Beat of the Jungle

   Crissy stepped out from behind the curtain, dressed in a sarong in the Dorothy Lamour tradition. Roger had been true to his word, and had built for Crissy a jungle hut on their property. It was an exceptionally nice hut, too, with running water and electricity. Once Crissy had lived out her childhood dream, the hut would make a novel guest house. For this first night, though, Crissy was going to do the whole bit. She slinked over to Roger as he looked on appreciatively. No cinematic jungle queen ever looked as cute as Crissy did. Roger chuckled as he considered her ivory complexion.

   "I've heard of white jungle goddesses," he mused, "but this is the first time I've actually seen one."

   "You've been a most loyal subject," Crissy giggled as she positioned a large flower in her hair before moving closer and resting her hands on Roger's chest, "but a queen is nothing without her king." Crissy wrapped her arms around Roger's neck. He bent down to kiss her. Everything was perfect for Crissy's desires. Even the view out the large window looked like sunset over a lush African jungle. More fitting was the sudden sound of native drums, something which took both of them by surprise. Crissy ran to the window and scanned the horizon before turning back to Roger.

   "You really went all out, didn't you?"

   "I wish I could take credit for it," Roger leaned out the window, "it's a great touch. But I didn't have anything to do with it."

   "You didn't? Then who's doing the drumming?"

   "I have no clue. Someone must've found out about this project and decided to pull a gag."

   "I wonder who."

   "Sounds like it's coming from over that rise in the distance, across the river." 

   "Do we wait for them to tell us who they are, or do we go over and find them?"

   "Well," Roger turned to Crissy and smiled, "if you want to go all the way with this jungle theme, a safari would be appropriate." Crissy grinned. She was like a child again, playing in the back yard with her friends. Roger extended his hand.

   "Come on, Tondelayo." He joked. Crissy jumped with delight and made a light squeak as she followed Roger out the door. Roger was willing to play along to the hilt. The materials used to make the hut were so many as to leave a stack of logs stacked up behind the building. Roger lashed the logs together and built a raft in short order. The drumming continued the whole time. Roger pushed the raft into the river as Crissy grabbed a couple of long poles and jumped onto the craft. For such a quick and crude model, it was a pretty sturdy raft. Roger climbed aboard and took one of the poles to shove off.

   By now it was fully nightfall. Roger and Crissy made their way across the river as the sounds of the drums continued. The stars above them were breathtaking, but all Roger could watch was Crissy's excited expression and posture. It was like a seeing a child who lived and breathed cowboys finally getting to explore a real wild west ranch. 

   It didn't take long to cross the river. Roger beached the raft and then examined the two poles before handing one to Crissy. The pair then marched into the jungle in the direction of the increasingly audible drumming. Using the poles to push back the brush, Roger and Crissy soon came to a clearing before a rise. Over the rise was visible the light of a camp fire. Roger crouched low as he made his way up the rise. Crissy stuck close. The two spread flat just at the top of the rise and peeked over.

   Across from the rise was a clearing where a campfire burned. Before the fire was Ed Carter, dressed as a native and beating away at some native drums borrowed from the prop department of the movie studio. Dancing around the fire was Ed's wife Misty, dressed in a grass skirt and waving a spear. Roger and Crissy stood, allowing Misty to see them. Misty stopped dancing, prompting Ed to finish his drumming. Ed rubbed his arms. Misty took a noble posture and raised the spear. Roger raised his arm.

   "We come in peace!" Roger called. Crissy was having the greatest time.

   "We accept you in peace," Misty planted the spear in the ground before her feet, "be welcome!" All of them dropped the explorer act as Roger and Crissy ran down to greet their friends.

   "A bit early for halloween, isn't it?" Roger joked. Ed stood to greet him.

   "You build a jungle hut in a place like this," Ed explained, "it's not going to remain much of a secret." Roger and Ed shook hands as the girls gave each other a hug. 

   "I think it's great," Roger said, "you've made Crissy's day."

   "Just how long were you two going to wait for us to show up?" Crissy asked.

   "About five more minutes," Ed rubbed the muscle of his arm, "that's about all I had left in me."

   "Where'd you learn that jungle beat?" Roger asked.

   "I was stationed in the Pacific," Ed explained, "but I heard that music in a Tarzan movie." Roger laughed.

   "It was all my idea," Misty admitted, "I thought it would be fun. Now that it's all over, though, we sure put a lot of effort into this for such a simple gag."

   "I love it," Crissy sighed, "you have no idea how much."

   Later that night, when Roger and Crissy were back in the hut and things had quieted down, Roger was sorting through a box of discarded movie props the Carters had given to decorate the hut with. Soon, the walls were adorned with crossed spears and native masks.

   "There," Roger looked on with satisfaction, "now you've got a real native hut, right here in Creek Bend." Crissy snuggled into Roger's side as he draped his arm around her.

   "We've got some wonderful friends," Crissy sighed, "to think of all Ed and Misty went through because as a little girl I dreamed of living in a jungle hut!" 

   "Any other childhood dreams I should be aware of?"

   "I already have everything else," Crissy looked at her wedding ring, then up to Roger's eyes, "I have more than I ever expected. How many men would do something like this to entertain the childhood whims of their wives?" 

   "I would like to think they all would, if the time and money were there. I would like to think every man in my position knows how blessed he is. The smile on your face tonight was worth twice the effort it took to put it there."

   Crissy bit her lip and blushed as she giggled. She was so cute. Doubly so with the huge flower in her hair. 

   Miles away, Ed and Misty were entering their house near the studio. They made for a rather amusing sight as the two wandered around the living room in native garb. Ed plunked down into his favorite chair and watched Misty as she examined herself in a mirror.

   "This is an interesting look," Misty mused, "maybe we should throw a costume party some night."

   "I'd be game if meant you could hold onto that outfit for a few more days."

   "You like it, Ed?" Misty turned to face him, a sly smile formed across her lips. Ed stood and walked over to her.

   "I don't think the look does much for me," he said, "but you certainly wear it well." The two wrapped their arms around each other. "Of course," he continued, "you'd look good in a beach towel. I don't think I've ever seen you wear an outfit that didn't look great."

   "Which outfit is your favorite?" Misty leaned in close. Ed thought for a second. He reached up a stroked her chin with his finger.

   "I like 'em all. This one is good for right now, though." Ed reached over and snapped on the radio. As soft music began to fill the room, Misty rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes. The two swayed back and forth. They were quite a sight, still dressed in their native duds, but it was a really sweet scene.