Episode 62
Episode 62 - Pyramid Scheme
Sombra seems to harbor a penchant for vandalism. The Agents decide it is in their best interest to understand why.
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Transcript
Hello?
Speaker B:What time is it?
Speaker B:Who is it?
Speaker C:I don't know.
Speaker B:Situation green Unseen chamber.
Speaker B:Sorry, love, I have to take this.
Speaker B:So now that Felix and Forest have left the hazy atmosphere of El Grito Perdido behind them, walking into the vibrant and colorful streets of Oaxaca, what do you do?
Speaker B:It's about maybe 3, 3:30pm in the afternoon.
Speaker B:Local.
Speaker D:I'm still.
Speaker D:Well, Paris is still in the.
Speaker D:He's still in the hotel room, not at the bar.
Speaker D:Are we all together?
Speaker D:Did I miss that?
Speaker D:Did we already cover that?
Speaker B:We can.
Speaker B:We can make that happen with the magic of GM hand waving.
Speaker B:If y'all want to all be back together at the hotel room and brain dump, that's fine.
Speaker A:Yeah, I like that.
Speaker A:Home base it.
Speaker D:Paris looks up and suddenly sees the rest of the group.
Speaker D:Hey, everybody.
Speaker B:Yeah, y'all are in the shitty kitchenette that the Holiday Inn Express has for its commoner level guests.
Speaker E:You really don't want that ad money, do you?
Speaker A:And.
Speaker B:Oh, yeah, I'm done.
Speaker B:I'm done with it.
Speaker C:Are there any waters in there?
Speaker B:And y'all, yeah, y'all sit down around a wobbly circular linoleum covered table and look around at the dingy wallpaper and taking in the musty smells of so many other human beings who are inhabiting this terrible property.
Speaker B:And you get a bottle of water.
Speaker B:It's got kind of an ochre tint to it.
Speaker B:It has no brand name, just a blue label that looks like it was hastily slapped on.
Speaker E:It says Agua.
Speaker A:Now, is the wallpaper linoleum?
Speaker B:It looks like the wallpaper.
Speaker B:Yeah, the question mark.
Speaker B:The upside down question mark in front.
Speaker E:The authenticity is in the question marks.
Speaker E:That's how you know that you've got Agua brand agua.
Speaker D:Really?
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker A:You know what?
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker B:The walls are somehow papered with linoleum as well as the top of the table.
Speaker A:Hell yeah.
Speaker A:Weird, freaky stuff happens.
Speaker E:Are we, like in a living trip moment where just everything's linoleum?
Speaker B:I think you might have crossed over into a liminal.
Speaker B:A liminal space.
Speaker E:A linoleumal space.
Speaker B:There you go.
Speaker D:It is my closest friend.
Speaker D:Oh, linoleum.
Speaker A:And we're waiting on Snedegger to get us information on a smartie about Snedegar.
Speaker B:Says he has a friendly that he's going to reach out to who might be able to help you as a resource for early Mesoamerican cultures or architecture or both.
Speaker A:Okay, we all agree, our body in.
Speaker E:Offline mode as we wait for Snediger to call us back so our mouths are just agape.
Speaker E:We're staring at nothing.
Speaker E:Our heads are tilted.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:I mean, if.
Speaker B:If y'all want to wait for the indefinite period of time for Snediger to call back with a academic resource, you're welcome to do so.
Speaker B:No, you could also continue your field works and.
Speaker C:Absolutely.
Speaker B:Get some feet on the ground, get some eyes on the prize, maybe see what's going on at this site.
Speaker B:You know, there's been recent vandalism now that Paris has brain dumped successfully.
Speaker E:You admit there's a prize.
Speaker B:I.
Speaker B:I just did.
Speaker B:You're right.
Speaker B:And I can't take it back now.
Speaker A:Hell yeah.
Speaker A:All right, I'm back in, guys.
Speaker A:Get ready for sad old man.
Speaker B:Always ready.
Speaker B:So, yeah, take it away, y'all.
Speaker B:Y'all are sitting around this wobbly table.
Speaker B:It smells bad.
Speaker B:It's the worst example of a Holiday Inn Express hospitality.
Speaker B:It does.
Speaker B:You put your nose down to it, you take a deep whiff.
Speaker B:Somebody farted on it recently.
Speaker B:It's obvious to you.
Speaker E:That explains the camera phone that's on the stand with the ring light that's recording us.
Speaker B:There's also a very defiled cake nearby.
Speaker B:Nobody around.
Speaker B:No defiler, but you know what happened.
Speaker A:Okay, I'll be the one to ask the real questions here.
Speaker E:Yes, please.
Speaker A:So Felix looks up and goes, so, what's our next move?
Speaker A:See how I just put that all on you guys?
Speaker C:Well, and I'm gonna assuming maybe I have my laptop with me or.
Speaker C:That's what I'd like to say.
Speaker C:I've got my laptop with me, and I just kind of want to open it up to myself.
Speaker C:I think it's best to start looking around all the ins and outs from this.
Speaker C:Sorry, how do you pronounce it again?
Speaker E:Yoloto.
Speaker B:Yoloto.
Speaker B:Sho.
Speaker B:Shotly that.
Speaker C:So I just want to maybe open up, look at some satellite images or Google Maps perhaps, to kind of get an idea of what's in and around and above that location.
Speaker B:As far as just a big old.
Speaker E:Elder sign where the site should be.
Speaker E:Google Maps.
Speaker A:That's a good clue.
Speaker E:Yeah.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:So within the municipality of San Felipe de Agua, that's where this particular step pyramid is located.
Speaker B:This is going to be south of Oaxaca proper.
Speaker B:And the ruin looks like it squats amidst quite a bit of vegetation.
Speaker B:In fact, it's completely concealed by tropical foliage.
Speaker B:From any satellite pictures that you're.
Speaker B:You're pulling up from open source resources, it looks like a short hike is how best to access the site.
Speaker B:Or you could hire a tour Guide or tour agency that would take you there.
Speaker B:It's really up to you.
Speaker B:It looks like the summit of the set pyramid is a modest 15 meters, but otherwise you don't find any other facts about the site.
Speaker C:Okay, so tour guide I think would be a good, a good place to start, maybe whichever has a five star top rating and reviews.
Speaker A:I don't know about five stars.
Speaker A:I think we should find someone that we can pay enough to let us show us a little bit more, you know what I mean?
Speaker A:Someone who can sneak us in, making sure that we get a better look.
Speaker D:Yeah, we're gonna need access to that cordoned off area where the vandalism was.
Speaker D:I mean, that's gotta be something worth looking at.
Speaker D:So we'll need someone who can take us off the beaten path for a few dollars.
Speaker A:Wave around enough money, we'll find someone.
Speaker A:Could I use bureaucracy to go through like the tour guide registry or something like that to see which ones would accommodate possibly less, you know, maybe someone who's been accused of bribery or something like that?
Speaker B:I don't know if there is a tour guide registry in Mexico.
Speaker B:I mean, there are businesses that purport to be agencies.
Speaker B:So like a yellow pages would be the private business equivalent of that, of what you're suggesting.
Speaker B:But there's no like regulation that would have a register, a government register.
Speaker C:What about a concierge or something?
Speaker B:Yeah, there's a Holiday Inn expresso concierge here.
Speaker A:Persuade's pretty good.
Speaker A:I would like to go down and talk to the concierge to see if I can hum up a person that they might know.
Speaker B:Oh, absolutely.
Speaker B:They suggest their cousin, a particular agency, and they're happy to set you up with having this person take you to the site of your choice.
