25:13.869 --> 00:25:16.049 Mitchell, but he's known as Bobby around here. 00:25:16.109 --> 00:25:18.609 He runs First Coast Charters right here in the 00:25:18.609 --> 00:25:21.440 harbor. He's a great captain. Besides, I like 00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:23.900 to promote his business. Most of my fresh catch, 00:25:24.119 --> 00:25:26.359 including what you just ate, comes from his boat 00:25:26.359 --> 00:25:29.519 every morning. Anne took the card. Thank you, 00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:31.539 Will. If we get some free time, we'll definitely 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:34.559 check it out. With a final wave, the four left 00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:37.339 the restaurant and headed for their SUV. As they 00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:40.440 all got into the vehicle, Anne said, What's next 00:25:40.440 --> 00:25:43.240 on the agenda for today? Amanda checked her phone. 00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:46.000 We have an introductory meeting with Tom Reynolds, 00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:49.480 Dr. Conrad's friend, and two other society members, 00:25:50.079 --> 00:25:54.440 Mrs. Ferguson and Ms. Harper. The historical 00:25:54.440 --> 00:25:57.279 society is only 10 minutes from here, Hawthorne 00:25:57.279 --> 00:25:59.799 said, looking out the window. Let's drive around 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:02.480 a bit first, get the lay of the town, and maybe 00:26:02.480 --> 00:26:05.220 find some ice cream. As he said this, he looked 00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:08.240 over at Anne and cracked a small smile, only 00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:11.140 to see her roll her eyes in response. That's 00:26:11.140 --> 00:26:14.180 a great idea, Olivia said from the backseat. 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:17.500 I can get some generic B -roll footage of the 00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:20.480 town with my camera. Good thinking, Olivia, Amanda 00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:23.940 agreed. Let's do it, and if we find some ice 00:26:23.940 --> 00:26:31.440 cream along the way, I won't complain. Inside 00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:34.519 the St. Augustine safe house, second chair washed 00:26:34.519 --> 00:26:36.859 as sixth chair placed a small stack of archival 00:26:36.859 --> 00:26:39.529 documents on the glass coffee table. Chair 3 00:26:39.529 --> 00:26:42.650 was pacing by the window. Report, Midnight said 00:26:42.650 --> 00:26:45.890 as she stared directly at Chair 6. The Society's 00:26:45.890 --> 00:26:48.990 storage room is compromised, Chair 6 stated simply. 00:26:49.170 --> 00:26:52.069 The small safe was an antique. It was easy. I 00:26:52.069 --> 00:26:54.470 was in and out under 10 minutes. I didn't even 00:26:54.470 --> 00:26:57.490 need the combination. Third Chair stopped pacing. 00:26:58.009 --> 00:27:02.130 That's it? A few pieces of old paper? This, Six 00:27:02.130 --> 00:27:04.849 Chair said, tapping an old, brittle logbook. 00:27:05.470 --> 00:27:08.430 It's Tom Reynolds' entire case. This and these 00:27:08.430 --> 00:27:11.029 two old worn letters are the only primary sources 00:27:11.029 --> 00:27:15.250 he has that point to the 1586 shipwreck and the 00:27:15.250 --> 00:27:18.470 only one shipwreck theory. Chair 3 picked up 00:27:18.470 --> 00:27:21.130 one of the letters, scanning its contents. This 00:27:21.130 --> 00:27:23.210 is what he was protecting? This is what he was 00:27:23.210 --> 00:27:26.109 planning to share, 6th chair corrected. He has 00:27:26.109 --> 00:27:28.650 a meeting scheduled for this afternoon with an 00:27:28.650 --> 00:27:31.210 outside team. He intended to give them copies 00:27:31.210 --> 00:27:33.609 of these. I'm not sure who the outside team is, 00:27:33.730 --> 00:27:35.839 but I don't think they are a threat. Minnie smiled 00:27:35.839 --> 00:27:39.059 slightly and said, And now he can't. He has nothing. 