by Thom J Poore
Chapter 5: Wingman
Emilio sinks his head into the luxurious black silk pillows and glares at the ceiling. Raised voices from the room next door penetrate his thoughts. After ten minutes of trying to ignore the commotion and get to sleep the voices begin getting louder and more aggravated. Realising sleep is out of the question now, and overwhelmed with curiosity, he slowly slips out of the sheets and walks silently over to the far wall, pressing his ear up against the divide in an attempt to listen in. He is disappointed to find that all he can hear is a more intense mumbled drone. After a few minutes, the voices die down. Tiptoeing quietly back to bed, he checks his phone; it’s 12:10am. Setting his phone for 7:30am, he drifts into a restless sleep.
A strange thump, followed by a shattering of glass pulls him back to consciousness. The noise was only just audible through the wall from the adjoining room, and so fails to alert attention anywhere else in the building. Emilio jumps up in shock, concerned by what the sound could have been. Slipping quietly into the bathroom, he leans against the wall trying once again to hear what is happening. A minute later, he hears what sounds like the balcony doors sliding open. He rushes into the main room and out onto the balcony, where he’s greeted by the ever-busy city street. The Mammoth is clambering down the fire escape, but gravity is no friend to his immense frame, and he falls the last few steps. Once on the ground, he crouches down to inspect his leg, which has been badly cut by the cold metal. A car parked on the opposite side of the road jerks into life, accelerating over to him with a startled, stuttered panic. The Mammoth hauls himself up, pulls open the rear door and dives across the back seats. The car quickly speeds off without its lights on and the rear door flapping open. Emilio’s mind is reeling, thinking over every possibility to try and work out what might have happened next door. He walks back into the living room and sits nervously on the sofa. His phone is lying on the floor beside the bed. It’s 1:48am. He looks over to Karl’s bed, double-checking that it’s still empty. Not knowing what to do next, he heads for the mini-bar and fixes himself a neat double shot of bourbon. Slumping onto the living room sofa, he puts the cold glass to his hot, perspiring forehead to cool and calm himself. He downs the liquor and decides the best thing to do is forget about the whole thing. Lying back, flooded with exhaustion and yet more alcohol, Emilio closes his eyes and falls asleep on the soft leather sofa.
At 6:56am the door to the boys’ room is quietly unlocked. Karl creeps in, and sighs inwardly at the sight of his friend crashed out on the sofa. Just his luck! Trying his hardest not to wake Emilio, he tiptoes past the sofa. As he reaches for the bedroom door handle he hears a drowsy voice.
“You dirty dog, what time do you call this?” Emilio queries, with his eyes shut.
“What are you talking about, I’ve just got up. I got in hours ago.” Karl cringes.
“So why are you wearing the same outfit you had on last night? What happened? Did you get it on with aunty Marilyn?"
“You’re gross Emilio. And no, I didn’t, as it happens, I fell asleep while she was giving me a foot massage.”
“Oh, a foot massage? That’s creative! I haven’t heard that one before. Anyway, Karl, get the coffee on, we’ve got a long day ahead of us.”
“You mean you’ve got a long day ahead of you!” Replies Karl, sharply.
Emilio sits up on the sofa and yawns, realizing he has work to do if he’s going to get Karl back on side.
“Come over here, Karl. Take a seat. We have to talk business. Look, I don’t know how to put this, buddy, but I’m gonna lay it on the line here anyway. I need your help. I can’t do it alone. Only you have the skills necessary to take us all the way.”
Karl shakes his head with a wry smile. He knows Emilio is lying through his teeth, and saying absolutely anything he can to try and rope him into to his plans. But the effort and content of what he is saying is keeping him interested for the time being at least, merely on a humorous level.
“Look, we’ll fly out there and spend one day, max! We’ll find the plant and then head back here for an unforgettable two weeks of fun and sun. I promise. It will take one day, tops. Come on, buddy, it could even be a laugh.” Says Emilio light-heartedly, pushing Karl on the arm in a friendly manner.
Karl sits apprehensively, considering his friend’s words.
“I don’t know, man, it could be dangerous. And besides, I’m pissed off you lied to me. We're supposed to be best friends and tell each other everything. Look at it from my point of view. You’ve kept this whole jungle trip a secret from me, and now your telling me that you can’t do it without me. Don’t treat me like an idiot, Emilio.” Karl’s tone is disappointed and despondent.
“I know. I’m sorry, and you not an idiot. I should have told you about it before. I just didn’t want to freak you out, and have you ruin your chances of being part of something great. But do you realize Karl, that if we can actually find this plant, and if my theories about it are correct, then you and me, Winters and Deadshore, we could be the people responsible for discovering a legitimate cure for cancer! We would go down in history, Karl. Think of all the millions of lives we could potentially save.”
Emilio sees Karl’s expression change from an uncomfortable grimace to one of marginal interest and deep thought. He can see he’s struck a chord, and continues to paint the scene.
“You could be rich and famous beyond your wildest dreams. Think about it. Think about what you could buy with all that money.”
“Maybe you're right, Emilio. Karl Deadshore, the co-discoverer of the first cure for cancer. I kinda like the sound of that.”
“Exactly, Karl, you know it makes sense. Think of all the lives that could be saved. All the money that could be earned.” Emilio starts clicking his fingers and grooving his head around to a tune playing in his mind as he senses Karl is having a change of heart.
“Ok Emilio, you’ve convinced me. I will help you, but don’t lie to me again, ok?”
“Never again Karl, I swear to God! Just straight up pure honesty from now on. Look, let’s get ready, our flight leaves in a few hours.”
“Great! More fucking flying, you seriously owe me for this, Emilio.”
“Anything you ever ask me, I will do, no question. Remember, you’re gonna be a hero. Right, come on, let’s go get ready and then I’ll call Carlos to pick us up!”
Chapter 6: Flight to Iquitos