Speaker B:Looks like they're booked up for about four days, but they, they can get you on a two, three hour tour to several of the region's most popular step pyramids and give you kind of the full VIP treatment.
Speaker A:At that point, would I be able to remove $100 from my pocket and place it on the table with my hand on it?
Speaker A:With a smile, ask, is there someone who could help me sooner?
Speaker A:Someone who can give me, you know, a really in depth guide, a real tour, you know what I mean?
Speaker C:That local gem.
Speaker B:The man's eyes flash as he watches you place this large bill on the linoleum concierge desk.
Speaker B:And he licks his lips almost instinctively, his mustache bristling.
Speaker B:And he looks up at you and he says, sir, I'd be happy to Take you myself.
Speaker B:I know that area quite well.
Speaker B:I'm off for the rest of the week, so I could help you even right now, if that's to sir's liking.
Speaker A:That's perfect.
Speaker A:Meet us down here, let's say, in an hour.
Speaker A:Bring some snacks, food, whatever, for about five people.
Speaker A:And don't tell anyone, all right?
Speaker A:Because this is a surprise for my friend.
Speaker B:Of course.
Speaker B:Do you like Slim Jims?
Speaker A:I wouldn't be American if I didn't.
Speaker A:You know what I mean?
Speaker B:You seem like a Slim Jim man to me, so, yes, I will get plenty of those Slim Jims and bring them down within the hour, and we'll be on our way.
Speaker A:Is this Daniel Plainview, the mustache?
Speaker A:I'm a Slim Jim man.
Speaker A:It's all there.
Speaker A:All right.
Speaker A:I go upstairs and I let everyone know the guy I just bribed.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:So if y'all hired are amenable, let's.
Speaker B:Let's fast forward to meeting Paolo in the lobby.
Speaker B:And he smiles and he passes out large bundles of what feel like rather stale slim gems.
Speaker B:He calls them sturdy when he passes them out.
Speaker E:These are Jaime Delgados, correct?
Speaker B:That's correct.
Speaker B:Jaime Delgados.
Speaker B:And so, yeah, again, very sturdy.
Speaker B:He makes a crack about them doubling as a walking stick and winks at you and says, come on, we're gonna jump in my jeep and make our way down south to go look at the beautiful cultural sites that my country has to offer.
Speaker A:Absolutely.
Speaker A:We are delighted.
Speaker B:Is there anything that y'all are taking with you that I need to know about that would be special?
Speaker D:I did want to say, just in case I haven't already done it with the character, I didn't get a chance to put it in.
Speaker D:But that hour that we're waiting, Frankenris is going to have spent his time studying the site and the land around it through his.
Speaker D:With his military science mind.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:Let's start with a navigation.
Speaker D:Please do that.
Speaker D:Success.
Speaker D:35 out of 50.
Speaker B:Nice.
Speaker B:Go ahead and roll a military science plus 20% now.
Speaker D:19 out of 82.
Speaker D:Got it.
Speaker A:Hell, yeah.
Speaker B:So you're definitely wanting.
Speaker B:When you get eyes on the ground, you know, you can really start understanding points of entry, tactical positions if necessary.
Speaker B:You definitely want to understand who's there.
Speaker B:If there are targets that need to be considered, you're going to need to get your eyes on them.
Speaker B:So binoculars might be good to go with you.
Speaker B:A monocular if you're feeling very fancy.
Speaker B:But, yeah, you're going to.
Speaker B:You're going to want to go check things out.
Speaker B:This role, however, Will hold throughout the scene.
Speaker D:Sweet.
Speaker D:All right.
Speaker D:He will indeed grab a pair of binoculars to bring with him.
Speaker D:And then a sturdy beef stick or two wouldn't be a good adventure.
Speaker B:Extremely sturdy.
Speaker B:Mummified, I believe is the appropriate adjective to describe them.
Speaker E:I'll be bringing my sidearm hidden away under my jacket and duffel bag with our like, luminal stuff.
Speaker E:Anything, any of our specialty investigation equipment that can fit in the duffel bag.
Speaker E:We'll go in there.
Speaker E:I'm thinking like, maybe also bring some zip ties.
Speaker E:Some.
Speaker E:Maybe.
Speaker E:Maybe one flashbang.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:In case there's a mushroom.
Speaker E:His hands tremble as he puts it in there, remembering the last time he had to use one.
Speaker B:There's probably some dark spaces that you want to light up before you go into them.
Speaker E:A bunch of glow sticks just in case.
Speaker D:Flashlights.
Speaker D:Flashlights, maybe.
Speaker A:And yeah, sturdy, sturdy flashlight.
Speaker B:What else, guys?
Speaker B:I've got one.
Speaker B:One gun.
Speaker E:Probably want some rope.
Speaker B:What's the length of rope that you think is going to be appropriate for your duffel bat?
Speaker E:Probably like 100ft.
Speaker B:100Ft.
Speaker E:Paracord.
Speaker B:Okay, paracord.
Speaker B:Got it.
Speaker A:I'll bring my taser.
Speaker B:Got it.
Speaker A:And my archivist kit that has like gloves and.
Speaker E:Did you say arquebus?
Speaker A:Archivist kit.
Speaker E:Oh, okay.
Speaker B:I was like, archivist would be useful though.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker E:Antiquated guns.
Speaker E:Yes.
Speaker A:I'll also bring a monocular as a former bird.
Speaker B:Boy, it's gold rimmed.
Speaker E:What about an octocular?
Speaker B:That's for the spider version of him in another alternate universe.
Speaker A:Octdoncular octopus with eight butts.
Speaker E:Oh, boy.
Speaker A:No.
Speaker A:Okay.
Speaker A:I thought that was pretty clever.
Speaker D:So out of left field.
Speaker D:I love it.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:And I'll make sure to bring more cash.
Speaker E:Oh, yeah, you gotta have that payola.
Speaker E:Probably.
Speaker E:We all do that.
Speaker E:And bring like a couple waters.
Speaker E:Couple actual snacks that aren't mummo.
Speaker E:Fried nuts.
Speaker A:Canteen meats.
Speaker C:Gotta have nuts.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker B:Y'all wanna.
Speaker B:Y'all wanna get a couple of canteens.
Speaker E:Couple canteens of agua?
Speaker B:Fill em with some.
Speaker B:Some of.
Speaker B:Yeah, Mexico's finest agua.
Speaker C:Gotta stay hydrated.
Speaker D:I mean, I'm.
Speaker D:I'm shoving mindful of these.
Speaker D:These sweet beef sticks, but they all can put water in if you want.
Speaker D:I guess.
Speaker C:Listen, when we're not sharing water and.
Speaker E:Slim Jims makes a delicious little stew in the heat of the jungle.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:Yeah, you're thinking nothing like a good stew.
Speaker A:Can I.
Speaker A:Can I bring also, like a black light flashlight?
Speaker B:You do have the UV lamp from your prior explorations of the Hotel de Salitario.
Speaker B:Yes.
Speaker B:You'll have that UV lamp with you.
Speaker A:Might be cool.
Speaker E:It will be cool.
Speaker A:There might be a Pink Floyd album on the wall there.
Speaker C:On a side note, I'm also gonna bring a handgun.
Speaker B:Oh, okay.
Speaker A:Two.
Speaker C:Yeah, probably two guns.
Speaker C:As well as my laptop and, of course, you know, whatever, which I presume I need for any hacking.
Speaker C:And then, of course, the earpieces and mics, Like, I think we should have those on hand.
Speaker C:And duffel bag with all of that change of clothes as well.
Speaker A:Can we henceforth say that my archivist kit has a camera in it?
Speaker B:You also have your phone, so, yeah, you have plenty of ways to take pictures.
