My Swedish Vacation Chapter 16 By Valerafon Sarina heads for No Man's Landing and Munson's Swamp. This is a work of fiction and should not be read by anyone under the age of eighteen. Please do not read further if you are offended by violence and or sexual content. Chapter 16 No Man's Landing A bit after dawn, Sarina guided the small craft into a little glade by the river bank, and mercifully took the candle out of my ass. She untied me as well. I was still shivering from the predawn cold, so she reached in to one of her nap sacks and produced some clothes for the both of us. Her attire was both functional and revealing. She put on a light brown khaki vest and matching short shorts. I have to admit, I watched her dress. She was an unbelievably beautiful woman, and what a body! She was the exact opposite of the Bromberg women, with her dark hair and mysterious nature, but she was awesome in her own right. She had that classic looking face that sort of burned itself into a man's psyche. It must have been easy for her to get men to do exactly what she wanted, and her taut muscular body gave her the fire power to do just as she pleased with them even if they tried to resist her, which wasn't often. As I stared at her, and that magnificently muscled but undeniably feminine body of hers, I vowed to be different from the others. I was not going to give in to her. If I felt myself wavering, I could always close my eyes and visualize a pair of beautiful green eyes that I loved so much. I knew, that those emerald eyes had gotten me through much in the last several weeks. As I contemplated my future, I did a quick survey of my surroundings. This world was totally alien to me. In it, I was as helpless as a small child. I saw no avenue of escape. My future seemed bleak and uncertain. I knew those eyes would have to be my anchor in the coming days. My clothing, not surprisingly, matched Sarina's. After she dressed, I put on a Khaki vest and a comfortable pair of short shorts as well. I was also happy to be wearing shoes again or rather hiking boots and wool socks suitable for the swamp. I had not offered any comments since Sarina had taken the gag from my mouth, and I just sat in the boat and sized her up as she stowed some gear and then produced a thermos full of coffee. She pored me a cup, threw me a sandwich, and gave me that dazzling smile of hers, but didn't offer any comments either. I was too damn hungry and thirsty to talk. I couldn't remember when I had last eaten and I had lost track of time again. I had no idea what day it was. While we both ate, it was Sarina who finally broke the silence. "No questions?" she asked as she sipped from her cup and regarded me with those dark eyes of hers. The questions came pouring from my mouth like a damn breaking. "Where are you taking me?……….Am I your prisoner?…………What do you plan to do with me?" I asked in a confused and somewhat frightened voice. It was not the tone or the manner I wanted to project to her at the moment. Sarina didn't answer me immediately. Rather, she just stared at me for a few moments as I stared back at her. Her smile reminded me of the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland. Finally, she took another sip of coffee and started to answer my questions in a very calm matter-of-fact tone of voice. "We're going to No Man's Landing and then to my cabin in Munson's Swamp." "No Man's Landing!" I blurted out. I was more than a little bewildered by that name and it's implications. Instead of answering my inquiry, she smiled and gave me a warning, "Stay close to me at all times when we're there, and you'll be fine." That bit of news sounded ominous, but before I could comment further, she continued on with her intentions. "You're not my prisoner………Think of this as an adventure………And don't worry about the dangers…….I'll protect you." I said sarcastically, "It sure sounds like I'm your prisoner." And before she could comment, I added in a resolute voice, "I love Brome!……..She will come after me." Sarina's smile faded and she said in a sad but resolute voice of her own, "That would be a mistake…………After all, this is my domain." "Are you threatening her?" I asked. "Not at all," she said casually as that cold smile of hers returned. Then in a more ominous tone of voice she added, "If she comes into the swamp………I can't guarantee her safety." After her warning she sipped her coffee, regarded me for a moment, and stated in an even more menacing fashion, "There are all sorts of dangers in my realm." I couldn't deny what she said. This was her turf. Here, Sarina was queen. As if on cue, a bird cried out on the opposite bank of the river, and then I heard a rustle of feathers. In the next instant, the bird was airborne and searching for a safer haven further up the bayou. Something had disturbed it, but what? In the early dawn light I could just make out an animal silently slipping into the water. I was sure it was a gator. We we're both quiet