THE NIGHT OF JULY 14th, 1960

By Andamogirl

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ACT THREE

On board the Fortuna II, July 14, 1960

0730 AM

Lucky was having breakfast at one of the empty tables of the fantail when he saw Lt. Rovacs of Puerto Verde police and two policemen half-supporting, half-dragging another man, head toward him.

He frowned in concern as he noticed that the 'prisoner' looked dead on his feet. He rapidly observed the man from head to foot;: he was pale, had dark circles around his eyes and his features were strained by exhaustion. His hair was disheveled and he looked as if he hadn't shaved for a week. His nose and lips had dried blood on them and he had nasty bruises on his swollen face. He had traces of dirt everywhere on his body, as well as several scrapes and he was wearing threadbare underwear only.

The Cary Grant look-alike, suddenly opened his eyes wide in stupefaction, finally realizing that the man looked like an older version of his best friend and partner Andamo.

His brow creased deeper, scrutinizing the older man's face, intrigued. Could Andamo and this man be related? He thought. "Good morning Lieutenant, welcome on board, may I know who your guest is?"

Rovacs took his place on a chair and pointed at the man. "Good morning Lucky. That's a good question. I don't know. He didn't tell me his name. A patrol found him like that; wandering through the streets about one hour ago and the guys called me, because he wanted to see Andamo and was looking for the Fortuna. When I first saw him, I was very surprised, like you were a few seconds ago. Make the man presentable, erase his bruises and you could swear it's Andamo, only twenty years older. I thought the two of them could be related so I brought him here." He saw Lucky frown again in disapprobation this time. "I know, I should have sent him to the hospital, but he refused to go there, he just repeated Andamo and the Fortuna. He's not drunk, or drugged, I think, just dazed. He was probably hit on his head and beaten before being robbed of everything – even his clothes. Poor old guy, he's still pretty groggy."

Lucky stood, took the man's arm and led him to a chair. "Hi, my name is Lucky, what's your name? What happened to you?"

Blinking slowly, Artemus Gordon took Lucky's cup of coffee with a trembling hand and swallowed what was left of the dark liquid, moaning with pleasure. "Andamo," he breathed.

Rovacs rubbed his chin pensively, "Could he be Andamo's father? I never met him."

Lucky shook his head. "Feliz? No, it's impossible. Andamo's father is still in Mexico, Rovacs. He broke his right leg two weeks ago after he fell from his horse. Andamo travelled there after his mother called, to replace him at the ranch. Andamo came back two days ago. Besides, that man is younger than Feliz, close to 60 I think." He sighed. "I'll get Andamo. Give this man anything he wants, coffee, orange juice, croissants, anything. I'll be back soon."

Hearing that Artie smiled weakly, and, he immediately grabbed the pot of coffee and a croissant - famished and in need of caffeine.

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Later

Lucky was back five minutes later, on the fantail of the 148-foot yacht, dragging Andamo behind him. The Latino was barefoot and pajama-clad. He was groaning and yawning as he was in full bear- suddenly out-of-his-hibernation-period mode.

Rubbing his puffy eyes, Andamo whined, "Lucky, I was dreaming about that blonde with the big… I hope you have a good reason to drag me here… What is it anyway? You didn't tell me what's so urgent you had to wake me before midday."

Lucky pointed at the bum-like man sitting at the table, drinking a glass of orange juice - heavenly. "Who is this man? Do you know him?"

The younger man stopped dead in his tracks, opening his eyes wide, gaping. "Oh Dios mio!" he finally let out in total and absolute surprise. "Es imposible!"

Lucky knew something was very wrong when Andamo reverted to Spanish.

Recognizing Andamo's voice, Artemus looked up at the Latino, his face relaxing in intense relief. "Andamo, my boy," he let out in a whisper before standing up, grinning.

The two men hugged each other for long minutes, Artie crying softly against Andamo's shoulder, Andamo rubbing the older man's back soothingly.

