"And on this esteemed occasion, yes, a very special libation for a very special girl," VonWanker mused.
He hunted around in a small refrigerator, then drew out a particularly frosty decanter. He poured the green liqour -- or at least what Sandy assumed to be liquor -- into a large fluted glass, then handed it to her.
"You're not joining me?" Sandy wondered.
"Oh!" VonWanker drew out a flask he was carrying and raised it. "To civilization in the heart of darkness!"
Sandy sipped, and found the taste intriguing, nicely candylike but also somehow blending a vodka kick with vermouth smoothness. She sipped some more. "You're not really a very civilized man."
"Oh, nonsense. I am a great admirer of Nature. I admire, for example, all the vast and wonderful reserves of petroleum in this continent, just waiting to be plundered in the name of civilization."
"Oil. I know some people in Louisiana who might not share your enthusaism."
"Oh, but that only proved the dangers of drilling on the ocean floor. Drilling here on land, however, that's a much better prospect. And as we use the petroleum, so we will use this legendary creature, for the betterment of all."
"And the profit ... for yourself ... " Sandy blinked hard. She was suddenly feeling very woozy and wobbly.
"But that is how we do things, in the most civilized manner of all. Ah, but I see you need your rest."
"No ... no, not ... really ... " Sandy wondered at her sudden fogginess of mind, even as she gamely gulped down more of her delicious drink.
"Allow me to take that from you, my dear. And when you awaken, fully refreshed, we will properly ... orient you ... to our camp."
"Don't need .. oriented ... just returned ... "
But Sandy already keeled over with a soft thud onto the bed.
There she lay, not quite asleep but with little use for consciousness either. She felt aloof, detached, and oddly at peace with the universe.
With only the vaguest of curiosity, she now wondered why it was that VonWanker had left the pavilion, and now Mondo stood over her with a broad and confident smile ... |