Of Plush Toys and Innocence
Kat Warrior
Post-film (obviously). You can expect more to come. Also, if you go to my homepage on my userpage (It's my DA account) I have some King Kong fanart.
If not for the hat pulled low over her eyes and her scarf covering half of her face, Ann knew that she and Jack would have been bombarded with reporters. Not only did she have those, but Jack was beside her with a protective arm around her shoulders. She smiled in spite of herself. In any reporter came within six feet of them he'd give them a scowl that threatened more than death. But pleasant smiles were uncommon in New York City these days. Much of it was still being re-built after Kong's rampage after all. Ann flinched inwardly. A rampage that she was involved in. Jack must have sensed her melancholy thoughts as his hold on her shoulders tightened for a moment.
"Look at that," she said suddenly. They were passing by a toy shop. "Regardless of the destruction, the feelings of hopelessness and loss that are so rampant in this city, there's one token of cheer still available to the citizens - to the children."
Jack smiled as he looked over at her. Her attention was focused on the shop, just looking and savoring a happy sight amid the chaos.
And then, she saw it.
It was a simple thing, really. A small stuffed gorilla looking emotionlessly out to the street on the other side of the shop window. To most it would have been simple, or now perhaps horrid and unwelcome. But Ann couldn't look away from it. Something about its plastic-molded face and brown, shining eyes reminded her of him.
"Do you want that, my dear?" Jack's voice jolted her from her daydreams.
Ann didn't know what to say. She wasn't one to ask for things, or to accept charity. And yet, she couldn't lie to him. Not to those deep, sincere, caring eyes. She looked down, feeling herself blush, which added to the redness already invading her cheeks from the cold.
"I think you do," he continued. "Come on." Without giving her a chance to protest, he took her into the shop.
When Jack enquired about the stuffed gorilla in the window, the girl apologized sincerely.
"I'm sorry, Sir. I'll remove it right away. I'm sure the sight of it is quite upsetting..."
"No, no, Miss. I wish to buy it."
The girl failed to suppress a surprised blink, but she did as Jack requested and sold the toy to him. Minutes later they emerged from the shop arm-in-am with Jack carrying the brown bag that held his purchase.
"Th-thank you," Ann managed as they walked. What else could she say? "I suppose it really was foolish of me to become so attached to a toy..."
"Foolish?" Jack questioned. "No. Only to those who are the true fools. It wasn't foolishness that drew you there but innocence and hope. Something the rest of the world could afford to find again."
It was a "You're welcome" in disguise. Ann could tell. She smiled as she gazed up at those eyes - those soft, meaningful, loving eyes. The creative eyes that only a writer like him could have. And he had used words that only a writer would have thought to say. In spite of everything that had happened recently, Ann Darrow realized that she was among the most blessed girls alive. She had two protectors once, and though had lost one she still had the other. And yet, though she missed Kong, she knew that Jack was still there and always would be. Perhaps, though it was an ironic idea, Kong was happy for her now.
