JOURNEY'S END
The ship sailed quietly into the harbor at Portsmouth and its passengers disembarked without fanfare. The weary travelers had smiles as big as their faces. Home. They were finally home after all those years stranded in the jungle.
"What no adoring fans?" Marguerite Krux grumped as she walked down the gangplank.
"Now, Marguerite, you know we had no way of letting anyone know we were coming." Professor George Challenger the tall red-haired unofficial leader of the group admonished her.
"Besides, this way is much better. That way we have the element of surprise on our side." Lord John Roxton replied with a smile.
"Fine. Whatever. Let's just get to your little science hall or whatever you call it and get this over with. I want to go shopping." Marguerite pushed her way past the men.
"Typical, she's out of touch with civilization for over three years and the first thing she wants to do is shop." Roxton laughed.
"Oh and I suppose you have a better idea?" She snipped.
"Indeed I do my dear, indeed I do."
"First thing Marguerite we are going to the Zoological Society and show them our specimens then we will see about getting our lives back." Challenger stated emphatically but there was a crease in his brow knowing he should be going elsewhere first.
An hour later they were seated on the stage of the Society. Challenger was sitting up straight trying to comb his unruly hair looking like that cat that ate the canary. Roxton was seated beside him quietly saying a prayer of thanks that Challenger had insisted on coming straight here and not changing into other more restrictive clothing. And finally Marguerite sat beside Roxton a few of her many pouches of uncut gems in her lap.
Yes, thought Challenger, today is the day I make them eat their words. It's just too bad Arthur isn't here to see this. He would love to see the looks on their faces when we unveil our discoveries.
"A penny for your thoughts, George." Roxton said to Challenger.
"I was just thinking about Arthur and wishing he could be here."
"He is George, in spirit. Like you said with all of this evidence we can get more than enough funding to mount a return expedition. We will go back and find Summerlee and Malone."
"Oh I fully intend to with or without their funding." Challenger stated.
"Gentlemen please come to order." Lord Edward Pringle said as he banged his gavel on the podium. The auditorium grew still.
"We have it seems this day a surprise. The Challenger expedition which we had all thought to be long since dead has returned." Murmurs spread throughout the room.
"Quiet please. Thank you. I now give the podium over to Professor George Edward Challenger." The auditorium erupted in applause.
"George I think he means you." Roxton said to Challenger.
"George, are you all right?" Roxton said as he jabbed him in the ribs.
"What? Yes I'm fine." He rose and made his way to the podium.
"What I have to say will of course be brief for the moment. None of us have even been to our homes to see loved ones as yet."
"When we left here three years ago many of you were certain I was mad and that you would never see me again. How wrong you were. Not only did we make it back but we have brought with us some of life's most interesting wonders." Challenger motioned to Roxton and he and Marguerite lifted the sheet over a glass terrarium. The murmurs in the auditorium turned into full-blown conversations.
What they saw astounded them. The terrarium was filled with plants long thought extinct. The scientists crowded around the stage to get a closer look. Roxton and Marguerite backed off to let Challenger have his well-deserved moment in the spotlight.
"George, I have never seen some of these plants." Lord Pringle said.
"Some of these plants have not been seen for centuries. I have taken the liberty of naming the ones we have never cataloged. Take this one for instance…" Challenger reached in and carefully pulled out a purple plant with red leaves.
"I have named this one Summerlee orchidasia."
"Speaking of Professor Summerlee where is he?"
"He did not come back with us this time." Challenger had a far away look in his eye.
"What do you mean George? You left him there?"
"No, what Professor Challenger is trying to say is that we don't know what really happened to Professor Summerlee." Roxton came to his defense.
"I find that hard to believe." One of the scientists spoke rudely.
"Summerlee did not return with us because he was not able to. We do not know for certain what happened to him. We do know that things on the plateau are very different from things as you know them." Challenger retorted defensively.
"What do you mean by that Professor?" Asked one of his colleagues.
