Shark approached the bar back. He was an enormous hippo who was carrying five cases of beer. He dropped them behind the bar and looked at Shark. “How’s it going, my friend?” The hippo had a very deep voice. “You guys just get in? See you already got some of those Rum Jungles. Better watch it. They can creep up on you.”
Shark leaned against the bar as the hippo unloaded the beer into coolers behind the counter. “Yeah, we did just get in. We had to hike over the mountain. Seems the road is closed due to a lava flow.”
The hippo nodded in agreement. “That it is. It’s been closed about a month. We’ve been getting our supplies by boat.”
“Can I ask you something?”
The hippo stopped unpacking the beer and gave Shark his attention. “No problem. What can I help you with?”
Shark took out a picture of Vixen and handed it to him. “I’m looking for someone. I thought you might recognize her. Her name is Vixen.”
The hippo looked at the picture and his eyes grew wide. A large smile came across his face as he let out a big, happy laugh. “Vixen, of course I know Vixen. She’s been here every day for almost a month.” The hippo handed the picture back to Shark and looked at him closely. “You must be the pool-playing shark she’s been talking about.”
“That all depends on what she’s been saying,” Shark joked.
The hippo extended his hand. “Well, any friend of Vixen is a friend of mine. My friends call me Hippo.”
Shark shook his hand. “My friends call me Shark.”
Hippo called over to the panther. “Cahira, this is Vixen’s Shark.”
Cahira made her way to the end of the bar. She extended her hand. “The famous pool-playing Shark. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you, also.” Shark gently took the panther’s hand, then released it. “Cahira, that’s a pretty name. Any idea what it means?”
Cahira smiled. “It means warrior. So don’t mess with me.”
They all laughed. Cahira rang a bell and announced, “First twenty rounds are on the house. If anyone is still standing after that they get the tab.”
Shark looked at her. “Sounds good,” he said, then scanned the bar and the beach. “So is Vixen around?”
Hippo returned to his task of stocking beer. “She’s been spending the days out in the jungle. Been looking for something. She usually gets back about now. She hasn’t missed one of our nightly sunset celebrations since she’s been here.”
Hippo again looked up at Shark. “The best part about waiting for a woman in a place like this is that you can grab a drink, play some pool, and just kick back and relax. Out here time stands still, and any problems you might have are more than an ocean away. It’s just drinks, pool, and music, all grooving to a paradise beat.”
Shark nodded his head as he headed back toward the table. “Sounds pretty cool.”
Dog Z Boy was having the time of his life. “Thessse Rum Jungles are not that ssstrong,” he said, slurring his speech.
Shark noticed a cute, white-furred poodle join the staff behind the bar. She put on a waitress’s apron and approached the table. “Can I get you two a few more?” She gazed at Dog Z Boy and then gave him a huge smile.
Dog Z Boy grabbed the poodle by the waist. “I’ll tell you what, get one for me, get one for my big shark friend over here, and get one for yourself. I don’t care what it cost because my buddy over here is buying.”
The poodle laughed, still smiling at Dog Z Boy. “I’ll get you two some drinks. As far as mine goes, I’d love to have a drink with you, but we’d have to wait till I get off at eight.”
Shark could tell Dog Z Boy was feeling no pain and was full of confidence.
“All right then, that’s a date, me and you, drinks at eight.”
The poodle continued smiling. “Great, drinks at eight it is. Just as long as you’re still standing.”
Shark chimed in. “Oh, don’t worry about that, honey. Dog Z Boy here can party with the best of them. Watched him out-drink an elephant once.”
Dog Z Boy saluted Shark. “Why, thank you for the compliment, dear sir. I do believe you’ve touched my heart.”
Shark laughed with Dog Z Boy. They celebrated and banged their coconut cups together. “I don’t know what I’d do with out you, Dog Z Boy. You sure make my life interesting.”
Dog Z Boy looked up at the poodle. “My name is Dog Z Boy.”
“You can call me Frenchie,” she said with a smile.