Speaker B:You are now riding in Paolo's jeep.
Speaker B:It's a bright cyan color, actually quite colorful, much like the city of Oaxaca, which is receding in your rear view as he takes you south.
Speaker B:You'll have already insisted upon visiting Yolotl Shoshotli first, although his plans include several other step pyramids in the area.
Speaker B:Apparently the ruins here are numerous, some more impressive than others.
Speaker B:But in your guide's opinion, none are more culturally profound than one another.
Speaker B:They all have their own slice of history to bring to this region and to help enrich your understanding of central Mexico.
Speaker A:Absolutely.
Speaker A:And I'm loving it all.
Speaker A:That's why I took my.
Speaker A:My camera here.
Speaker A:Getting his pictures all.
Speaker A:All I can.
Speaker A:But Yolo Chocley is definitely the one that we want to spend the most time at.
Speaker A:Can we go there first?
Speaker A:And, you know, I really would love to get, you know, some alone pictures.
Speaker A:You know, some.
Speaker A:Some real good majestic stuff.
Speaker B:Oh, absolutely, sir.
Speaker B:There will be so many opportunities for you to take as many selfies as.
Speaker B:As necessary to meet your quota.
Speaker A:Wonderful.
Speaker A:So, yeah, let's.
Speaker A:Let's hop.
Speaker A:Hop to it and get to Yolodo Shatoch Lee.
Speaker B:I love how narcissistic Americans are.
Speaker B:We watch our greatest comedians make fun of you for this every night on our.
Speaker B:On our television channels.
Speaker B:But meeting you in person and seeing that your narcissism exceeds that of our greatest parodists, it fills my heart with joy.
Speaker A:Boy, did you learn English from a dictionary?
Speaker B:This is actually all I know.
Speaker B:I have no other words in English that I can spe ending with this last one here.
Speaker A:Shut up.
Speaker B:Que que?
Speaker B:No hablo ingles.
Speaker C:What's our concierge's name again?
Speaker B:His name is Paolo.
Speaker C:Paolo.
Speaker C:Okay.
Speaker C:Hey, Paolo.
Speaker C:So what do you think?
Speaker C:Do you have any opinions on what's going on at Yolotal?
Speaker C:So, Lopez Shisholi.
Speaker B:Yes, actually, I.
Speaker C:Any thoughts?
Speaker B:I Haven't been there in a very long time, so it'll be like seeing it anew with new eyes for myself.
Speaker B:But I'm very excited to view this important site with such esteemed personages.
Speaker A:Felix is keeping the anger inside of him way low for this man.
Speaker A:Paolo has lied to his face and speaks more English than he led on to believe.
Speaker B:Yeah, yeah.
Speaker B:He like, notices that you're boiling over.
Speaker B:Barely held simmering pot right now, and he turns his attention away from you as if putting you out of his mind will stop the fury from building and focuses on Forest's words, his mustache bristling in obvious fear.
Speaker C:Is it perispert that has the brochure with the circled stuff?
Speaker E:It's furt.
Speaker E:Wrist Fert.
Speaker C:Wrist.
Speaker C:Is it on?
Speaker C:Is it on you?
Speaker D:It is.
Speaker B:Someone has it.
Speaker D:Yeah, we'll say I've got it.
Speaker B:We'll give.
Speaker B:We'll give it.
Speaker B:We'll give it to Paris Fairy.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker C:I wonder if we can't like, show Paulo that and see if he also has any understanding or information on that since he's the concierge.
Speaker C:You should have a lot of info.
Speaker D:Looking for info on the parts that were circled specifically or.
Speaker C:Yep.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker D:Oh, yeah, sure.
Speaker D:Paolo says Frankfurt, Paris.
Speaker B:Yes, sir.
Speaker B:Or Si, senor voice act.
Speaker D:My acting jobs.
Speaker D:I'm not here tonight.
Speaker D:Paolo, would you look at this pamphlet I have with blue circles on it and explain to me.
Speaker D:Let me.
Speaker D:Let me take that.
Speaker B:Oh, I'll be happy to review your.
Speaker B:Your brochure once we've arrived at our destination safely.
Speaker B:I wish to put all of my focus and attention towards road safety.
Speaker E:Yeah, I'd prefer he drove safer than what you're suggesting.
Speaker A:Paris, did you take my accent?
Speaker A:That's my accent.
Speaker A:Dude, you're Canadian.
Speaker D:Paris just nods.
Speaker D:And is this the kind of jeep?
Speaker D:Like the open top Jeep?
Speaker D:This is really important.
Speaker B:Yeah, okay.
Speaker B:There's no doors open top.
Speaker B:Classic.
Speaker B:Easy breezy.
Speaker B:Yep.
Speaker D:Paris just kind of nods.
Speaker D:He looks a little flushed with embarrassment, stands up and then just kind of looks off in the distance with the binoculars as the Jeep travels forward looking especially.
Speaker D:Man, I need a really good adjective here.
Speaker D:Chris, you're good with adjectives.
Speaker D:He's looking especially goopy.
Speaker B:Give me something to synonym with dripping, pulsating.
Speaker B:Yeah, you could really go anywhere unless you provide some context first, Buddy.
Speaker E:Whimsical.
Speaker B:I like droopy.
Speaker C:Just gives a good pat on Paris leg.
Speaker C:Cause I don't know where I'm sitting as far as next to him goes.
Speaker B:Yeah, he's standing perfectly rigid.
Speaker B:In his moving vehicle as you're going about 50 miles an hour over, you know, fairly unkept roads, reminds you of nearly flying out of the Jeep at any given moment as twists and turns are made.
Speaker B:But he somehow stands very rigidly staring through his binoculars.
Speaker B:But you can see he's crying.
Speaker D:It reminds you of the.
Speaker D:His rigidity is reminiscent of the beef sticks that we've all had.
Speaker A:Oh, shit.
Speaker A:Brought it back.
Speaker B:Way to take it back.
Speaker C:Did you say his virginity?
Speaker E:And that's wild for a professional podcast.
Speaker B:All right, y'all arrive.
Speaker C:We're there.
Speaker B:What is with us?
Speaker C:I was just about to ask if we were there yet.
Speaker B:Allow me to describe it because God damn.
Speaker B:So the ruin itself, it's squatting amidst lush vegetation and it's actually partly concealed by what looks like very dense tropical foliage.
Speaker B:In fact, you don't see the structure until Paolo points it out to you as he's slowly winding his way through this very, very narrow pathway that the jeep barely fits through.
Speaker B:Vines, ferns, all sorts of botanical lushness batter against the car's sides as you continue forward.
Speaker B:Now, you did read that its summit is only about 15 meters, but it seems just because of the surrounding geography, it actually will provide a fairly decent view of the surrounding landscape.
Speaker B:So as he points this out across the horizon, you can see that its summit does appear high enough to give you some sort of perspective of your surroundings.
Speaker B:And you do actually see some visitors milling about in the distance on top of the pyramid.
Speaker B:As you get closer and closer, their figures become larger as well.
Speaker B:And you can see that maybe about three or four people can stand at its very summit comfortably.
Speaker B:You drive through this narrow passage towards the structure and end up parking beside several other vehicles near an enormous placard.
Speaker B:Looks like an informational placard.
Speaker B:And this is near a much better kept pathway that leads to the pyramid's entrance.
Speaker B:You do see at the entrance itself, there are two large pop up canopies, bright blue.
Speaker B:There are tables beneath it with seated figures and standing figures.
Speaker B:You do see what looks like a uniformed police officer.
Speaker B:There are a couple groups of tourists what look like maybe groups being guided, just like you are speaking with these individuals under these canopies.