They parted eventually and Artie wiped his tears with the back of his right hand. "I'm so relieved to have found you my boy…" he said.

Andamo patted his grandfather's shoulder. "It's so good to see you again." He frowned in worry. "What happened to you? How did you get here?" He whispered so as not to be heard by the other men. "Otepek's doing?"

Shaking his head, Artemus murmured, "No, it's more complicated…"

Seeing that Lucky and Rovacs were looking at them with intense curiosity, listening closely to each word they pronounced, Andamo said, "It's a private conversation!" then, he grabbed Artie's arm and added, "come on, let's go somewhere else."

Lucky and Rovacs watched the two men leave the fantail of the large yacht, Andamo helping his older lookalike to walk.

Rovacs nodded. "I've work to do. Keep me informed Lucky, alright?"

Lucky smiled. "Of course."

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Later in Andamo's cabin

Once in Andamo's cabin, Artie sank on the bed and closed his tired eyes. "It's not very pleasant being almost electrocuted, you know?" He let out a heavy sigh. "Unfortunately it's not the first time something like that has happened to me. Boy! I'm so very tired…"

Blanching, Andamo sat on the edge of the mattress, horrified. "What? You were almost electrocuted? You need to see a doctor immediately."

Re-opening his eyes Artie shook his head. "No, I just need to rest. That electric shock left me disoriented, groggy and drained, that's all." He didn't talk to Andamo about the forced swimming marathon in icy water for days, so as not to worry him further. "It will pass with a good night's sleep." He smiled weakly. "It's so good to see you again Andamo, I missed you a lot, my boy."

The younger man smiled too. "I missed you too, Artemus. Now tell me what happened? How did you get here, in the future?"

Lucky suddenly entered the cabin, the door being wide open. He had heard what Andamo had just said. He closed the door, glanced at his best friend and then looked at the older man, completely lost. "Artemus? Artemus Gordon?"

Raising a weak hand, Artie said, "Yes, that's me."

Lucky's thick eyebrows knit as he was now very puzzled, knowing now why the two men looked alike. They were from the same family, grandfather and grandson precisely.

He looked back at his partner and said, "I thought your grandfather was dead, Andamo. Then tell me how is it possible he's here now, lying – very much alive - on your bed?"

Grimacing, with great effort Artie managed to pull himself into a sitting position, and, leaning against the wooden headboard, he observed the other man. He was tall, had black eyes and dark hair, had a strong jawline and angular features, and was wearing a black tailored suit with a bow tie. "So you are Mr. Lucky, Andamo's best friend and partner…"

Lucky nodded.

Artie sighed and then added, "To answer your question, long story short, I was forced to travel in time. I chose to travel ahead to the future, because I knew someone there: my grandson. I knew I would be safe aboard the Fortuna, during my stay in the future - and I'm delighted to be with Andamo."

Lucky was lost again. "You died fifty years ago Mr. Gordon, long before Andamo was born. How can you know him and know the Fortuna?"

Embarrassed Andamo lowered his eyes, then he raised them sheepishly. "You remember when I disappeared after that visit to the Archeological Museum? I told you that I was in Mexico at my parents' home. I wasn't. I didn't tell you the truth. I traveled into the past to meet my grandfather." He paused. "I 'm sorry, Lucky."

Leaving aside for now the 'time travel' story, Lucky focused on the fact that Andamo had lied to him and he felt hurt. "You've never lied to me, Andamo," he said.

The Latino nodded feeling both ashamed and contrite. "I know, and it won't happen again, I swear. But I couldn't tell you the truth. You wouldn't have believed me. It was so incredible! Like in a science-fiction movie! Do you remember that statue of the god Otepek? The god transported me to the past so I could meet my grandfather… I so wanted to know him. Then, the god brought me back." He paused again. "It's a long story."