Shark stepped down onto the hot sand and surveyed the area. He looked up at the mountain that loomed high in the distance and eyed the thick expanse of rain forest behind the bar. His attention was then drawn to the beach as he noticed three figures emerging from the jungle.
Shark retrieved his binoculars. As he brought the images into focus, he recognized her immediately. It was Vixen. He also recognized the other two creatures she was with. On her left was Old Jack, still wearing his fedora hat, his suit replaced with shorts and an ugly flowered shirt. On her right was the large wolf. What is she doing with those two? he asked himself.
“Dog Z!” yelled Shark. “It’s Vixen. She’s coming down the beach.”
Dog Z Boy joined Shark on the sand and looked through the binoculars. “What is she doing with those two?”
“I asked myself the same thing.” Shark took the binoculars back and watched as Old Jack and the wolf stepped off the beach and onto the porch of a small cottage, talking. Vixen continued up the beach.
Shark felt a rush of excitement as he saw Vixen begin to run in his direction. She must have spotted me, he thought. He could see her waving and hear her yelling as she ran up the beach: “Shark! Dog Z Boy! Shark! Dog Z Boy!”
She was there in front of him in no time. She jumped into his big arms and hugged him close. “You came. I’m so happy you’re here.”
Shark hugged her back. “A Vixen adventure. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
When Shark released Vixen from his grip, she went over and hugged Dog Z Boy. “It’s so good to see you guys.”
Dog Z Boy returned the hug. “It’s good to see you’re safe.” He was feeling no distress from the alcohol. “Have you tried one of these Rum Jungles?”
“I’ve had a few,” Vixen laughed. “I see you have, too. Better watch it, they’re kind of strong.”
Vixen looked up at Shark. “How long have you guys been here?”
“We flew in yesterday but had to hike over the mountain. So we’ve only been at the bar a little while.”
“I’m just so glad you are both here. Isn’t it just incredible? The beach, the bar, the music. It’s a setting just like out of a movie.”
Shark took Vixen by the hand. “Either that or a picture-perfect postcard.”
Vixen gave Shark a friendly tap. “Obviously you received my note.”
“Obviously I did.” Shark looked down at her. “So what’s up with that hyena and wolf? I was a little shocked to see you come out of the jungle with them.”
Vixen looked at him. “Yeah, I heard you had a little run-in with Old Jack, back at Gill’s.”
“Run-in? I beat him seven straight games. Then he whips out this postcard from you, bets it, and proceeds to run the table like a pro. Instead of finishing the win and taking back the money he lost, he throws the game, drops your card on the table and splits. I found the entire experience a little odd.”
Vixen squeezed his hand hard. “You have to promise you won’t be mad.”
“Well, that all depends.” Shark folded his arms. “Last time you told me something like that, you walked out on me, walked out on us. You’re not involved with one of those guys are you?”
“Shark, it’s nothing like that,” Vixen explained with a little giggle. “I met Old Jack and Wolf when I got here. They had a treasure map just like I did. Appears the tourist shop sold thousands of them. We decided to join forces and search for the golden saber together.” Vixen became very excited. “And the good news is, we think we’ve
found it!”
“So where is it?”
“I said, we think we’ve found it. Not that we actually have it. Here’s the deal. We need your help to retrieve it.” She again held Shark’s hand tight. “I sent Old Jack and Wolf back to Gill’s to give you the money you would need to travel here.”
Shark looked directly at her. “Why?”
“Let me ask you something. If they tried to give you the money as a gift would you have taken it?”
“Hell no.”
“Exactly. I know you, that’s why the only way I could get you to take the money was to have you win it.”
“So you had the guys rig the games?”
“There was no other way. If they had not let you win the money, you would not be here.” Vixen gave Shark a serious look. “Don’t be mad, I’m glad you’re here. And don’t forget, you’re the one who taught me the fine art of the hustle. Are you going to forgive me?”
Shark took a long glance at the ocean, giving himself a second to calm his demeanor. “I could beat either of those two any day.”
