Archer

August 5, 2029 7:56 PM

Dirt was raised into the air from the two bulldozers digging into the ground. Luckily their work was easier because of the natural geography the area had let them use. Axes and chainsaw hacked away at the red wood sized trees, and one by one they fell with a loud thud. Archer stood at the highest point of the area, crossing his arms and proudly and giving his cocky smile. Richard was to his front, laying down cables that other sailors would connect to the explosives lining the bottom of the chloroform to be placed in the pit.

Sweet moved up to Archer's side. He did not make eye contact with him. Archer did not care. I don't want to look at you either, he thought.

"How much longer," Archer asked.

"Another two hours. We made good time Mister Archer."

"Your sailors work well. Let's hope it holds up."

Sweet interjected.

"It better…"

"And it will," Archer finished.

Richard moved away from the cable handing it to another sailor. Archer watched him limp his way over to his front. Archer shook his head.

"The cables are placed, Archer."

Archer placed his hands on Richard's shoulders. His excitement was showing on his face. Archer could not speak, his hands trembled, his eyes full of pure delight. Soon everything will be in place, and Kong would be his, and only his. His mind was racing with all sorts of possibilities. The spot lights were shining in his head reading, 'The Eighth Wonder' in sparkling words. He could practically taste the money, the fame and fortune of exploiting this monster.

Archer put down his hands from Richard, who was smiling at him in the same manor.

"This'll work," Archer said.

"I know it will. We'll be famous," stated Richard with bright eyes.

Archer moved to the edge of the cliff and looked down at the detonation charges. The line went to the pit. Sailors were rolling the cases of chloroform to that same location. He moved closer to the edge, looked down at the rocks piled up on the sides that the bulldozers had dug up. Most were large pieces, and the red dirt was piled along another side. The pit was complete, and now they were pushing that dirt away and flattening the remains. Archer again felt an over powering excitement. He did all he could not to shake. Richard moved beside him and crossed his arms. Archer felt a companionship between them two at that moment. Archer moved his eyes to look over at him. Richard too was smiling. Archer then looked back at the trees being slowly torn apart and dragged to the new location to cover the pit below. Kong would have to step on that, and fall in. This plan is genius, Archer thought. It has to work, it has to.

11:24 PM

Archer moved about as sailors finished their final preparations for the pit. The moon was high in the sky, shining brightly down onto them all. Archer felt a confidence rise within him. He knew this would work.

Sailors climbed to the highest points of the surrounding ledges. They knew what was going to come, thought Archer, crossing his arms again as he watched all those climbing over each other. Richard again stood by his side, o expression on his face. Archer felt the need to lift his chin up, feeling the insurance of those around him following his orders.

Archer looked for Sweet. He was standing Archer's far right, close to the edge.

"Sweet," exclaimed Archer.

Sweet turned towards his location answering his call.

"Give the order," Archer continued.

Sweet looked away slowly, then down at the armed sailors. He lifted his arm slowly, and those bellow him waited for the order.

Throwing his arm down with all his might, Sweet shouted, "Fire!"

Machine Gun burst and shot guns filled the surroundings. They were doing as Archer requested: soot into the air continuously until their clips have emptied. The sound would carry across the island, and attract their target. It will work, it has to, it just has to, Archer repeated in his head.

The shooting ceased, and an eerie silence filled Archer's ears. The shots echoed, until falling silent in the distance. Archer leaned forward in anticipation, the silence seeming to never end. No birds, no insects, everything was perfectly silent but the ocean behind him. The silence just continued, showing no sign of changing.

"What's wrong," asked the familiar voice of Richard.

Archer replied.

"I don't know."

He took a few steps forward listening for anything different. There was no changed, and he felt himself sink inside. His weariness turned to dread. Archer then heard Sweet step up beside him. He made no eye contact wishing to avoid any personal confrontation. Archer knew he had failed. He felt like a little kid being called to the principal's office.

"It didn't work," stated Sweet monotone.

Archer said nothing. He felt the weight of his defeat getting heavier every second that passed. It was over for him, he would return with nothing. That had never before happened to him. He finally knew the feeling of defeat, and if he ever got another chance to redeem himself, he would take it, no matter what it was.

The silence was finally broken by a single scream from the jungle. Archer jumped to attention at this, followed by the commotion of sailors moving about and preparing for anything.

"It's Kong," screeched several sailors. "Kong's coming!"

Richard butted in.

"Come on, John," he began. "Push it."

"Not yet," Archer replied. "I want to see him first."

Trees snapped and feel causing echoes to be pushed their way. One by one they fell as Kong pushed his way forward.

Archer's thoughts changed almost instantly. The feeling of failure escaped him, and now he was going to get his wish. He trembled and shook with adrenalin pouring through his veins. Wiping his hair away from his forehead, he continued to stare at the jungle, awaiting the spring the mouse trap.

Walking on two feet, hunched over, came the gorilla ready for a fight. Letting out a few grunts, it looked around, halting as it sniffed the air looking confused. It's snarling lips lowered covering the teeth, and continued to move forward cautiously. Sailors watched in pure terror as it approached the trap. Archer licked his lips in anticipation. He could feel Kong's every footstep, feeling the vibrations get worse, and worse as it got closer. Archer's heart slammed against the inside of his chest like a boxer.

Kong lifted his massive arms, roaring, piercing everyone's ears. Archer laughed while this was going on. Richard held his ears tightly.

Sweet stepped forward.

"Archer, don't just stand there! Blow the god damn chloroform!"

Archer could not help but smile. He hit the red button, detonating the explosives bellow the crates in the pit. The canisters fell over, causing the gas to lift and fill the pit with the poisonous fumes.

Kong pushed forward, searching, taking every step with caution. He pushed closer and closer to the trap. Archer saw this and leaned forward, face beat red with excitement. Kong took two more steps, then with a loud crack in the Earth, the cover fell down into the crater of gas. He feel forward, and the mist consumed him fully. Kong coughed and coughed bellow as he tried to get out. Instead, inhaling the fumes only made it worse for the gorilla. Archer watched with pure delight, and Richard patted on the shoulder. Then, Kong raised an arm one last time, letting out an agonizing grumble that lasted for several seconds. Archer looked t Sweet who was looking away with his arms crossed. The arm fell beneath the mist, and the unconscious beat lay dormant.

Sailors rose with cheers, the plan had worked. Men ran down the cliffs towards the pit screaming and shouting with joy. Archer did not move. He stood and watched the sight; whishing h had his camera to shoot this. His childish smile covered his face from ear to ear as he took in his victory.

The crackle of thunder startled him. Archer looked up at the clouds as lightning flashed. Rain began to fall onto his face, and then a down pour began. Ran covered the island, and the lightning gave an eerie glow over everyone. Archer felt his body becoming drenched, then he looked down at the pit, and his smile disappeared.