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:42.079 It's a dead end for them. She then asked, Are 00:27:42.079 --> 00:27:44.259 you sure there are no copies of this stuff? I 00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:46.119 need some guarantees here or I'm going to report 00:27:46.119 --> 00:27:48.799 back to First Chair. Sixth Chair was silent but 00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:51.740 raised her eyebrows as if to communicate. No, 00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:54.319 and if there were any copies, I would have found 00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:56.579 them in that small safe with the rest of the 00:27:56.579 --> 00:27:59.339 stuff. Midnight, after observing the Sixth Chair's 00:27:59.339 --> 00:28:02.130 reaction, then said, Okay. I'll let the first 00:28:02.130 --> 00:28:04.470 chair know we have discreetly and secretly taken 00:28:04.470 --> 00:28:06.829 care of the other evidence. I'm sure we'll be 00:28:06.829 --> 00:28:09.910 able to move on to the next phase. Sixth chair 00:28:09.910 --> 00:28:12.569 then said, as if to make a point, the people 00:28:12.569 --> 00:28:15.150 at the historical society will be chasing shadows 00:28:15.150 --> 00:28:17.450 and dead ends. There's no need to pay any more 00:28:17.450 --> 00:28:19.869 attention to what they'll be doing. Good, chair 00:28:19.869 --> 00:28:22.349 three said, now looking down at the old logbook 00:28:22.349 --> 00:28:24.910 and worn letters. Let them and their new friends 00:28:24.910 --> 00:28:27.349 play historians. We have the small strong box 00:28:27.349 --> 00:28:29.609 from the beach, and we now have the other clues 00:28:29.609 --> 00:28:32.759 and research. Don't touch that stuff. The less 00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:34.839 it's handled, the better. We don't need it falling 00:28:34.839 --> 00:28:37.559 apart before we can study and evaluate it. Chair 00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:40.079 2 then followed that up and said, Tell 4 and 00:28:40.079 --> 00:28:42.440 5 to finish the errands. Our work in the harbor 00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:50.640 and along the coast will begin soon. The team's 00:28:50.640 --> 00:28:53.480 brief driving tour gave them a feel for the city's 00:28:53.480 --> 00:28:56.400 ancient, narrow streets and unique stone architecture. 00:28:57.079 --> 00:28:59.359 Professor Hawthorne pulled into the parking lot 00:28:59.359 --> 00:29:02.500 of the St. Augustine Historical Society. The 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:05.500 Spanish colonial -style one -story building sat 00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:08.359 off the street at a distance with a back alley 00:29:08.359 --> 00:29:12.259 and included a shaded front courtyard. A woman 00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:14.980 who introduced herself as Mrs. Sarah Ferguson 00:29:14.980 --> 00:29:18.799 met the Eldorado team in the lobby. Mrs. Ferguson 00:29:18.799 --> 00:29:22.099 was stoic and professional, and James had to 00:29:22.099 --> 00:29:25.420 guess she was in her early 50s. Her welcome felt 00:29:25.420 --> 00:29:29.339 restrained, almost tense. Hi, I'm James Hawthorne, 00:29:29.400 --> 00:29:32.079 James said. This is my wife Anne, who will be 00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:34.940 helping with research, and two of my colleagues 00:29:34.940 --> 00:29:37.640 from the college, Professor Chase and Olivia 00:29:37.640 --> 00:29:41.279 Park. Welcome to you all, Mrs. Ferguson said, 00:29:41.440 --> 00:29:45.559 her voice flat. I'm the resident archivist. Tom 00:29:45.559 --> 00:29:48.299 is waiting for you all. Please follow me. Tom 00:29:48.299 --> 00:29:50.279 Reynolds stood when they entered the conference 00:29:50.279 --> 00:29:53.480 room. He looked frustrated and put off and was 00:29:53.480 --> 00:29:56.160 obviously trying to maintain his professional 00:29:56.160 --> 00:29:59.339 composure. Beside him sat a younger woman with 00:29:59.339 --> 00:30:02.539 an eager and ready expression on her face. James, 00:30:02.640 --> 00:30:05.779 Amanda, Tom said, moving to shake their hands. 00:30:06.039 --> 00:30:08.640 Thank you for coming. Tom, this is my wife Anne 00:30:08.640 --> 00:30:11.119 and our research assistant Olivia Park, James 00:30:11.119 --> 00:30:13.700 said, completing the introductions. I'm glad 00:30:13.700 --> 00:30:16.519 we can meet. Dr. Conrad speaks very highly of 00:30:16.519 --> 00:30:19.519 you. As he does with all of you, Tom replied 00:30:19.519 --> 00:30:22.599 and then continued. I suppose that's the reason 00:30:22.599 --> 00:30:26.039 he recommended you all. And not to mention your 00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:29.019 experience and somewhat of a celebrity in fieldwork. 00:30:29.259 --> 00:30:31.859 The team took their seats. Tom, what's wrong? 