Speaker B:Paolo turns off the engine and jumps out of the jeep, assisting you with your duffel bags, equipment, and also just helping you out of the vehicle.
Speaker B:He walks purposefully up to the informational placard.
Speaker B:He turns around and looks at you expectantly as if ready to give a speech.
Speaker E:And we file up in front of him.
Speaker A:Paolo, I got a Question for you, man.
Speaker B:Yes, sir.
Speaker A:I read in the paper that there was some vandalism or destruction of the site here.
Speaker A:Do you know anything about that?
Speaker B:He looks over at the tents, looks at you, looks behind him at the placard.
Speaker B:He squints his eyes.
Speaker B:There is a tacked up notice there.
Speaker B:And he focuses his attention there.
Speaker B:You can tell because he walks up to it as if he's suffering from some sort of vision impairment.
Speaker B:Oh, yeah, there's a.
Speaker B:There's a notice here.
Speaker B:He points to it.
Speaker A:I will read it for.
Speaker A:I speak Spanish.
Speaker B:Yeah, it's in three languages.
Speaker B:It's in English, Spanish and Cantonese.
Speaker A:I read the Spanish one alone.
Speaker B:Yeah, you cover the other ones up so that they don't distract you.
Speaker B:And it is the same notice that Parisfort discovered online during his research and investigation.
Speaker B:However, the rest of the placard is artfully done in wooden engravings.
Speaker B:It's quite colorful.
Speaker B:It's got many illustrations on it.
Speaker B:It looks like it's all about the site that you're standing only a few paces away from.
Speaker B:But it goes into the history, cultural significance, everything else you could want to know about Lotu Xochtli.
Speaker A:See, Paolo, I really wanted to take some of the.
Speaker A:Some pictures of that area, really show in my photography how Western civilization is really just slowly destroying these natural wonders that we have.
Speaker A:And, you know, I would really love to capture some photos over there.
Speaker A:If we go over there and look around and.
Speaker B:Well, of course we're going to head.
Speaker B:We're going to head straight in.
Speaker B:He shrugs.
Speaker B:That's what we're here for.
Speaker B:I wouldn't just take you here to stand in front of an informational placard.
Speaker B:We're going to climb the pyramid.
Speaker B:We're going to go into every part of it that's open to the public and explore it so that you get the true spirit of our cultural heritage touching your heart today.
Speaker A:Paola, let me be straight with you here.
Speaker A:I'm a journalista.
Speaker A:I'm here specifically for that story.
Speaker A:You don't have to give me the Ricama roll.
Speaker A:I don't need to see all the gift shops.
Speaker A:I'm not your typical American.
Speaker A:I'm here specifically for this issue.
Speaker B:I'm confused.
Speaker B:Have I said anything that would contradict that?
Speaker A:Not at all.
Speaker A:Not at all.
Speaker B:Okay, let's take a look.
Speaker A:Head over there.
Speaker B:Let's plow forward.
Speaker B:Let's.
Speaker C:If I could just.
Speaker B:Spirit of adventure.
Speaker B:He raises his fists.
Speaker C:I'm gonna pump the brakes real quick.
Speaker A:Whoa.
Speaker B:He lowers HIS fists To victory.
Speaker B:He looks Extremely disappointed that he used that today.
Speaker B:He knows he can only use it once a day.
Speaker C:In any case, we all just hopped out of the car with Paolo, but I want to make sure that we have what we need before we continue, you know, because.
Speaker B:Yeah, he helps you with all your stuff.
Speaker C:We're all just carrying our duffel bags and everything with us.
Speaker B:You got your duffel bags.
Speaker B:You got your equipment.
Speaker B:He helps you with all of it.
Speaker B:You walked up to the.
Speaker C:I want to make sure everyone, okay, has their ear outside of Paulo's, listening, You know, earpieces, mics, you know.
Speaker B:You guys do not have earpieces and mics.
Speaker B:Absolutely not.
Speaker E:So definitely not.
Speaker B:That's not set up.
Speaker B:That is a whole other thing.
Speaker C:Well, that's why.
Speaker B:And if y'all put on your earpieces and mics right now, that's.
Speaker B:That's real interesting.
Speaker B:I would not recommend that right now.
Speaker A:We're good.
Speaker A:We're good, guys.
Speaker A:Let's go.
Speaker A:Look at this.
Speaker C:Isn't he gonna take us straight in?
Speaker C:Maybe.
Speaker C:All right, fine.
Speaker C:I'll take a hint.
Speaker C:I'll take a hint.
Speaker E:Can you untime out us?
Speaker E:Jeez.
Speaker C:My key is, please untime out.
Speaker C:Evaporating.
Speaker C:There's no more timeout.
Speaker C:The hands are spread far, far apart.
Speaker C:Like Jesus.
Speaker A:As far as they go.
Speaker D:Paris Fert looks over at Paolo, and he puts his fist in the air and says, for the adventure.
Speaker C:We're in the Scott Stapp of Creed hand position here, so let's go.
Speaker B:So Paulo turns back to the informational placard, and he squints at it, and he turns to you, and he.
Speaker B:He says, I'm not so good at reading English.
Speaker B:Would any of you care to read the introduction to this wonderful site?
Speaker B:For the rest of the group in.
Speaker A:My stead, we'll continue walking towards the area that was cordoned off.
Speaker B:Okay, you haven't seen that yet.
Speaker B:All you see is the two tents that I described as well as the throngs of tourists.
Speaker A:All right?
Speaker E:And Faith begins to read the placard out loud.
Speaker B:Oh, so you stop to read the placard, and then Felix leaves the group.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker E:Cause he's an ass.
Speaker A:No, no, I'm just trying to move it along.
Speaker A:I'm with the group.
Speaker A:Whatever we need to do.
Speaker A:I thought we could see where the cop was.
Speaker B:Y'all are super welcome not to learn about YOLO Tolshishotli and to continue forward.
Speaker B:I am down with that.
Speaker B:I'm just.
Speaker B:That's what the character does, is he stops to not read it to you.
Speaker B:Because apparently he's not super familiar with the site.
Speaker B:That is obvious to all of you at this point, right?
Speaker E:No, we're.
Speaker E:We're picking up what he's putting down.
Speaker E:We're doing this for the gram.
Speaker B:Everything's for the gram.
Speaker E:Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker A:I didn't realize there was something written that, like, handed to us.
Speaker D:I didn't realize we had that.
Speaker B:And it's, like, decorated with, like, illustrations of what life might have been back then.
Speaker B:It looks like there's artist renditions of constructing the.
Speaker B:The actual pyramid.
Speaker B:There's vast cornfields, village huts that support the enormous labor needed to stack and mold the quarried blocks that make up the majority of the ruin that you're now still a ways from.
Speaker B:But you can see through these dense trees.
Speaker B:And again, the informational snippets that you're reading are engraved in wood, and they're presented in Spanish, English, and Cantonese.
Speaker E:Here goes.
Speaker E:Yolotl Xochotli, meaning heart of fear in the ancient Nahatl language, is a fascinating archaeological site located in the valley of Oaxaca.
Speaker E:While considered a site of minor importance by archaeologists, it offers valuable insights into the ancient Zapotec civilization that once thrived in this region.
Speaker E:Built by the Zapotec people over a thousand years ago, Yolotlsogli served as a ceremonial center dedicated to mysterious tree like beings.
Speaker E:These beings, depicted in intricate stone carvings found throughout the site, were revered out of fear rather than veneration, reflecting the complex spiritual beliefs of the Zapotec culture.
