Okay it's a little hard to concentrate b/c now I'm picturing three gorgeous Gary Cooper's frolicing in the water. *shakes head vigorously and snaps back into reality*
After they finish their swim they all head back to camp for lunch.
Kim: Well Mike I promised I'd make you something to eat so what would you like? Ooooh how about a steak with some roasted potatoes and green beans?
Mike: That sounds great. I like my steaks medium rare. *He says jokingly*
Kim: Don't be surpised if it ends up looking more like beef jerky and trail mix.
*They all laugh as they pass the food around and the men all eat very heartily*
Angie: If you guys keep this up we'll be out of food by this evening, she jokes.
Mike: *with a mouth full of jerky* Oh I'm sorry. I guess I didn't come very prepared and now I'm imposing on you guys.
Angie: Oh no I was just joking.
Kim: Of course, we won't let you wander around in the jungle lost with no food.
Mike: Thanks, I really appreciate your help. I guess this will teach an accountant not to take his vacation in the wilds of Cuba again *he says using his cover story*.
*After their lunch they decide to pack up and push further into the jungle*.
Angie: *talking to Theresa and Kim in her tent* Okay gals what's our plan here. We have two extra people now and we are trying to keep our motives here somewhat of a secret.
Kim: Well Mike is lost and we can't just leave him.
Angie: Yeah I know. He seems like a nice guy and hopefully we can keep our reason for this trip a secret from him.
Theresa: So are you saying you don't think Stretch is a nice guy?
Angie: Well, you have to admit he just seems a little shady at times.
Theresa: *looking down at the ground* I guess you're right. But I really get the feeling that maybe he's running from something or someone and he feels safe with us. I can just see it in his eyes and he hasn't done anything wrong.
Kim: Okay here's the plan girls. Everybody comes along and we keep pretending like we're just out on vacation and hopefully we won't pick up any more strays.
Angie and Theresa: *laughing* Sounds good.
*The guys have gotten all their equipment together and are sitting outside waiting for the girls*.
Clint: What do you think they're doing in there?
Stretch: Who knows what women do when they get together. I mean why do they always have to go to the restroom in groups?
*The girls emerge from the tent to find the men all laughing*.
Angie: *walking over to Clint* What are you laughing at?
Clint: You darlin'! *he says as he picks her up and swings her around*.
Stretch: Are you gals ready to get going?
Theresa: *walking over to him and taking his hand* Yes we're ready. We just need to take the tent down.
*Now all packed up they head deeper into the lush jungle where the sounds of strange animal calls fill the air along with the sweet smell of exotic flowers*.
*Clint picks a beautiful flower from a bush and gives it to Angie and she puts it behind her ear. Stretch also picks a flower for Theresa and she holds it drinking in the exotic aroma. Mike and Kim following along behind them look kind of nervously at each other and then he too picks a flower for Kim*.
"Lou Gehrig was to baseball what Gary Cooper was to the movies: a figure of unimpeachable integrity, massive and incorruptible, a hero. Today, both are seen as paradigms of manly virtue. Decent and God-fearing, yet strongly charismatic and powerful." - Kevin Nelson
You're cracking me up!!!! I hate it when the Gary's don't frolic enough!!
"Lou Gehrig was to baseball what Gary Cooper was to the movies: a figure of unimpeachable integrity, massive and incorruptible, a hero. Today, both are seen as paradigms of manly virtue. Decent and God-fearing, yet strongly charismatic and powerful." - Kevin Nelson
Post by butterscotchgreer on Jul 2, 2007 22:18:05 GMT -5
oh yes frolic throught them forrests. HEEHEE! we cant have enough gary's, although i think ill just stick with my one, although my gary is number two and he does need to frolic a little more gracefully now doesnt he? hell get there!!
Post by *~Mrs. Cooper ~* on Jul 2, 2007 23:37:21 GMT -5
*Knowing he didn't have to do that, Kim smiles sweetly and places the flower behind her ear. He smiles but get interrupted by Clint*
Stretch: So where exactly are we going?
Angie: Well...
*Angie looks to Kim; Kim looks to Theresa; Theresa clears her throat*
Theresa: Well, there's a cabin up here just a ways; I thought we could spend a couple days there then head on down to the caves...
Stretch: How do you know that?
Theresa: I scoped the place out earlier...
Stretch: You're so smart...
*He gives her a peck on the lips.*
Angie: *Teasingly* Gee, thanks, Stretch.