00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:33.960 Hawthorne asked, cutting straight to the point. 00:30:34.079 --> 00:30:37.240 Tom then looked over at Mrs. Ferguson, nodded 00:30:37.240 --> 00:30:40.359 his head, and said, Go ahead. You can explain. 00:30:40.599 --> 00:30:45.440 An hour ago, Mr. Reynolds went to our archival 00:30:45.440 --> 00:30:48.839 safe in one of... the back storage rooms in to 00:30:48.839 --> 00:30:51.779 retrieve the primary source documents for your 00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:55.099 briefing. Mrs. Ferguson said in a controlled 00:30:55.099 --> 00:30:58.779 monotone, and they were gone. Amanda leaned forward. 00:30:59.119 --> 00:31:02.740 Gone? What do you mean gone? I mean gone, Tom 00:31:02.740 --> 00:31:05.539 said, his voice cracking slightly. The entire 00:31:05.539 --> 00:31:09.000 file, the 17th century logbook, the two corroborating 00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:12.640 letters, everything, the entire evidentiary basis 00:31:12.640 --> 00:31:15.759 for this project, vanished. But it was in a safe, 00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:19.509 Hawthorne said. A secure archival safe, Sarah 00:31:19.509 --> 00:31:22.569 Ferguson confirmed. There is no sign of forced 00:31:22.569 --> 00:31:25.609 entry. Cecilia Harper, the young researcher, 00:31:25.730 --> 00:31:28.490 spoke for the first time. I'm Cece, by the way. 00:31:28.549 --> 00:31:31.130 No need to call me Ms. Harper, even though most 00:31:31.130 --> 00:31:34.190 people introduced me that way. Cece stood up 00:31:34.190 --> 00:31:36.670 and started pacing back and forth and continued 00:31:36.670 --> 00:31:40.089 talking. Anyway, the safe is an old Tumblr system. 00:31:40.309 --> 00:31:43.410 It's not electronic. It's old school. The combination 00:31:43.410 --> 00:31:47.200 is known by exactly two people. mrs ferguson 00:31:47.200 --> 00:31:50.059 and mr reynolds we can't find any evidence of 00:31:50.059 --> 00:31:53.140 a break -in none of our alarms went off and nothing 00:31:53.140 --> 00:31:57.119 else in that storage room was touched mrs ferguson 00:31:57.119 --> 00:32:00.039 and i would know since we kept detailed records 00:32:00.039 --> 00:32:04.380 of all our historical inventory and everything 00:32:04.380 --> 00:32:07.240 else in that room was accounted for there's plenty 00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:09.720 of other stuff in that room that's both valuable 00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:13.269 and not in a safe but none of it was taken. Only 00:32:13.269 --> 00:32:15.890 the documents that were in the safe are missing. 00:32:16.230 --> 00:32:19.069 Anne looks over at James Hawthorne and whispers 00:32:19.069 --> 00:32:22.309 under her breath. The mystery of the missing 00:32:22.309 --> 00:32:25.230 documents. How do you always seem to find yourself 00:32:25.230 --> 00:32:28.210 in these situations? Good question. I'm still 00:32:28.210 --> 00:32:30.410 figuring that out as well, Hawthorne whispers 00:32:30.410 --> 00:32:32.869 back. An awkward silence then filled the room 00:32:32.869 --> 00:32:35.630 for several seconds. Tom, James said gently, 00:32:35.789 --> 00:32:38.970 when did you last see the documents? Friday afternoon, 00:32:39.289 --> 00:32:42.569 Tom said, running a hand through his hair. I 00:32:42.569 --> 00:32:44.930 checked them myself. I went to pull them this 00:32:44.930 --> 00:32:47.930 afternoon, right before you arrived, and nothing. 00:32:48.630 --> 00:32:51.950 Just an empty shelf. We've quietly searched the 00:32:51.950 --> 00:32:54.750 archives, thinking I might have, I don't know, 00:32:54.829 --> 00:32:57.589 I misplaced them. But like Mrs. Ferguson and 00:32:57.589 --> 00:33:00.549 Cece said, they're gone, and I was the last to 00:33:00.549 --> 00:33:03.549 see them. Tom continued, I've called you all 00:33:03.549 --> 00:33:05.829 the way across the country. We have state and 00:33:05.829 --> 00:33:08.549 private grant money tied to this research, and 00:33:08.549 --> 00:33:11.109 we have nothing. No proof, no starting point. 