Cairo
"Oh, I have missed this city!" Marion exclaimed.
"Yeah, reminds me on a lot of nice things."
"What for example?"
"The thought of you being dead."
"Hey! Do you still remember our lil'child?"
"Sure I do. I hated this ape!"
"Why?"
"Cause HE was getting your attention."
She rolled her eyes. "Children need love."
"Dr. Jones?" said a beautiful young woman.
Both Indy and Marion turned around.
"I have been looking for you."
"Who are you?"
"Please come with me!" She took his hand into hers, pulling him with her.
"Where are we going?"
Marion followed them slowly. "Now I know why he loves this city!"
They stopped in front of a house, Indy recognized it.
"Please come in."
An older woman stood in the door, giving Indy & Marion a warm smile.
"Hello Fayah."
"I knew you would come, Indy. And who are you?"
"Well, I'm Marion Ravenwood. You'll recognize me as soon as I have my black hair back. But Indy insistened in…"
"We tell you the whole story when we're in."
"So somebody is after you?"
"Yeah, that's what we think."
"He talked from the Highest?"
"Yes, that's the name he used. However, I really know nobody with this name."
"Sallah told me before he dissapeared, that strange things are happening, a group of foreigners whose language he had never heard before are planning something. They are buying everything they could get for an exhumination."
"It was a strange language? Marion, are you sure that Marcello's an Italian?"
"Yeah, pretty sure, although his accent was kinda strange."
"Fayah, do you know, where Sallah worked before he was missing?"
"Yes, in the desert in the south of Cairo, it was a two day ride with the horse to get to the exhumination. He didn't come back from his first day of work."
"I'm going there tomorrow."
"I'm coming with you!"
"No, you're staying here with Fayah."
"And what if something happens to you? I'm not goin' to dig your bones out of the hot desert sand!"
"Honey, nothing has killed me so far!"
"Yeah, cause ya had persons who helped you. Remember, WE have beaten the Nazis!"
"Alright, alright. But no complains!"
She smiled.
"You'll do a really good team. By the way, Indy, why haven't you married?"
"Me? Married? Guess there's no woman who's willing to have such an unsteady life. No…" He shook his head.
"But Marion, why haven't you married him?"
"Me? Him? Oh, gosh, no! Ya know, it's always like this: We meet, spend some time together, but then there's a big arguement and we split up. After ten or nine years we meet again and the same story begins again."
Fayah and Indy laughed.
"But that means you still have feelings for each other."
Marion realized Indy stared at her, in attempt to avoid his gaze, she looked down. "You never forget your first love."
She got up, took the dishes which were standing on the table and went into the kitchen.
He watched her leaving.
"Do you love her if I may ask?"
Indy regarded Fayah with quiet eyes. "Well, she's one of the very special women in my life. I've hurt her once and I'm not sure, if she can fully forgive me."
Marion stood in the doorframe. "Listen, I'm goin' to bed, I need rest. Good night both of you."
"Have nice dreams." Was Fayah's reply, who turned her attention back to the man sitting next to her.
"I guess I'll also go to bed then. See you tomorrow morning, Fayah."
"Thanks again for coming."
He nodded.
His bedroom was next to Marion's; he hoped he could control himself this time, not like the last visit when a strong urge had overpowered him.
She lay awake. The air hadn't cooled down and she felt drops of sweat running down her neck.
Why must it always be the extremes? Nepal was sucking cold, Cairo was sucking hot. Chicago was nice, warm summers, cool winters, but still nice.
Her mind travelled back in time, 10 years, same setting, same people, not the same situation. If he comes this time? Anger rose up in her why he was so damn unsensitive. Although Indiana was really lovely this time. He had changed.
Marion heard the door opening.
"I have just asked myself if you're coming this time!"
"I'm sorry, just thought we need to talk."
"In the middle of the night? Sure you don't mean something else?"
"Would ya please stop that crap? We really need to talk!"
"About what? What Fayah said? Never thought you can be sentim-"
He put his hand on her mouth. "Stop the teasing, Marion."
She pulled away and gave him an angry look. "Alright, what do you want to talk about?"
"Bout us!"
"There'll never be an 'us' and you know it better than me! It was you who left me! Now don't give me those neverforfilling dreams again!"
"That's what we need to work up!"
"We've tried it twice- and failed. You know it won't turn out well."
"But-"
Her hand began to caress his cheek.
"We would fight to problems, Marion. I've changed, you have…"
"We'll see what time brings with it."
She kissed him softly, but passionate, while moving her hands down his back.
