EXCERPTS: CHAPTER 8: BACK TO PARADISE

The morning starts out as any other African morning would: hot and humid without a hint of relief from the seemingly endless attack of the countless bugs and flies. Alex has awakened from his not-so-comfortable night on the village hammock. Now, more than ever, Alex is eager to get back to the preserve to warn, if not defend, Anna from the approaching raid on her camp by Richter and Francois. He paces back and forth in front of the camp fire, ready to confront the people who are eager to destroy his friends and their work and maybe one of the last chances to preserve many dwindling animal species. Alex is continuously haunted with a vision that these people, although few in numbers, will open the floodgates of death and destruction. Unchecked, he is certain that they represent the demise of all African animal species. It sounds immense, but the power he senses, especially from Francois, is incredible...THEY MUST BE STOPPED...NOW. But why all of a sudden does Alex, who was concerned with nothing more that jumping on a plane and get back to the safety of his home, want to face-off with people who will kill him upon sight? Why do his newfound friends and their unselfish passions now seem so important to him? Why is he now ready to risk his life not only for them, but for a cause that, days ago, meant nothing to him? Maybe, for the first time, Alex has a real cause to embrace. Maybe he now has real friends who see him for what he has to offer from within and not from a monetary standpoint. Time would most certainly decide if Alex has taken on an endeavor that was either a foolish whim or an effort that is as big as creation itself.

Milea Cher: (from behind, interrupting Alex in deep thought) Are you ready son?

Alex: (startled) You caught me off-guard.

Milea Cher: Where we are going, being caught-off guard will get you killed. Are you sure you are ready?

Alex: Why does that question seem to keep popping up?

Milea Cher: Well, are you?

Alex: Of course I'm not ready. (half-smiling) Besides, does it matter. We need to go and we need to get the bastards. (trying to muster a defiant spirit, although unconvincingly)

Milea Cher: Good, I think (not looking entirely convinced but knowing, deep down that Alex will not let him down). Now, this is how it's going to play out if we are going to save Anna. The elder has given us his 6 best men. We have supplies for two days, but we should be at Paradise by dawn tomorrow. Without a vehicle waiting for us, we'll have to walk from shore, when we get to the other side, which will force us to make the land journey in the dark. The only advantage is that while they are there, waiting, we will have a better chance of not being seen by Richter and his men at night. Hopefully, we will reach camp before they awaken, although I doubt they will be getting much sleep. Nonetheless, we need to catch them off guard...

Alex: ...and kill them so others may live. Is that the way it is supposed to play out? (a few moments of silence) .

Milea Cher: (looking Alex right in the eye) How do you think we are going to GET THE BASTARDS, ask them to raise their hands and give up their weapons? Some of us probably won't make it back, Alex; people WILL die. These thugs we are going to confront are trained killers who don't give a damn about man nor beast. When you hesitate to act, you'll already be dead.

Alex: OK, can the lecture, for once. You don't have to do this.

Milea Cher: Don't I? Nobody twisted these guys' arms to be there; they can turn around and go home at any time, but THEY WON'T! They are driven far more than the need for greed. They are influenced by EVIL and hatred...it is all they know. You have to start looking at the bigger picture, Alex. Every action taken is part of a much bigger plan...bigger than all of us.

Alex: Francois gave me a speech on the way over here, telling me that I can look the other way when it comes time to killing people...innocent people. There IS no turning back this time. This IS my fight now, we both know that! Now, stop trying to test me! (changing the subject and tone of voice) Besides, you are starting to sound like Anna.

Milea Cher: Maybe that's why she's still alive today. (a few moments of silence)

Alex: Point well taken, my friend. It's ironic though; man killing man over the treasures God left here for all of us to enjoy, appreciate and pass on to the next generation. If that's not bad enough, the usual winners who possess these treasures possess them for all the wrong reasons. They put more value in them as parts and pieces collecting dust in someone's trophy room. I just don't get it.

Milea Cher: Nobody ever said it was supposed to make sense. Now, let's go. We need to keep your friend Anna alive. (Alex and his friend walk towards the center of the camp where they are greeted by 6 very large, heavily armed men) We have a schedule to keep and we don't want to give Francois and Richter the upper hand. Let's try to get there before they create too much dangure. (looking at Alex, sympathetically half-smiling) Maybe we can ambush them and take them without a shot being fired.

Alex: Too late; they're already closing in on camp, I can feel it. Let's hurry.

Milea Cher: (counting the number of waiting troops on the other side of camp, without observing Claudette who had just awakened and was exiting her hut) What about your friend, the tourist?

Claudette: (over-hearing the conversation and interrupting) What about me?