00:33:11.880 --> 00:33:14.799 I don't know who or why, but someone or something 00:33:14.799 --> 00:33:17.460 has just wiped our entire project off the map 00:33:17.460 --> 00:33:20.160 before we could even begin. Hawthorne and Amanda 00:33:20.160 --> 00:33:23.619 exchanged a brief critical glance. Tom's one 00:33:23.619 --> 00:33:27.019 shipwreck theory the entire official funded project 00:33:27.019 --> 00:33:31.059 was dead, but their own clue was not. Safe in 00:33:31.059 --> 00:33:34.140 Amanda's bag were the photocopied pages from 00:33:34.140 --> 00:33:37.099 that one -of -a -kind logbook. The evidence pointed 00:33:37.099 --> 00:33:41.130 not to one shipwreck, but two. Professor Hawthorne 00:33:41.130 --> 00:33:43.470 and Professor Amanda both silently understood 00:33:43.470 --> 00:33:45.750 that the missing documents from the Historical 00:33:45.750 --> 00:33:49.670 Society's archive hadn't ended the project yet, 00:33:49.890 --> 00:33:53.210 but rather it just made their secret exponentially 00:33:53.210 --> 00:33:57.130 more valuable. Not nothing, Tom, Hawthorne said, 00:33:57.250 --> 00:33:59.809 his voice calm and steady. Your documents have 00:33:59.809 --> 00:34:02.809 gone missing, but your memory has not. Tom looked 00:34:02.809 --> 00:34:05.630 up, confused. I'm not sure I understand what 00:34:05.630 --> 00:34:08.360 you're saying. You brought us here for our expertise, 00:34:08.659 --> 00:34:11.019 Hawthorne continued, so let's start there. Tell 00:34:11.019 --> 00:34:13.500 us everything you remember, every detail from 00:34:13.500 --> 00:34:16.380 those documents. Let's build it and try to piece 00:34:16.380 --> 00:34:24.460 it together. Half an hour later, the conference 00:34:24.460 --> 00:34:26.920 room had been converted into a research center. 00:34:27.239 --> 00:34:30.840 Tom, his initial panic, replaced by a focused 00:34:30.840 --> 00:34:34.079 urgency, was dictated from memory. The logbook 00:34:34.079 --> 00:34:37.570 was in Spanish, 17th century. It mentioned the 00:34:37.570 --> 00:34:40.849 loss of the Englishman, north of the city. Cece 00:34:40.849 --> 00:34:43.630 Harper typed furiously at her laptop, pulling 00:34:43.630 --> 00:34:46.750 up digital maps and other files. Was it north 00:34:46.750 --> 00:34:50.110 of the inlet or north of the fort? The old boundaries 00:34:50.110 --> 00:34:53.230 are different. Tom squinted his eyes a bit, then 00:34:53.230 --> 00:34:55.570 looked up at the ceiling, a habit he had since 00:34:55.570 --> 00:34:58.349 his school days. Whenever he had to think and 00:34:58.349 --> 00:35:01.030 try to remember small details, he would squint 00:35:01.030 --> 00:35:04.349 his eyes and then look up at the ceiling. hoping 00:35:04.349 --> 00:35:07.010 that this small repetition of an action would 00:35:07.010 --> 00:35:09.969 trigger his memory. North of the fort, he recalled. 00:35:10.969 --> 00:35:13.289 Yeah, I'm pretty sure the documents mentioned 00:35:13.289 --> 00:35:16.309 the wreck was north of the fort. Amanda was taking 00:35:16.309 --> 00:35:19.309 her own notes, cross -referencing what Tom said 00:35:19.309 --> 00:35:22.130 with her own knowledge. Sometimes she would glance 00:35:22.130 --> 00:35:25.150 over at Professor Hawthorne. Olivia sat at the 00:35:25.150 --> 00:35:28.170 end of the table, her camera on, recording Tom's 00:35:28.170 --> 00:35:30.929 testimony as an official record, and listened 00:35:30.929 --> 00:35:34.090 and observed, taking it all in. A sharp, polite 00:35:34.090 --> 00:35:38.050 knock broke the rhythm. Sarah Ferguson, who had 00:35:38.050 --> 00:35:41.289 been standing by the door, opened it. A man in 00:35:41.289 --> 00:35:45.309 a pressed polo shirt and slacks, his badge clipped 00:35:45.309 --> 00:35:49.329 to his belt, stood in the hallway. He was sharp 00:35:49.329 --> 00:35:52.829 and looked like he missed nothing. Mr. Reynolds, 00:35:53.130 --> 00:35:56.809 Sarah said. Lieutenant Walsh is here. Tom stood, 00:35:57.030 --> 00:36:00.630 relief and stress on his face. Dan, thank you 00:36:00.630 --> 00:36:03.989 for coming so quickly and quietly. Tom, Sarah, 00:36:04.309 --> 00:36:07.710 Walsh said, nodding. His eyes immediately swept 00:36:07.710 --> 00:36:11.929 the room, cataloging the new faces. Dan, this 00:36:11.929 --> 00:36:14.889 is Professor Hawthorne, his wife Anne, Professor 00:36:14.889 --> 00:36:18.170 Chase, and Olivia Park, Tom said. They're consultants 00:36:18.170 --> 00:36:21.170 from El Dorado College out in California. They're 00:36:21.170 --> 00:36:23.750 here to help with a research project. Walsh gave 00:36:23.750 --> 00:36:27.449 a single nod to the team. Lieutenant Daniel Walsh 00:36:27.449 --> 00:36:31.630 sent Augustine PD. He turned back to Tom and 00:36:31.630 --> 00:36:35.199 said, consultants from California. You all just 00:36:35.199 --> 00:36:38.539 arrived? Landed a few hours ago, grabbed a late 00:36:38.539 --> 00:36:41.039 lunch, and then came right here, Hawthorne answered. 