Stealth Journeys with the Steam Mapper

Chapter 8: A StLF Attempt to Share Personal Stuff

StLF and MYKA  had enjoyed the first half of the voyage, which allowed plenty of time to visit former hydrothermal vent sites visited in recent years and test out new theories using the MAPR device to locate plumes.  (Yeah.  This time of getting acquainted just can't be stressed enough.)

It was a fine time to get acquainted and team up as the marine biologist and the oceanographer dynamic duo, who studied plate tectonics and hydrothermal vents and the species found near them.  Both were very well versed in their chosen expertise, but somehow MYKA  seized every opportunity to expound on every fact connected with whatever subject was on the table.

That flaw could be annoying, and made MYKA  appear to be the more knowledgeable whenever they were involved in a discussion.  Stef began to keep score and counted the small victories, when "The Expert" was caught in showing some ignorance to some obscure fact that came up in conversation.   It was petty.   It was silly.    It felt good to know of something that had escaped the marine biologist's vast education.   Even if it had nothing to do with marine biology.

In attempting to draw out more personal information from a secretive Cousteau, Stef often shared family photos stored in the extensive gallery on the smart phone.  "Here is a photo of Dad and me taken in Boston at the global warming event I was telling you about."

"You look like you were pretty young then.   What is that your dad is holding out in front of him?"

"Oh, that.   It's Dad's vasculum."

"I'm sorry.    I didn't mean to ask such a personal question.   He looks pretty healthy.    Does he have to carry it all of the time?"

"No", replied Stef, trying to keep a straight face.  "It is very rare.    It is also referred to as a 'tin pig'.   It is fourteen inches long, four and half inches tall, and eight and half inches deep.   It is pretty lightweight, except when Dad fills it with necessary stuff."

Stef paused to watch for a reaction.    Clearly, MYKA  was clueless.

"He had just purchased it on eBay.  These were most popular back in the 1750's up through much of the 19th century.   Having one was a must for many science enthusiasts."

"Yeah.   It is interesting how medicine sometimes returns to methods used in earlier times.   Like the return of leeches and herbal remedies."

"Come on MYKA.   Admit you don't know what a vasculum is.   I know something you don't know!",  gleefully chanted in a sing-song voice.

"Okay.  Enlighten me."  MYKA  didn't look upset about not knowing about some archaic science tool, acting quite nonchalant about it.

"Yes.  Well, a vasculum is a tin box used by naturalists to transport and store specimens of plant life, or small dead animals, or whatever they might pick up in their travels.   Every fashionable gentleman would have at least one  when traveling.  They came with shoulder straps and this one has an ebony handle.  It is over one hundred and fifty years old.   The front you see has a lid or door, which locks to keep items safe."

"Dead animals?  Yuck."

"Well, sometimes it was used as a practical way to transport items that today would be in a backpack or travel vest or lap top case.   Dad put journals, and flyers and handouts in his.   He wouldn't think of putting dead animals in it.   Maybe some chilled 'peel and eat ' shrimp for a snack.  For a short time.   In a tight-fitting reusable container.   Maybe."

Later on, Stef would recall that Dad had said they were very popular in North America.  "Maybe that was why it was unfamiliar.   But MYKA  lived in the United States at times.  Schooling was in Switzerland, as I recall, and collegiate training was done all over.    At least that's what has been implied.   Hard to pin down the details about all of that."

MYKA  was always quick to change the subject, when Stef asked.   All information was delivered when it was convenient for the "Cousteau" to expound.  Could be infuriating!   But it was nice to know that sometimes the ongoing trivia contest could stump "The Expert",  a nickname used by others and overheard on several occasions.

Having worried that a Cousteau would be aloof, and getting a few words with one would be difficult, MYKA  was the kind of Cousteau that Stef had dreamed of meeting, someone close in age and eager to talk.  The dark inquisitive eyes and engaging smile, with a flash of a dimple could charm most anyone, and these attractive advantages were put to good use.   When it served a purpose, MYKA  sparkled.   Over time, it was noticed that "The Expert" could turn that charm "on" and "off" and its use could be disingenuous in ways that mislead or hurt others.

MYKA was a great mimic and could do spot on impressions of many of the scientists and other crew onboard.   But these impressions of crew mates were only shared with Stef, and hearing them grew old.   They weren't so funny after all, and led one to wonder if a hilarious impression had been perfected of  a Stef who was already self-conscious.   But it was easy to forgive a new best friend with such charming ways, who also happened to be a Cousteau.

Stef envied MYKA's confidence in speaking up and the overall attractiveness that caused some onboard to want to engage in friendly banter, offering big smiles, waving and calling out "Hello", even from a distance.   And this was all done without, apparently, anyone else on board knowing that MYKA was a member of the famous Cousteau clan.

The most annoying thing about MYKA was the way computer screens were hastily shut down anytime Stef approached.   As though there was an issue with trust.   "What could MYKA be so secretive about that I can't share in it?   It seems as though I can't be trusted!   And why so many times after a private computer session, does MYKA  have a plethora of answers to questions that earlier were off limits or too boring to discuss?   I would love to check the search history on that laptop but I'll bet it is cleared every time!"