Speaker E:Construction the ziggurat of Yolotl Xochotli rises modestly to a height of approximately 15 meters, with a summit accessible to visitors via a series of stone steps.
Speaker E:Constructed using locally sourced materials such as limestone and adobe, the ziggurat's design reflects the archaeological ingenuity of the Zapotec people who built it without the aid of modern tools or technology.
Speaker E:Significant Significances While Yolotl Xocholtli may lack the grandeur of larger archaeological sites in the region, its importance lies in its unique carvings and the insight they provide into the Zapotec religious beliefs and practices.
Speaker E:Visitors to the site can explore the ancient ruins, marvel at the intricate carvings of the tree like beings, and contemplate the mysteries of this enigmatic place.
Speaker E:Please note, As a site of cultural significance, we ask that visitors respect the integrity of Yoyo by refraining from touching or climbing.
Speaker E:Okay, it's all that.
Speaker E:You guys get it?
Speaker A:I'm going to climb.
Speaker A:Because you didn't read it, I might push buttons.
Speaker E:Yeah, totally.
Speaker B:Look at how Amazing.
Speaker B:This site is, in the words of the great archaeologist who wrote this placard, what a unique, unique site that I have brought you to.
Speaker A:He smiles, did a great job.
Speaker E:And Faith smiles back at him.
Speaker B:He smiles wider.
Speaker B:So he claps his hands together.
Speaker B:Let's go visit.
Speaker B:Let's see what these wonders are and view them in person.
Speaker B:He begins to walk down the well cupped pathway towards the aforementioned blue tents where it looks like there's a bit of a bottleneck.
Speaker B:People are being routed through.
Speaker B:And as you approach, you can see that there are two individuals under one of the tents.
Speaker B:One is wearing a light khaki button down shirt and you see that it is bearing a logo for in a H.
Speaker B:She's also wearing dark cargo pants, sturdy boots, and she's wearing thick black framed glasses perched on the bridge of her nose.
Speaker B:She's speaking to someone quickly in Spanish who's approached the table under this particular tact.
Speaker B:You also see next to her is a much younger man, looks like he's in his late 20s.
Speaker B:He's very tall and lanky.
Speaker B:He's standing and sort of fanning himself with his hand.
Speaker B:His skin is olive toned, he's got curly black hair.
Speaker B:He's also wearing a similar uniform for inah.
Speaker B:Now this is Mexican federal regulatory body for archaeological and cultural sites that we talked about last session.
Speaker B:And next to them under the other tent is a uniformed police officer.
Speaker B:He's got a short cropped buzz cut.
Speaker B:His uniform is slightly worn from the heat.
Speaker B:The dark blue fabric is faded in places, but he's carrying himself with a commanding presence.
Speaker B:And he looks out over the groups of tourists that are nearest the tents and does meet your eyes as you settle in behind what appears to be a bit of a line.
Speaker B:Paolo turns to you.
Speaker B:He says, oh, looks like it's very busy today.
Speaker B:Well, I guess we'll just take in what we can for now.
Speaker B:From the lead up to what is sure to be an exciting exploration of Oaxaca's greatest archaeological secrets.
Speaker E:Couldn't agree more, buddy.
Speaker E:And Faith snaps into a Jaime Delgado and all the birds in the trees fly away in fear.
Speaker B:Yeah, most of the shards of your teeth that fly off also go into the bushes like blow darts and you hear them strike some poor animal in the foliage, killing it instantly.
Speaker E:Faith nods sagely as blood gushes out of his mouth.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:He gurgles approvingly.
Speaker A:Felix looks over to group and says, carvings of tree like beings, huh?
Speaker A:Is that anything any of y'all familiar with?
Speaker A:And I would like to see if I can roll My occult or perish.
Speaker D:Something like that, back into his.
Speaker D:His experiences.
Speaker B:No rolls just yet.
Speaker E:Okay.
Speaker B:Tree like beings without any further context is a tough one.
Speaker B:But you can see from back here the carvings that you also spied from the brochure that do depict these same tree like beings.
Speaker B:One of the things that was heavily circled, presumably by Dante Sombra's hand or someone who perchance might have been with him.
Speaker B:They are very, very clear to you, despite the fact they are covered with lichens and some vine growth that has been mostly cleared away.
Speaker B:Adorning the sides of the entrance of the step pyramid, long cylindrical trees with whipping vines depicted around them as if they're in motion.
Speaker B:They're engraved in the limestone.
Speaker B:It's nothing any of you have ever seen before.
Speaker A:I'd like to take a close, alert look.
Speaker A:Lurk.
Speaker A:You want to take a lurk?
Speaker A:A closer.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:Once you're able to get past this throng, you can definitely walk up to them, assuming that there's not sort of control, some sort of control over the site.
Speaker B:Or you can, you know, pick up your phone and, you know, zoom in and see them from here.
Speaker A:Yeah, I like to take my camera out and zoom in.
Speaker B:Yeah, you go ahead and do so.
Speaker A:Snap some pics.
Speaker B:You snap some pics of these engravings.
Speaker E:And then you snap into a Jaime Delgado.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:Your teeth also shatter, sending shards into the dense underbrush and killing yet another poor forest creature.
Speaker E:This is turning out to be a really great expedition.
Speaker A:Hey, Paolo, do you know of any tour program that we get to talk to those, those uniformed people right there that work for the university or the national historian place?
Speaker B:I think they are part of.
Speaker B:They're part of the government, I believe.
Speaker B:I.
Speaker B:I don't know if they're from the university.
Speaker A:Well, that, I mean, is over at inh, folks.
Speaker A:Right, right, right, right.
Speaker A:And you think that you might, you know, since you've been such a good tour guide and you've been here many times, so you're very familiar with the people who work here.
Speaker A:Perhaps you can get us a five minutes to talk to them.
Speaker B:Typically there aren't people working at these sites.
Speaker B:Usually you could just walk on in.
Speaker B:But perhaps something happened.
Speaker B:He shrugs.
Speaker B:There was an official notice on the placard, but I didn't read too much into it.
Speaker B:He smiles sheepishly, his mustache drooping a bit at the corners of his mouth.
Speaker A:Apollo, I know you have an amazing mustache and I respect you as a man and as a mustached man.
Speaker A:What I'm saying is if you could get us that conversation.
Speaker A:I think you'd be a hefty tip in there for you.
Speaker A:I mean, I've been enjoying this tour so far, but I don't know if we're at hefty tip area.
Speaker B:Well, all we have to do, senor, is wait in this line and we'll soon be in front of those.
Speaker B:Those tents to speak as much as we wish.
Speaker A:Paulo, I like you.
Speaker A:You're a good kid.
Speaker B:He smiles, and his Moshe also seems to have its own smile, if that makes sense.
Speaker B:It's a little bit metaphysical, perhaps.
Speaker A:I have my hand balled up behind me to hold the rage I have for Paulo for lying to me earlier.
Speaker B:And Paolo this time doesn't notice the rage simmering.
Speaker B:And he smiles wider, genuinely and earnestly.
Speaker A:Oh, the flies flying right into the web.
Speaker B:The tourists soon march forward, let through by what does seem to be some sort of control.
Speaker B:The police officers and the administrators or archaeologists from the inah working to very carefully control who's going and where they're going.
Speaker B:And everyone is being led up the steps to travel to the summit, snap some pictures and come back down.
Speaker B:You do notice that there is a cordon across the front of the entrance into the pyramid itself that allows those who wish to visit this site to see the inside of the pyramid.
Speaker B:It almost takes you inside the earth, it looks like with the.
Speaker B:With the angle that you're currently standing in front of the structure, but no one's being allowed inside.
Speaker B:You do see some folks disappointed as they shuffle away.
