"Go for it."
"I was reading your proposal—brilliant stuff, by the way—and it got me thinking.Since we can take the dolphins out into the ocean or the canal, why not film the sessions with our underwater video cameras?The water is so clear even on cloudy days.We could timestamp when they surface for a breath and calculate dive durations while they're wearing the time-depth recorders and heart rate monitors.Collate all the data into something super awesome."Declan leaned back, his arms crossed, pleased with himself.
The room went silent for a moment as everyone processed what he'd said.
Gray blinked."Um...yes?"His voice was tentative, but his eyes lit up as the idea took root.He'd never even considered having the dolphins wearing the monitors out in the ocean and filming them!
"That's brilliant, Declan!"Riley beamed at him."Why didn't we think of that?"
Declan sat up straighter, emboldened."I finished that underwater videography course in Florida, and Cici and I have been messing around with marking spots on the surface of the ocean where the dolphins’ surface so I can get some awesome photos.I'm sure she can come up with something for underwater, and we'll measure the distance, and use the dive team's video gear.If it works, Gray, maybe we can pitch another project down the line and get more funding."
Everyone stared at Declan, their expressions a mix of awe and disbelief.Declan shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny."Or...not?"he added sheepishly.
The silence broke with Riley's laugh."Declan, I take it back.You're super brilliant!"
The room erupted in laughter as Declan turned bright red, mumbling something about trying to help.
Gray looked thoughtful."You know, that's a fantastic idea.I hadn't even considered it, but it could be a game-changer.And who knows?If things go well, maybe I could keep coming back here.So far, island life suits me just fine."
Cam clapped Gray on the back."Then it's settled.Let's make it happen."
Chapter 23
6 Days a Week
AsGraywalkedhomeafter being dropped off on Friday afternoon, he realized he'd already been on the island for a week.He'd fallen into a rhythm—work, spending time with the staff outside of work, and pursuing a few personal interests.Initially, the idea of a six-day work week had unsettled him.He was used to the Monday-to-Friday grind, 9 to 5.He'd expected to feel resentful about the lost day off or exhausted by the longer week.But, to his surprise, he felt invigorated.The schedule was better than he had expected.
The next day, while sitting in the break room, Gray struck up a conversation with Daniel."Did you know about the six-day workweek before you got here?"
Daniel smiled, "Of course I did!Who in their right mind would hire someone and not tell them something like that beforehand?"The room erupted in laughter.
"No, I get it," Gray said, smiling."It's just so different from what I'm used to."
"It is different," Marta chimed in, "but I feel like I have more control over my schedule and my animals by being here six days a week."
"Exactly," Daniel added."Because I care for my dolphins, I know they have everything they need," he said.
Gray had learned that when the trainers got a day off, so did the dolphins.Another trainer would handle the basics, feeding and playing with them, but they didn't do any formal work.
"I can see that," Gray said."I'm appreciating the flow of the day."
As he reflected on his time here, Gray realized that despite the six-day workweek, they had plenty of downtime.He recalled his first few days when Cam had told him, "Slow down!Everything will get done in due time."He'd heard about island time before—why do today what you could do tomorrow, next week, or even next month.It was hard not to jump in or over someone else to get the job done, and in those initial days it made him think they took it to the extreme.Now, though, he understood what Cam meant.There was time to make plans and set goals for each animal.Time to sit and discuss with the other trainers what they wanted to work on, and even using island time as their measurement, everything always got done.
It didn't matter when the work was completed as long as the dolphins received good care and the guests were happy.
He also enjoyed the spontaneous outings, when the staff would decide to get lunch in town or take an extended break.His favourite was when they'd take a "walk" out to the ocean with the dolphins, lazing around on one of the tiny islands offshore, the dolphins swimming nearby as the trainers glided alongside them with masks and fins.
His biggest surprise was when the trainers suggested going fishing, with the dolphins' help.They'd catch fish, and later in the afternoon, there'd be a feast, a fish fry right at the Lagoon.
But Gray had a more serious question on his mind."I know we've got a sweet schedule here, and there's lots of downtime, but aren't we in hurricane territory?I mean, what happens when a hurricane comes?"
Marta nodded."That's what's interesting about this island.It's been about 20 years since a hurricane hit us.Sure, plenty have come close, and every time you hear on the news, 'A hurricane hits landfall in the Caribbean!'But what people don't realize is that there are hundreds of islands here.So, okay, it hit the Caribbean, but which island?Every hurricane season, there's always a bit of panic, wondering if this will be the one that hits us.But we've been really lucky."
"I did not know there were so many islands.And I didn't realize it's been so long since a hurricane had hit this island."
"Yeah, it's wild," Marta continued."We always prepare, but most of the time, it cruises by and hits somewhere else.Knock on wood, this season will be uneventful."At this, Marta knocked on the wooden staff table.
Gray nodded."I've had a lot of firsts on this island, but I could definitely do without experiencing a hurricane or tropical storm.Earthquakes back home were plenty enough for me in the natural disasters department."