Milea Cher: You can leave now if you wish. It's going to get pretty nasty out there. (Alex rolls his eyes as to say that it's not a good idea to exclude her)

Claudette: Leave, NOW?? When it's starting to get interesting? Look pal, I didn't save his ass (pointing and poking her finger into Alex's chest while continuing to look at Milea Cher) only to be asked to leave when things got a little hot.

Milea Cher: Hot! (in an elevated voice) I don't think you know what HOT is. The first time bullets start flying, I don't need someone knocking me on my ass while trying to escape.

Claudette: Perhaps you should have been there when our friend, what's his name?

Alex: Francois?

Claudette: Yeah, him - he was trying to introduce a few new holes to our anatomy. Murphy wouldn't be here if not for me. Tell him, Alex. (looking eye-to eye at Alex).

Alex: (Looking a little dumbfounded and protecting what little ego he has left at the moment) It's not like I wasn't holding my own for a while, but, well… yeah, I guess I wouldn't be here if not for her. (slightly nodding his head while looking at the male troops from the corner of his eye).

Claudette: (picking up on the gesture, then, lowering her voice and walking up to Milea Cher and looking eye to eye with him) Like I said, I like danger!

Milea Cher: (Turning his head towards Alex) Is she up for the job? And don't sugar-coat it, son. When it gets tough, can we count on her?

Claudette: (Butting in between both men) Look at me when you ask that question!

Milea Cher: I'm looking at him! (at Alex)

Alex: (breaking a half-smile and nodding his head while wanting to be as far away from this fight as possible) If she's in it for the danger, she won't be disappointed and neither will you. I'd trust her to save my life any day of the week.

Claudette: I already have! (looking into the eyes of Milea Cher as she shimmies her way away from the two men in the direction of the troops)

Alex: (trying to keep from displaying too much of his smug smile) Now, let's do this thing before we all change our minds. (Claudette and Alex catch each others eye for a brief moment, both feeling content with the outcome of the debate).

The troops depart for the river where their heavily supplied boats await them. An hour into the boat ride, Alex sits quietly, staring at the water. Deep in thought and looking for something to occupy his time, he reaches into his pocket, pulling out his passport. Inside are a few loose documents and between those is a small picture that falls to the floor of the boat. The picture is of him, his father and sister. It is worn around the edges and bent on one of the corners as a result of the toll time has taken on it. Alex takes a good long look at the photo, wondering if, by days end, he will be looking again at the picture or looking directly at them in spirit.

Claudette: Busy? (Alex grabs the photo and puts all the papers back into his pocket but not before the photo drops to the floor of the boat. Claudette picks up the photo and hands it to Alex).

Alex: No, ah, not really.

Claudette: Family picture?

Alex: Sister and dad.

Claudette: Where are they today?

Alex: Father died almost a year ago, sister died...actually killed by my uncle...he shot her at the circus.

Claudette: Your sister, shot by your uncle, at a family event? Who is this guy? Is he nuts or what?

Alex: Most people think so...I certainly do. Besides, it's a long story that I wish to keep behind me.

Claudette: I hope you've gotten as far away from this guy as possible. I certainly would.

Alex: Although you never really get away from my uncle, I should, very soon, for the most part. I'm in the process of finalizing an agreement that will split a very large company. Actually, it's an agreement to buy me out.

Claudette: Then why aren't you back there finalizing the deal?

Alex: He sent me here to retrieve two chimps that I supposedly let an activist get away with back at the lab.

Claudette: Let me get this straight. He sends you alone to a land that you have never been to before… to the most lawless city in the country… to find a radical activist who most certainly will NOT accommodate you in handing over the now free apes? And you don't have a problem with that?

Alex: Actually, I do, I have a very big problem with that. (mockingly) But to be precise, I wasn't alone. As you recall, I made the trip with our old friend and business associate, Francois. The one who hired the pilot, Carl, to crash the plane in the middle of the jungle. The one who tried to punch my ticket in the alley. Let's not forget that part of the equation.

Claudette: No, let's not! (seeing the situation as so pathetic, all she can do is break a fake smile and roll her eyes). Did it ever cross your mind that these guys hope you never make it back alive?

Alex: (looking directly at Claudette) Knowing that every turn I take, someone just might be waiting to stab me in the back, to answer your question: Yes, I think about it just about every minute of the day. (smiling) That's why I appreciate the few friends I DO have.

Claudette: Is that why you always look like you're in such deep thought?

Alex: If you only knew. (with a slight smile and a quieter voice)

Claudette: Well then, tell me the rest of what's on your mind, Alex Murphy. I have the time. (acting uncharacteristically girlish)

Alex: I'm not sure I really know myself but, I feel a change going on around me and I'm just trying to keep up with the numerous events associated with it.

Claudette: Meaning?

Alex: Plain and simple, I just feel like I'm carrying a lot of weight on my shoulders lately, that's all.