"We", he said during a breath break, "are a strange couple, don't you think?"
"You're a quick study, Dr. Jones."
"I know. And I enjoy studying you."
…
Marion had wrapped her arms around the pillow. The blanket lay on the floor because of the night's heat. Her tender lips seemed like rose-coloured silk in the moonlight.
Indy watched the nude a last time, before getting up from the bed.
"Where are you going?" asked a female voice.
"I'm doin' what's best for us all."
"You…!"
"I'll look for Sallah alone."
"Then why did you take me on the journey?"
"Don't you see the desert is dangerous? Scorpios, sandstorms…"
"The only harm to my life's you!"
"What do ya mean by that?"
"Don't you realize that you attract the danger, like me?"
He began to laugh. "You're only a risk at my self-control."
"I'm not seductive!"
"That depends…"
"On what?"
"The viewer. You're attractive."
"Maybe I have been provoking to you as a 15 aged lolita, but not any more."
"You have been calculated to please me!"
"Of course! A girl of 15 years!"
"You have never been a girl like the others! You were a young lady."
"Maybe to the outside, but you didn't care about my inner self."
"You're going to reproach me with that until the end of days, won't you?"
"Have you ever felt such pain? I'm asking myself why I'm still after you…!"
"Because- you still love me."
She was speechless for a few moments. "Promise me something."
He nodded.
"Come back- in one piece."
Indy smiled and left the room without another word.
Damn Jones, Marion thought. He would never settle down and start a family, don't make yourself any illusions. He'll always be a bum, her dad had been right.
However, Indiana was right when saying that she still loved him.
And what if something happened to him?
She was really furious, he used to blame her for seducing him, but in truth, he had her in his hands, more or less.
The moon was still high when Indy left the house.
The air wasn't as hot and dusty as during the day.
Few people were on the street, no wonder in the middle of the night.
He hoped he would find somebody who'd sell him a horse at this time.
At the end of the road his eye picked up animals and a farmer.
His only fear was that it might be too late for Sallah.
It was early in the morning when Marion got up.
Fayah had already prepared breakfast for the two of them.
"Indy's not here. He-"
"I know. And I'm glad you did not go with him."
She nodded in agreement. "For sure he's already in trouble."
"Sallah told me he always finds a way out."
"I have saved his butt more than once, trust me."
He had prepared himself well for the two-day trip.
The raven arab was a fast, but fiercy horse.
Everything he saw was sand, yellow sand.
Everything he felt was the hot sun, resting on his shoulders.
His face was already covered with dust and salt.
Drops of sweat ran down his neck, wetted his shirt.
He smelled the leather of his jacket, felt the whip tripping against his hip.
The horse was gasping for air, but didn't slow down.
Far at the horizon Indy believed in seeing an oasis.
However, it would turn into a fata morgana.
His ears wanted to give him another illusion, someone calling his name.
Although his mind tried to trick him, he kept his goal: finding Sallah.
The day was long and hot.
Thirst was Indy's steady companion, but he had to spare his water.
In quiet he wished to find an oasis where he would rest during the night.
However, the only things he saw was sand, rocks and the sun.
He wasn't sure how long he had been riding through the desert already, it felt like days.
According to his own shadow it must be around afternoon, maybe later. This day would be over in a few hours and he was thankful for that.
If he does not find an oasis, he would rest near one of the rocks, whose silhouette reminded him on giants.
A soft wind blow around his face, making the heat less unconfortable.
He asked himself what Marion was doing at the moment.
For sure she was furious. Couldn't she understand his concerns?
The last time they were in Cairo she nearly died; he thought she was dead.
It was her temper that got her into trouble.
However, he loved her fiercy attitude in more than one way.
When he had finally decided to rest, his eyelids closed within seconds, so that he could not hear the approaching danger …
Out of intuition his hand moved down to his whip, but after a little fight the five brigands had no problem with overpowering the single man.
So Indy was sitting on the ground now, his arms knelt to his back, watching those guys probably discussing about him.
Their language was strange, maybe with an old dialect, but as far as he could understand it was arabic.
Then, suddenly their quarrel stopped.
A tall man was approaching, the chief, as he guessed.
He turned his attention to Indy.
"Who are you?"
"I'm just a traveller, trying to find my way through the desert."
"Don't fool me! Nobody comes here without a cause!"
"Well, I'm looking for a friend who's missing."
The chief began to laugh and his men joined in.
"Stop!" he screamed. "So, who's your friend?"
"I don't think you know him."