for a few moments as I considered what I had just seen. I heard some noise, nearby in the water, and started looking about trying to find the creature once again, but couldn't see anything in the murky water. The unseen intruder made my heart race wildly. I found it difficult to control my emotions. I was as nervous as a turkey at an ax convention. Sarina, on the other hand, didn't seem nervous at all. She was calmly sipping her coffee and watching my reactions with a slightly amused smile on her face. Her self assured manner amongst all these dangers was unsettling to me. She seemed so at home here. For the first time, I realized just how much she loved this place, the bayou. I knew with a sickening certainty that I was indeed her prisoner, and there wasn't anything I could do about it. Brome was my only hope, but did I really want her to follow us into this deadly place? I knew she could take care of herself, but in this place, the cards were stacked heavily in Sarina's favor. I contemplated these concerns for a few more minutes before Sarina silently and efficiently pushed the boat away from the river bank, the boats motor broke the serenity of this peaceful but dangerous place, and we were off once again on our journey upstream. About five minutes later, we rounded another bend and the scenery dramatically changed once more. The landscape became even more threatening and chilling to me. I felt my heart pounding, as I took in this eerie landscape. Everywhere I looked, my mind told me their might be something lurking. Something that was cold and unfeeling. Something that was hungry and dangerous. Looking about, I got the sensation of going back in time once more. The swamp felt almost prehistoric in it's nature. I could envision T-Rex being at home here. Sitting in the bow of the boat, I became totally mesmerized by the passing scenery. We glided along quietly and efficiently, lazily cutting through the black waters of this nameless river. Tall cypress trees towered overhead dripping with their graceful Spanish Moss. The partially submerged trees creating a maze of passageways to navigate through, and to get lost in. But Sarina efficiently moved the small craft through the maze of trees. The obstacles hardly slowing our progress as we moved inexorably toward our destination. Finally, the narrow channel widened and the cry of a bird broke my trance. I looked up in time to see a Great Blue Heron flying gracefully overhead following the course of the narrow bayou as it snaked it's way through the swamp. Off to the right, the hooting of an owl, added to the strange chorus of noise that surrounded me. I looked directly at him, as we passed his perch. He watched us intently as we silently glided by his roost. He reminded me of a sentinel guarding the entryway to some dangerous and forbidden place. Off to my left, my eye caught movement and I watched a large alligator slide off the bank into the black water without making a sound. He disappeared from sight, but moments later he surfaced, just a few feet from our boat………waiting and watching. For a few breathless moments, the only sounds I could hear were the rippling of water from his wake and my own heart beating. Finally, he ducked underwater, passed beneath us, and surfaced again on the other side of the boat. He lazily drifted off like a large floating log, downstream. Was he hunting or just touring his domain? I followed his passage till he was out of sight, but not out of mind. In the next instant, I heard myself exclaim, "This is some place you've taken me too!" Sarina turned toward me, and I could see a smile appear on her lovely face just before she gave me the bad news, "This is nothing…….Wait till we get to Munson's Swamp." ------------------------------------- "There it is!" Eva exclaimed pointing her long shapely finger towards an odd little store in a small shopping area. Still pointing, she glanced at Brome and said with relief in her voice, "park over there!" Brome made a quick right, glided the land rover into a small parking space in front of the ancient shop, and turned off the ignition. It had taken almost the better part of an hour to find this little shop, on the outskirts of Houma, even though Samantha's directions were very precise. It made Brome realize just how helpless she and Eva might be in this strangely different place. Their unfamiliarity with this land and it's people would cost them valuable time as they looked for Jim, and time was something the women didn't have. As Brome and Eva got out of the car, Brome asked herself, What would I have done, in the last day, without Samantha's help? She knew the answer with out dwelling on it. Samantha was turning out to be a valuable ally, and a good friend. After the women exited the vehicle, the appearance of the odd little shop got Brome's complete attention. Brome noted that it reminded her of the outfitter shops she was familiar with in Sweden. However, the old style