Clint: Aww, you're smart, too, sweetie...
*Clint kisses Angie sweetly. Kim and Mike stand off to the side awkwardly and smile nervously.*
Theresa: Looks like we're embrrassing Kim and Mike over there...
Kim: Oh, no, don't mind us; by the time you guys get finished me and Mike will already hav--
*Angie nudges Kim*
Kim: --Been at the cabin...
*Kim gives Angie a 'look'; Angie smiles sheepishly*
Angie: *Whispers* Sorry...
*Mike watches their every move; he knows they have the map, but he'd like to see how far they can get until one of these other guys grabs it for himself. Fully equipped with the knowledge on what to do in a stessful situation, he just figures he better quickly get a feel for his surroundings, just in case he has to chase one of these jokers down.*
I just know they're here for that map...especially that 'Stretch' character. I can't quite make Clint out, but any sudden moves and I'll be forced to take that map to the station.
*The 6 continue on their way; Kim and Mike are trailing far behind when Mike runs into a rattle snake; Kim acts fast and throws her knife at it, hitting it spot on. She quickly removes her knife and continues walking.*
Mike: .............Where did you say you learned to 'hike'?
Kim: My father. He took us camping all the time; it's in our blood, I guess you could say.
*Mike nods, as if writing this all down in some sort of tablet in his head*
Mike: So why don't you have a guy of your own?
*Kim pauses and looks up at him*
Mike: I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be so rude--
Kim: No...
*She chuckles*
Kim: You just caught me off guard, that's all...
*The two walk the rest of the way in silence. A couple days later Angie and Theresa gather around a large table upstairs in the attic; Kim walks in and locks the door, taking her place next to the girls.*
Kim: All right, the meeting was called because our sloppiness has gotten a little out of hand.
*Theresa and Angie look down*
Kim: It isn't your fault....it's theirs. We're professional, girls, and we have to act professional!
Theresa: We're sorry, Kim! It's just that those boys are too doggone cute!
Angie: Yeah! We're like putty in their hands!
Kim: I know, that's our problem; if this were a trap we'd lose our business--maybe even our lives! Now, we have to figure out how we're gonna get to that treasure without letting them find out...
Angie: Clint's all right, he's a student
*She smiles proudly.*
Theresa: Stretch is saf--
*They both give her a look and shake their heads*
Theresa: Fine...but he is gorgeous; you have to admit.
*Both girls look to each other and smile, nodding their heads*
Angie: What about Mike?
Kim: *Sighs* I'm still not sure what to think about him; he seems like a reporter, maybe...or a journalist. He asks so many questions; I just can't put my finger on it.
Theresa: Well, whoever he is we can't spill too much information.
Kim: Look who's talking, Miss Information-Spiller!
Theresa: Don't you start that again; when he looked at me with those eyes I went numb! I couldn't resist!
Angie: That's our trouble...they're too irresistable!
Kim: We have to promise we won't spill anything more to them; keep a tight lip, girls; our lives depend on it!
*The girls nod in agreement when they hear a jiggle on the doorknob; their eyes dart to the door, then to each other.*
Man: It's Santa Claus little girls. Now open the door or I'll break it down *says the menacing voice outside*.
The girls, thinking quickly, hide the map in a crack between the logs in the wall just as the man kicks down the door and forces them downstairs at gunpoint. When they reach the livingroom they see Clint tied to a chair and if he looks as if he had been knocked out and has just come to. There is another strange man with a gun pointing it at Mike as Stretch also ties him to a chair.
Angie: Clint!! *she shouts as she runs over to him*.
Second gunmen (Joe): You better get away from him and join your sisters on the couch, NOW!!!
They all sit on the couch and Theresa begins to cry a little.
Theresa: How could you Stretch? How could you do this?
Stretch: My partners and I worked long and hard to get that map and it even got one of us killed. We're not about to let it go now. *he says coldly*.
First gunmen (Lenny): They were upstairs in the attic and I'm sure they hid the map up there. Stretch you come with me, Joe stay here and make sure they don't try anything funny.
As the two men head upstairs Joe walks over to the girls and begins to stroke Angie's hair rather suggestively.
Clint: Don't you touch her!!!
Joe: Oh yeah, what are you gonna do about it tough guy? *He slaps Clint with the back of his hand causing his lip to bleed*.
Angie now has tears slowly streaming down her cheeks as the man walks back over to her and touches her hair again.
Joe: I always did like redheads.
