4/24/18
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED
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1: Mr. Marken’s plan
The casino lounge was dark since the next show wouldn’t start for another hour. Alison Marken sat at a small table in the corner mentally reviewing the details of his upcoming presentation. Everything must be perfect.
He’d been general manager of the casino for ten years already and he’d made a lot of money for the owners. When he first came the place was going downhill, but it was his ideas and hard work which turned it around to become profitable again. Sure, the owners had paid him well. But it was still only a salary, not a percentage.
He’d brought it up to them several times, but they always said they couldn’t make any changes because the shares of this casino were already set. Thus he figured the only way around the problem was to start a new casino. He had come up with a plan and now he was taking his shot. He could hit the big time if only the investors saw the potential.
A showgirl approached the darkened table and spoke, “Hi, Markie.”
A look of annoyance crossed his face at the interruption of his thoughts, but he quickly concealed it as he looked up. “Hi, Crystal. I caught your new act. It was great.”
“You really think so?”
“Sure, babe, you were the best one out there. It won’t be long till you’re the lead dancer.”
“Yeah? I thought I didn’t get it right.”
“Just wait and see. Here, I got you a little present.”
“Oh, Markie, it’s beautiful! What is –”
“It’s a necklace, see? A casino coin mounted on a silver chain.”
“Oh-h, I love silver filigree. Thank you!”
“Listen, one of the guys I’m waiting for just got here. You run along and I’ll see you later.”
“Sure, honey,” said Crystal. “I love you.”
“Love you too. Now go on.”
The showgirl left and Mr. Marken stood up and extended his hand to
the approaching geologist. “Mr. Johnson, thanks for coming.”
“You can call me Peter. And your name again?”
“Mr. Marken.”
“Yes, and your first name?”
“Just Marken. Never mind about my first name; I don’t use it.”
“Ok then, Mr. Marken. Was that your girlfriend I saw leaving?”
Again annoyance flashed across his face. Why do people always feel they can intrude into other people’s private matters? But he had to be nice; he needed this man. “For the time being,” he smiled.
“Um, is it customary here to give jewelry to one-night-stands?”
“Oh, that. It’s just a cheap souvenir from the gift shop. A trinket. Girls like that kind of stuff.”
“So, then, what exactly are you needing from me?”
“Well, Peter, you mentioned earlier that you’ve been to Konda Booma in the South Pacific.”
“Yes. I was there to study it. That’s my –”
“Right,” interrupted Marken. “Well, I’m about to pitch a business idea to some investors, and I want you to tell them about the islands and the natives. It’ll help me if you back up what I say.”
“Ok. And you said you’ll pay a thousand dollars just for a short explanation?”
“That’s right. But you have to make it sound good.”
“Whether they invest or not?”
“Don’t worry, you’ll get paid.”
Mr. Marken reached into the pocket of his sport coat and drew out a small bottle. He withdrew a tiny pill and placed it under his tongue, then returned the bottle to his pocket.
“Are you okay?” asked Mr. Johnson.
“Yeah. Just some nitroglycerin, for my angina. This presentation has me — . Oh, here we go.”
Three men in dark suits arrived, then after a round of introductions and handshakes, Mr. Marken led them to the readied meeting room.
“Thank you for coming, gentlemen,” Mr. Marken began. “I wish to share with you an opportunity to increase your wealth and expand your territory.” He paused to make eye contact with each one and give them what he hoped was a confident smile before continuing.
“I plan to open a casino hotel on an island group I’ve found which is outside the jurisdiction of any gaming commission. So there will be no taxes and we’ll have free reign to do business as we wish. All I need is starting capital, then we’ll be pulling in money faster than we can count it.
“The islands are beautiful and can be a tourist destination in themselves. The natives are backwards, even gullible, so we can get a long-term land lease for just pennies. Plus, they’ll be a ready supply of unskilled labor for custodial and grounds work. Best of all the place isn’t too far out of the way. So I’ve begun initial discussions with a cruise ship company to add our island as a port-of-call on its Hawaii to Tahiti run. They seem receptive to the idea, we just need to negotiate the details. I also have here a geologist who is familiar with the islands and can tell you about their suitability. Mr. Johnson, please.”
