Chapter 9
The next day was November 2. Indy woke up late that morning, and used Esperanza's telephone to call Marion at the hotel.
Indy filled Marion in on the situation and told her he had yet to go to the church to find the artifacts.
She told him that she had been feeling much better and for him to take his time as they still had a day before they were due to fly back to the States.
Marion had also teased him about Esperanza and when Indy had told her about the Day of the Dead ceremony, she was intrigued and said she would try to meet him that same evening.
Esperanza and her sister Rosa took Indy to the abandoned church and when they entered the structure, Indy's face fell. He ran over to the broken wall and shook his head.
"Indy, what is it?"
"Someone was here before us", he said sadly. "And I think it was fairly recently as well. Damn! If only I'd gotten here sooner. I…" his voice trailed off.
"Indiana", began Esperanza. "I am so sorry that you have come all this way for nothing."
Indy sighed. "It's okay. It would have just been nice to have completed the set, you know?"
To cheer him up some, Esperanza and Rosa took Indy to one of their favourite café's where they enjoyed steaming hot cups of coffee and freshly baked pastries.
Rosa saw some of her friends and she ran off to play, and Esperanza and Indy made sure she was in sight.
"So Indy", began Esperanza, looking into his hazel eyes. "How exactly did you become an archaeologist?"
Indy offered one of his well-known lop sided smiles. "It's a long story, sweetheart."
He told Esperanza when he was a small child, he and his parents were on a two year lecture tour where he got to experience a childhood quite unlike any before.
He told her of his first adventure as a boy scout when he had recovered the Cross of Coronado, but had sadly lost it that same day and he told her that one day, he would recover it and had a feeling that day was not too far ahead.
Indy also mentioned the strained relationship with his father which was mainly due to the fact that his mother had died when he was twelve. Esperanza sympathized with Indy, as she had also lost her own mother at a young age.
Indy also told Esperanza about Marcus and the museum and the friendship that they had developed as well as a mutual respect and appreciation that they had for one another.
"Does it ever get dangerous?" she asked him.
"Sure. I've experienced my fair share of dangerous situations."
"Like when you saved me from Lopez last night?" she gushed.
"Esperanza, I…"
"Indiana", she said tenderly. "I know that we barely know one another but I get the feeling that I can trust you. You see, you are the first man, well, the only man who has made me feel like I am worth something. I know that I am still young and that there is no way that…that we can, well, be together, but maybe someday…"
Indy blinked. He was taken aback and for a moment, struggled to get any words out.
"Esperanza, I, it's not that I don't find you attractive, but you are still a, well, you are still a girl, even though you seem very mature. I am very flattered, but there is a…"
"There is another", she finished. "I thought as much. The lady on the phone…"
"It's complicated", he told her.
"Tell me."
"Well, back in the mid-twenties, when I was 26, I fell in love with a girl of seventeen. Her father did not know about our affair and when he found out, he was very angry. What complicated matters was that he was an archaeologist and my mentor and he basically told me to get out and to never return and I never got a chance to say goodbye to her. I hope this isn't awkward, but she is coming to join us tonight."
"Not at all. In fact, I am looking forward to meeting her."
The three returned to the house and Esperanza had prepared lunch. Some hours later, the Day of the Dead celebrations took off and Marion, who was feeling much better, showered and dressed in clean clothes, took a taxi cab to Indy's location.
That evening, the celebrations were in full swing.
A Mariachi band could be heard in the distance, and couples could be seen dancing to the rhythm. Small children were playing in the streets and the sound of their laughter could be heard which almost appeared to echo off the walls.
Esperanza had showered and dressed in clean clothes and was now wearing a skirt decorated with skeletons playing guitars and ukuleles. She wore a matching peasant top. Rosa was dressed in a black dress with a white skeleton detail and their faces were painted in the traditional Day of the Dead fashion.
Indiana Jones couldn't help but smile when he looked at his reflection in the spare bedroom mirror. He was now dressed as a Matador and wore a white pair of short pants with a matching jacket which had been intricately embroidered. Underneath the jacket, he wore a white, frilled shirt, and to complete the ensemble, he sported long, white socks and black shoes with silver buckles. He attached his whip to his belt as he had the feeling that he might need it at some stage this evening. Indy's face was not yet painted, and Esperanza had promised to make him look part of the celebrations.
Indy walked into the living room, where Esperanza and Rosa were waiting for him.
"Oh Indy," began the older girl. "You look wonderful!"
Indy offered a lop-sided smile. "Thanks, princess. You don't look too bad yourself. And Rosa, you look equally lovely."