Claudette: Maybe this "weight" is called friendship, responsibility and trust. You have a powerfully close group of friends. I mean, take a look at all these people who are willing to sacrifice their lives for your cause.

Alex: I would be happier if people saw it as the WORLD'S cause. It is you know, at least it should be.

Claudette: You have a great talent for rallying the troops and I'm not sure why but, I'm putting my trust in you and as you know, I don't really trust anyone.

Alex: Thanks, it means a lot to me. (momentarily holding her hand)

Claudette: It's just the leader you have become...the leader OF this cause to save us from ourselves. Alex, it's all about you.

Alex: Me? Is there something everyone else knows that I don't?

Claudette: (smiling) Listen to me, rambling on. It's just that I don't normally run into someone like you, that's all.

Alex: Besides, it's my friend who's leading and organizing this expedition.

Claudette: You really honestly think so? He has nothing to gain from this trip to save your friend. And although he's convinced all these people around you to join in YOUR fight, they gather their strength from YOU? It's why they are here.

Alex: And what about you? What's making you go along?

Claudette: Not sure. (caught off-guard, but smirking) Maybe it's the sense of danger or possibly, maybe you've put that same spell over me but, don't think for a minute that you can take advantage of me (as she bats her eyes).

For the first time, Alex suddenly notices a different side of Claudette. He's always notices her raw beauty, her piercing yet, inviting green eyes, her uncontrollable strawberry-blond hair, not to mention her fiery, raw energy. This time, he sees a hidden layer of a seemingly tortured, sometimes gruff, defensive young woman. He sees a cautious, almost fragile person who, when prompted, still seems to expel a little warmth into a senseless world that probably hasn't treated her very well. Her already pleasing features, that Alex was always fully aware of, are now further radiated by a rare, innocent, school-girl smile that paints a completely different picture of her. A smile, due to her nature, that until now, has seemed to have gotten away from her-sentenced to the deepest part of her soul. Claudette has entrusted Alex enough to show her vulnerabilities.

Claudette: (Catching Alex in a mesmerized daze, almost as if he is looking through her) Why are you staring?

Alex: Ah, no reason. And, for your information, I never had any of intentions of wanting to take advantage of you. (breaking his daze with a smile while obviously lying through his teeth).

Claudette: I thought not. (smiling again, now, almost ear to ear and coming within inches of Alex's ear) Survive this ordeal and I'll show you a night that will REALLY kill you. (Alex turns various shades of red).

Claudette: Now, (opening the top buttons of her blouse and throwing her long, curly blond hair behind her shoulders) I'm going to get a little sun. (puckering her lips while winking at Alex as she starts to make her way to the other side of the boat)

Alex: I like it

Claudette: (smiling devilishly as she stops and turns her head) I'm sure you do.

Alex: No, no, I mean your smile. As I recall, first time you've used it, you do have a softer side. (quickly, noting she has shown her vulnerability, Claudette's girlish expression abruptly changes to the opposite).

Claudette: Gotta go, now!

Alex: (abruptly grabbing her hand, then, noticing her watery eyes, slightly releasing his grip on her then, speaking in a softer voice, looking eye to eye.) Wait! (lowering his voice while making sure she doesn't get away) I like THIS Claudette. When will I see more of THIS woman?

Claudette: I don't know what you're talking about. (aggressively breaking what little grip he has on her as she stares at the floor of the boat then, looking directly at Alex as she tries to fight back her tears) THIS is the Claudette that keeps me alive. THIS is the Claudette that helps a blond, blued-eyed girl be taken seriously.

Alex: ...and respected… or feared?

Claudette: That's something you will have to consider as time goes on if you want to stay alive around here.

Alex: Don't do this to me, OR yourself. Claudette. I, I...

Claudette: ...You what, Murphy? Having a problem saying what's on your mind? (just silence) Thought so! Well, don't talk about others hang-ups until you're ready to bring YOURS to the table. The boy who can't decide if he wants to take charge of his life and be responsible to the people around him…he can't tell women how he feels but instead, tells them how they should feel.

Alex: Enough. (getting angry mostly because what she's telling him is what he doesn't want to hear)

Claudette: Yeah, don't like what you hear? Poor little rich boy. The victim of people who want him dead supposedly because of his inheritance. Maybe they're trying to get rid of you just to put you out of YOUR misery...or THEIRS!

Alex: (Now in a more aggressive stance and with daggers in his eyes) Are you finished?

Claudette: Not quite! I've proven I'm up for the job of watching others' backs. When we get to Paradise, just make sure YOU are!

(Claudette quickly makes her way back to the other side of the boat, sitting in the corner, staring at the water. They have each struck a nerve).

CHAPTER 2: THE BIG DAY CHAPTER 10: TO THE MOUNTAIN