11
3 - The unexpected guest
Puntarenas - Western coast of Costa Rica - Five years later.
A man walks along quays, dragging on the macadam his tired boots.
He is french and his name is Nicolas Randanne.
He has just arrived in town, by a tired bus which transported him during an endless journey, on chaotic and dusty tracks. He comes from the coffee plantations where he worked during several months to win the money necessary for his crossing.
He is dirty and malodorous but does not pay attention to the rich tourists who move away on his passage and look up and down him disgustedly. It is necessary to say that his look is more than neglected with his long greying hair falling without order on his ears and on his nape, a beard which eats him the face, coloured glasses of which we wonder how he can again see through.
He wears a dirty red and black plaid shirt like these of Canadian lumberjacks, which the long sleeves are lowered, despite the heat, and military trousers.
On his shoulder, an old backpack carries two flags : the first is American and the second is French.
Without hesitation, he goes directly to the district of the fishermen. While moving forward, he remembers himself the conversation which he had with Owen, several months ago.
They met in the naval base of Coronado and, since then, stayed friends.
- I know your troubles, said Owen, and I know that you are chased. If ever you look for a safe place where you can have a break, I shall find you a job here, especially for you, in the security. As the place is isolated, you will be able to stay the time you want, until you are forgotten. Join me in Isla Nublar. It is an island off the west coast of Costa Rica. You see, it is an ideal place if you do not want that somebody finds you.
After a long wandering and quite a lot of reflections, Nicolas arrived at the conclusion that it would be, undoubtedly, the good solution. And then, he is tired to run non-stop, to try to always keep one step ahead of his pursuers.
If he could be forgotten, rather definitively, it will be a very good thing for him !
Today, he has finally the necessary money to buy the passage by boat and thus cross his last stage.
A fishing boat would be ideal : discreet and not too expensive.
But, before all, it is necessary for him to find one.
A man sat on the quay, preparing his nets, returns him to the reality.
- Hello, amigo, says Nicolas with a cheerful air !
The man raises the head.
- Hello, gringo, he answers.
- How much would you take me to go to Isla Nublar?
- Aîe, senor, no es posible. My boat has no necessary power to go to over there. The journey would take too much time. And then, I never go to this place. The huge dragon of the seas which they keep has scared off all the fishes. There is nothing more to catch. Lo Siento ! Try rather near Manolo. He is moored a little farther. You cannot miss him. It is the only boat of the sector equipped for the big-game fishing. If he likes your head, he will, doubtless, agree to take you on board. Tell him that you are sent by Emiliano. It will help you maybe.
- Muchas gracias, amigo, answers Nicolas !
- Vaia con dios, gringo !
- May God also keeps you ! Good fishing !
The Frenchman goes away, without waiting more, in the direction indicated by the fisherman.
He slowly walks along the north coast of the peninsula of Puntarenas, among small fishermen's houses.
Every time he passes near a pontoon, he stops and details the boats which are moored to it.
Always nothing !
The time begins to seem to him long and he is afraid that the ship which he looks for left at sea. Fortunately, the probability is weak because it is getting late and the night will come soon.
And if Emiliano had made a mistake ?
Finally, while he begins to doubt, he sees a ship bigger and more luxurious than the others.
Three men fuss on the deck.
Nicolas approaches.
- Saludos, amigos, is one of you called Manolo, he asks ?
- I am Manolo, senor, answers one of the questioned men.
- Emiliano sends me. He told me that you would maybe agree to take me to Isla Nublar.
- That is where I shall go, tomorrow morning.
« But I cannot answer you. Indeed, three gringos asked me to take them to a small island for diving, far from the crowd. Friends wait for them over there. This small island is not very far from Isla Nublar. But I cannot accept to take you on board without their agreement.
" Especially as they are not convenient and do not seem to appreciate the company.
- And where may I find them, these three passengers ?
- No need to look for them, amigo, here they are.
Nicolas turns around. When seeing the three men, he has all the difficulties of the world to retain a movement of surprise.
Because he knows them, and they are not friends !