Esperanza and Rosa simultaneously blushed at the archaeologists comment.
"Come", began Esperanza. "Let me paint your face."
She led Indy into her bedroom and asked him to sit down at the dressing table. There, she transformed the living adventurer into something other worldly.
Indy looked into the mirror and he had to admit, the girl had done a terrific job.
They had just made their way back to the living room, when there was a knock at the door.
"Please", said Indy. "Let me answer it." he said, thinking it might be Lopez, but it was a familiar face.
Marion Ravenwood was stood in the door way, similarly dressed like Rosa and her face was painted up to fit in with the festivities.
"Marion, good to see you! How are you feeling?" asked Jones.
She smiled. "Much better, thanks. For a moment, I almost didn't recognise you."
She glanced over at Esperanza and offered a hand. "Hi, I'm Marion."
Esperanza shook her hand and introduced herself and her sister.
"Welcome, Marion. I have heard a lot about you."
Marion was curious. "It's all good, I hope", she joked.
Esperanza smiled. "Of course."
The four made their way into the heart of the festivities and Marion had to admit, she did not really know much about the festival, so Indy filled her in.
"Dia de los Muertos, or more commonly known as The Day of the Dead festival, is a holiday where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion that includes food, drink and celebration. A blend of Mesoamerican ritual, European religion and Spanish culture, the holiday is celebrated each year from October 31 to November 2." Indy continued on.
"The roots of the Day of the Dead, celebrated in contemporary Mexico and among those of Mexican heritage in the United States and around the world, go back some three thousand years, to the rituals honoring the dead in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. The Aztecs and other Nahua people living in what is now central Mexico held a cyclical view of the universe, and saw death as an integral, ever-present part of life."
"That fascinating", said Marion.
Esperanza picked up the conversation.
"Upon dying, a person was believed to travel to Chicunamictlán, the Land of the Dead. Only after getting through nine challenging levels, a journey of several years, could the person's soul finally reach Mictlán, the final resting place. In Nahua rituals honoring the dead, traditionally held in August, family members provided food, water and tools to aid the deceased in this difficult journey. This inspired the contemporary Day of the Dead practice in which people leave food or other offerings on their loved ones' graves, or set them out on makeshift altars called ofrendasin their homes".
"That's right", said a familiar voice."
Lopez stepped out of the crowd brandishing a sword and Indy and Marion pushed Esperanza and Rosa behind them.
"Who is this guy?" asked Marion, her curiosity piqued.
"This is the clown that's been harassing these young ladies", Indy told her.
"I knew that my whip would come in handy", he muttered under his breath.
Lopez pointed the tip of the sword at Jones. "Esperanza was going to be mine, and you ruined everything!" he half shouted.
"You're delusional!" shouted the archaeologist. Esperanza is not interested, not now and not in a million years!"
She nodded. "If you think for one second that I could ever marry you, then you're even more insane than I thought you were!"
Lopez' eyes widened in anger and before anyone could react, he grabbed Marion.
Big mistake, thought Indy.
"Hey!" She began. "You get your rotten hands off of me!"
Indy half smiled: "You heard the lady."
Marion tried to wiggle free, but Lopez had her in a tight grip.
"Don't come any closer!" shouted Lopez.
The wind was starting to pick up now and Indy looked around. Paper lanterns were swinging about wildly and decorations were now flying through the air.
Lopez grinned insanely at Indy. "They're coming and not even you can stop them!"
"I'm scared!" yelled Rosa.
"It's okay", said her sister. "Everything will be okay. I promise."
Rosa nodded.
"Lopez", shouted Esperanza against the howl of the wind. "What have you done?!"
"It's the artifacts", shouted Jones. "He found them…"
"…and now I'm going to take over with my Ottoman army!" finished Lopez.
Several people were now running for cover as tables and chairs flew about, as they were caught up in the frenzy.
Indy unhitched his whip and before Lopez knew what was happening, Indy had disarmed him.
Lopez yelled out in pain and Marion turned round and hit him in the face. Now Lopez was angry and bleeding.
At that moment, three men appeared dressed in robes and large turbans and swords were tucked into their belts.
They looked around, confused.
The leader stepped forward and in Turkish, asked where they were and Indy translated.
"They want to know who summoned them."
"Me. Tell them it was me!" screamed Lopez against the howl of the wind.
"Esperanza!" boomed a familiar voice.
She looked around.
"Father. Is that you?" she yelled and at that moment, a ghost like apparition appeared.