Speaker B:And you're finally now in front of this tent.
Speaker B:Your tour guide speaks up first.
Speaker B:He's speaking in Spanish here, but I'll translate for Felix.
Speaker B:Hey there.
Speaker B:I'm hoping I can take my tour group to see the pyramid today.
Speaker B:Is there some problem?
Speaker B:The woman pushes up her black frame glasses and glances across all of you and in a matter of fact, voices.
Speaker B:Yes, it's closed right now inside, but you're welcome once this next group comes down to take them up to the summit and, and back down.
Speaker B:But please don't spend any more than five minutes up there.
Speaker B:He says, okay, no problem.
Speaker B:That sounds great.
Speaker B:He turns back to all of you.
Speaker B:Great, great news.
Speaker B:We have been allowed through to visit the summit of Yolotohtli.
Speaker B:He smiles, beaming widely.
Speaker B:Once this next tour group comes down, we shall replace them and experience the majesty of not only this site, but the surrounding area that we can then espy from great heights.
Speaker A:Now, Chris, in this tour scenario, would we be coming back down the same way?
Speaker A:So we'll Be passing by this vestigation spot again?
Speaker A:Or is it a situation where you leave through the, you know, the gift shop or whatever?
Speaker B:That's a great question.
Speaker B:It doesn't appear there's any other structure here.
Speaker B:Just these tents.
Speaker B:But everybody's going up the same stone slab step path and back down.
Speaker B:So just one.
Speaker B:One way up, one way down and.
Speaker A:Any barriers between them or just, just open steps?
Speaker B:They are actually open steps.
Speaker B:One side is higher than the others, but it only comes up to like hip height.
Speaker A:Cool.
Speaker E:You know, if only the ancients would have thought about how cool their structures were and thought ahead and built gift shops back in the day so that people could always exist it through them in the future.
Speaker B:Yeah, they really fucked up.
Speaker E:Every civilization fucked up.
Speaker B:They did.
Speaker A:I mean it shows they're not around.
Speaker B:Yeah, yeah, exactly.
Speaker E:That's why they didn't worship capitalism and that was their shortcoming.
Speaker B:They worship trees.
Speaker D:Frankfurt kind of leans in and under his breath says, remind you to come back later tonight once things have closed down if we're going to get inside this place.
Speaker E:Yo yo, Sho Shodley.
Speaker E:Lead away Paolo.
Speaker B:The group that was aforementioned does finally walk back down the steps, allowing you in your group to pass by tantalizing entryway to the step pyramid and circumvent its mysteries for now and walk up a nearby set of steps, stone steps that lead up to the summit.
Speaker B:Now these are well worn again covered with lichen and there's some mild amount of vine growth across them, but easy enough to walk up and down as they are well trod.
Speaker B:This looks like a popular site.
Speaker B:You make your way all the way up to the top and it does indeed have a bit of a commanding view of the surrounding surrounding lush valleys and mountains in the distance.
Speaker B:To the north, there's a cool breeze up here despite the hot sun that still hangs in the sky.
Speaker B:Around 4pm local, you can hear birds calling from down below.
Speaker B:Exotic birds that you've perhaps never heard in person before.
Speaker B:Felix, this kind of twigs nostalgia in you.
Speaker B:A curiosity that you haven't felt in a long time, but you quickly quash it down.
Speaker A:Good.
Speaker B:Paolo turns to you and spreads his arms wide.
Speaker B:Behold, he says.
Speaker E:Oh, wow, look at that.
Speaker E:That's damn pretty.
Speaker E:So you said you could take us down below, huh?
Speaker B:I'm sorry?
Speaker E:You said you could take us.
Speaker E:See.
Speaker E:See what?
Speaker E:What's been vandalized.
Speaker E:You said that earlier.
Speaker B:Never said that once.
Speaker B:Nope.
Speaker B:They have it corned off.
Speaker B:There's a police officer down there.
Speaker B:It's.
Speaker B:It's all too dangerous.
Speaker B:So have to wait until it gets fixed.
Speaker A:Chris.
Speaker A:I'm gonna look off to the side to see if there's, like, any way to get to.
Speaker A:To that area from the back or is it, you know, only accessible?
Speaker A:I'm not exactly sure what the layout is.
Speaker B:Absolutely.
Speaker B:There is a picture of this to kind of give you.
Speaker B:There's no layout.
Speaker B:Get a little bit more than just your mind's eye here.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:You look over the side and you do see that there's very dense foliage on the.
Speaker B:For lack of a better directional term, the back of it.
Speaker B:The opposite of where the entry is looks covered with foliage on the that side.
Speaker B:The other quote unquote, backside is similarly draped in lush tropical vegetation.
Speaker B:But you do not see any openings into the pyramid from those sides from up here.
Speaker A:And where that vandalism took place was at the top of that first step.
Speaker A:Before you actually go up the.
Speaker B:The entry.
Speaker B:The darkened entryway into the interior of the step pyramid is cordoned off.
Speaker B:Well, what do you think, my friends?
Speaker B:Paolo asks.
Speaker A:It's wild.
Speaker A:It's breathtaking.
Speaker A:Paolo.
Speaker A:Good job.
Speaker B:His mustache quivers in exuberance and joy.
Speaker A:Chris.
Speaker B:He nods.
Speaker A:Could I lean on my bureaucratic knowledge to see if a uniformed officer in this area, this part of Mexico, working one of these kind of situations would be bribable with.
Speaker A:What's my.
Speaker A:What's my chances of going to jail trying to bribe a cop?
Speaker B:I don't.
Speaker B:Yeah, I think.
Speaker B:I don't think there's any role for that.
Speaker B:You're well aware that Mexican law enforcement officers are known to be notoriously corrupt, but you don't have any way to gauge this particular one's level of corruption or corruptibility until you speak with him or investigate him in some way.
Speaker A:Cool.
Speaker B:So there's no role for that at this time because you just don't have any applicable context for this individual.
Speaker A:Still trying to figure out how bureaucracy works.
Speaker A:So thank you for working with.
Speaker B:You went ahead and if you went ahead and called, let's say you had an in with the police department and you wanted to roll bureaucracy in order to get some things shuffled around.
Speaker B:So this guy is called in to do something else right now without somebody being sent out to take his place in time, as if you wanted to lower the number of threats maybe in the area, that would be a good opportunity for us to roll bureaucracy.
Speaker B:Now you need to know something about the Mexican precinct that you're calling in order to make that role, which you don't.
Speaker B:Otherwise it'd be at an incredible detriment or I just wouldn't allow it at all.
Speaker A:Okay.
Speaker B:But that would be a way to use bureaucracy in the situation if you're trying to do something with this guy.
Speaker B:Or you could go down there and pretend that you're part of some higher level in his organization, his law enforcement organization, and speak this, you know, talk the talk and walk the walk and tell him it's.
Speaker B:It's time for a break.
Speaker B:That might be law or bureaucracy, depending on your approach, but that is a feasible potential way to also use it here.
Speaker A:Thank you.
Speaker A:Could I use human intelligence to take a look at him and see if he gives off, you know, shady vibes?
Speaker B:That is a great way to use human intelligence.
Speaker B:I would say it would take some time to really observe this man, to get that at least.
Speaker B:Probably 1D2 hours, something like that.
Speaker B:But, yeah, that's.
Speaker B:That's how human intelligence is used.
Speaker B:It's gathering behavioral cues to ascertain information about an individual or individuals.
Speaker A:Okay.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:I'm just trying to figure out what am I going to do or what can we do as a group when we go back down?
Speaker A:Because I don't want to just leave.
Speaker B:Right, Yeah.