"Just what I said. We have had many adventures and discovered many of the wonders of both science and nature. I can only speak for myself but I have learned a great deal from my travels. The most important thing I learned is that nothing is ever as it seems."
"How right you are George." Roxton backed him up.
"You really must tell us all about your travels Professor. And what happened to Arthur." Lord Pringle said.
"Yes, later. First there is something I really must attend to." Challenger replied his mind elsewhere. He turned and began to leave the auditorium.
"Professor Challenger? Where are you going?"
"George?" Lord Pringle asked as he stared at Challengers quickly retreating back.
"Lord Pringle," Roxton said. "He hasn't seen Jess yet. I expect that is where he is headed. I'll see to it that he returns later or maybe tomorrow." Roxton grabbed Marguerite's hand and pulled her out of the auditorium with him.
"Lord Roxton, wait! There's something you need to know." Roxton slowed and turned to look back at Lord Pringle.
Stop this right now, George. You are not a schoolboy any more. You are a man. Challenger told himself. You have nothing to fear. Jess said she would love you always and wait for you. Still Challenger could not slow the steadily quickening beating of his heart. He slowly ascended the stairs leading to the humble house he had shared with his beloved wife Jessica for so many years. Strange how quiet the neighborhood was at this hour of the morning. He remembered the hustle and bustle of children playing and the noise the milkman and the paperboy made as they made their morning rounds. He scooped up the paper and grabbed the milk (hhmm since when did we start taking two quarts of milk?). Challenger stopped and pulled the paper up in front of his face. Then he rapped on the door and waited. Soon he was rewarded with the sounds of footsteps and then the door opened.
"May I help you sir?" Came the singsong voice he had so longed to hear.
"No but I may be able to help you." Challenger replied as he dropped the paper.
"No, it's can't be…George!" Jessica shouted.
"I had thought…" she left the sentence unfinished.
"No it's me Jess it's really me." Challenger reached out and picked his wife up and spun her around. His time in the jungle had helped him keep his body in good shape and he had no trouble picking up his wife.
"Oh George I thought I'd never see you again. We all thought your expedition was lost. We thought…I thought…"
"Jess it doesn't matter anymore I'm home now that's all that matters."
"Jess, who is at the door?" Challenger's expression became one of confusion.
"Charles, it's…it's my husband George. Surely you remember him?"
"Your…eh…yes, yes I do." Charles quickly picked up on Jessica's plea.
"So you are the famous Professor George Challenger. I have always hoped I would one day get to meet you."
"Where are my manners?" Jess said. "Come in George I'm sure you have much to tell." Jessica led the way into the house with a beaming Challenger close on her heels. Roxton and Marguerite turned the corner just in time to see them enter.
"Look at his face John, he doesn't know." Marguerite whispered sadly.
"And he won't if I can help it. Not until he's ready." Roxton raced up the walk and rapped on the door.
CHAPTER TWO
Veronica gloomily wandered through the now empty treehouse. She lovingly touched the table in the lab where Challenger had done most of his work. She picked up a scarf Marguerite had left behind and put it around her neck. She went back to the large drawing on her easel and looked at it. The drawing there was of all of them, Challenger, Roxton, Marguerite, Malone and herself. She starred at it then ripped it off the easel and tore it up.
"Damn you Challenger, why did you have to find the way home! Why did you all have to leave me?" Veronica dropped to her knees and wept.
"I haven't left."
Veronica leapt to her feet and swung around bringing her knife out as she turned. There standing in front of her was Ned Malone. He stood with his pack on his back and his rifle in his hand and Veronica had never seen a more welcome sight.
"Ned?" Veronica questioned not sure if he was really there or just an illusion.
"Yes Veronica it's me. I told you I would come back to you and here I am." He held out his arms and Veronica ran into them.
"I thought I would never see any of you again."
