The Ideas Pirates (3 page)

Then he recognised someone!

A slim, navy- skirted figure walked past the Duty Free shop and in the same direction as Big Ben.

‘Hi Gloria.' Christopher dropped his voice suddenly realising- perhaps Gloria was working undercover in Singapore.

‘Hullo again Christopher. Perhaps you can help me? Are you and Amy on the flight to Sydney?'

Christopher nodded.

‘Want to do some surveillance work for me?'

‘Er ...' Christopher hesitated.

‘You mean watch someone?' Amy knew all the big words.

‘Yes. Could you keep an eye out for someone or something?'

‘Sure.' Christopher felt a curl of excitement. The twins had helped Gloria in the past. When they were in Cairns, they'd helped her catch steroid smugglers, and in Melbourne , bird smugglers.

‘We've had a tip-off.'

‘Who from?' Amy liked details. Gloria didn't answer that question, deliberately.

‘We're chasing some pirates.'

‘What sort?'

‘Idea pirates.'

‘Ace. We'll help.'

Chapter 3

‘Meet any pirates in Singapore?'

Amy looked up, unsure if Gloria was joking. An odd smile lifted her eyebrows. Gloria was a neat, tight sort of person. She moved like a wary animal. Often she just blended into the background.

‘What sort of pirates?'

‘Swashbuckling pirates ... like Captain Hook ... and illegal pirate radio stations and ... cassette piracy ... and designer pirates.'

‘Don't pirates need a boat ... and treasure ... and islands and ...?'

‘Not all of them. New pirates need only an e- disc to copy someone else's music or program. And fashion pirates just copy others designs. Some see film piracy as a victimless crime. Copying is easy and cheap. So piracy is growing internationally. Film and record industries are worried about music piracy.'

‘Music pirates?'

‘Yes. They hurt the Australian recording industry. Pirates steal whole sound tracks of new films. We're worried about computer software copyright too.'

‘How does it work?'

‘A famous band makes a record. They're not happy if a pirate copies and sells it much cheaper. The sound mightn't be as good. There aren't any royalties for the band and the singer. Royalties are their share of the profits. A pirated film sound track might have many pop songs on it. And clothes designers don't earn anything from the cheap “fakes” which are put out under their names.'

The twins agreed that wasn't fair. Amy remembered the Zoo computer game they bought Aunty Viv. At the street market. Because she didn't buy the mystery e-disc , for a moment she totally forgot about it.

‘The composer and the song writer don't get anything either,' said Gloria.

‘What about computer games?'

‘Someone has to think up the game in the first place. Right?'

Christopher nodded.'

‘Might take the game-creator a long time to try out ideas that don't work.'

Amy nodded.

‘But once it's made, then it's easy for others to make a copy. Is that fair?'

‘Can't the creator put a trick into the game to stop others copying?'

‘Some do that. But it doesn't always work.'

‘Copyright means the right to copy. And the original creator should hold that. If not, then we'll lose our ideas-thinkers. If people rip off their ideas for nothing, creators won't share them in the future.'

Amy checked the time. Still half an hour to spare.

‘Meanwhile keep your eyes open for anything unusual. You're wearing a copy-watch.' Gloria looked at Amy's wrist.

‘Bought it in Singapore at a street market for twenty dollars.'

Amy blushed . She felt guilty...

‘Why d'you want that brand of watch?'

‘Because it's fashioable.'

‘Is that why others buy that brand of copy-watch too?'

‘Probably.'

‘What about the people who originally made the watch? They get nothing from the sale of fakes.'

Christopher pushed back his glasses. ‘ Never thought of it that way before. I wouldn't like someone copying my drawings and selling them.'

‘The originals have to be pretty good to make thieves want to copy them.'

Amy fiddled with her glasses as her brother looked up quickly.

‘D'you mean mine aren't good enough?'

‘I didn't say that!'

‘Too many fakes around. That's the problem,' muttered Gloria.

The twins didn't learn until later what she meant.

Chapter 4

There he was again! Amy couldn't believe it! With all those people passing through Changi Airport, the chances of seeing her ‘slipper orchid' man were not high. But there he was!

He was talking very quickly to Jason, the mobile phone freak.