“I know you can. That’s why they’re coming down here and you can play both of them for real. You can kick their asses like the big pool shark I know you are.”
Shark turned back to her and opened his arms. “All right, Vixen, you got me here and you know I can’t stay mad at you. So I guess I’ll have to forgive you. At least for now.”
“I appreciate that, I really do.”
Shark picked her body off the ground and held her tight. He kissed her, then looked directly at her. “So, I’m curious to hear about what’s going on.”
“I bet you are.”
Shark put her down. She grabbed his hand and led him toward the table with Dog Z Boy. “Let’s get some drinks, and I’ll tell you all about the treasure.”
With a wave of his hand, Shark signaled Frenchie that they needed another round. “Got to love these Rum Jungles,” he said.
Frenchie brought over a fresh round of the exotic drinks and shared a long stare with Dog Z Boy. After she left, Vixen pulled Dog Z Boy in close. “I think she likes you.”
“We’re having drinks when she gets off at eight,” he said happily.
Vixen ran her hands roughly across Dog Z Boy’s scalp. “Just like back at Gill’s, the girls just can’t keep their hands off handsome Dog Z Boy.”
Shark gave Dog Z Boy a light punch in the arm. “Yeah, that’s my boy. I taught him everything he knows about the ladies.”
Vixen laughed. “You know, if that’s true, that’s actually a very scary and deeply disturbing thought.”
They all laughed. Shark picked up Vixen and threatened to throw her in the ocean. “Who wants to go for a swim?”
Vixen, still laughing, tried to free herself. “Stop, I don’t want to get wet.”
Shark loved playing with Vixen and now it seemed like old times. Everything seemed great, and it all felt good.
Shark gently placed Vixen back in her seat, and she lightly slapped him on the chest. He changed the conversation to a slightly more serious tone. “So, let’s have it. Dog Z Boy and I need to know why we traveled halfway around the world.”
Vixen leaned in over the table. She looked around to make sure no one else was listening and spoke in a whisper. “So, it appears that this treasure map about this golden saber is sort of an old folklore around here. Some people believe it exists and some don’t. A few years ago, a local found a map in an old cave. He searched for the treasure for months and couldn’t find it. He then realized that the map itself was sort of like a treasure and set out selling duplicate copies of it to tourists. The guy made enough money to build this bar.”
Dog Z Boy chirped in. “Sounds like a smart guy. Turn a worthless treasure map into actual treasure by selling copies of it. I like it.”
“The map’s not totally worthless, though. When I got here, Old Jack and Wolf were already looking for the sword. When they found out that I was, too, we decided to all work together. Old Jack believes he knows where it is.”
“So if you know where it is, how come you haven’t retrieved it yet?” Shark asked.
Vixen gave Shark a very serious look. “That’s why we need you. We followed the map to an old cave. Hundreds of years ago it was exposed at low tide. Now, even during low tide, the cave is flooded. Even the best scuba gear won’t allow divers enough time to swim into the cave and retrieve the sword.” Vixen continued to look at Shark. “But you can.”
Shark quickly realized the request from Vixen involved water and, worse yet, swimming. “Are you out of your mind? You know how I feel about water. You can’t possibly expect me to take a swim.”
“I know how you feel about water. I was just hoping that you would consider it. You have the ability to breathe on land and in the water. You’re the only one I know who can do this.” Vixen reached up and touched his face. “You know, I would not ask you for myself. I’m asking for Gill. With our share of what the treasure could be worth, we could save Gill’s bar. My dad loves that place. I don’t know what he would do without it. I don’t know what any of us would do with out it.”
Vixen had a way of reaching down into Shark’s gut. She made him do things that he usually would not do. She knew his buttons and how to press them. He knew there would be no way to get out of the situation.
“I can’t make any promises,” he said nervously. “But I’ll try. When do we dive?”
Vixen gave out a loud scream and hugged him. “Tomorrow morning.”
Shark grabbed his drink. “In the meantime, I’m going to need a few more of these Rum Jungles.”