Peter Johnson stood up and nodded to the men. “Hello. I visited the islands to study the volcano there; I’m a vulcanologist, you see. And it’s exactly as Mr. Marken says, the islands are beautiful; very much like Hawaii. The ground is stable, well suited for building, and there’s a plentiful supply of fresh water. So it has what you need to make a good start. Plus, the locals are very friendly. They have their own culture and beliefs, which your tourists will find quaint. I got acquainted with one of the native girls and she was very impressed with ‘modern’ technology. She loved our motorboats, since they all travel by canoe. And she thought our radios and cell phones were actually magic.”
One of the investors, Mr. Costa, motioned with his hand, then spoke.
“You paint a pretty picture, Marken. And if everything plays out the way you present it, then this proposition may have promise. However, there’s a lot we have to check out before we can commit to such a large project. We’ll need to review your business plan, the legal department will have to verify the laws of that territory, we’ll need for our own engineers and architects to examine the site, sorry Mr. Johnson, and of course we’ll have to agree on your percentage. But before we even begin our side of this, there’s something for you to do do first. There must be a signed lease giving us exclusive rights to that island, or this scheme isn’t going anywhere. To put it simply: no lease, no investment. Give us a call once you have that, and we’ll talk again.”
* * * *
2: Hi’iaka’s Portent
The island volcano of Konda Booma gave an abrupt roar, then settled into a muffled reverberation like a prolonged growl. It was as if the normally subdued mount was giving a presage of coming danger.
The cone always issued a thin skein of light smoke and steam which stretched across the aqua-hued South Pacific. But now a dense column of dark smoke and ash was quickly rising, to signal that the warning was indeed from the volcano, and not merely a thunderstorm.
The low pitched rumble rolled south across the sparkling sea swells until it reached the nearby isles of Vacca and Toomba. All three islands were volcanic, but only Konda Booma was still active. Being long dormant, Vacca and Toomba were covered with tropical vegetation and populated with islanders. Konda Booma, on the other hand, remained uninhabited.
Vacca and Toomba each had their own chieftain, but their two tribes had always been on good terms. Legend held that many generations ago they had been brought to these islands by the volcano goddess, and in the beginning had been ruled by a single chief. Nowadays, however, the separate chiefs maintained friendly relations by having their heirs choose spouses from the other chieftain’s family.
In addition to intermarriage of the ruling families, the two groups were united by a common religion. They firmly believed that the great goddess Hi’iaka lived in the volcano, and it was she who supplied all their needs and protected them from every threat. She made them all strong and healthy, blessed them with children, and kept the inhabitants contented and at peace with each other. Their society was idyllic due to her favors, and they all knew it.
Each spring the inhabitants of both islands assembled together and held a great feast of worship and thanks. This annual celebration was the time for other traditions as well, so it was much anticipated as the high point of the entire year.
The date for this year’s gathering had arrived and it was shaping up to be a particularly important one. The recent arrival of an outsider with a dramatic proposal had brought about a great deal of disruption to their society, and it was hoped that a resolution might be found during the festival. Thus it was taken as a profound portent when the volcano sounded at noon on the day of their ceremony.
* * * *
3: Mala & Ponk
Earlier that morning on the island of Toomba, Mala had stood on the broad, sandy beach gazing at the sea. A soft breeze brushed across her and kept the sun from feeling too hot, then rustled the deep green leaves of the thick jungle just beyond the beach. It soothed her troubled thoughts to watch the colors shift from the greenish-blue of the shallows to the darker blue of the deep.
Like many young adults, Mala was thinking of marriage and how she might win the one she desired — Bron. The problem was he was engaged to someone else. Even so, she wasn’t ready to give up hope. Mala’s eyes turned toward Vacca and her face tightened. That was the home of her rival. There must be some way — somehow — something that could break their engagement. It had been known to happen.
It wasn’t that Bron was the only man around. She was good looking
and knew it, so she could have her pick from all the guys her age.
In fact one of them, Ponk, really liked her and made no secret of it.
And if she were honest with herself, he would be the next best
choice. But it was the one she couldn’t have that she really wanted.