decor and dilapidated condition of the outside of the shop, gave her a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. The shop was definitely out of place next to the more modern shops nearby. It did not fill her with confidence that the proprietor was running a thriving business. Before Brome and Eva entered the old shop, they both paused a moment, looked up, and read the huge sign which hung over the doorway. It read Ron Ransom "The Ragin Cajun" swamp tours chartered and licensed guide. After reading the sign, Brome and Eva looked at one another, but it was Eva who asked, "Do you think this guy can help us?" "I trust Samantha," Brome said resolutely, "if she says this is the man…..Then he is the best guy for the job." Eva nodded, but didn't look too reassured as the women entered the Cajun Man's domain. Once inside, even though Brome had just reassured her sister, she became even more uncertain herself. The shop looked like a bomb had just gone off inside. It was a mess and things were scattered all about in a haphazard manner. Both women had to step over stuffed animals as they made their way to the front of the shop. Some of the animals Brome could not identify. On the walls, were other stuffed animals and pictures of the bayou. Something unusual caught Eva's eye and she walked down one of the isles to get a better look at it. While her sister was occupied, Brome looked about for the proprietor. He was not to be found anywhere in the shop. All she saw was other strange an unusual items, but no Cajun Man. As Eva continued to walk around and examine the strange artifacts crammed on the shelves and lining the floors, Brome walked up to the counter, found a small bell, and rang it.. Ron was in a hammock sound asleep in the back room. The noise, from the bell, intruded into his pleasant little dream world like a siren going off. He reacted by falling, out his little nest, right onto the hard floor. The women heard the commotion in the back room, but didn't have time to react themselves because Ron immediately appeared. While he moved, he buttoned his shirt and tucked it in, trying to make himself presentable. He was unsuccessful. "Good Morn…." He said while he groomed himself. He stopped in mid sentence because he was unprepared for the awesome appearance of the two women who graced his shop. They were unbelievably tall and two of the most beautiful women he had ever laid eyes on. And they projected a raw animal magnetism that seemed to permeate the air. It was a hypnotic attraction that was undeniable and he could feel it all around him. Ron stopped and stared at the imposing women before him, for a few moments, while her tried to catch his breath and gather himself. While he did so, Brome and Eva sized him up as well. He was a man, and they were use to this reaction. Brome was surprised at his youthful appearance. He looked about thirty. For some reason, she had pictured the man as being much older with a face like shoe leather and a rather stout body. Her preconception couldn't have been further from the truth. He was a tall thin ruggedly handsome man. As she regarded him, it took a few more seconds for Brome to realize something. She was staring at him on equal terms. He was as tall as she was. True, she wasn't wearing heels, but she was not used to being in the presence of a man as tall as her. The silence continued as she saw the man struggle to regain his equilibrium. While he did so, she continued on with her own survey. He had one very prominent feature on his undeniably handsome and youthful face, and that was the long black handle bar mustache he wore. It reminded her of something right out of the roaring twenties. It was totally different than Jim's mustache, but it had it's own charm, and it gave his face even more character. It startled Brome to realize that she found herself liking what she saw. Even as Brome surveyed the man before her, she saw Eva walking around the man trying to check him out as well. Brome was not surprised to see that Eva appeared to be equally impressed with the man before her. She had been around her sister long enough to know when Eva was impressed with a man, even if this one didn't have the usual characteristics Eva found appealing. Ron found himself slowly moving around in a circle as he tried to stay even with Eva's face, as she slowly moved around him in the same manner. "You must be the Bromberg party," Ron said distractedly as he returned Eva's curious glances with his own. Brome shook her head and tried not to chuckle out loud as she viewed the two in their curious dance. Finally, she responded, "Yes, You come highly recommended…………We need a guide ……..Money is no object." The last comment got Ron's complete attention. He stopped dead in his tracks, looked directly at Brome, and proclaimed in a smug voice, "Well, you've come to the right place. There's no better guide in Louisiana than Ron Ransom, The Ragin Cajun!" While he said the last part of his little speech, he twirled his mustache with his right fingers. Eva and Brome looked at each other, somewhat skeptically, and shrugged. Before the women could answer his boast, Ron quickly inquired, "Ms. Foxx was unclear in where you needed to go……..Can you be more specific?" Eva and Brome looked at one another again and shrugged a second time. This time it was Eva who answered, "Munson's Swamp," she said cautiously. Ron turned back towards Eva. His smile faded and a look of concern spread across his face before he answered, "Wow!