00:36:41.400 --> 00:36:44.099 They arrived for our pre -planned meeting shortly 00:36:44.099 --> 00:36:47.099 after. I called you earlier, Sarah said. Some 00:36:47.099 --> 00:36:51.019 welcome, I see. Walsh said, his tone dry. He 00:36:51.019 --> 00:36:54.099 was all business. So the phone call was grief 00:36:54.099 --> 00:36:57.800 and well. Since I was in the neighborhood, I 00:36:57.800 --> 00:37:00.199 thought I would come by and check it out instead 00:37:00.199 --> 00:37:03.920 of sending one of my Other officers. Was this 00:37:03.920 --> 00:37:07.920 a high -value theft? This way, Sarah said, leading 00:37:07.920 --> 00:37:10.420 him from the conference room down a short hall 00:37:10.420 --> 00:37:13.940 to the archival room. The team followed, clustering 00:37:13.940 --> 00:37:17.039 in the doorway, Sarah pointing to the old safe, 00:37:17.199 --> 00:37:20.659 then said, There's no sign of forced entry. Only 00:37:20.659 --> 00:37:23.980 Tom and I have the combination. Walsh nodded, 00:37:24.059 --> 00:37:27.539 unfazed. Then my job here is to find out who 00:37:27.539 --> 00:37:30.280 else might have gotten it, or who else was in 00:37:30.280 --> 00:37:34.679 this room. He continued, By the way, what's missing? 00:37:35.219 --> 00:37:38.400 Tom spoke up and walked toward the safe. Some 00:37:38.400 --> 00:37:40.619 very important and one -of -a -kind old documents 00:37:40.619 --> 00:37:43.219 that are crucial to our research project were 00:37:43.219 --> 00:37:47.059 in that safe. Emphasis on were. Walsh nodded, 00:37:47.059 --> 00:37:50.760 unfazed. Tom, we've known each other for some 00:37:50.760 --> 00:37:53.699 time now, and I can't remember a time when my 00:37:53.699 --> 00:37:56.179 department had to investigate an incident here 00:37:56.179 --> 00:38:00.820 at the Historical Society. Very unusual. Walsh 00:38:00.820 --> 00:38:03.739 then said, I guess my job is to find out who 00:38:03.739 --> 00:38:06.639 else might have gotten the combination, or who 00:38:06.639 --> 00:38:09.880 else has been in this room besides you and Sarah. 00:38:10.500 --> 00:38:12.820 Sisi, who is standing in the doorway with the 00:38:12.820 --> 00:38:15.519 others, then says, I've been in this room before, 00:38:15.619 --> 00:38:18.000 sir. I work here, but I don't have access to 00:38:18.000 --> 00:38:21.880 any of the archival safes. Walsh then turned 00:38:21.880 --> 00:38:25.619 and looked over at the doorway, then said, And 00:38:25.619 --> 00:38:29.059 who are you exactly? My name is Cece Harper and 00:38:29.059 --> 00:38:32.239 Mrs. Ferguson hired me over a year ago to help 00:38:32.239 --> 00:38:35.519 be a liaison between the Historical Society and 00:38:35.519 --> 00:38:39.019 the city's tourism board. Walsh Lieutenant Dan 00:38:39.019 --> 00:38:42.739 set down a small hardened case on a nearby table 00:38:42.739 --> 00:38:46.639 and opened it. It contained a set of sterile 00:38:46.639 --> 00:38:50.800 swabs, vials, and a handheld UV scanning device. 00:38:51.599 --> 00:38:54.519 So who else has had access to this room besides 00:38:54.519 --> 00:38:58.530 the three of you then? Walsh then asked, To our 00:38:58.530 --> 00:39:01.889 knowledge, no one, Sarah answered. This lock 00:39:01.889 --> 00:39:06.389 and handle are high -contact surfaces. Walsh 00:39:06.389 --> 00:39:09.269 explained as he put on a pair of nitrile gloves. 00:39:10.250 --> 00:39:13.929 If they weren't wearing gloves, they left trace 00:39:13.929 --> 00:39:18.030 DNA. But even if they had gloves, they might 00:39:18.030 --> 00:39:21.969 have left fibers. He carefully swapped the dial, 00:39:22.409 --> 00:39:25.780 the handle, and the floor directly in the front 00:39:25.780 --> 00:39:29.340 of the safe. He bagged each swap individually. 00:39:30.460 --> 00:39:33.980 Lower on these at the lab, he said. He then took 00:39:33.980 --> 00:39:37.699 out the UV scanner and passed it over the safe. 00:39:38.739 --> 00:39:43.219 No obvious residues. They were clean. Professional. 