Lucky sat down beside his best friend, putting his arm around the younger man's shoulders. "I would have believed you, compadre." He ruffled the younger man's black curled hair in brotherly affection. "I forgive you, but no more lies, Andamo, okay?" Looking at the older man now sagging against the headboard, he asked, "Did that god send you to the future Mr. Gordon?"

Blinking slowly, fighting fatigue, Artie shook his head and replied, "No, not a god, a man named Michelito Loveless did. He's a genius criminal and he has invented a time travel machine. He forced me to use it, to get rid of me, and forced my partner and best friend James West to use it too for the same reason. Now we're both stuck in a time that is not ours. At least I was able to choose my own time and place to be exiled; Jim didn't have that chance. He was sent to England, in the middle Ages. But I'm not worried, we'll get back to our own time, I don't know how, I don't know when, but we will, because I will die in my bed in 1910 and Jim 20 years later in his bed too. It is written and nothing can change that." He passed a limp hand over his bearded cheeks and added, "I could use a bath and a shave – and I need some clothes too."

Lucky nodded. "We have a nice bathroom on board with a shower and I'll get you everything you need. Andamo is going to show you the way."

Artie smiled. "Thank you Mr. Lucky – for everything – and for taking care of Andamo." He patted the younger man's arm with affection. "He's a good boy."

Lucky nodded. "Yes, he is."

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Later

One hour later, showered, shaved, his hair neatly combed and dressed in clean underwear and socks, a dark brown suit, a white shirt and black tie, (borrowed clothes (from the ship's mechanic), Artemus Gordon was feeling human again.

Sitting at one of the tables of the fantail, he was drinking a fourth cup of coffee while watching Andamo wolfing down a pile of pancakes dripping with maple syrup.

Lucky, sitting at the table too, was enjoying his third cigarette.

His eyes twinkling with amusement, Artie chuckled. "Andamo has inherited the famous Gordon's appetite." Then he took a sip.

Lucky grinned. "Andamo goes to bed once the restaurant is empty, the cash and checks in the safe and the account book up to date. It's two AM when he collapses on his bed. He usually emerges from sleep at midday, so he has missed breakfast and eats everything within his reach. I ask the Chef to prepare a copious breakfast for him." He began to nibble the end of a croissant. "When you were busy in the bathroom, Andamo told me everything about his adventure in 1890 and everything about you and your partner. Your life was an extraordinary one, Mr. Gordon."

Frowning Artie looked at Andamo, "He shouldn't have done that. If anyone hears about that, I'm going to have some serious problems."

His mouth full of pancake, Andamo managed to say, "Lucky will keep that secret, don't worry, you can trust him like you trust Jim," and he swallowed.

Lucky nodded. "Andamo's right. I will keep your story secret."

Pouring himself a fifth coffee, Artemus nodded. "If Andamo trusts you in this, then I do too. And call me Artemus, please." He took a new sip of coffee and added, "My life is extraordinary, present tense. I'm not dead yet, and it's amazing to be here, in 1960, on a yacht turned into a chic restaurant with my grandson and his best friend and partner."

Lucky nodded. "And call me Lucky, please. I know that you are probably very excited to see everything modern, but as you don't have any legal existence here and to avoid any kind of problems – like being hit by a car and ending up in a hospital - it would be best for you to stay onboard as much as possible – while waiting to go back to your time."

Pouring himself a cup of coffee Andamo shook his head. "He's not going to be a prisoner on board the Fortuna, Lucky. It's cruel! I refuse. I want him to enjoy all the things I told him about when I was in the 1890's West. Everything!"

Lucky shook his head. "It's too risky. We have modern wonders on board you know like the radio, the television, and…"

Frowning, Andamo interrupted his best friend and partner, "Just for one day, please Lucky. I want to show him the city and then we'll drive to Sunset Beach to picnic and spend the afternoon there, talking. We'll be back on board by tonight."

Lucky nodded. "Okay compadre, but after that he'll stay on board." He looked at Artie and added, "It's for your own safety, you understand. I have a spare cabin for you."