The apparition smiled. "Yes daughter. It is me. And I have come to exact my revenge."
"On whom?' she asked.
Her father pointed at Lopez. "Him."
Lopez went white as a sheet.
"You see, it was Lopez that killed me and tried to take credit for my business."
"You bastard!" screamed Esperanza. "You made out that he was killed by bandits!"
Lopez was lost for words.
"And you thought you had a chance with me, after the way you treated our family?"
She slapped him across the face, hard.
"It's time to end you, Lopez!" yelled Esperanza's father.
"Ha! What are you going to do? You're already dead!"
The apparition glared at him. "You have done enough!" he growled.
He began to float in mid-air and what he did next stunned Indy and the others.
The apparition flew into Lopez' chest area and almost at once, Lopez let out a scream and slowly turned to dust. His sword clattered to the floor.
The three men slowly faded and were gone. Then everything fell silent.
Esperanza and Rosa hugged Indy, and after they had pulled away, Esperanza looked deeply into Indy's eyes.
"Thank you, Indy!" she smiled.
"Me? I didn't do anything", he protested, "but you are very welcome."
"Oh, I don't know," began Marion. "I thought you looked pretty cute in your matador outfit!"
"Marion!"
Esperanza and Rosa giggled.
The following day, they had found the rest of the artifacts on the floor of the old church and Indy had boxed them up and sent them off to the museum.
Indy and Marion said their goodbyes to the sisters and Esperanza thanked Indy once more.
"I really hope that you both have a safe flight. I have never been to the United States before. Maybe one day I'll make it". She mused.
Indy tipped his hat. "I'm sure you will."
On the plane, Indy fell into a deep sleep and dreamed…
"You've done your country a great service and we thank you", said Colonel Musgrove to Indiana Jones. "And, uh, we trust you found the settlement satisfactory?"
"Oh, they money's fine", began Indy. "But the situation is totally unacceptable."
"Well, gentlemen, I guess this just about wraps it up", finished Major Eaton
"Where is the Ark?" asked Brody, his voice full of urgency and concern.
"I thought we'd settled that. The Ark is somewhere very safe", replied Eaton.
"From whom?" asked Indy.
Brody was having none of it: "The Ark is a source of unspeakable power and it has to be researched."
"And it will be, I assure you", began Eaton. "Doctor Brody, Doctor Jones. We have top men working on it right now."
Indy leaned forward: "Who?"
Eaton replied with just two words: "Top Men."
Just at that moment, there was a knock at the door.
Eaton sighed. "Come in!"
An older gentlemen dressed in a suit came in and approached Eaton. He then whispered something in his ear.
Eaton looked uncomfortable as the man left.
"Ah gentlemen", he began. "There appears to have been a misunderstanding. According to an almost forgotten law from the 1920's, we, the government cannot take the Ark away. Therefore, as you have already realized, you are free to display the Ark in a museum of your choosing."
Indy and Marcus looked at each other, a slow smile spreading across their faces.
Two days later, after some well-deserved rest, Indiana Jones was ready to attend the grand opening display of the Ark of the Covenant.
He had just arrived at Marcus' museum and was on his way to the East Wing, where the opening was taking place.
Indy was clean shaven and was wearing a black tuxedo, complete with a red silk carnation on the lapel.
He walked through the door and was just about to take in the sight of the Ark, when several people noticed his entrance and gave a round of applause.
Indy offered a slight lop-sided smile and bowed slightly. Marcus approached him with a big smile on his face.
"Indy, it's so good to see you here!" said his friend, jubilantly. "The Ark, it seems, lights up the whole room!"
"Thanks Marcus. It's good to be here. Have you seen Marion?"
Just as he had spoken the words, he noticed an attractive figure enter the room. It was Marion and she was wearing a red floor length evening gown and looked stunning.
Indy smiled and as he did, she saw him and smiled.
"Well Jones, you really did it", she said admiringly, as they both approached the Ark which was in the center of the room surrounded by thick glass.
"I did. You know something, Marion; the Ark is a lot like you."
"Yeah, how so?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
He turned to her, and put a hand round her waist. "Well, the Ark is stunning, beautiful to look at…"
He never finished his sentence as Marion's lips met his and they were both swept up in a glorious kiss.
Moments later, staff and reporters were gathered at the podium and Indy heard his name mentioned by Marcus a couple of times.
"I guess that's my cue", he told Marion.
Just as he was about to go, Marion grabbed his arm and pulled him into another kiss.
"Wow! What was that for?" he asked.
"For still being the man that I fell in love with ten years ago."