Shark, Dog Z Boy and Vixen sat and relaxed the entire afternoon. They drank, laughed, and played pool. Dog Z Boy and Frenchie continued their flirting, and Shark and Vixen reminisced about old times. Shark felt happy to be hanging out with his best friend and best girl; the tropical atmosphere of Tiki Wiki Billiards was an incredible setting. It seemed like a magical moment to Shark, and he thought they would all remember it for a very long time.
Wolf left his cottage and headed up the beach. He looked out over the ocean and could see a large cargo ship anchored on the horizon. Must be more supplies coming in, he thought.
As Wolf walked on the sand, the sounds of reggae music filled the air. The music gave a little party bounce to his step. He felt thirsty, and it was happy hour. Those two factors added up to one thing in his mind—cold beer.
Wolf made his way up the two wooden steps and headed straight for the bar. Cahira was talking with Frenchie and stopped as she noticed him. On her way over to greet him, she grabbed a cold beer out of a cooler.
“It’s good to see the handsome wolf again,” she said as she opened the beer bottle and handed it to him.
“It’s good to see the beautiful panther Cahira again,” he said, smiling. He took a big, long sip of his beer. “You know this is my favorite time of the day. And you are my favorite part of the view.”
“You do know how to make a lady feel special,” Cahira said, blushing. “It’s just that I’ve heard almost every line in the book.”
“Who says it’s a line?” Wolf whispered.
Cahira laughed. “All right, I was wrong. Now I’ve heard almost every line in the book.”
Wolf continued playing with her. “So what you’re saying is that by me giving you a line and saying it was not a line, it is actually a line in itself.”
Cahira laughed and looked at him, a little confused. “Something like that I guess.” She leaned in close, almost touching him, and Wolf found the scent of her breath more intoxicating than the taste of the beer. She continued, “But you know, you don’t need to use any lines on me. Just the way you whisper my name in the darkness of the night is enough to send shivers through my body.”
Wolf grinned so wide it actually hurt his jaw. “Should I leave the door unlocked again tonight?” he asked with confidence.
“Only if you want trouble,” she said coyly, continuing to look at him as she moved across the bac
k of the bar.
“I live for trouble,” Wolf said boisterously. “Trouble is my middle name.”
“Consider it a date,” Cahira said as she filled two coconut cups with ice.
Wolf looked around the bar. Noticing Vixen sitting with the shark and retriever, he made his way over and stood at the table. “Mind if I buy a round?”
They looked up at him. Vixen was the first to speak. “That would be great, come sit with us.”
Wolf took the seat next to the shark. “I don’t believe we’ve properly met.” He offered his hand. “My friends call me Wolf.”
Shark liked Wolf right away for some reason. He was a good judge of character and something told him that Wolf was a stand-up type of guy. Shark shook Wolf’s hand. “It seems like we both have hard-to-remember original names. My friends call me Shark.”
Dog Z Boy offered Wolf his hand. “My name is Dog Z Boy.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Wolf replied as the two shook hands.
Vixen spoke up. “There we have it, three originals, Shark, Wolf, and Dog Z Boy, sharing their first drinks together.”
Shark raised his glass to make a toast. “To old friends, and to new friends. May we all live long, party hard, and party often.”
They all yelled, “Cheers!” and clanked their drinks together.
Shark noticed Wolf looking at him.
“I hope you don’t mind if I share something with you?” Wolf said.
“Not at all.”
“Well, sometimes I can’t sleep at night, and I get restless. The only way for me to relax is to head out into the woods. Or in this case the jungle. It’s kind of in my nature.” He gave Shark a sincere look. “I don’t want you to think I Was spying or anything, but I came across you guys in the jungle last night as you were saving that big bug from the natives. I thought it was pretty nice work.”
Shark didn’t know what to make of the confession. Was Wolf telling the truth? Or was he actually spying on them? He decided to probe deeper. “What made you think it was nice work?”
Shark & The Wolf: Predators and Prey Page 5