Artie gulped down a glass of orange juice then he said, "You're right and I understand, and thank you for your offer, Lucky." He paused. "Do you have a job for an agent of the Secret Service – currently out of work? I'd like to make myself useful on board."

Settling his fork on his empty plate, Andamo raised his hand. "I know! I know! Artemus is a great cook. He spent two years in France before the war, I mean before the Civil War – to learn cuisine. Our Chef needs a qualified assistant and Artemus is qualified. What do you think of my idea Lucky?"

Lucky smiled loving the younger man's proposition. "That's a very good idea Andamo. Artemus? Do you want to be the assistant to my Chef?"

Pleased by the offer Artie grinned. "That's a wonderful idea, thank you. I accept. But I'm going to need to know how all your modern and I'm sure marvelous cooking equipment works."

Lucky nodded. "Of course, Andamo will show you everything in the galley. You're hired Artemus, welcome to the crew of the Fortuna the second. You could show us your talents tonight. As we are celebrating the 14 of July, the National Day in France, the Chef has prepared a French cuisine menu."

Andamo smiled and added, "You're not going to the beach in those clothes, or anywhere in them! I'm going to send someone to buy you some more appropriate clothes and shoes. You must look like a man of the twentieth century, not nineteenth."

Lucky nodded. "And anything you need Artemus. I'm buying."

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Later, in Puerto Verde

Eyes and mouth wide open, Artemus was standing at the corner of Grant Street and Washington Street, looking at the traffic.

He was dressed in a white linen vest, had a blue polo shirt with sunglasses hanging on his collar, jeans and black sport shoes.

He was thrilled, awed and terrified at the same time – each emotion showing and succeeding each other on his full-of-expressions-face.

Cars, motorcycles, trucks, buses and trams passed in front of him, amid a concert of noises he hadn't heard before like klaxons, engines and the sirens of police cars and fire engines…

Enjoying Artemus's emotional reactions Andamo had made a brief presentation of each vehicle to his grandfather then copied him as the older man looked up at the sky hearing a new sound. A plane was flying high above the high buildings.

Blinking slowly, amazed, Artie let out, "Oh my God…"

Andamo explained, "It's a plane," and then gave him a definition of what an airplane was.

Dumbfounded, Artie glanced around him. A lot of people walked past him and around him indifferent to him, some of them were chatting loudly, others called taxis and others were eating strange food wrapped in white, greasy paper or in small colored cardboard boxes (equally greasy), others waited on the edge of the sidewalks at the red lights. Others entered into stores while still others left them holding bags full of food and clothes. People were grouped around newsstands or hot dog sellers… They wore all kind of clothes and shoes and accessories, bags, hats, glasses… all with bright colors.

Everything was incredible!

He looked at Andamo standing beside him and said, "It's… noisy, and it smells bad, and there are a lot of people everywhere, and it's very noisy…" He grinned. "But it's fantastic! I never imagined that all this could exist one day… I feel like I've come here from the time of the mammoths …"

Grinning Andamo pointed at Lucky's car parked along the sidewalk, "And you know what you're talking about, right? You traveled back in time to the Prehistoric period once and saw mammoths."

Smiling, Artie took his place on the passenger seat while Andamo sat behind the wheel. "Your father told you that story too?"

Nodding, the younger man, a pair of sunglasses perched on his nose, started up the engine. "He told me everything – your voyage in the Prehistoric period included. I still can't believe you saw mammoths…"

Felling a bit frightened, Artemus grabbed the door of the convertible with one hand and his leather-covered seat with the other. "They almost killed Jim and me…"

Looking in the side mirror, Andamo left the edge of the sidewalk and said, "It's downtown, let me show you the rest of the city. Then we'll head to Sunset Beach to picnic there, there are other things to see there…" Beautiful girls in bikinis, he added in his mind.

No spoilers.

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Much later, on Sunset Beach

Planting the orange parasol in the golden sand, Andamo said, "Artemus, could you take the beach towels out of the bag and lay them on the sand, please?"