"I heard what you said. Do you mean they are really gone? Challenger really found the way home and the left?" Ned had a look of excitement in his eyes.
"Yes, and now I suppose you'll be wanting to leave too."
"No I do not want to leave. I have found out that my place is here. I belong here now not out there." He grabbed her and turned her to face him.
"I can write anywhere and if Challenger really has found the way home then he can come back. He can take my journals with him. I don't need that life back there the only life I want is right here."
"You don't know how glad I am to hear you say that. I could not lose the thought of losing another one of you. When the others left I…"
"Well you don't have to worry any more. I just told you I'm not going to leave. When did the others leave?"
"About five months ago. I have a lot to tell you about." Veronica took his hand and led him to the couch.
She filled him in on all the events that had taken place while he was gone. Some of the details were a bit sketchy since she herself was not here for a long time. When she told him about Challenger almost coming up with an alternative food source his eyes got big and his jaw dropped.
"What would make him test it on himself? That must have been awful."
"From what I hear it was pretty disgusting."
"Wow sounds like you all were busy while I was gone."
"The plateau doesn't stop just because Ned Malone decides to take a walk in it." Veronica said as she laughed and pushed him.
"I never said that it did. I just thought that maybe someone here might miss me. Apparently I was wrong." He made a sad face.
"We all missed you Ned. Challenger wanted to put off going back home until you came back."
"Then why didn't he?"
"I talked him out of it."
"What? You? Why?"
"Because they had the opportunity to get home Ned. I knew you would want them to take it. We didn't know when you would be coming back."
"Or if I was ever coming back."
"Why didn't you go with them?"
"I couldn't. I have a new journey to take now and I can't leave. But Challenger and the others promised to come back. With all the stuff they took back with them they will find more backers than they need to come back."
"I'm sure they will. What will we do until they get back?"
"I'm sure you will think of something."
"How about lunch for a start? I'm staving."
Roxton kept up with his incessant knocking on the Challenger's door, Marguerite at his side nervously twisting her hair.
"What if we're making a mistake John? I mean he has to find out sometime."
"No it's just not fair and I think he might need a friend or two around when he hears the news." The door opened to reveal a beaming Challenger.
"Roxton! Marguerite! What a pleasant surprise, come in please. I want you to meet my wife Jessica and our longtime friend Mr. Jackson Montclair." Roxton and Marguerite exchanged confused glances.
"He must not know yet." Marguerite whispered to Roxton.
Challenger led them into the parlor where Jess and Charles were seated somewhat uncomfortably it seemed. Roxton and Marguerite took the seats offered them by Challenger and accepted the tea offered by Jess. There was a stillness that could have been cut with a hunting knife and Roxton knew someone had to break it.
"Well, it sure is nice to see you again Jess." Roxton said.
"Yes Lord Roxton. It is so good of you to visit."
"I need more tea. Please excuse me." Jess rose to leave.
"I'll help you." Roxton said as he rose to follow.
"Roxton, you needn't bother." Challenger said.
"It's alight George I have something I need to talk to Jess about anyway."
Roxton followed Jess through the house to the kitchen and waited until she had put the water on the stove to speak.
"Before you say anything I can see that you know."
"Then why haven't you told him? He has a right to know. You don't really think you can hide it from him forever do you?"
"No not forever. It's just that now things are different. With George back I am in a terrible state."
"If you'd like you can tell him now. Marguerite and I will stay here with him. I just felt that he might want a friend or two around when he hears the news."
"You would do that for him?"
"Jess, I swore that I would go to hell and back with him. This is just about as close to hell as he has gotten and I intend to be there with him."
"Lord John Roxton you are indeed an excellent man."
"Why thank you Jess. You're not so bad yourself."
"Sometimes I wonder."
"Look Jess, it's not your fault. We were gone a lot longer than we thought we would be and we knew that our lives could be very different when we got back."
"But George wasn't counting on his life being this different."
"Perhaps not but like I said he has friends who will stand beside him no matter what."