"Foreigner, you're very arrogant! Watch your tongue! Or I'll cut it!"
"I'm here because of strange happenings. I'm an archeologist."
"I see. So you're also responsible for the death of my men!"
"Wait! What do you mean? I've come here alone, don't you see that?"
"No, you're one of those guys out there!" His finger pointed in the direction of the south horizon.
"What sort of men are there? Tell me!"
"You must know better, you're one of them! You kill your workers if they don't approve!"
His eyes wided, he hoped, that it was not too late.
"You will pay for your murdering!"
"Listen, I'm not one of them! My friend Sallah from Cairo is missing and his wife told me he's believed to work out in the desert."
"What a nice story. However, your destiny is sealed."
Suddenly the crowd of men splitted up.
"What's going on here?" shouted the chief.
A woman came to his side, putting her finger on his lips.
As she moved closer to Indy, his heartbeat stood still- Marion!
She was dressed like an arabic dancer, her raven hair let her seem even more realistic.
"Who are you?" The tall man grabbed her close to him.
She evaded his rough and began to dance.
Luckily she had watched the gogo-girls from her own nightclub dancing.
She instantly hoped that she would get the attention of those thieves and give herself and Indy a chance to escape.
Soon the men sat down and followed her movements, began to create a rythm through claps and whistles.
Indy was getting angry, asked himself why, cause she was trying to free them, or more precisly, she was trying to free him.
The chances weren't so brilliant, although he could try to loosen his fetters.
But at the moment something else caught his eye: her dancing abilities.
Not only she looked fantastic in her transparent hip-pants, but also her pliant movements drove him crazy.
After minutes of just listening to the 'music', she opened her eyes and looked over to Indy, who stared at her.
Right in front of Marion sat this big man, also seeming to be delighted with her.
She stopped and waited for his reaction.
He got up and looked down into her face.
"What do you want as payment?"
Her finger pointed at Indy.
He began to laugh. "He's our prisoner. You'd only get him, if you spend this night with me!"
No, don't be this naive! Indy heard himself screaming.
To his astonishment she nodded.
The feelings from ten years ago came back, when he saw her 'working' in Patan. He wanted to get up, grab her by the hand and pull her out of this misery.
Jealousy and anger mixed to the feelings of guilt and helplessness, when she finally entered his tent…
"Oh, I have missed this city!" Marion exclaimed.
"Yeah, reminds me on a lot of nice things."
"What for example?"
"The thought of you being dead."
"Hey! Do you still remember our lil'child?"
"Sure I do. I hated this ape!"
"Why?"
"Cause HE was getting your attention."
She rolled her eyes. "Children need love."
"Dr. Jones?" said a beautiful young woman.
Both Indy and Marion turned around.
"I have been looking for you."
"Who are you?"
"Please come with me!" She took his hand into hers, pulling him with her.
"Where are we going?"
Marion followed them slowly. "Now I know why he loves this city!"
They stopped in front of a house, Indy recognized it.
"Please come in."
An older woman stood in the door, giving Indy & Marion a warm smile.
"Hello Fayah."
"I knew you would come, Indy. And who are you?"
"Well, I'm Marion Ravenwood. You'll recognize me as soon as I have my black hair back. But Indy insistened in…"
"We tell you the whole story when we're in."
"So somebody is after you?"
"Yeah, that's what we think."
"He talked from the Highest?"
"Yes, that's the name he used. However, I really know nobody with this name."
"Sallah told me before he dissapeared, that strange things are happening, a group of foreigners whose language he had never heard before are planning something. They are buying everything they could get for an exhumination."
"It was a strange language? Marion, are you sure that Marcello's an Italian?"
"Yeah, pretty sure, although his accent was kinda strange."
"Fayah, do you know, where Sallah worked before he was missing?"
"Yes, in the desert in the south of Cairo, it was a two day ride with the horse to get to the exhumination. He didn't come back from his first day of work."
"I'm going there tomorrow."
"I'm coming with you!"
"No, you're staying here with Fayah."
"And what if something happens to you? I'm not goin' to dig your bones out of the hot desert sand!"
"Honey, nothing has killed me so far!"
"Yeah, cause ya had persons who helped you. Remember, WE have beaten the Nazis!"
"Alright, alright. But no complains!"
She smiled.
"You'll do a really good team. By the way, Indy, why haven't you married?"
"Me? Married? Guess there's no woman who's willing to have such an unsteady life. No…" He shook his head.
"But Marion, why haven't you married him?"