Speaker B:I don't think that's a good idea.
Speaker D:I mean, we could come back at night.
Speaker D:I mean, I don't think that's unreasonable.
Speaker A:But we do have experts here, and the evidence is fresh.
Speaker A:What if they take something after they're done here?
Speaker C:I'd like to take some pictures as we go up to this point.
Speaker B:Absolutely.
Speaker B:You've got a full reel of pictures of the ascent.
Speaker B:Paolo, as you guys start kind of furtively speaking to one another in hushed whispers, I assume he kind of puts his hands in his pockets and kicks, rocks off to the side and turns his back to you, walks away so that you can have your little conversation.
Speaker A:Aw, he's shy.
Speaker A:Frankfurt.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:Well, what if these folks who are here specifically for this damage takes something away or wraps it up or they lock this place down even more?
Speaker D:No, no, no.
Speaker D:I mean, I don't know if this happened.
Speaker D:I don't think it.
Speaker D:I think it's been here for a few days already.
Speaker A:Yeah, but we don't know that these special investigators from the Mexican agency have been here the entire time.
Speaker A:They might have just got here today.
Speaker D:Well, we can go ask them.
Speaker A:Worth a shot, right?
Speaker E:Oh, absolutely.
Speaker E:And begin making our way back down the pyramid, ever so carefully, shoving no one that is ahead of us.
Speaker B:Paolo walks out with you.
Speaker B:He seems pleased that you're enjoying the tour thus far.
Speaker B:He says, next we Will go look at one of my favorite ruins.
Speaker B:And he starts speaking about other sites in the area that he's very excited to take you to.
Speaker C:He's so confused.
Speaker B:Y'all are now back down at the bottom of the pyramid.
Speaker B:You do see that the amount of tourists has greatly diminished as the sun starts to fall in the sky.
Speaker B:It's now becoming a bit dusky out.
Speaker B:The ambient light is dropping a bit.
Speaker E:Would you call it a night?
Speaker B:Not just yet.
Speaker B:I think we'll call it dusk.
Speaker A:Evening.
Speaker D:Hey, Chris, how clear of a view do the two in andh officers and the one police officer have of the cordon of the entrance?
Speaker D:Is it like a.
Speaker D:It's like right there next to them or is it off in a distance or what's it look like?
Speaker B:Yeah, so if you look at the picture that I shared, I'm looking at the picture.
Speaker B:We can kind of talk about where they are.
Speaker B:You can see the open entrances, right?
Speaker B:There's just a column there.
Speaker B:It's all going to the same tunnel.
Speaker B:But the way into the pyramid is right there on the corner and there are steps going up to it.
Speaker B:And they have set up their tents in front, on top of the steps, in front of those entryways where there are visible cordons.
Speaker D:Okay.
Speaker D:So it would be physically impossible to sneak.
Speaker D:Sneak in is kind of what I'm getting.
Speaker B:They will notice you if you try to sneak in.
Speaker B:Unless you have some sort of predator camouflage, which I think you all have.
Speaker B:Oh, cool.
Speaker B:Okay, so we're doing that.
Speaker B:I would suggest activating.
Speaker A:I have the activate Harry Potter cloak.
Speaker A:Does that not work or can he.
Speaker B:They have anti magic measures here, which you saw coming in.
Speaker B:And actually Paolo mentioned that and he says, oh, very, very powerful anti magic.
Speaker A:Field here that you might have noticed the elder signs.
Speaker A:I forgot to look for the elder signs.
Speaker C:Yeah, we have enough cash that we can bribe Paulo to keep them occupied.
Speaker B:You won't know until you try.
Speaker A:He'll take more money, but I don't think he's going to be useful.
Speaker E:At best, a chauffeur and at worst a scam artist.
Speaker A:Yes, good point, Chris.
Speaker A:Remind me, did we have official credentials for this mission?
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:You were given false DEA identification to utilize as you see fit during the course of your investigation, picking up Dante Sombra's trail.
Speaker A:Okay, I will use those to talk to.
Speaker A:I will do that to.
Speaker A:Cool.
Speaker B:Go ahead and roll your law.
Speaker A:I'm not good at that.
Speaker A:Okay.
Speaker E:Oh, shit, buddy.
Speaker C:Drug enforcement.
Speaker D:Are we sure?
Speaker D:I was thinking about.
Speaker D:About the DEA thing, but I can't Couldn't piece together how we would use that.
Speaker A:Oh, man, are you kidding me?
Speaker A:21 out of 20.
Speaker E:Well, check it, buddy.
Speaker B:Yeah, the DA is primarily concerned with drug enforcement related activities.
Speaker B:When the United States, they occasionally collaborate with law enforcement agencies in other countries on like, international drug trafficking cases.
Speaker B:That's what, you know, kind of look at the, at the ID and look up at these archaeologists and the local police officer and kind of squint.
Speaker B:Wonder how useful that's going to be.
Speaker A:I.
Speaker A:I look to the group of police officers.
Speaker B:One police officer, two archaeologists.
Speaker A:No, no, our group, we have like three cops, right?
Speaker B:Maybe not really.
Speaker A:Or at some level.
Speaker A:I look at them, y'all.
Speaker A:I'm trying to figure this out.
Speaker A:Should we use our DEA credentials or should we.
Speaker A:Should we call in Snedeker, see if we can get them to take this guy off the shift?
Speaker A:We got options.
Speaker A:I don't think trying to sneak around them is gonna.
Speaker A:It's gonna work here.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker E:Let's see what Snedeker can do for us.
Speaker C:I think in the meantime, I might like to try to talk to those architects.
Speaker B:Archaeologists.
Speaker B:I mean, they might also hold degrees in architecture.
Speaker B:We haven't talked to them yet, but.
Speaker B:But they work for the inah, which is kind of a government regulatory body in Mexico for keeping these sites safe and untouched and pristine and conserved.
Speaker A:So.
Speaker A:And during that time, I'll talk to Snediger and Olivia.
Speaker A:I guess we'll talk to the archaeologists.
Speaker B:Archaeologists.
Speaker C:Not architects.
Speaker C:Archaeologists.
Speaker A:Possible architects, definitely.
Speaker A:Archaeologists.
Speaker C:Architects.
Speaker B:You walk up to the tent and make it clear that you only speak English.
Speaker B:And thankfully, the female archaeologist, ostensibly individual from inah, she makes it clear she also can speak English with you.
Speaker B:She introduces herself as Dr.
Speaker B:Isela Vasquez.
Speaker B:And how can I help?
Speaker B:How can I help you?
Speaker B:Hi.
Speaker C:Yes, well, I appreciate that you all are here, and I'm just trying to understand more about how specifically the inah, what role you play in helping investigate what's happened here at Yoloto.
Speaker B:She says, oh, well, the INAH is going to be running the cleanup and going to take full measure of exactly the extent of the damage and what may need to occur during our restoration effort, which we will also be administering and overseeing over the next few months.
Speaker C:And specifically, you deal with underwater archaeology.
Speaker C:Right.
Speaker C:So how does that work with the way that this pyramid is built as far as in and out of the pyramid or underneath it?
Speaker B:I'm sorry, underwater archaeology, we deal with all cultural sites across the Mexican countryside.
Speaker C:So there's no waterway in or out of the pyramid here?
Speaker B:None that's been discovered.
Speaker B:She smiles.
Speaker C:Interesting.
Speaker C:Okay, if I could just ask, what is your take?
Speaker C:So you haven't actually had a chance to investigate yet?
Speaker B:We've taken preliminary observations of the damage.
Speaker B:We've given some recommendations back to Mexico City and at this time we believe it's going to take a concerted effort to get things back into a situation where the public can visit freely and be safe there.
