Ch. 1

Thomas Englehorn sighed as he took off his jacket and cap. He had the look of a worn out man. On the table sat a crumpled invitation.

CARL DENHAM'S

KING KONG

Captain Thomas Kretschmann Englehorn, you are cordially invited to see the BEAST. Watch and see the lovely Ann Darrow tame this monster. Tonight at 8:oo P.M.

Thomas grimaced at this. His bright blue eyes scanned the paper again. He couldn't imagine Miss Darrow being up for this. He glanced at the clock. It was 5:00. He would find Jack Driscoll and see if he was going. Thomas ran a hand through his already tousled light brown hair. He grabbed his jacket and ran over to Jack's apartment, which was three blocks down.

"BAM. BAM." Thomas knocked. "Driscoll, it's Englehorn." An equally worn out Jack opened the door. In his hand was the invitation.

"Thomas." Jack nodded, then slumped. Thomas caught Jack. The darker haired man smelled strongly of alcohol. Without a word, Thomas carried Jack over to the sofa. The apartment was a mess. Scripts were all over the place, littered with many bottles of beer. Englehorn stood up, and quickly got a glass of water. He then dumped it on Jack.

"Oomph. Thomas. Goddammit. What do you want?"

Thomas said gruffly, "Are you going? Tonight?" As an after thought he added, "Ann?"

Jack looked down at the floor and murmured hoarsely, "Can't be her Englehorn…but I'm gonna go anyway." He looked up. "I assume you got one?"

"Ja."

"What?"

"It means 'yes', idiot. Don't be like that Denham." Thomas rubbed his forehead.

"Right. I'm sorry, I-"

"Just go change!"

In an hour, both men were ready to go. Thomas had shaven, his hair was neater, and he was wearing a suit and tie. He was scowling though. "More comfortable in my other clothes." Jack just smiled. He had cleaned up like Thomas, except he was wearing a tuxedo. Suddenly, Carl Denham burst in. He blinked, then smirked at Thomas. In a haughty tone said,

"WELL! Captain Thomas Kretschmann Englehorn of the Venture…in a SUIT! Well I'll be damned…"

Thomas coolly walked up to him and replied with a smirk, "I see your suit hasn't cured your shortness, Denham."

Carl just opened his mouth but no sound came out. Thomas walked out swiftly, followed by a chuckling Jack, who pulled Carl a long. After a few more blocks in which Carl huffily had suggested they could have taken a limo, they had arrived.