Complying, Artie said, "I never picnicked on the beach before, I think it's a very good idea." He heard women laughing behind him and he turned around. He almost had a heart attack when he saw two young women dressed in nothing but small pieces of fabric frolicking in the surf, playfully splashing each other. He couldn't help but stare at their perfect curved and tanned bodies. His jaw dropped open. "Oh boy…" He breathed. Then, feeling hot suddenly he unbuttoned his polo shirt. "Dear God! They're… They're wearing very little clothing, they're almost naked!" he added, his voice a few octaves higher.

Surprise faded rapidly replaced by a wave of embarrassment.

Opening the cooler, Andamo chuckled noticing Artie's reddened cheeks. "They're wearing bikinis. Sure, in 1890 nothing like that existed… Are you okay? You're all red…"

Sitting on his beach towel, Artie nodded. "Yes, I'm okay." And he lowered his eyes to the sand, embarrassment disappearing in its turn, replaced by a wave of desire.

But a few seconds later he couldn't help but look at the 'almost naked' women again – and then at other bikinis-clad young women with brunette, blonde, red and chestnut hair, playing with a ball to one side, hitting it with their hands to send it into the air to prevent it from touching the ground. "Beautiful…" He said. And, in his mind he pictured a jealous Lupita glaring at him. "Bad Artie…"

Opening a bottle of beer, Andamo grinned, "Oh yes! They're beautiful!" He placed it in Artie's hand and started to remove his clothes, ending up in a small black swimsuit.

Looking up at his grandson from head to toe, who was slim and muscular, and younger, Artemus let out a sigh, feeling suddenly old, very old and decrepit. He observed the cold, brown bottle in his hand. "Oh! It's a Budweiser, the king of beers! I didn't know that it still existed."

Raising a surprised eyebrow, Andamo asked, "You know about Budweiser beer?"

Bringing the bottle to his lips, Artie nodded. "Of course, that beer wasn't invented in the 20th century, it was introduced in 1876 by Carl Conrad & Co. of St. Louis, Missouri… Hmm, the bottle has remained relatively unchanged since that time." Then he took a long swig – staring at the couples French-kissing in a chorus of loud moans, sitting among the rocks to his left – shocked.

Swallowing a mouthful of beer, Andamo followed Artie's gaze. "Don't tell me that men and women don't kiss each other in your time?"

Blinking his stupefaction away, Artemus said, "Of course they do kiss, but not in public, it's considered as outrageous, indecent…"

Chuckling Andamo took a new swig of beer. "Not anymore… Oh! Look! Two lovely mademoiselles are heading our way…" And he swelled out his chest and flexed his muscles.

Two nice-looking young women wearing next to nothing knelt in the sand a couple of minutes later, in front of the two men, smiling.

The blonde woman wearing a barely-there two-toned hot pink bikini pushed her sunglasses up on her head and said, "Father and son, uh?" 'No wives in sight. Good!'

Grinning Andamo replied, "Yes, this is my dad Artemus, and I'm Andamo." He grabbed two Buds from the cooler and asked, "Do you want a beer ladies?"

The brunette who was wearing a yellow bikini raised her sunglasses from her eyes and grinned. "Sure, thanks! My name is Isabelle, and my friend here is Lisa." She grabbed a bottle and gave the other one to her companion. "It's the first time I saw you here…"

Nodding, Andamo replied, "Yes, I'm very busy. I don't come here often, rarely in fact. My partner Lucky and I own a restaurant, the Fortuna, it's a yacht."

Isabelle nodded. "I heard about it, it's very classy and it has fancy expensive menus… not for me." Then she looked at Artemus, devouring him with her eyes…" You shouldn't have all those clothes on you…" Then, she reached out and in a flash removed his linen jacket before he could react and dropped it on the warm sand. She smiled. "That's a lot better," she purred.