Speaker B:It looks like some structural damage has occurred to the interior of the site and it's not deemed safe just yet by the engineering report that we preliminarily had in called here.
Speaker C:Yeah, I could.
Speaker E:I'm going to hum it there.
Speaker B:HUMINT is not a lie detector.
Speaker B:If you feel like she's lying to you, then you can take that in or ask me for the question.
Speaker E:No, I just want to get a read on how she feels about it all.
Speaker E:She's explaining that.
Speaker B:Okay, roll your.
Speaker B:Hum it.
Speaker E:Success.
Speaker E:37 of 54.
Speaker B:She's smiling and being a tiny bit patronizing as she goes through what sounds like very well rehearsed facts about the site.
Speaker B:Maybe she's been doing this all day.
Speaker E:Love that.
Speaker C:Yes, gracias.
Speaker C:Dr.
Speaker C:Vasquez, if I could ask, what happened in there?
Speaker C:You know, we came a long way and I just.
Speaker C:I hate to see that that happened.
Speaker C:I'm so sorry.
Speaker C:I was wondering if you could tell us what's going on.
Speaker B:Oh, well, there was significant vandalism.
Speaker B:Typically these sites are.
Speaker B:Well, they're.
Speaker B:They're not observed continuously and they're open to the public entirely.
Speaker B:And so when someone goes in and causes such damage, especially perhaps when there is no one from the INAH or law enforcement.
Speaker B:She motions towards very rigidly standing gentlemen beside her in the police uniform.
Speaker B:Folks will sometimes get carried away and it is a travesty.
Speaker B:In this particular circumstance, someone has caused significant damage to the site, which is why we have formed a presence here to keep visitors safe.
Speaker C:Well, thank you for sharing.
Speaker C:Do you think that.
Speaker C:I apologize.
Speaker C:You could see that we've come very far.
Speaker C:Could we maybe.
Speaker C:Do you mind showing us what exactly the damage was that occurred?
Speaker B:She looks down and motions with her hand a distinct.
Speaker B:No, absolutely not.
Speaker B:We cannot allow anyone inside at this time.
Speaker B:I'm sorry.
Speaker C:Is there any lead on the folks that created the vandalism here?
Speaker C:Surely there must be something.
Speaker B:She glances up at the police officer, who turns his attention to Origgio.
Speaker B:It's not something I can discuss.
Speaker B:My understanding though, is that perpetrator or perpetrators are unknown at this time.
Speaker C:Wow.
Speaker C:Okay.
Speaker C:Thank you for that information.
Speaker C:Do you happen to know how long this will be set up like this?
Speaker C:We're not necessarily going to be around for some time, so I just wondered if we might come back and be.
Speaker B:Able to get through again.
Speaker B:Preliminary observations indicate that restoration, full restoration, will probably take months.
Speaker C:Months.
Speaker C:Okay.
Speaker A:Wow.
Speaker C:All right, thank you.
Speaker B:I'm so sorry that it's not open, but there are several other sites in the area that I can point you to.
Speaker B:She smiles.
Speaker C:What's the closest.
Speaker B:She goes ahead and gives you the name of a close site and tells you about some of its historical significance in some general terms.
Speaker C:Oh, okay.
Speaker C:Well, is there anything related to this site locally that maybe we could visit?
Speaker B:She leans back in her chair.
Speaker B:She glances up at the young man beside her who has really taken no interest in this conversation.
Speaker B:Actually, this is a very unique site.
Speaker B:The carvings and art depicted here at Yolo Tosho Shot is one of a kind in this area.
Speaker B:So I.
Speaker B:I don't have any related sites I can recommend that would have any of the same pictographic approaches.
Speaker B:However, there are many that were ostensibly built in the same time, although there is a bit of controversy about when Yoloto Shoshotli was erected.
Speaker B:She starts rambling a little bit, somewhat to herself, somewhat to you, going through some of these facts, some of these quandaries, and then she returns her attention fully upon you.
Speaker B:No, I guess.
Speaker B:But again, if you're looking for sites of significance, those I've already recommended to you are quite wonderful to visit for those interested in Mexican cultural heritage.
Speaker C:I've actually studied art and architecture, and I was wondering if you, now that you bring it up, if you wouldn't mind showing me any of the photos that you might have photos of from inside of here.
Speaker B:Photos from the interior of the pyramid?
Speaker C:Yes.
Speaker B:I don't know if I have any to show.
Speaker B:What we were doing was surveying damage.
Speaker B:I'm afraid that would not be of too much cultural interest to you, or artistic interest?
Speaker B:She smiles.
Speaker C:Well, actually, I mean, it might just based on the materials that the whole structure is made out of.
Speaker B:She smiles.
Speaker B:She seems at a loss for words.
Speaker B:She looks up at the gentleman beside her and she says something in Spanish.
Speaker B:Felix, are you hanging out?
Speaker A:Uh, yes.
Speaker B:How do I tell this woman that showing her pictures of broken rocks is not going to give her any artistic impressions?
Speaker B:And the kid just shrugs.
Speaker B:He doesn't respond.
Speaker B:The doctor kind of squints and looks back at you.
Speaker B:Forest.
Speaker B:The.
Speaker B:The pictures that we've taken.
Speaker B:The photographs we've taken are.
Speaker B:Are of the of damaged portions of the limestone in adobe from inside.
Speaker B:There's nothing artistic I think that you're gonna get from that.
Speaker B:We have hundreds of these photographs that were disseminating among our colleagues back in the capital.
Speaker A:I couldn't.
Speaker A:In Spanish, ma'am.
Speaker A:What we really like to know is what makes this site different.
Speaker A:I saw those tree like beings in that ceremony and the carvings.
Speaker A:What is that?
Speaker A:That doesn't seem to me like something that's the usual cultural vibe over here.
Speaker B:She responds.
Speaker B:Oh, I'm sorry.
Speaker B:Do you speak Spanish?
Speaker B:She's speaking Spanish now.
Speaker A:Whichever.
Speaker B:Basically asking all of you that are.
Speaker A:Standing in front of her, whichever is easier.
Speaker A:And I say that in English.
Speaker B:Well, Spanish is easier for me, but I was in the impression that you were from America.
Speaker B:I'm from all over and didn't know the language she looks at for us when she says that last name.
Speaker A:It's just me.
Speaker A:Texas, you know, used to be part of Mexico.
Speaker B:She smiles.
Speaker B:I'll stick with English then, to keep it as accessible to the audience as possible.
Speaker B:Sure.
Speaker B:She smiles patronizingly towards you.
Speaker A:So what's with the tree things?
Speaker A:That doesn't seem very Mayan.
Speaker B:Well, the Ziggurat is actually attributed to the Zapotec peoples, at least from all available evidence thus far.
Speaker B:Now, the depictions of.
Speaker B:She gestures behind her towards the entrance where these carven engravings are located, invisible from your location.
Speaker B:These particular entities or.
Speaker B:Or beings or gods perhaps, obviously some sort of stand in or maybe something more literal.
Speaker B:Maybe they were actually interested in some form of plant animacy.
Speaker B:But we don't find depictions of trees in such high level of veneration as we do at Yolotoshosholi anywhere else.
Speaker B:That does make this site extremely unique in.
Speaker B:And it really does show that the breadth of religious worship at the time was quite broad.
Speaker E:What kind of plants were these trees?
Speaker B:Oh, your guess is as good as mine.
Speaker B:I'm not a botanist and there could be a good amount of creative artistic expression in what we're seeing in the engravings of the disinterested research along the sides of the entrance.
Speaker B:Sam.
