The Master Storyteller: Reginald Rivers

Reginald Rivers, with an artful flair, weaves a captivating tale for his eager audience—a customer with grand aspirations of hunting dinosaurs in the Cretaceous period. However, Rivers issues a stern warning: the prospective hunter is too slight of build to wield a weapon powerful enough to fell the colossal predators of the Cretaceous and Jurassic epochs. The ability to bring down such beasts is of utmost importance. Rivers embodies the classic image of the cool and collected big game hunter, a seasoned tracker of lions, tigers, and the now nearly vanished exotic creatures. Even amidst chaos and danger, his demeanor remains one of calm humor and mellow wit, all the while subtly reminding listeners of his professionalism. Rivers is a man driven by profit, yet he is governed by principles on how far he is willing to go to earn his keep.

The Spoiled and the Undersized

Courtney James and Holtzinger are characters not far removed from caricature. Courtney James is an overindulged scion grown soft and round, navigating the hunt with the same reckless abandon as a spoiled child dismissing the rules. Rivers reluctantly acknowledges James's few redeeming traits—his knack for bawdy stories, a decent singing voice, and occasional helpfulness around camp—yet his disdain for the bratty millionaire is palpable, regretting that financial need forces him to guide such an undeserving client.

Holtzinger, a man burdened with low self-worth, embarks on the hunt seeking redemption and self-discovery. His moment of courage arrives when he confronts a tyrannosaur, bravely firing upon it to save James. Yet, his valor is overshadowed by his physical limitations. Lacking the heft to manage a powerful .600 or .500 caliber rifle—necessary to incapacitate monstrous dinosaurs—he suffers a dire fate. His .375 rifle merely irritates the beast, culminating in his tragic demise in the creature's jaws, a brave but ultimately doomed act.

Lessons Learned in Time Travel

The fates of Holtzinger and James serve as cautionary tales for Rivers and his partner, Aiyar. They realize the critical importance of assessing a hunter's mental fortitude before allowing them to face prehistoric dangers; James's pampered arrogance clearly deemed him unfit. Moreover, they vow to only accept clients robust enough to handle the formidable weaponry required to tackle "a gun for dinosaur."

Supporting Players in the Chronological Drama

Other characters flit in and out of the narrative, each playing their part. Chandra Aiyar, affectionately nicknamed "the Raja" by Rivers for his royal Indian heritage, previously worked in a New York travel agency before joining forces with the seasoned hunter. Aiyar is a solid and sensible figure, though his character remains lightly sketched. The enigmatic Professor Prochaska, mastermind of the time machine, finds himself swayed by James's far-fetched tale of a misplaced wallet and his own scientific curiosity. The professor's intrigue lies in the potential consequences of overlapping time lines and altering personal histories.