The ship sailed quietly into the harbor at Portsmouth and its passengers disembarked without fanfare. The weary travelers had smiles as big as their faces. Home. They were finally home after all those years stranded in the jungle.
"What no adoring fans?" Marguerite Krux grumped as she walked down the gangplank.
"Now, Marguerite, you know we had no way of letting anyone know we were coming." Professor George Challenger the tall red-haired unofficial leader of the group admonished her.
"Besides, this way is much better. That way we have the element of surprise on our side." Lord John Roxton replied with a smile.
"Fine. Whatever. Let's just get to your little science hall or whatever you call it and get this over with. I want to go shopping." Marguerite pushed her way past the men.
"Typical, she's out of touch with civilization for over three years and the first thing she wants to do is shop." Roxton laughed.
"Oh and I suppose you have a better idea?" She snipped.
"Indeed I do my dear, indeed I do."
"First thing Marguerite we are going to the Zoological Society and show them our specimens then we will see about getting our lives back." Challenger stated emphatically but there was a crease in his brow knowing he should be going elsewhere first.
An hour later they were seated on the stage of the Society. Challenger was sitting up straight trying to comb his unruly hair looking like that cat that ate the canary. Roxton was seated beside him quietly saying a prayer of thanks that Challenger had insisted on coming straight here and not changing into other more restrictive clothing. And finally Marguerite sat beside Roxton a few of her many pouches of uncut gems in her lap.
Yes, thought Challenger, today is the day I make them eat their words. It's just too bad Arthur isn't here to see this. He would love to see the looks on their faces when we unveil our discoveries.
"A penny for your thoughts, George." Roxton said to Challenger.
"I was just thinking about Arthur and wishing he could be here."
"He is George, in spirit. Like you said with all of this evidence we can get more than enough funding to mount a return expedition. We will go back and find Summerlee and Malone."
"Oh I fully intend to with or without their funding." Challenger stated.
"Gentlemen please come to order." Lord Edward Pringle said as he banged his gavel on the podium. The auditorium grew still.
"We have it seems this day a surprise. The Challenger expedition which we had all thought to be long since dead has returned." Murmurs spread throughout the room.
"Quiet please. Thank you. I now give the podium over to Professor George Edward Challenger." The auditorium erupted in applause.
"George I think he means you." Roxton said to Challenger.
"George, are you all right?" Roxton said as he jabbed him in the ribs.
"What? Yes I'm fine." He rose and made his way to the podium.
"What I have to say will of course be brief for the moment. None of us have even been to our homes to see loved ones as yet."
"When we left here three years ago many of you were certain I was mad and that you would never see me again. How wrong you were. Not only did we make it back but we have brought with us some of life's most interesting wonders." Challenger motioned to Roxton and he and Marguerite lifted the sheet over a glass terrarium. The murmurs in the auditorium turned into full-blown conversations.
What they saw astounded them. The terrarium was filled with plants long thought extinct. The scientists crowded around the stage to get a closer look. Roxton and Marguerite backed off to let Challenger have his well-deserved moment in the spotlight.
"George, I have never seen some of these plants." Lord Pringle said.
"Some of these plants have not been seen for centuries. I have taken the liberty of naming the ones we have never cataloged. Take this one for instance…" Challenger reached in and carefully pulled out a purple plant with red leaves.
"I have named this one Summerlee orchidasia."
"Speaking of Professor Summerlee where is he?"
"He did not come back with us this time." Challenger had a far away look in his eye.
"What do you mean George? You left him there?"
"No, what Professor Challenger is trying to say is that we don't know what really happened to Professor Summerlee." Roxton came to his defense.
"I find that hard to believe." One of the scientists spoke rudely.
"Summerlee did not return with us because he was not able to. We do not know for certain what happened to him. We do know that things on the plateau are very different from things as you know them." Challenger retorted defensively.
"What do you mean by that Professor?" Asked one of his colleagues.