What was she to do?
Mala looked again toward Konda Booma and dropped to her knees. “Oh, great Hi’iaka, hear my cry. I’ve worshipped you faithfully my whole life. Please, please make that engagement be broken! I’ll do anything you want; I’ll give you my most valuable possession. Just please, somehow make it so I can marry — um, you know who it should be.” Mala didn’t want to say Bron’s name out loud for fear it might offend the goddess by seeming to tell her what to do. She quickly stood up and turned. The call of startled birds screeching in the jungle behind her announced that someone coming.
“Oh, good, Mala, you’re here. You must accept me,” Ponk said getting right to the point. “I’m the best man on both islands.” Seeing her raised eyebrows he added, “Well, the best that’s still available. You know Bron is pledged to Sassi.”
Bron was the son of the chief of Toomba, and Sassi was the oldest daughter of the chief of Vacca. The two chiefs had sworn their children to marriage years ago.
Since Mala didn’t reply Ponk continued. “I’ve already built a hut for us so we don’t have to live with my parents. I’ve made myself a canoe and can go fishing anytime. I’m strong and can even paddle to Vacca and back in less than an hour.”
“Yes, I know you’d be a great husband,” Mala said without feeling.
“I have a gift for you,” said Ponk. He opened the pouch on his belt and pulled out a piece of bright red coral. “I got this at Konda Booma.”
Mala was shocked. “You didn’t go onto Konda Booma, did you?”
“No! I was only fishing near there when I saw this and dove for it. I think it’d make a nice necklace.” He blushed slightly as he said this.
Although several miles away, Konda Booma was clearly visible. It was forbidden to go ashore there since the active volcano showed it was home to their goddess. But a few of the braver men would sometimes fish in the shallows around its shores.
* * * *
4: Sassi & Bron
At this same time over on the island of Vacca, a similar situation and similar conversation were playing out. Bron was visiting Sassi to see if she wanted to finally have their wedding tonight at this year’s Spring Luau rather than wait until next year’s.
The chief of Vacca had two daughters — Sassi and Zina. Sassi was exceptionally pretty and had an outgoing personality. Also, as the eldest and the one expected to become Vacca’s next ruler, Sassi was used to getting her way. Zina, by contrast, was quiet and reserved. She too was good looking, but hers was a timeless beauty rather than a transient glamour. She also was endowed with deep insight, which some said was a gift from the goddess.
“Sassi, hurry up,” urged Zina. “Bron is out there waiting.”
“I’ll go out when I’m ready. So he can just keep waiting,” Sassi replied.
“Oh ho, she knows how to put men in their place,” chuckled Mr. Marken. “A natural leader.”
Sassi looked pleased at the compliment, but beside her Zina slowly shook her head.
Mr. Marken went on, “Once you marry him, won’t you be able to make decisions for both islands?”
“I’m certainly going to try,” Sassi answered forcefully.
Zina explained to Mr. Marken, “Typically Bron should rule on Toomba and Sassi rule on Vacca.”
“I’d like to control both islands, like long ago,” huffed Sassi. “But he’s too stubborn!”
“You’d be a good one to bring that back,” smiled Mr. Marken. “That would really make things easier.”
“But now I’m not sure I even want to go through with it. He’s so, so –”
Zina looked shocked. “Sassi! You’re already pledged. To back out now would be –”
“I don’t care! Engagements can be broken, you know. I have to do what’s best for me!”
“Well for now you can’t make him wait any longer. So get out there.” Zina gave Sassi a gentle push.
Sassi slowly strolled to where Bron was waiting. Then without any word of greeting, or any apology for making him wait, she got right to what was on her mind.
“I know you’re going to be chief of your island someday …” Sassi began.
“I’m already acting as chief,” Bron interrupted. “Ever since father got sick I’ve been in charge.”
“But the problem,” she continued, “is that even as chief you can only offer so much. I want more than just fish and shells.”
“What are you talking about? This is our life, our way.”
“Haven’t you met Mr. Marken yet? He wants to put a casino on our islands. He says it will make us modern and not so backwards.”
“Yes, I’ve met him. He’d change everything.”
