The next day, Evy made sure that Johnathan and I make it to the Giza Port. She's in more of a hurry to Hamunaptra than Johnathan. As we were making our way to the port, I tried to convince Evy that this may not be a good idea.
"Evy, all I'm saying is that we should stay away. It's unpredictable out there". I told her. She looked at me.
"You've made it out just fine. Besides, I could use the experience. Aren't you always the one to tell me, I should tag along with you"? She reminded me. I rolled my eyes.
"She has a point, Jazzy. You were alwa-" I cut Johnathan off.
"Really? You shouldn't even have say in this. You're only in it for the treasure". I snapped. He looked at me, as if he was hurt.
"Now that's pig wallow. I'm in it for the experience". He defended.
"Oh, please. You've always rejected my offers to tag along with my colleagues and I, but as soon as treasure comes into the sentence, you're all for it". I told him. I fixed my hat, to block the sun from my eyes. "Besides...there was nothing there. I was there for days, and not once did I see an ounce of treasure". I said, saddened by the last memory of Hamunaptra. As we walked through the crowded port, Evy slightly wondered if he'd actually make it.
"Do you really think he's going to show up"? Evy asked Johnathan and I.
"yes, undoubtedly, knowing my luck. He may be a cowboy, but I know the breed. His word is his word". Johnathan explained.
"Well, personally I think he's filthy, rude, a complete scoundrel. I don't like him one bit". Evy said, bitterly.
"Anyone I know"? I heard a voice say. The three of us turn, to meet Rick, the man we saved yesterday. He had shaved his growing beard, and his hair was cut. I noticed Evy look at him, as I did when I first found something of Cleopatra's. A very happy day for me, it was. Evy placed her bags down, still stunned by how he cleaned up.
"Um, hello". Evy said.
"Close your mouth. You're drooling". I teased her. She wiped her mouth, which caused me to chuckle at her.
"Smashing day for the start of an adventure, eh, O'Connell"? Johnathan asked, as he shook Rick's hand.
"Yeah. Yeah, smashing". Rick said, as he opened his coat, to check if Johnathan possibly stole something...again.
"Oh, no, no, I'd never steal from a partner...partner". Johnathan assured him, as he patted his shoulder. Rick laughed humorlessly.
"That reminds me. No hard feelings about the..." Rick swung at the air, indicating that he was talking about punching Johnathan.
"Oh, no, no. Happens all the time". Johnathan told him. I nod my head.
"I'm surprise he hasn't had permanent facial damage". I snorted. Rick nods his head.
"Mr. O'Connell. Can you look me in the eye and guarantee me this isn't some kind of flimflam, because if it is, I am warning you-" Evy was cut off my Rick.
"You're warning me"? He asked, in disbelief. "Lady, let me put it this way, my whole damn garrison believed in this so much, that without orders, they marched halfway across Libya and into Egypt to find that city. When we got there, all we found...was sand and blood". He explained to her. "Let me get your bags". He said, as he picked her bags up, and walked onto the boat.
"Yes, yes, you're right. Filthy, rude, a complete scoundrel. Nothing to like there at all". Johnathan said. Evy and I looked at him.
"Bright good morning to all". I heard that voice, and I groaned lightly. Beside Evy was the prison warden.
"Oh, no. What are you doing here"? Evy groaned. The warden started walking up the stairs, on the boat.
"I'm here to protect my investment, than you very much". He said, as he walked away. Johnathan, Evy, and I sigh.
"If he touches me again, I'm going to kill him". I told her.
"At least we won't worry about the stench". Johnathan said. I chuckled lightly. We walked onto the boat, and Evy and I settled into our room. I decided to study more about the few findings I collected on my last trip to Humunaptra, while Evy left to enjoy the daylight and fresh air.
It was now nighttime, and I decided to play some cards with Johnathan. He always said that I was good luck for him, and if he or I won, we'd split the money. I was sitting at the small table with Johnathan and three American men, Mr. Burns, Mr. Daniel, and Mr. Henderson. The three of them were amused that a woman would gamble with them. But, they should never judge a book by it's cover.
Mr. Burns was trying to clean his glasses, for what seemed like the hundredth time, this game. I had a small suspicion that he used that tactic to cheat, but I also had my doubts.
"Quit playin' with your glasses and cut the deck, Burns". Daniels told him.
"Without my glasses, I can't see the deck to cut it, Dave". Burns told him. I heard the door shut, and I turned to see Rick.
"O'Connell, sit down. We could use another player". Johnathan said.
"We can hardly fit us five, at this little table". I told him. I gazed at Henderson, who wore a smirk on his face.
"There's some room on my lap, maybe you-" I cut him off.
"No". I said, sternly. Daniels and Burns laughed at my cold rejection.
"I only gamble with my life, never my money". Rick said.
"Never? What if I was to bet you $500 we get to Hamunaptra before you"? Daniels asked, as he dealt out the cards.
"You're looking for Hamunaptra"? Rick asked.
"Damn straight we are". Henderson said, with a smug smile.
"And who says we are"? Rick asked.
"He does". All four of us said, as we pointed to Johnathan. Johnathan chuckles nervously.
"Well, how 'bout it? Is it a bet"? Daniels asked. I looked up at Rick, waiting for his response. He smiles.
"Alright, you're on". He said.
"What makes you so confident, sir"? Dr. Chamberlain, a member of the American group, asked Rick.
"What makes you"? Rick asked.
"We got us a man who's actually been there". Daniels informed him.
"Oh, what a coincidence, because O'Connell-" Johnathan stopped, when Rick hit him with his bag. He cleared his throat. "Whose play is it"? Johnathan asked, changing the subject. "Is it...is it my play? I thought I just...uh". Johnathan stumbled on his words. Rick placed his hand onto Johnathan's shoulder.
"Gentlemen, and lady, we got us a wager. Good evening Johnathan". Rick said, as he squeezed Johnathan's shoulder. I thought I heard a crack, come from him.
"Good night". Johnathan said to Rick, as he walked out the room. I chuckled, as looked at my cards.
"I told you he'd be upset about telling them our plans". I whispered to Johnathan. He rubbed his shoulder.
"No, no. He handled it just fine, I think". He said, sounding as if he was in pain. I chuckled, and put out a card.