That's when she remembered that Jason, of the million shirts, had booked in a backpack just like hers. Mum wouldn't believe it! She reckoned that no-one else except Amy would CHOOSE a purple and aqua backpack.

Was he a passenger? Or was he just saying ‘goodbye' to someone?

‘Excuse me!' As Amy hurried up, the man saw her and turned!

Amy started. ‘There he is!' She tugged her brother's arm. ‘Look! Over there!

‘With the newspaper. He's holding the “Straits Times”.'

‘Are you sure? He looks a bit like the guy but ...' Christopher hesitated then he fumbled for his cam.

The man turned, His face went puffy and pink. The camera flashed! The man looked startled.

‘Guilty for sure,' muttered Amy.

‘Guilty of what?' Christopher was unsure until the man started to run.

He dropped the paper and started to jog past the shops. He ducked in between travellers with bags on wheels and nearly ran into a pram.

The airport was so big that you couldn't spread out. He had to get to the end of the passage, so he jumped onto the walkway. It kept moving at its normal pace, so he started running.

Amy was panting by now, her breath coming in little gasps. Her backpack felt like a body bumping against her back as she jogged.

On the walkway you were supposed to stand on the left. If you wanted to pass, you were supposed to go on the right. He kept bumping into people, and passing them. Amy followed.

‘Hey!'

‘Look out!'

‘Go on the other side!'

Some got upset, in lots of different languages. Being cross was internationally understood. It didn't matter what you said- it was the way you said it.

There was a gap in the walkway near some lounges. The man darted sideways and vanished. Amy stood still, panting.

He'd melted into the crowd again. He seemed to be an expert at disappearing. Amy gave up the chase and came back, still panting. ‘At least you got a shot of him!'

‘Not exactly. ‘Christopher looked shame-faced.

‘But the flash went off!'

‘I'm not used to this new cam yet. Sorry.

‘Dropkick! Stick to shooting planes next time. They don't run away.'

She turned to Jason. ‘Hey, d'you know that guy?'

‘Why?' Jason looked cross. ‘ Tell me. Where did you get your backpack? I thought mine was the only one like this. A friend loaned it to me for this trip. Do you use the outside pockets on yours?' Nervously he pushed back his hair.

‘You can't lock the outside pockets.'

Amy pushed back her rainbow-framed glasses. As soon as anyone fiddled with their hair or their glasses, she had to do the same. Copycat, Christopher called her. He said it was a worse habit than being a Motor Mouth! But you had to answer questions when people asked you directly. Jason hadn't answered HER question.

‘Mum bought it in the Orchard Rd sales last time. I chose it as a sort of late birthday present. ‘

‘A mistake,' muttered Jason.

Amy heard that. ‘My Mum would agree. She hates the colours but it was the only one left. How do you know that man?'

‘Bumped into him at a gig I was doing.'

‘Are you a pop star?'

‘Er ... not exactly. I just sing a bit and play a few instruments.'

‘Cool!' Amy was impressed for about ten seconds. Then she went back to being a sleuth. ‘Are you famous too? Like Fifi who designs the Fifi shirts?”

‘Fifi?' Jason looked uncomfortable again. ‘Yes. The T- shirt and gnome creator. Her originals cost a fortune.'

‘Are you a model too?' asked Amy. ‘Is that why you have so many clothes?'

Christopher frowned at her. Sometimes she asked questions that sounded rude to an outsider. They didn't know that sleuth Amy just liked to find out things.

‘No, I'm just a jockey.' Jason fiddled idly with the catch on Amy's backpack.

He looks too big, thought Christopher. And too heavy to go on a horse.

When he was sitting down, Jason's soft tummy would lap over his belt.

‘If you're a jockey, where do you ride? Singapore races?' asked Amy trying to sound more polite. He seemed to have lots of part-time jobs.

Jason gave a short laugh. ‘Oh, I'm not that kind of jockey. I'm a part-time disc jockey. I choose the music to play on the radio. Mr BIG is my boss. He decides what programs will go to air. Advertisers like us because we have the most up-to-date music. Sometimes, we're ahead of the fashion.'

‘What sort of fashion?' Amy interrupted.

‘All sorts. Music. Ideas. Personalities. MR BIG owns radio stations all over the world. I'm just off to Australia on an exchange with another disc jockey. Mr Big likes to keep us moving.'