“That’s what I mean. Think of it — motorboats instead of canoes, more food than just fish, rich men …”
“They’d look down on us and treat us as servants, or worse.”
“You’re not seeing what he could do for us,” she said. “But I’m smart enough to know a good thing when I see it. Just give him that lease now, then we’ll each be free to do other things.”
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“If you do what he wants, then we can do whatever we want. We wouldn’t have to stick to the old ways and do what others say. We could even leave here if we want, and see other places. He’s here now; he came back again today and is waiting in my hut. Please? Just listen to him again.”
Sassi went into her hut and sent Mr. Marken out alone. As he exited the hut, he wiped the sleeve of his sport coat across his oily forehead.
“Brawn, good to see you again. Have you reconsidered my offer? We’d prefer to locate the casino on Toomba since it has a better beach for installing docks.” Getting no response beyond a stoney face he went on. “We could choose Vacca instead, of course. But then the villagers here would get priority for the service jobs. A young chief like you should think of what’s best for his people. I’m your friend, let me help you.”
Bron still didn’t speak, he just shook his head ‘no’.
Mr. Marken’s face flushed and his lips tightened. “Know this, young man, I always get what I want! You’d do well to listen to Miss Sassi. She’s very clever, for what she is.”
With another shake of his head Bron returned to his canoe and headed home. The exertion of paddling burned away some of his anger. He was halfway back to Toomba when Konda Booma gave its warning blast. He paddled faster knowing that by the time he arrived home his entire village would already have responded and would be on the beach praying.
* * * *
5: Change of Heart
Mala heard the rumble and was coming out of her hut when she ran into Ponk.
“Mala, wait,” he said. “Maybe this will finally make you see, no one can ever be sure of tomorrow. We must take what we have today. Say you’ll marry me.”
Looking into his eyes Mala saw more than just desire for a pretty wife; he really cared about her, and her heart softened. She thought to herself, “Hi’iaka hasn’t answered me before; no reason to think she will this time. Might as well take what I can get.” At last consenting to Ponk’s plea she smiled weakly and nodded. He smiled back but his eyes showed he was still uncertain of the meaning of her reply.
She went back into her hut and returned with a two-foot length of leather cord and the piece of red coral he’d given her that morning. She tied the coral to the middle of the lanyard, knotted the two ends together, and pulled the loop over her head. With this act she showed she accepted his proposal. He grinned broadly and pulled her into a tight embrace. She gave him a quick kiss then said, “We’d better hurry.” She took his hand in hers and they ran for the path. Upon reaching the beach they found everyone already there and Bron leading the chanting.
This sign from Konda Booma was a wake-up call for Bron. The effect was similar to when a shift in the breeze brings to a peacefully grazing deer the scent of a tiger nearby. And now he was seeing many recent events in a new light. Bron had disliked Mr. Marken from the start; primarily because he trusted his father’s instincts. But now he was beginning to understand for himself just how drastically outsiders would alter their lives.
Bron thought back to the first time he met Mr. Marken. He and his father had been sitting outside their hut when a stranger approached and began speaking with the familiarity of an old friend. This was a very presumptuous manner for an outsider to take with a chief, but Bron’s father overlooked the disrespect and let the man talk.
“Chief, thanks for seeing me,” said Mr. Marken with a broad smile. “I’m here to share with you an opportunity to increase your wealth. Uh, I have a proposition which will make you rich. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
He paused so the chief could say yes, but there was no reaction, just an impassive face. He then continued. “I’d like to build a casino hotel on Toomba, and bring tourists here to vacation and spend money. You wouldn’t have to do anything; I’d take care of it all. You’d only have to cash your rent checks and decide how to spend it.” Still there was no response.
“It would also help your people. The hotel would have plenty of jobs for your men and women. It’d be good for everyone! How’s that sound? Hmm? All I need from you is a lease giving me the go ahead to do all this. What do you say?” There was a long silence and Mr. Marken fidgeted.
The Chief of Toomba finally spoke, “No, thank you.”
Mr. Marken’s face fell. “But why?! Don’t you want to be rich?” Then turning to Bron, “You can see the benefit of this, can’t you? A chief should want to do what’s good for his people! Shouldn’t he?!”