"Just what I said. We have had many adventures and discovered many of the wonders of both science and nature. I can only speak for myself but I have learned a great deal from my travels. The most important thing I learned is that nothing is ever as it seems."
"How right you are George." Roxton backed him up.
"You really must tell us all about your travels Professor. And what happened to Arthur." Lord Pringle said.
"Yes, later. First there is something I really must attend to." Challenger replied his mind elsewhere. He turned and began to leave the auditorium.
"Professor Challenger? Where are you going?"
"George?" Lord Pringle asked as he stared at Challengers quickly retreating back.
"Lord Pringle," Roxton said. "He hasn't seen Jess yet. I expect that is where he is headed. I'll see to it that he returns later or maybe tomorrow." Roxton grabbed Marguerite's hand and pulled her out of the auditorium with him.
"Lord Roxton, wait! There's something you need to know." Roxton slowed and turned to look back at Lord Pringle.
Stop this right now, George. You are not a schoolboy any more. You are a man. Challenger told himself. You have nothing to fear. Jess said she would love you always and wait for you. Still Challenger could not slow the steadily quickening beating of his heart. He slowly ascended the stairs leading to the humble house he had shared with his beloved wife Jessica for so many years. Strange how quiet the neighborhood was at this hour of the morning. He remembered the hustle and bustle of children playing and the noise the milkman and the paperboy made as they made their morning rounds. He scooped up the paper and grabbed the milk (hhmm since when did we start taking two quarts of milk?). Challenger stopped and pulled the paper up in front of his face. Then he rapped on the door and waited. Soon he was rewarded with the sounds of footsteps and then the door opened.
"May I help you sir?" Came the singsong voice he had so longed to hear.
"No but I may be able to help you." Challenger replied as he dropped the paper.
"No, it's can't be…George!" Jessica shouted.
"I had thought…" she left the sentence unfinished.
"No it's me Jess it's really me." Challenger reached out and picked his wife up and spun her around. His time in the jungle had helped him keep his body in good shape and he had no trouble picking up his wife.
"Oh George I thought I'd never see you again. We all thought your expedition was lost. We thought…I thought…"
"Jess it doesn't matter anymore I'm home now that's all that matters."
"Jess, who is at the door?" Challenger's expression became one of confusion.
"Charles, it's…it's my husband George. Surely you remember him?"
"Your…eh…yes, yes I do." Charles quickly picked up on Jessica's plea.
"So you are the famous Professor George Challenger. I have always hoped I would one day get to meet you."
"Where are my manners?" Jess said. "Come in George I'm sure you have much to tell." Jessica led the way into the house with a beaming Challenger close on her heels. Roxton and Marguerite turned the corner just in time to see them enter.
"Look at his face John, he doesn't know." Marguerite whispered sadly.
"And he won't if I can help it. Not until he's ready." Roxton raced up the walk and rapped on the door.
CHAPTER TWO
Veronica gloomily wandered through the now empty treehouse. She lovingly touched the table in the lab where Challenger had done most of his work. She picked up a scarf Marguerite had left behind and put it around her neck. She went back to the large drawing on her easel and looked at it. The drawing there was of all of them, Challenger, Roxton, Marguerite, Malone and herself. She starred at it then ripped it off the easel and tore it up.
"Damn you Challenger, why did you have to find the way home! Why did you all have to leave me?" Veronica dropped to her knees and wept.
"I haven't left."
Veronica leapt to her feet and swung around bringing her knife out as she turned. There standing in front of her was Ned Malone. He stood with his pack on his back and his rifle in his hand and Veronica had never seen a more welcome sight.
"Ned?" Veronica questioned not sure if he was really there or just an illusion.
"Yes Veronica it's me. I told you I would come back to you and here I am." He held out his arms and Veronica ran into them.
"I thought I would never see any of you again."
"I heard what you said. Do you mean they are really gone? Challenger really found the way home and the left?" Ned had a look of excitement in his eyes.