"Me? Him? Oh, gosh, no! Ya know, it's always like this: We meet, spend some time together, but then there's a big arguement and we split up. After ten or nine years we meet again and the same story begins again."
Fayah and Indy laughed.
"But that means you still have feelings for each other."
Marion realized Indy stared at her, in attempt to avoid his gaze, she looked down. "You never forget your first love."
She got up, took the dishes which were standing on the table and went into the kitchen.
He watched her leaving.
"Do you love her if I may ask?"
Indy regarded Fayah with quiet eyes. "Well, she's one of the very special women in my life. I've hurt her once and I'm not sure, if she can fully forgive me."
Marion stood in the doorframe. "Listen, I'm goin' to bed, I need rest. Good night both of you."
"Have nice dreams." Was Fayah's reply, who turned her attention back to the man sitting next to her.
"I guess I'll also go to bed then. See you tomorrow morning, Fayah."
"Thanks again for coming."
He nodded.
His bedroom was next to Marion's; he hoped he could control himself this time, not like the last visit when a strong urge had overpowered him.
She lay awake. The air hadn't cooled down and she felt drops of sweat running down her neck.
Why must it always be the extremes? Nepal was sucking cold, Cairo was sucking hot. Chicago was nice, warm summers, cool winters, but still nice.
Her mind travelled back in time, 10 years, same setting, same people, not the same situation. If he comes this time? Anger rose up in her why he was so damn unsensitive. Although Indiana was really lovely this time. He had changed.
Marion heard the door opening.
"I have just asked myself if you're coming this time!"
"I'm sorry, just thought we need to talk."
"In the middle of the night? Sure you don't mean something else?"
"Would ya please stop that crap? We really need to talk!"
"About what? What Fayah said? Never thought you can be sentim-"
He put his hand on her mouth. "Stop the teasing, Marion."
She pulled away and gave him an angry look. "Alright, what do you want to talk about?"
"Bout us!"
"There'll never be an 'us' and you know it better than me! It was you who left me! Now don't give me those neverforfilling dreams again!"
"That's what we need to work up!"
"We've tried it twice- and failed. You know it won't turn out well."
"But-"
Her hand began to caress his cheek.
"We would fight to problems, Marion. I've changed, you have…"
"We'll see what time brings with it."
She kissed him softly, but passionate, while moving her hands down his back.
"We", he said during a breath break, "are a strange couple, don't you think?"
"You're a quick study, Dr. Jones."
"I know. And I enjoy studying you."
…
Marion had wrapped her arms around the pillow. The blanket lay on the floor because of the night's heat. Her tender lips seemed like rose-coloured silk in the moonlight.
Indy watched the nude a last time, before getting up from the bed.
"Where are you going?" asked a female voice.
"I'm doin' what's best for us all."
"You…!"
"I'll look for Sallah alone."
"Then why did you take me on the journey?"
"Don't you see the desert is dangerous? Scorpios, sandstorms…"
"The only harm to my life's you!"
"What do ya mean by that?"
"Don't you realize that you attract the danger, like me?"
He began to laugh. "You're only a risk at my self-control."
"I'm not seductive!"
"That depends…"
"On what?"
"The viewer. You're attractive."
"Maybe I have been provoking to you as a 15 aged lolita, but not any more."
"You have been calculated to please me!"
"Of course! A girl of 15 years!"
"You have never been a girl like the others! You were a young lady."
"Maybe to the outside, but you didn't care about my inner self."
"You're going to reproach me with that until the end of days, won't you?"
"Have you ever felt such pain? I'm asking myself why I'm still after you…!"
"Because- you still love me."
She was speechless for a few moments. "Promise me something."
He nodded.
"Come back- in one piece."
Indy smiled and left the room without another word.
Damn Jones, Marion thought. He would never settle down and start a family, don't make yourself any illusions. He'll always be a bum, her dad had been right.
However, Indiana was right when saying that she still loved him.
And what if something happened to him?
She was really furious, he used to blame her for seducing him, but in truth, he had her in his hands, more or less.
The moon was still high when Indy left the house.
The air wasn't as hot and dusty as during the day.
Few people were on the street, no wonder in the middle of the night.
He hoped he would find somebody who'd sell him a horse at this time.
At the end of the road his eye picked up animals and a farmer.
His only fear was that it might be too late for Sallah.
It was early in the morning when Marion got up.
Fayah had already prepared breakfast for the two of them.
"Indy's not here. He-"
"I know. And I'm glad you did not go with him."
She nodded in agreement. "For sure he's already in trouble."
"Sallah told me he always finds a way out."