Feeling pressed, Bron responded, “I suppose so.”
“Good! At least you can see it even if he can’t!”
Seeing Bron’s face grow clouded, Mr. Marken tried to repair the situation. “Sorry, sorry. I didn’t mean anything by that. I tell you what. Let me give you a gift. To, uh, to show there’s no offense meant. I have something for you in my cabin cruiser, my boat. I’ll be right back.”
He returned a few minutes later with three bottles of Coca-Cola. Bron reached out his hand, but Mr. Marken moved past him.
“No, this one’s for the Chief. There you go, sir. Here, Bron, take this one, and I’ll have the last.”
All three unscrewed the plastic caps. Then seeing the other two waiting, Mr. Marken lifted the bottle to his mouth and took a long draw from it.
The chief then took a sip, smiled broadly, and took another. He burped softly and rubbed his nose, then tilted the bottle up and nearly drained the remainder. Bron too started with a small sip, then drank heartily. The chief and Bron both burped loudly, and Mr. Marken laughed with pleasure. Then keeping his eyes on the chief, he drank again from his own, and smiled.
“Well, Chief, I must hurry on. I have other things to do. But I’ll be back in a couple of days. Maybe you’ll have changed your mind. Bye, Bron. I’ll be talking more with you too.”
Shortly after Mr. Marken left the island, the Chief of Toomba became ill. He complained of a fierce headache and said his chest felt funny, then a few minutes later passed out. He remained unconscious, barely breathing, for two days. At last he awakened, but remained too weak to get out of bed. It was clear he was in for a long, slow recovery.
The third day after the initial meeting, Mr. Marken returned and spoke with Bron. “Oh, Bron, I heard about what happened. I’m so sorry your father got sick. It’s lucky he survived though. Heh heh. He must have a strong constitution.”
Bron didn’t reply. He just looked at Mr. Marken.
“I’ve also heard you’re serving as chief now. That’s great! Say, now that you’re the one making decisions, perhaps we can go ahead with that agreement. What do you say? Do we have a deal?”
Bron’s eyes narrowed. “No sir, Mr. Marken. I stand by the answer my father gave you.”
“Gah! You people! It’s so hard to deal with idiots who can’t see what’s good for them. Then I’ll just go over to Vacca. What do you think of that? Perhaps after you see how rich they get, you’ll realize what a mistake you just made.”
Mr. Marken stormed away to the beach and it was days before Bron saw his again.
Bron’s mind came back to the present. He continued chanting and rocking back and forth, but glanced around at the worried faces. Things had begun changing ever since the outsider had arrived, and none of it had been good. Now Hi’iaka was telling them something was wrong. He glanced back toward her island. Perhaps since she was warning him of a problem, she would also show him the way to solve it. He chanted even louder.
His mind raced. Another problem was the strange change in Sassi. He could see her growing fascination with the outsider. She didn’t seem to care that soon there’d be a flood of foreigners, all bringing strange ways and spoiling their long-held customs. In fact, she seemed to be striving for that end. It wouldn’t be long before their people even stopped believing in Hi’iaka! And as ruler, he couldn’t let that happen. He had too much respect for the goddess and too much love for his people.
After a half-hour of chanting the rumbling had subsided some, but clouds of smoke and ash still rose thick from Konda Booma. “That’s enough for now,” announced Bron. “We’ll continue this evening. We must finish preparing for tonight’s luau.”
* * * *
6: End Results
An hour before sunset the people of both islands were gathered on Toomba’s large beach. Bonfires were already lit, tables were loaded with food, and the musicians had begun playing their drums softly to get people in the right mood.
Several stools were placed near the center fire. Ordinarily there would be only two, for the chiefs. But this time more were needed because Bron’s father was feeling well enough to be present, and Sassi’s father had invited Mr. Marken to attend.
Once everyone was present, Bron stood up and faced the crowd. “Welcome, people of Vacca and people of Toomba. I wish to speak.” The crowd immediately quieted.