…….That will cost ya!" Almost as an after thought he added, "That is one very dangerous place." Brome seemed to ignore his remarks and asked in a curious tone, "Have you ever heard of Sarina Schriever?" Ron swiveled his body back towards Brome and replied, "Who hasn't……..She's somewhat of a legend in these parts………She's one crazy dame!" This time Eva replied, "We need to find her………Do you think you can guide us to her?" Ron swung around towards Eva before he replied. He was beginning to get dizzy. "I can find anyone," he boasted. Then he immediately asked in a more cautious tone of voice, "Why do you want to find her?………It'll cost ya!……….$500. a day plus expenses." "Agreed," Brome quickly replied. "When we find her, just let us handle everything." Ron swiveled his body back towards Brome, but this time he remained quiet, and he didn't say what he was thinking. Instead, he looked Brome over again and then Eva. They were formidable looking he thought. But could they handle themselves? Immediately his mind answered his unspoken question. They had better be able too, if they were going up against Sarina. Finally, it was Eva who broke the uneasy silence. "Have you ever heard of No Man's Landing?" "Now, wait a minute," Ron said cautiously, "that place is off limits……..I wouldn't go in there with a platoon of soldiers." "What's a matter?" Eva said sarcastically, "Is the Ragin Cajun afraid?" Ron shook his head and sighed heavily before he answered her taunt. When he did so, he spoke in a very measured tone of voice, "The Cajun Man is not afraid of man nor beast!" Then in a softer voice he added as he stared at the floor, "Or any crazy wild women……… But sometimes discretion is the better part of valor……..I can't take you there." "Not even for $750. a day plus expenses," Brome interjected. Ron sighed heavily as he thought about her counter offer for just a few seconds, and then said to no one in particular, "Heaven help us!" Eva smiled at his last comment and said excitedly, "We want to leave as soon as possible." Like a condemned man going to the gallows, Ron said in a very sad little voice, "I can have my boat provisioned and ready by 6:00 PM tonight……….Meet me at the dock at 6:15." Both women smiled at each other and simultaneously and nodded in agreement to his terms. Ron looked first at Brome and then Eva, their dazzling smiles almost took his breath away once more, but he somehow maintained his equilibrium this time. These two gotta be sisters he thought. It did not occur to him to ask. As the two women were about to leave, Ron stopped them and offered a warning, "The swamp is like no place you've ever been before, and if you have any preconceptions of where we're going, you had best set them aside right now. This little trip of yours will be very…….very dangerous." The women looked at one another then turned back toward Ron and nodded once again as if they truly understood. But Ron wasn't through. He continued on with his warning, "Remember, this is Cajun Country……..Sometimes foreigners even Americans have trouble understanding us………We Cajuns have our own traditions and live by our own laws too, and we even have our own way of speaking." The last part of his statement had been painfully obvious to the two women since they left New Orleans. Unexpectedly, he stopped his sermon and gave both women a very introspective stare as if he was looking into their very souls before he continued on, "The people in these parts freely even joyfully break all the rules by which other people define themselves. Before very long, you're going to wonder if we have gone to someplace outside the bounds of normal society." Brome and Eva looked at each other once again. This time, there was uncertainty written all over their beautiful faces. "And the answer will be yes," Ron said solemnly. For a few moments there was silence as the two women considered The Cajun Man's remarks. Then Ron completely changed his tone and said, "I've got a lot to do!" and he turned and ignored the women like he had just dismissed them. Even after he had turned, he could be heard mumbling to himself, "No Man's Landing?……Crazy!……….Munson's Swamp?………Crazy!……..Sarina Schriever?……..Crazy!