Blushing up to his ears with embarrassment, Artie mumbled something inaudible – eyes zeroing in on the blonde's breasts which were barely covered by the yellow triangles of her bikini top and he stopped breathing for a few seconds.

Interested by Andamo, Isabelle offered her free hand to the Latino, "Let's take a walk along the water's edge, okay?"

Noticing Artemus's 'please don't leave me alone with her' pleading look, Andamo shook his head, "No, thank you, my dad is tired and he needs my help. Another time, maybe."

Feeling a lot better, Artie found his voice and said to Andamo, "Don't forget that your mother and I are invited to the West's house tonight. I'd like to take a nap before…"

Disappointed, the two young women stood, and Lisa said, "Thanks for the beer, see you," And then they left, heading toward the ocean showing a good amount of their perfect round, firm buttocks.

Feeling his cheeks getting flushed again Artie turned away from the tantalizing view and, immensely relieved, glanced at his grandson. "Thank you. I didn't know what to do… Boy! Women are not shy in 1960," he said.

Smiling Andamo shook his head, "No, they're not, Californian girls especially." Then he smirked. "I still can't believe you were intimidated by Lisa after you had all those women in your arms – and in your bed for decades!" And some were very dangerous! And they even tried to kill you!"

Artie took a swig of cold Budweiser and said, "I know, I was there. That was a long time ago, now that I am with Lupita… " And his face fell, as he realized that Lupita was dead and his throat tightened. "Oh God… Lupita; she's dead."

Placing a comforting hand on his grandfather's shoulder, Andamo said, "You'll see her again, once you're back in your time." He smiled. "So, Lupita and you are together already?"

Rolling the bottle of beer in his hands, Artemus replied, "No, not yet, we just had our first date at the Mexican Embassy… and Loveless kidnapped us." He paused. "We have just started our relationship. We're taking things slow. We haven't been intimate yet…"

The Latino nodded, "My grandmother told me what happened. It was an unforgettable date! She told me what happened after that too, combining her story and yours." Seeing that Artie was still sad, he added, "Don't worry, she's okay. You will be together again – otherwise I wouldn't be born and wouldn't be here with you. And it's all I know." He smiled and continued, "She never told me what happened after she met Michelito Loveless in his house in Chesapeake Bay. She never mentioned a time machine and you and Jim being exiled in another time and place, and she never mentioned you being here in 1960. You told me all that. My dad didn't know what happened after that either. It was secret."

The older man took a swig of beer. "There's a simple explanation. Lupita and I kept that part secret because your dad would have asked me many questions and our answers could have changed the future."

He shook his head, amazed and added, "It's strange to talk about your father, who's my son, who's not even born yet in my time. By the way, Andamo, does he look like you, I mean like me?"

Pulling out a couple of sandwiches from the cooler, Andamo nodded. "Yes, he's your portrait – with Lupita's eyes." He smiled. "I have your eyes."

Unwrapping a tuna, salad, tomato and mayonnaise sandwich, he continued, "So, how was your date with Lupita, before Loveless showed?" He removed the paper around the second s andwich, discovering a baguette, butter, sausage and pickles sandwich, he offered to Artie. "It's yours, it's very French, but we're the 14th of July, the Bastille Day in France, so it's appropriate."

Smiling, Artie took his French sandwich and said, "I asked the Chef of the Fortuna to make it precisely for that reason."

He noticed that Andamo was looking at a tanned blonde woman smiling at his grandson. She was very busty, with long legs wearing a red bikini and smiled. "Do you know her?"

The Latino shook his head, "No, but it's a matter of seconds, see you later Artemus." He dropped his sandwich in the cooler and ran toward the water's edge.

The older man smiled. "Have a nice time my boy."

Then he fished a book out of the bag and observed Andamo and the blonde get acquainted ... before going toward the foamy waves, chatting.

Sitting cross-legged in the shade of the parasol, Artie settled his book (History of America, the first half of the 20th century) on his lap and bit into his sandwich.

Tbc.