“Our spring luau should be a time for celebration, but instead, this year it has become a time of trouble. As you see, the goddess is angry! And why? Because a stranger has come among us to change, to destroy, the way we have lived for centuries.
“This stranger wants to take our islands and fill them with outsiders. He wants to turn us all into servants for his guests. When that man first came, the Chief of Toomba rejected his plan knowing this would be a terrible thing for us. Then immediately after the meeting our chief grew deathly ill. I say that man poisoned him! Or put a curse on him.
“Since then he has continued to spread his deceiving words; so much so that some among us have already been bewitched to turn against our people. Look! Sassi of Vacca even wears his necklace!”
Sassi gasped and raised her hand to her throat. But she was too slow. Everyone had seen the filigree silver chain with its casino-coin pendant.
Bron raised his arms to silence the people’s murmuring and went on. “Hi’iaka has been angered! So now there is only one remedy. Chief of Vacca, what say you?” Bron sat down.
Bron’s words had been very bold! Never had a chief spoken so harshly. He had not only charged an invited guest with attempted murder, he’d also just accused a chieftain’s daughter of infidelity. The people of both tribes held their breath and watched the Vacca chief. His response to Bron’s allegations would determine if the two islands continued in peace.
From his seat the Chief of Vacca took a moment to look around at the concerned faces. He too had been disturbed by the outsider’s proposal and the effect it would have, and indeed was already having on his village. He then gazed at Sassi who still clutched the necklace, and his face reddened. He had been counting on her to maintain their traditions. That would be the best way, the only way, for their people to continue being blessed by Hi’iaka. But by openly accepting the outsider she had disrespected not only him and his position as chief, she’d also offended the goddess. At last, after glancing in the direction of Konda Booma, he stood.
“Bron speaks true!” he said. “The goddess is angry, and it is indeed for the reasons he said. I agree, there is but one remedy. Bron, you and your warriors take Sassi up to the cliffs and sacrifice her. It’s proper you do it since you were the one betrayed. I and my men will stay and deal with the outsider.”
Bron nodded. Sassi was shocked at first, but quickly recovered. She knew it was pointless to argue, and there was nowhere to run, so she chose to be brave and show a defiant face. Mr. Marken on the other hand had more difficulty accepting this sudden and unanticipated turn of events.
“Now wait just a minute,” he said. “I’ve only been trying to help you people. No, let go of me; let go! Ok, I’ll leave. Wait, wait!” But his cries were to no avail.
Later that evening the villagers reassembled. Mr. Marken’s head now adorned the shaft of a spear stuck in the ground between the chief’s stools while his torso trimmed the edge of the sea.
Once again Bron stood to speak. “Look,” he said pointing to Konda Booma in the distance. The outline of the distant volcano was clearly visible in the bright moonlight, and the glow of the caldera reflected from the low lying clouds. The volcano had grown quiet and the smoke plume had returned to its usual thin trail. “Hi’iaka is appeased!”
The people cheered.
“Also, I am now free to choose another to be my wife,” he said.
A small cry of distress from Mala made people look her direction. Seeing so many faces turned to her, she blushed and looked down.
The Chief of Vacca spoke and drew their attention back to himself. “Bron, may I make a suggestion?” Seeing Bron nod he continued.
“I’d like to offer you my second daughter, Zina. If you will accept, this would remove the dishonor from my family for not keeping our pledge to your family.” He then called out, “Zina, come forward.”
Zina, two years younger than Sassi, ran out of the crowd and knelt at her father’s feet. He lifted her face toward himself and asked, “Are you willing to be pledged to Bron?”
“Yes, father,” she replied.
Then turning her face toward Bron, he said, “You see, she’s pretty too. Are you willing to accept her?”
Bron could just reply that he needed time to meditate on the question, and that would end the matter without giving offense. He would then have until next year’s festival to decide whether or not to accept the substitution.
But did he wish to say that? He had seen Zina many times on his trips to Vacca but had never thought of her in this context. As he considered, he recalled hearing it said many times she was wise beyond her age. That was a good trait for a chief’s wife to have.
He was forming an answer, but before speaking he looked toward Konda Booma. There he saw several flashes of lightning in the clouds above the volcano. It was a sign of confirmation. He was decided.