……Better make my will out!" And then he pulled out a map, spread it out on the counter, and started pouring over its contents. Brome couldn't help herself and she gave the Ragin Cajun one parting shot. "On the trip, I do hope you will be wearing shoes!" Ron stopped mumbling, looked up from the map at the two women, and then down at his feet. He mumbled something unintelligible to himself, then he gave his full attention back to the map, completely ignoring the two women once again. Brome and Eva looked at one another and smiled, taking their dismissal in good spirits. Before they left the shop, Brome noted that Eva turned a final time to look at the still mumbling man. Brome couldn't help but notice the twinkle in Eva's eye as she regarded the man once more before they left the shop. ----------------------------------- The sun was no longer high overhead. It had started it's daily slide westward toward the horizon. As I dampened my brow with some river water, I estimated it was mid afternoon, and it was unbearably hot. Sarina and I had not talked for some time. She was content to guide the small boat on it's journey to who knows where. While I spent my time sitting in the bow of the boat watching the scenery slowly glide by. My fears at least had abated in this peaceful section of the river. That was about to change, however. Presently, we rounded another bend and I could just make out a settlement looming in the distance. It looked to be built on a small plateau that hovered dozens of feet above the river bank. From this distance, I could see the settlement was constructed entirely of wood structures with no roads leading in or out of the place. Sarina broke my concentration when she shouted, "There it is! No Man's Landing!" When I turned and looked at her, she offered another warning, "When were in town, remember to stay very close to me at all times……..If someone grabs you, I may not be able to find you…….let alone save you." I was about to ask her what the hell she was talking about, when another boat traveling in the opposite direction caught my attention. I could make out a lone woman in the boat as it drew closer, and she was fairly young and very good looking. When the two boats were almost side-by-side, a shout from the woman broke the stillness of the mid-afternoon air, "A Man!……..Why don't you jump overboard, honey, and swim to old Kathylou." I'm not sure why, but I felt myself ducking down lower in the boat. The woman laughed at my actions and yelled to Sarina this time, "He's cute!……Where'd ya find him?" "Sarina yelled back as the boats passed each other, "In the city." In a sadder voice, I heard the woman exclaim as she passed down river, "Shucks! I was hopin there'd be more like him nearby…….I could use another man and I can't afford one in town." What the hell was she talking about? I looked to Sarina and she seemed to read my thoughts because she reissued her warning, "Remember, stay close!" As we got nearer to No Man's Landing, it reminded me of another place I had seen sometime in the past, but I couldn't place it at first. Then in a blinding flash of revelation, I remembered. It looked very much like the town from the movie Popeye, very old and weather beaten. Underneath the town, a dock jutted out from the bank of the river, and Sarina maneuvered our boat into a space among the other boats which were moored at the dock. I estimated there must have been twenty or thirty boats tied up along both sides of the narrow dock. Even before the boat completely stopped, Sarina had quickly and efficiently jumped out of the boat and began to secure us to the dock. While she did that, I looked upward toward the town lying about thirty feet overhead on a broad plateau. I couldn't help feeling that the plateau looked out of place and so did the town. The dock seemed eerily quiet as I exited the boat. I was surprised to see that Sarina and I were the only ones there. No Man's Landing had to be a town of at least several hundred people. Where was everyone? While I was pondering the strange town, Sarina grabbed a nap sack from the boat, and then grabbed my wrist and led me towards some ladders at the end of the dock. I had no choice but to follow. The only way up, appeared to be this series of ladders, and they didn't look very sturdy. I stopped and contemplated the ladders for a moment. "Come on!" she chided, "they're safe." In a matter of seconds we were climbing the ladders. I went first, of course. I tried not to look down as I climbed. I didn't think the ladders were very safe, and I found proof as I climbed. From time- to- time, I would pass a mended break in one of the ladders. All I could do was hope the ladders would hold. Somehow, we navigated the series of ladders, and in a few minutes I found myself safely on the plateau. But was this plateau really safe for any man? I was on a narrow wooden walk way about fifty feet in length which led into the town, but thoughts of the town were put aside for a few moments when I read a sign which was stretched above the walkway about ten feet from me. It read "Men! Lose all hope ye who enter here!" I recognized the warning from literature, only the words had been slightly