"I have saved his butt more than once, trust me."
He had prepared himself well for the two-day trip.
The raven arab was a fast, but fiercy horse.
Everything he saw was sand, yellow sand.
Everything he felt was the hot sun, resting on his shoulders.
His face was already covered with dust and salt.
Drops of sweat ran down his neck, wetted his shirt.
He smelled the leather of his jacket, felt the whip tripping against his hip.
The horse was gasping for air, but didn't slow down.
Far at the horizon Indy believed in seeing an oasis.
However, it would turn into a fata morgana.
His ears wanted to give him another illusion, someone calling his name.
Although his mind tried to trick him, he kept his goal: finding Sallah.
The day was long and hot.
Thirst was Indy's steady companion, but he had to spare his water.
In quiet he wished to find an oasis where he would rest during the night.
However, the only things he saw was sand, rocks and the sun.
He wasn't sure how long he had been riding through the desert already, it felt like days.
According to his own shadow it must be around afternoon, maybe later. This day would be over in a few hours and he was thankful for that.
If he does not find an oasis, he would rest near one of the rocks, whose silhouette reminded him on giants.
A soft wind blow around his face, making the heat less unconfortable.
He asked himself what Marion was doing at the moment.
For sure she was furious. Couldn't she understand his concerns?
The last time they were in Cairo she nearly died; he thought she was dead.
It was her temper that got her into trouble.
However, he loved her fiercy attitude in more than one way.
When he had finally decided to rest, his eyelids closed within seconds, so that he could not hear the approaching danger …
Out of intuition his hand moved down to his whip, but after a little fight the five brigands had no problem with overpowering the single man.
So Indy was sitting on the ground now, his arms knelt to his back, watching those guys probably discussing about him.
Their language was strange, maybe with an old dialect, but as far as he could understand it was arabic.
Then, suddenly their quarrel stopped.
A tall man was approaching, the chief, as he guessed.
He turned his attention to Indy.
"Who are you?"
"I'm just a traveller, trying to find my way through the desert."
"Don't fool me! Nobody comes here without a cause!"
"Well, I'm looking for a friend who's missing."
The chief began to laugh and his men joined in.
"Stop!" he screamed. "So, who's your friend?"
"I don't think you know him."
"Foreigner, you're very arrogant! Watch your tongue! Or I'll cut it!"
"I'm here because of strange happenings. I'm an archeologist."
"I see. So you're also responsible for the death of my men!"
"Wait! What do you mean? I've come here alone, don't you see that?"
"No, you're one of those guys out there!" His finger pointed in the direction of the south horizon.
"What sort of men are there? Tell me!"
"You must know better, you're one of them! You kill your workers if they don't approve!"
His eyes wided, he hoped, that it was not too late.
"You will pay for your murdering!"
"Listen, I'm not one of them! My friend Sallah from Cairo is missing and his wife told me he's believed to work out in the desert."
"What a nice story. However, your destiny is sealed."
Suddenly the crowd of men splitted up.
"What's going on here?" shouted the chief.
A woman came to his side, putting her finger on his lips.
As she moved closer to Indy, his heartbeat stood still- Marion!
She was dressed like an arabic dancer, her raven hair let her seem even more realistic.
"Who are you?" The tall man grabbed her close to him.
She evaded his rough and began to dance.
Luckily she had watched the gogo-girls from her own nightclub dancing.
She instantly hoped that she would get the attention of those thieves and give herself and Indy a chance to escape.
Soon the men sat down and followed her movements, began to create a rythm through claps and whistles.
Indy was getting angry, asked himself why, cause she was trying to free them, or more precisly, she was trying to free him.
The chances weren't so brilliant, although he could try to loosen his fetters.
But at the moment something else caught his eye: her dancing abilities.
Not only she looked fantastic in her transparent hip-pants, but also her pliant movements drove him crazy.
After minutes of just listening to the 'music', she opened her eyes and looked over to Indy, who stared at her.
Right in front of Marion sat this big man, also seeming to be delighted with her.
She stopped and waited for his reaction.
He got up and looked down into her face.
"What do you want as payment?"
Her finger pointed at Indy.
He began to laugh. "He's our prisoner. You'd only get him, if you spend this night with me!"
No, don't be this naive! Indy heard himself screaming.
To his astonishment she nodded.
The feelings from ten years ago came back, when he saw her 'working' in Patan. He wanted to get up, grab her by the hand and pull her out of this misery.
Jealousy and anger mixed to the feelings of guilt and helplessness, when she finally entered his tent…