"Yes, and now I suppose you'll be wanting to leave too."
"No I do not want to leave. I have found out that my place is here. I belong here now not out there." He grabbed her and turned her to face him.
"I can write anywhere and if Challenger really has found the way home then he can come back. He can take my journals with him. I don't need that life back there the only life I want is right here."
"You don't know how glad I am to hear you say that. I could not lose the thought of losing another one of you. When the others left I…"
"Well you don't have to worry any more. I just told you I'm not going to leave. When did the others leave?"
"About five months ago. I have a lot to tell you about." Veronica took his hand and led him to the couch.
She filled him in on all the events that had taken place while he was gone. Some of the details were a bit sketchy since she herself was not here for a long time. When she told him about Challenger almost coming up with an alternative food source his eyes got big and his jaw dropped.
"What would make him test it on himself? That must have been awful."
"From what I hear it was pretty disgusting."
"Wow sounds like you all were busy while I was gone."
"The plateau doesn't stop just because Ned Malone decides to take a walk in it." Veronica said as she laughed and pushed him.
"I never said that it did. I just thought that maybe someone here might miss me. Apparently I was wrong." He made a sad face.
"We all missed you Ned. Challenger wanted to put off going back home until you came back."
"Then why didn't he?"
"I talked him out of it."
"What? You? Why?"
"Because they had the opportunity to get home Ned. I knew you would want them to take it. We didn't know when you would be coming back."
"Or if I was ever coming back."
"Why didn't you go with them?"
"I couldn't. I have a new journey to take now and I can't leave. But Challenger and the others promised to come back. With all the stuff they took back with them they will find more backers than they need to come back."
"I'm sure they will. What will we do until they get back?"
"I'm sure you will think of something."
"How about lunch for a start? I'm staving."
Roxton kept up with his incessant knocking on the Challenger's door, Marguerite at his side nervously twisting her hair.
"What if we're making a mistake John? I mean he has to find out sometime."
"No it's just not fair and I think he might need a friend or two around when he hears the news." The door opened to reveal a beaming Challenger.
"Roxton! Marguerite! What a pleasant surprise, come in please. I want you to meet my wife Jessica and our longtime friend Mr. Jackson Montclair." Roxton and Marguerite exchanged confused glances.
"He must not know yet." Marguerite whispered to Roxton.
Challenger led them into the parlor where Jess and Charles were seated somewhat uncomfortably it seemed. Roxton and Marguerite took the seats offered them by Challenger and accepted the tea offered by Jess. There was a stillness that could have been cut with a hunting knife and Roxton knew someone had to break it.
"Well, it sure is nice to see you again Jess." Roxton said.
"Yes Lord Roxton. It is so good of you to visit."
"I need more tea. Please excuse me." Jess rose to leave.
"I'll help you." Roxton said as he rose to follow.
"Roxton, you needn't bother." Challenger said.
"It's alight George I have something I need to talk to Jess about anyway."
Roxton followed Jess through the house to the kitchen and waited until she had put the water on the stove to speak.
"Before you say anything I can see that you know."
"Then why haven't you told him? He has a right to know. You don't really think you can hide it from him forever do you?"
"No not forever. It's just that now things are different. With George back I am in a terrible state."
"If you'd like you can tell him now. Marguerite and I will stay here with him. I just felt that he might want a friend or two around when he hears the news."
"You would do that for him?"
"Jess, I swore that I would go to hell and back with him. This is just about as close to hell as he has gotten and I intend to be there with him."
"Lord John Roxton you are indeed an excellent man."
"Why thank you Jess. You're not so bad yourself."
"Sometimes I wonder."
"Look Jess, it's not your fault. We were gone a lot longer than we thought we would be and we knew that our lives could be very different when we got back."
"But George wasn't counting on his life being this different."
"Perhaps not but like I said he has friends who will stand beside him no matter what."