00:39:43.960 --> 00:39:48.780 He packed his kit. All right, Tom. I'll get these 00:39:48.780 --> 00:39:51.599 to the lab for now. I would like the names of 00:39:51.599 --> 00:39:53.800 everyone who has entered the building within 00:39:53.800 --> 00:39:58.019 the last 72 hours. Additionally, if you have 00:39:58.019 --> 00:40:00.840 any security camera footage from the same period, 00:40:01.079 --> 00:40:04.539 that will also be helpful. Maybe we can match 00:40:04.539 --> 00:40:07.719 a face with a name. I'll also mention this to 00:40:07.719 --> 00:40:11.360 Chief Sullivan and get it on his radar. This 00:40:11.360 --> 00:40:13.800 historical society means a lot to this town, 00:40:13.920 --> 00:40:17.920 so we'll follow up with you shortly. In the meantime, 00:40:18.219 --> 00:40:20.920 if you find anything or remember something, let 00:40:20.920 --> 00:40:24.659 me know. And with that, Lieutenant Dan Walsh 00:40:24.659 --> 00:40:28.440 left in the same abrupt and straightforward way 00:40:28.440 --> 00:40:36.460 as he came. Later that evening, second chair 00:40:36.460 --> 00:40:38.219 and sixth chair were once again in the condo's 00:40:38.219 --> 00:40:40.219 living room, reporting to the first chair via 00:40:40.219 --> 00:40:42.900 the secure laptop. Chairs 3, 4, and 5 were not 00:40:42.900 --> 00:40:45.079 present, having spent the day conducting surveillance 00:40:45.079 --> 00:40:47.300 around the Castillo de San Marcos Fort, which 00:40:47.300 --> 00:40:49.739 sits just north of the Bridge of Lions. It's 00:40:49.739 --> 00:40:51.780 not really an active fort anymore. It's actually 00:40:51.780 --> 00:40:54.019 called the Castillo de San Marcos Natural Monument. 00:40:54.380 --> 00:40:58.579 Built between 1672 and 1695, this historic fort 00:40:58.579 --> 00:41:01.019 is the oldest masonry fort in the continental 00:41:01.019 --> 00:41:03.739 United States. The Spanish built the fortification 00:41:03.739 --> 00:41:05.519 to help defend Florida and the Atlantic trade 00:41:05.519 --> 00:41:07.500 route at the time, and it has a long history 00:41:07.500 --> 00:41:09.420 of changing hands between the Spanish, English, 00:41:09.539 --> 00:41:11.769 and the United States. The fort is laid out in 00:41:11.769 --> 00:41:14.070 a unique star -shaped design and was never breached 00:41:14.070 --> 00:41:16.650 or conquered. However, nowadays, it is a tourist 00:41:16.650 --> 00:41:19.710 destination with a $15 admission fee. The stolen 00:41:19.710 --> 00:41:21.929 documents from the Historical Society were still 00:41:21.929 --> 00:41:23.829 neatly spread out on the glass coffee table, 00:41:23.949 --> 00:41:26.849 where they had been earlier. 6. The low and non 00:41:26.849 --> 00:41:29.449 -emotional voice from the laptop began. The documents 00:41:29.449 --> 00:41:32.610 you retrieved. My assessment is they are authentic. 00:41:33.179 --> 00:41:35.659 The logbook, the letters, the paper, and the 00:41:35.659 --> 00:41:37.980 ink are consistent with the time period. They 00:41:37.980 --> 00:41:40.340 seem to support the shipwreck theory Tom Reynolds 00:41:40.340 --> 00:41:43.380 was building his research project on. Your assessment 00:41:43.380 --> 00:41:46.719 is noted, First Chair replied. I require verification. 00:41:47.260 --> 00:41:49.320 Absolute confirmation is essential before we 00:41:49.320 --> 00:41:51.639 move on. As our next course of action must be 00:41:51.639 --> 00:41:53.599 calculated and methodical, we need confirmation. 00:41:54.179 --> 00:41:56.739 Iroh's red list demands it. What are your orders? 00:41:56.920 --> 00:41:59.980 Minet asked. I'm diverting Chairs 3, 4, and 5 00:41:59.980 --> 00:42:02.420 from the fort. Their time is better spent elsewhere. 00:42:02.880 --> 00:42:04.800 We can get back to the old fort later. Instead, 00:42:04.960 --> 00:42:06.679 they will be traveling to Jacksonville. They 00:42:06.679 --> 00:42:09.400 have two objectives. The voice paused. First, 00:42:09.539 --> 00:42:11.199 their primary target is a person of interest, 00:42:11.500 --> 00:42:13.679 Eleanor Bennett. I want full, discreet surveillance. 00:42:13.699 --> 00:42:16.139 Her habits, her contacts, her schedule. I want 00:42:16.139 --> 00:42:18.880 to know who she talks to, where she goes. She 00:42:18.880 --> 00:42:21.059 is a variable. Even though this is not in our 00:42:21.059 --> 00:42:23.059 mission brief from Iroh, I found out through 00:42:23.059 --> 00:42:25.139 a mutual contact that Miss Bennett is financing 00:42:25.139 --> 00:42:28.559 this job. So, just out of curiosity, I want to 00:42:28.559 --> 00:42:30.900 know why. Midnight processed this. Understood. 00:42:31.239 --> 00:42:33.480 And the second objective? The second objective, 00:42:33.860 --> 00:42:36.179 First Chair said, is to complete the authentication 00:42:36.179 --> 00:42:38.719 I require. While they are in Jacksonville, they 00:42:38.719 --> 00:42:40.719 will take one of the documents Six stole from 00:42:40.719 --> 00:42:42.920 the Historical Society to the University of North 00:42:42.920 --> 00:42:45.400 Florida. Make sure the documents are insignificant. 