With Joe now distracted Mike easily gets free from the slipknots Stretch used to tie him to the chair and ambushes Joe from behind. They fight over the gun and it discharges directly into Joe's chest killing him instantly. Then they all hear a second shot from the attic. Mike picks up the gun and aims at the stairs as he hears someone descending. They soon see it's Stretch and he is also holding a gun and is covered with bloodsplatter.
Mike: Good it's you Stretch. *Mike says this relieved as he goes to untie Clint*.
Theresa: I don't understand, what's going on?
Stretch: *Kneeling in front of her* Those two guys were my partners and for years we've been making our living running con games or anything else we could think of besides actually working. Daniel, the man who you got the map from was also with us. He stole the map from an archive in LA. We thought it was just a treasure map and we'd finally land the big score. It must be big if it was worth killing him over. After that I knew I wanted out but I didn't know how to get away from them. When Mike and I were coming back in the with the firewood we saw them knock Clint out from behind through the window and that's when we hatched our plan. Thank goodness it worked. *he then grabs hold of Theresa and hugs her tight*.
Mike checks on Kim to make sure she's okay and he also informs them that he is a cop and has been following them b/c he thought they might be in danger. Angie rushes to Clint to check on him.
Clint: I'm alright, I'm alright *he says defensively and seems aggitated as he wipes the blood off his mouth with his sleeve*.
Stretch: We better get the body from the attic.
The three men head upstairs and the girls go and make some tea to try and calm their nerves. Once the men are back downstairs they all sit in the kitchen except Clint.
Angie: Don't you want some tea sweetheart?
Clint: No *he says curtly*. I'm tired and I think I'm gonna go to bed. We need to get on the move again tomorrow morning. Whoever killed Daniel is still out there somewhere. *He quickly turns and heads to his room*.
Angie stands there for a minute somewhat stunned and then follows him into his room where she finds him sitting on the bed with his head in his hands.
Clint: What do you want?
Angie: I wanted to make sure you were okay. What exactly happened?
Clint: He snuck up on me from behind and hit me in the head with something.
Angie feels the back of his head and finds quite a knot. He brushes her hand away.
Clint: *looking down to the floor* I couldn't protect you and your sisters. I'm just still a good for nothing who'll never be any good to anybody.
Angie: No that isn't true.
Clint: Yes it is. You know that ranch I told you about. I haven't actually worked it myself in years. I've been too busy drifting around from town to town gambling and raising cain.
Angie: But you're not like that anymore Clint.
Clint: Yes I am, I'm just good for nothing!!
Angie: *taking his face in her hands she turns him towards her* No you're not because I love you and I couldn't feel that way about a good for nothing!!.
Clint looks at her kind of stunned. His eyes begin to slightly tear up.
Clint: You do huh? *Angie nods* I love you too.
*With that said he holds her close and kisses her*.
"Lou Gehrig was to baseball what Gary Cooper was to the movies: a figure of unimpeachable integrity, massive and incorruptible, a hero. Today, both are seen as paradigms of manly virtue. Decent and God-fearing, yet strongly charismatic and powerful." - Kevin Nelson
Oh I think you're right Kim, it was Theresa's turn. Dang it I guess I got jumpy Okay Theresa can go next and then Kim and then me again I guess.
"Lou Gehrig was to baseball what Gary Cooper was to the movies: a figure of unimpeachable integrity, massive and incorruptible, a hero. Today, both are seen as paradigms of manly virtue. Decent and God-fearing, yet strongly charismatic and powerful." - Kevin Nelson
Post by butterscotchgreer on Jul 3, 2007 13:20:32 GMT -5
wow im not doing to great with my parts of the story, yall are kickin butt! heehee! my moms always says that.
thats okay thats yall skipped me, i forgive you. after all thats what long lost sisters do right?heehee!
theresa: *looking at stretch in shock*but i thought you were going to.....
stretch: *interupting her* that was before i met you. i starte to love you more and more, and realized that it wasnt worth it to any extent.
theresa: do you really mean it stretch?
stretch:*looking into her green eyes without any doubt he pulls her closer and kisses her so passionate.
theresa's eyes are still shut after he kisses her, and then she opens them searching deep in his eyes.
stretch:i really mean it. you do believe me dont you darling?
theresa:of course darling! ill always believe you*as a small tear rolls down her cheek*
stretch:you are crying
theresa:i am? *she wipes her face* i guess its because im so happy that everyone is safe, and that youre here with me
stretch: i love you
theresa: i love you too stretch*she throws her hands around his neck and hugs him close to her body*
kim: you are a cop?