“Yes,” he said loudly. “I accept Zina as my wife. Further I need no courtship period. Let it be now.”
Zina ran to him and they embraced. The crowd cheered, the drummers started playing, and the crowd began dancing and singing. Bron and Zina tried to dance but people kept pressing in to congratulate them. Soon people were moving to the food and drink tables, and the festivities grew louder.
Zina noticed Mala and Ponk also dancing, but Mala didn’t seem as happy as she should be, given that it was her wedding day too. Zina understood Mala’s feelings. The thing she had long hoped for had just happened; only it came too late since she was now engaged to Ponk. Zina also knew that until Mala resolved her dilemma, she’d not be as committed to Ponk as she should be. And that could eventually lead to problems between the four of them.
Zina asked Bron for his knife. He drew it from his belt and handed it to her. She noticed smudges of fresh blood on the blade and handle but pushed the significance from her mind.
She ran to the water’s edge where the stranger’s torso was rocking back and forth in the surf. She plunged the knife deeply into its side and sawed all the way across. Next she reached through the abdomen, pulled the heart out, and cut it free.
She went to where Mala and Ponk were standing and held the heart out with both hands. Mala knew she was being greatly honored. With this gesture Zina was publicly proclaiming that Mala and Ponk were important to the new ruling family. Mala reached out and accepted the gift, then fell to her knees. At last she knew her place and was content with it. Zina touched Mala’s head then returned to Bron.
Mala looked at the object in her hands, then looked to Konda Booma in the distance. With a sudden smile she walked to the edge of the sea and bowed to the goddess. She recognized that through this day’s events her prayer had indeed been answered, only in a way different than she’d expected. So now recognizing that she’d been answered, she’d pay her vow. Mala threw the heart into the surf as far as she could.
Later that evening Bron looked toward Mala and Ponk and noticed Mala dancing most enthusiastically. He realized the reports of Zina’s wisdom had not been overestimated.
He would be glad to accept her judgment and input on the daily issues which faced their people. Together they would jointly rule both villages, and their islands would continue in peace and happiness for many years to come. He smiled as he considered how the goddess had brought things about.
* * * *
Epilogue: Marken’s cabin cruiser.
The day after the Spring Luau, Bron and Ponk were working together at the beach where the festivities had been held.
Sassi’s body had been wrapped in a blanket, along with several large stones, and placed in Bron’s canoe to be taken out to sea and dropped overboard. Likewise, Mr. Marken’s body and head were similarly wrapped and placed in Ponk’s canoe. Bron and Ponk tied long ropes between the cabin cruiser and their two canoes so they could tow it out to sea as well.
“This sure would be a lot easier if I weren’t so tired,” said Ponk. “I’ve never felt so weak before.”
Bron looked at him and smiled. “I know what you mean. It’s sure a nice feeling though, isn’t it?”
They both laughed knowingly.
“Once we set Mr. Marken’s boat free, his spirit can take it with him to the next world. He seemed to like it a lot,” said Ponk.
“Yes,” replied Bron. “And maybe Sassi’s spirit will want to ride along. She seemed to like him a lot.”
Ponk gave a long look at Bron, but said nothing. He knew how it felt to like someone who liked someone else. Fortunately things were starting to work out for them both.
Having everything ready, they paddled their canoes away from the islands, towing the large boat behind them. Once they reached the deep water current, they tied their canoes together. Then helping each other they lifted the two bodies out of the canoes and released them to the sea.
Bron then climbed aboard the cabin cruiser, untied the ropes, and started its motor. Once the boat was heading west, the direction from which it had originally come, Bron jumped out and swam back to his canoe. Bron and Ponk then returned to Toomba.
Unknown to any of the islanders, Mr. Marken’s cabin cruiser kept to its westward trek, first under the power of its engine until the fuel ran out, then by ocean currents and winds till it was found adrift by a passing freighter and towed to their destination. The naval authorities concluded that Mr. Marken had somehow fallen overboard and been lost at sea. His casino investors expounded to each other how they had warned him against traveling alone among the distant, primitive islands, but that he had maintained he knew what he was doing and there was no danger at all.
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