00:42:45.699 --> 00:42:49.219 We don't want any unwanted attention. The UNF 00:42:49.219 --> 00:42:51.739 lab? Six Chair said, her voice showing some doubt. 00:42:51.920 --> 00:42:54.579 I think security there is pretty tight. Don't 00:42:54.579 --> 00:42:56.780 you think I know that? First Chair replied sharply. 00:42:57.159 --> 00:42:58.860 They will pose as research assistants from a 00:42:58.860 --> 00:43:00.800 South Florida university, I don't care which 00:43:00.800 --> 00:43:02.980 one, claiming to need a non -destructive analysis 00:43:02.980 --> 00:43:05.780 for an academic paper. You and Midnight need 00:43:05.780 --> 00:43:07.980 to secure proper IDs and credentials for them. 00:43:08.380 --> 00:43:10.739 Midnight nodded. Survey Bennett and authenticate 00:43:10.739 --> 00:43:13.619 the document. All in one trip. Yes, First Chair 00:43:13.619 --> 00:43:16.019 concluded. But first, get them proper IDs and 00:43:16.019 --> 00:43:17.679 credentials. We don't want to be compromised 00:43:17.679 --> 00:43:20.320 on such a trivial technicality such as a poorly 00:43:20.320 --> 00:43:22.880 made fake university ID. So just get it done. 00:43:22.980 --> 00:43:25.239 I want a report by the end of the week. The connection 00:43:25.239 --> 00:43:27.630 clicked off. With the laptop screen black now, 00:43:27.769 --> 00:43:30.630 fixture knotted and lit at midnight, is there 00:43:30.630 --> 00:43:34.030 no way to bypass IRO and the timeline? Remind 00:43:34.030 --> 00:43:36.570 me what they do. The International Artifact Recovery 00:43:36.570 --> 00:43:39.110 Organization, Minda replied, sorting through 00:43:39.110 --> 00:43:41.389 the stolen documents. They are financing this 00:43:41.389 --> 00:43:44.989 job. Our commissions will be significant. They 00:43:44.989 --> 00:43:47.960 have deep pockets and a long red list. She continued, 00:43:48.260 --> 00:43:50.320 their relationship with the table goes backward 00:43:50.320 --> 00:43:52.739 for our time. Iroh's international standing and 00:43:52.739 --> 00:43:54.619 Swiss headquarters allowed it to appear neutral 00:43:54.619 --> 00:43:56.800 in this cat -and -mouse game of artifact recovery. 00:43:57.099 --> 00:43:59.900 When they need unconventional results, they contact 00:43:59.900 --> 00:44:02.579 us. There's a reason we were recruited. Each 00:44:02.579 --> 00:44:04.880 of us has a colorful background and a valuable 00:44:04.880 --> 00:44:08.360 skill. Chasix slid two nondescript letters into 00:44:08.360 --> 00:44:11.380 protective plastic sleeves, then into a hardcover 00:44:11.380 --> 00:44:14.469 binder for transport. Besides, first chair, you 00:44:14.469 --> 00:44:17.030 and I have been at this the longest, she said. 00:44:17.150 --> 00:44:19.570 I just hope three, four, and five understand 00:44:19.570 --> 00:44:22.510 what's at stake. Oh, they understand, Midnight 00:44:22.510 --> 00:44:25.110 said, her voice flat and non -emotional. The 00:44:25.110 --> 00:44:28.130 alternative for them, and us, frankly, is either 00:44:28.130 --> 00:44:30.909 a small cell at the Hague or a dirt nap in an 00:44:30.909 --> 00:44:33.610 unmarked grave. She looked at sixth chair and 00:44:33.610 --> 00:44:36.150 then said, those are the choices. I'll take my 00:44:36.150 --> 00:44:44.059 chances with the table. The next morning, the 00:44:44.059 --> 00:44:46.159 Eldorado team walked back into the Historical 00:44:46.159 --> 00:44:49.579 Society's conference room. The mood was somber, 00:44:49.579 --> 00:44:53.800 but focused. Tom, Sarah, and Cece were already 00:44:53.800 --> 00:44:56.300 at the long table, with a large video monitor 00:44:56.300 --> 00:45:00.059 at the far end. You're just in time, Tom said. 00:45:00.400 --> 00:45:03.800 She's expecting us. He clicked the mouse, and 00:45:03.800 --> 00:45:06.880 after a moment, the screen lit up. The face of 00:45:06.880 --> 00:45:10.679 a woman in her late 40s appeared. She was poised 00:45:10.679 --> 00:45:13.300 and smiling. sitting in a bright, elegant room. 00:45:13.719 --> 00:45:17.739 This was Eleanor Ellie Bennett. Tom, good morning, 00:45:17.940 --> 00:45:20.579 she said. Her accent was a polite transatlantic 00:45:20.579 --> 00:45:23.099 blend of British and American, and I see you 00:45:23.099 --> 00:45:25.480 have a full room. Good morning, Tom replied. 