The first one, most to the left, is Ignacio Velasquez, of Spanish origin, specialist of the throw of dagger. Between zero and thirty meters, he never misses his target.
The one in the middle is Jurgen, LIEUTENANT JURGEN, who hides his fair hair and his blue eyes under a wide straw hat. He is a real giant of about two meters high and the damned soul of the infamous Colonel Trevor.
A very bad memory, that one !
The third, most to the right, is a slender little man with brown hair. His name is Luigi Bolini, Italian of origin. He is an expert on interrogations. He has to know all the techniques of physical, chemical or moral torture, to make somebody speak.
And he likes it !
Nicolas is worried. If he recognized them, the reverse is also possible, even if, since their last meeting, he changed a lot.
- Senores, says Manolo by addressing the three men, the senor there would like to go to Isla Nublar. As we shall not be very far there, I thought that he could take advantage of your journey.
- Because you think, now, that is new, answers Ignacio of a contemptuous tone !
The sailor does not answer.
- What do you go to make over there, asks Jurgen ?
- I was told that I could, maybe, find a job.
- you are going to wipe the ass of dinosaurs, says Ignacio who bursts out laughing ?
- You can say that this way if it pleases you, answers Nicolas. But, for me, it is a job, that's all.
- OK, says Jurgen, to conclude. I agree to take you if you makes yourself very small. But let it be understood that we will be landed first. Then, if Manolo wants to take you until your destination, that does not look at us anymore.
- It suits me very well, answers the Frenchman.
- At what time the departure, asks Jurgen to the sailor ?
- At precise 5 : 00 am, the tide will be good and the current will help us.
- All right for 5 hours. And you, the man, don't be late where we shall leave without you.
- No problem, says Nicolas, I shall be there at 5 : 00 am.
Having settled his passage to Manolo, he greets everybody then goes away, satisfied. He finally did well, because he managed to find a boat and the crossing is going to cost to him cheaper than what he had planned.
He will thus have enough money to buy himself a meal in a local restaurant and a correct room for the night. It will change him the bad dormitory and the vile cooking of the plantation.
But, as he has just arrived, he does not know the city.
Lost in his thoughts, he walks at random when a voice questions him.
That is Emiliano.
- Then, senor, he tells him. Did you find what you were looking for ?
- Yes, your advice was good. I leave tomorrow morning with Manolo and, if you indicate me a good hotel, I offer you una cerveza.
- Go to the "Casa de Oro". It is well maintained. But be careful ! The "boss" is not convenient, very beautiful, but not convenient. Here, she is nicknamed "la tigresa". Since she threw her ex-husband outside, it is almost impossible to approach her. You should rather not displease her if you want to spend the night in her hotel. I am going to show you where it is.
- Considering my aspect and my smell, in my opinion, it is not won, points out Nicolas.
- Quien sabe, gringo, the women have their logic and we have sometimes of the evil to understand them.
- Time will tell. In the meantime, let us go drinking this beer.
One hour later, the Frenchman arrives in front of the hotel.
After a moment of hesitation, he decides to enter. The "fawn" is effectively a very attractive woman, with generous curves, but just what is needed, her face is cut by a wide smile.
- Buenas tardes, senor, what do I may for you ?
- I would like a room for this night, por favor.
- No problem, senor, her interlocutor answers him. I have some. The number six is very well. Toilets and showers are at the end of the corridor. You will not be very far from them, but enough all the same so that you will be quiet. You have a bathrobe and towels at your disposal. If you desire for it, meanwhile, I can wash and dry your clothes. I have the necessary equipment.
- I think, indeed, that it would not be a luxury !
- It will cost you 11,300 colones, senor.
Nicolas searches in his pocket, fate a handful of crumpled notes as well as coins and puts down the sum asked on the counter.
- Do you know where I could get my hair cut a little, he questions ?
- You know, it is very quiet at the moment because the season of storms arrives very quickly. I am not too busy. Then, if you want, I could do it… freely of charge, of course!
His face lights up with a broad smile.
- It suits me very well, answers Nicolas ! And for eating ?