mike: yes i was sent here to make sure nothing would happen to you or that map. i knew that you were being hunted down by men who have been searching for that map for years and years.
kim:oh, then you didnt just startle me on accident?
mike:well.....actually i didnt mean to do that to you, i didnt even know that you were the ones i was looking for intil i saw all of you together
"Lou Gehrig was to baseball what Gary Cooper was to the movies: a figure of unimpeachable integrity, massive and incorruptible, a hero. Today, both are seen as paradigms of manly virtue. Decent and God-fearing, yet strongly charismatic and powerful." - Kevin Nelson
Post by *~Mrs. Cooper ~* on Jul 3, 2007 14:27:11 GMT -5
*Kim looks down and smiles weakly; She looks back up to him*
Kim: I guess this is where we part then; you take the map, and we'll just continue on our way back to the office for--
*She begins to sob lightely, then excuses herself, walking past Mike. He stands there and looks to the girls who are being held close to their men. The girls give him a weak smile and shake their heads, looking toward the door. He walks over to the door and knocks gently. The rest of the gang decides they better leave Kim and Mike alone and walk outside, heading down to the stream.*
Mike: Kim, I--I know I was a little harsh...I don't have to leave with it...
*Kim opens the door and looks to him*
Kim: Really?
Mike: Yeah, I can leave it here. I know how much it means to you--
*Kim looks down, unable to tell him that she could care less about the map; it's him she truly wants... A man she can call her own and give her heart to--forever. But she keeps quiet and puts on a tough act.*
Kim: Thanks Mike, I really appreciate all you've done...
*Awkward silence lingers in the air. Their eyes meet and hold each others' gaze. Mike looks down*
Mike: I guess I better get going...
*Kim looks away, trying to suppress the tears. He hesitates for a moment then extends his hand*
Mike: It was great meeting your sisters...and you.
*He smiles faintly. She looks up and nods*
Kim: I've enjoyed your company as well, Mike.
*He builds up the courage to give her a quick peck on the cheek, then walks quickly to the door, leaving. Outside, Angie and Theresa see Mike making his way toward the trail; they look to the door he came out of, then look to each other*
Both: Uh oh...
*They excuse themselves and walk into the house, finding Kim sobbing on the ground*
Theresa: Oh Kim! What happened?
*Kim wipes her tears and inhales deeply, getting control of herself*
Kim: He left...
Angie: We can see that, but why?
Kim: He doesn't think we needed him anymore; he gave the map back and said goodbye.
*Stretch and Clint walk in and look to the girls*
Stretch: What's wrong?
Theresa: Mike left...
Stretch: That's tough, Kim; I'm sorry.
*Kim smiles weakly and shrugs*
Kim: That's all right..there'll be more fish in the s-s-s--
*She continues sobbing*
Angie: Oh Theresa, this is terrible! What are we going to do?
Theresa: Get him back here--what else?!
Kim: You can't call him back, Theresa; his job was to keep us safe, and that's what he did. My feelings don't count in this situation. Business is business, we know that.
*She slowly stands herself up and takes a deep breath, wiping her tears*
Kim: I'll be fine--really. Thanks for caring though; it's nice to know I have the support of family...
*Clint and Stretch look to their girls and smile, raising a brow.*
*Once Mike arrives back in town, he finds himself a nearest payphone and dials work.*
Mike: Hi, John?
John: Mike? Are the girls safe?
*Mike takes a deep sigh and pauses*
Mike: Yeah...
John: What's wrong? Did you lose the map?
Mike: No, Ki--I mean, one of the girls has it.
John: And you're sure it's in good hands?
Mike: We had an ambush this afternoon...
John: Is everyone all right?
Mike: Well yeah, it wasn't anything serious.
John: What about the criminals? Did you kill any of them?
Mike: *Sighs* Yes, John. They think there'll be another posse coming for them bu--
John: Then what the heck are you doing away from them?! Mike, your job is to protect them!
Mike: I can't! There are two other men there, John, I just don't...
John: You don't what?
Mike: I just don't fit in.
John: I don't care if you don't fit in! This is your job, Mike! Leave your feelings out of this and get back over there and protect that map!
Mike: Leave my feelings out of this? That's like asking me to run into an ambush without any protective gear or a gun!
John: ....You haven't gone and fallen for one of those broads, have ya'?
*Mike hangs up the phone harshly and starts to make his way back to the cabin*