‘Where is your radio station?'

‘Off the coast.'

‘A pirate one?'

‘Some people call it that.'

Was that a clue? Gloria was chasing ideas pirates. Where did Jason fit in?

‘Is the name of your station 3 D.I.S.C.?'

‘Not in Singapore. But Mr BIG owns stations all over the world.'

At the time, Amy didn't notice that he'd avoided some of her question. Just then, reflected in a window mirror Amy noticed Fifi going into the LADIES. She pushed her bag at Christopher.

‘Look after this for me. I'll be back in a minute. I want to ask Fifi about the cost of designer shirts.'

While putting the bag between his legs for safety, Christopher had an idea. ‘Would you know anything about ‘Slipper orchids'?

Jason went white. He blustered. ‘You mean the flowers?'

‘Or the pop group? I'm not sure.'

Just then the metallic voice of the speaker sounded.

‘Dr Chung. Is Dr Chung, a passenger to Sydney, in the airport please? Could he contact the information desk please?''

A small, neat man in a dark suit walked up to the counter. His dark hair glistened and his skin was very clear. His eyes sparkled.

He was carrying a bulging ,black brief case made from soft leather.

‘I'm Doctor Chung.'

‘There's a message for you sir. The orchid formula is ready. It will be sent to you in Sydney. Could you please ring this number before you leave.'

Christopher watched the attendant pass Dr Chung a scribbled phone number and a thick envelope.

‘Thank you,' said Dr Chung in a soft voice, accepting the envelope. He didn't open it immediately. Did that mean it was secret or that he knew exactly what was inside already? What kind of orchid formula?

Or was he getting mysteritus from Amy?

Christopher stared through the floor length window at the baggage trolleys where a man with a clipboard was fussing. Christopher took a photo. The caterers' van came away from the plane and the cleaners left too, carrying bags of rubbish.

Christopher kept shooting. When he looked down, Amy's bag had gone!

‘Hey...' He turned. Jason was fiddling with the flap of Amy's bag.

‘What are you doing with that?'

‘Sorry thought it was undone.'

Christopher didn't believe him.

‘Just looking to see if the catch was the same as mine,' said Jason.

That bit might have been true.

‘Say! ‘ Jason tugged Christopher and he nearly dropped the cam.

‘Why was your sister chasing that guy? Did he give her something earlier? When she was standing near the queue with her backpack?'

‘Why don't you ask her?' Christopher was getting suspicious. ‘She's gone to the toilet but she'll be back in a minute.'

What if the e-disc was meant for him? Christopher wasn't sure what to do. Amy had the parcel with her.

Jason had obviously been checking the outside pockets on her bag thinking she'd put the e-disc in there. It was all very suspicious. Why had the man run away? If it was just an honest mistake, why hadn't he spoken to them? How well did Jason know the man? Or was he just expecting someone to come to the airport. Was the parcel illegal? Or was it just a mix up? Was Jason an ideas pirate? If so, whose ideas was he pirating?

Was Jason the one Gloria wanted them to watch? Or was he too obvious?

Christopher ‘shot' another catering truck through the floor-length glass window. Next the baggage train being driven to the aircraft with a sniffer dog and handler nearby. Then he shot Amy walking towards him, with Jason talking to someone in the background.

As a final shot, he took one of the overhead Departure monitor. He wasn't sure if the lighted places and times would turn out properly Some of these could go in his ‘airfield' project for next term.

‘Jason wanted to know if anybody gave you anything, while you were waiting in the queue?'

Amy glanced at her brother. She knew he was suspicious of something or someone- and Jason was right there!

‘Why? Have you lost something?'

Jason shrugged. ‘Not exactly. Can't lose something you didn't have.'

‘What's that mean?' asked Amy.

‘No worries. You win some and you lose some.' Jason walked towards the scanner, put his hand-luggage on the revolving belt below the PLACE BAGS ON BELT sign and went through the security doorway.

It beeped! Jason was stopped. The security officer ‘wanded' him down, checking for weapons.

‘Beep. Beep. beep.'

The wand stopped near his pocket. Jason pulled out his bunch of keys.

‘Please leave your keys on the belt next time, sir..' The security officer waved him through.