- I also make restoring. If it tempts you, I can make you discover a delicious speciality from our counrtry.
- It is OK for me. I travelled all day long and I am tired. Tomorrow I am going to have to get up very early. Then, if I can avoid roaming the streets this evening, it suits me very well.
Nicolas takes his key and rises in his room.
Afterward, everything takes place as expected : the shower then the hair, just enough so that no one sees his scars. Then he goes back up to his room to shave himself.
A new man savours the cooking of the " boss", a real excellent cook.
Having ended his meal, he settles his note by depositing the money on the table and gets ready to go up to go to bed. Concerning finance, he have not a lot of money in his pocket. But it doesn't matter. If everything goes well, from tomorrow, he will be fed, accommodated and paid.
On leaving, he makes a detour through the kitchen to greet his landlady. The dining room is already almost empty.
- Thank you for this excellent meal, dear madam. I feasted.
- Not madam, answers the young woman out by smiling. My name is Magdalena !
" If you want it, I can indicate to you where to find somebody to hold you company this night.
- You, perhaps, answers directly Nicolas, because he is not insensitive to the charms of his interlocutor ?
The young woman looks down. Her cheeks grow pink slightly. Almost immediately, she straightens her head and plunges her eyes into that of the Frenchman.
- Why not, does she retort ? My night watchman should not delay arriving.
" You can go up to go to bed. As soon as he will be there, I shall join you.
Without being aware of it, she began addressing as "tu" with him.
Nicolas only half believes in the promise when he goes to bed.
Exhausted, he falls asleep almost immediately.
A little later in the night, a rustle in the room wakes him. Although the room is in the darkness, the lighting of the street allows him to see, against the light, Magdalena's silhouette undressing.. He can thus admire the attractive forms that stand out on the venetian blind.
Then the young woman slips under the sheets and comes snuggling against him.
And, suddenly, the night changes dimension.
The atmosphere becomes torrid, and Nicolas discovers a sweet, sensual and expert Magdalena.
The time stops existing.
Their moment of love lasts a long time and leaves them exhausted.
They finally fall asleep.
4 : 30 am.
The light ignites in the room still calm.
The Frenchman opens his eyes.
The young woman, already dressed, arrives with a tray which clears a pleasant smell of coffee.
- Hello, querido, she says ! It is time for you to stand up if you do not want to miss your boat.
- You are an angel, my beautiful baby. But, I would like to know something : you often sleep with the customers of passage ?
- Never, she answers ! You are the first one. Do not ask me why, I know nothing about it, but I was not able to resist. And as you risked to pass only once, I did not especially want to allow to pass my luck.
- I was prepared to relive, one more time, a long moment of solitude, you made me so happy. As for going only once, nothing is less certain.
« You See, I embark this morning for Isla Nublar where I well hope to find a job. If I succeed, it is likely that you will see me often.
- I ask only for that, answers the young woman with her wide smile.
« When you will be over there, contact a man named Asensio Tolores. He is my brother. If you need, he will help you. I am going to tell him about your arrival.
- Thank you, querida. I adore you.
This night which passed between these both beings has been much more than a simple carnal relationship. Something is being born between them, something strong which they cannot name still.
- As we are asking questions to each other, pursues Magdalena, I had the impression, this night, that your left hand was almost cold. Am I wrong?
- No, darling. To tell the truth, I am not anymore completely a man.
- Pouh, answers the young woman. What it would be if you were really one !
- What I mean to say is that I was very wounded in the past. This arm is not made of flesh and bones. It is artificial, as other parts of my body. I am sorry.
- As the left part of your face, maybe ? Hey yes, I noticed it by cutting the hair to you.
- You are right, as the left part of my face.
- To be honest, I do not care. You conquered me such as you are. The rest does not matter.
But time is marching on - 4 : 45 am, already !
Nicolas swallows quickly his coffee and eats a little, then kisses the young woman before going out in the street.
The night is sweet, and he is happy.
It is right the moment when the air becomes light. Everything is quiet outside.
Quickly, he goes up the street to reach the pier.