00:45:25.760 --> 00:45:28.599 As I mentioned, the consultant team from El Dorado 00:45:28.599 --> 00:45:31.000 College has arrived. I'd like to introduce you. 00:45:31.079 --> 00:45:34.699 Tom motioned to the team. Dr. James Hawthorne, 00:45:34.820 --> 00:45:38.639 his wife Anne, Dr. Amanda Chase, and their research 00:45:38.639 --> 00:45:42.619 assistant, Olivia Park. Oh my, Ellie said with 00:45:42.619 --> 00:45:45.039 a smile. How wonderful. Tom didn't tell me he 00:45:45.039 --> 00:45:47.699 was bringing in such an esteemed group. Dr. Hawthorne, 00:45:47.780 --> 00:45:50.159 I've heard and read some of your past, should 00:45:50.159 --> 00:45:53.199 I say, harrowing experiences. She gave a small, 00:45:53.360 --> 00:45:56.539 almost apologetic laugh. I must admit, Tom, you've 00:45:56.539 --> 00:45:59.159 assembled quite the team. I just want to be sure 00:45:59.159 --> 00:46:01.659 we can keep this, well, you know, confidential. 00:46:02.639 --> 00:46:04.800 Hawthorne leaned forward with a reassuring nod 00:46:04.800 --> 00:46:07.679 of his head. Mrs. Bennett, James Hawthorne, it's 00:46:07.679 --> 00:46:09.900 a pleasure to meet you. And please, I understand 00:46:09.900 --> 00:46:13.019 completely. My team is small and they are the 00:46:13.019 --> 00:46:15.820 best at what we do. More importantly, they're 00:46:15.820 --> 00:46:18.960 discreet. We've handled sensitive projects before. 00:46:19.119 --> 00:46:22.539 As you know, your confidentiality is our top 00:46:22.539 --> 00:46:25.679 priority. Oh, I'm sure it is, Dr. Hawthorne. 00:46:25.800 --> 00:46:28.380 Thank you. That's very reassuring. She said, 00:46:28.519 --> 00:46:31.820 seeming genuinely pleased. Please call me Ellie. 00:46:32.000 --> 00:46:35.440 She turned her attention back to Tom. Well, Tom, 00:46:35.619 --> 00:46:38.460 how are things progressing? We are underway, 00:46:38.780 --> 00:46:42.800 Tom said, choosing his words with care. We've 00:46:42.800 --> 00:46:46.159 hit a small snag, a procedural issue with some 00:46:46.159 --> 00:46:49.420 of our archival data. Nothing that we can't overcome. 00:46:49.980 --> 00:46:54.019 Ellie's smile faded. Oh dear, a snag. Is it serious? 00:46:54.599 --> 00:46:57.619 It's a temporary delay, but it's actually why 00:46:57.619 --> 00:47:01.119 Dr. Hawthorne and Dr. Chase's expertise is all 00:47:01.119 --> 00:47:03.860 the more valuable, Tom said, trying to backpedal. 00:47:04.159 --> 00:47:06.699 We are already rebuilding the research framework 00:47:06.699 --> 00:47:09.159 and are confident we can move forward. Well, 00:47:09.199 --> 00:47:11.900 I certainly have faith in you, Tom. And with 00:47:11.900 --> 00:47:13.739 this new team, I'm sure you'll have it sorted 00:47:13.739 --> 00:47:16.780 out in no time, Ellie said. Please just keep 00:47:16.780 --> 00:47:19.119 me informed. I'm so excited about what we might 00:47:19.119 --> 00:47:23.300 find. We will, Ellie. Thank you, Tom said. Wonderful. 00:47:23.440 --> 00:47:25.900 I'll let you all get to work. A pleasure to meet 00:47:25.900 --> 00:47:29.300 you all, she said with a final bright wave. The 00:47:29.300 --> 00:47:31.380 screen clicked to black, leaving the team in 00:47:31.380 --> 00:47:33.860 the quiet room. Hawthorne then broke the silence 00:47:33.860 --> 00:47:36.320 and said, All right, what's the plan for today? 00:48:01.679 --> 00:48:04.480 And that's a wrap. Today we saw what happens 00:48:04.480 --> 00:48:07.079 when students stop complaining and start leading. 00:48:07.400 --> 00:48:10.539 From Venage's efficient lunch lines to Punn's 00:48:10.539 --> 00:48:13.519 battery solutions and Lucas's vision for a better 00:48:13.519 --> 00:48:16.880 suspension system, our student CEOs prove that 00:48:16.880 --> 00:48:19.199 their solutions are both creative and innovative. 00:48:19.460 --> 00:48:22.480 But will the solutions work? That's the big question. 00:48:22.539 --> 00:48:25.500 I'll leave with you all today. Also, stay tuned 00:48:25.500 --> 00:48:27.639 for part three of our adventure story in our 00:48:27.639 --> 00:48:31.010 next episode. as we continue to follow our heroes 00:48:31.010 --> 00:48:34.150 and villains as they seek to uncover the mystery 00:48:34.150 --> 00:48:37.510 of St. Augustine. And as always, this podcast 00:48:37.510 --> 00:48:40.230 would not be possible without the hard work and 00:48:40.230 --> 00:48:42.570 support of our international student production 00:48:42.570 --> 00:48:45.409 team. All music and sound effects are courtesy 00:48:45.409 --> 00:48:49.030 of Pixabay .com, a vibrant community of creatives 00:48:49.030 --> 00:48:52.170 sharing copyright -free images, videos, and music. 00:48:52.630 --> 00:48:55.389 And we're signing off until next time. We are 00:48:55.389 --> 00:48:57.710 Students Incorporated, because your voice matters. 00:49:09.639 --> 00:49:10.099 Ooh.