altered. As I stared into the strangest town I had ever seen, I wondered who around here could read. But the words seemed to be prophetic. I had lost all hope some time ago. Sarina brought me back from my dreams when she grabbed my hand and started walking towards the town. I didn't try to resist, but the sign and Sarina's warnings made me wonder just what I would find when we entered the town. It turned out that the town was deserted, at least this part. Where was everybody? We walked the deserted streets for a few minutes before we came upon two people, a man and a woman. I guess what I saw shouldn't have surprised me, but I had lived the greater part of my life in a male dominated world, and only in the past few weeks had I been thrown into the opposite situation. Even with all I have gone through, it still startled me. The woman was a good looking black woman in her mid twenties. The man was white and about the same age, height, and weight as the woman, but he had his hands tied behind his back, and the woman held one end of a rope which ended in a loop about the man's neck. He had his head bowed and was walking along very passively. When Sarina spotted the couple she asked, "Where is everyone?" The woman stopped and sized me up for a second or two before she answered, "Over to the meat market. There's a big auction today……….Thirty studs are being sold…….That's where I got me this one." "I know where that is," Sarina said to me enthusiastically, "let's go little one!" Before we left, she turned to the woman and said "Thanks!" And then we were off with Sarina leading me by the hand. As we made our way towards the meat market, I heard the lady shout out to us, "If you're hankerin to sell that one……..I bet he fetches a good price." We walked through the deserted streets for a few more minutes till we found the town square. The meat market was a large stage located in the heart of the town. There must have been several hundred people, mostly women of all shapes and sizes, scattered in front of the stage watching the proceedings. On the stage was one woman talking in a loud voice and a few other women were on the stage as well. The other women were making sure the three men, on the stage, didn't go anywhere. There was about ten other men fearfully watching the proceedings from the back of the stage. They were in a large steel cage about ten feet by twenty feet in size. The women were packed in like sardines trying to get as close to the stage as possible, but when they saw Sarina, they parted and let us through. As we progressed through the mass of women, each woman in turn seemed to recognize Sarina, and out of some sort of respect, let her proceed to the front. Sarina quickly led us through the mass of women right up to the front of the stage. And as we passed each woman, she seemed to acknowledge them with a nod of her head. I was beginning to think that, maybe, Sarina was queen in these parts. The auction was in progress. But as soon as the auctioneer saw Sarina, she stopped the proceedings and shouted, "Hello Sarina!……..Do you want to sell that one?" In a loud voice she said, "No! he's mine!………Then Sarina turned around and said to the crowd, "You all remember that!" Some in the crowd laughed others said, "Awwww!" After her ownership statement, I looked around at the mass of women and found most of them were staring right back at me. I swear some of the women were licking their lips and leering. I felt just like a piece of meat. Instinctively, I found myself trying to become smaller and I moved closer to Sarina's body and held her hand even more tightly. The woman on stage shouted out sadly, "Pity!………I could have gotten you a good price." Then she returned to the auction. Up front, I got a very good look at the proceedings. There were three men kneeling on stage right in front of me. And there was a woman kneeling behind each man. The men weren't small, but the women were gigantic. They had to be over a head taller then the men on stage. It was fairly obvious to me that the women were the guards or enforcers or overseers for the men. What ever you wanted to call them, and they seemed to be able to handle the men quite easily. The predominant emotion I got from the men was fear, and they all seemed to be too scared and confused to try anything. It would have been impossible anyway because the guard women held the men motionless as the crowd looked on. Each female guard was dressed in an identical halter top and pair of cut off jeans. And each, held their man in a similar completely unbreakable hold. The men's hands were held captive behind their backs by one of the women's own gigantic hands while the woman's other hand was in the man's hair holding his head up so the women in the crowd could get a good look at the men's faces, as they bid. Each guard also had one of their large shapely knees right in the small of each man's back as well. The men couldn't move a muscle. They were completely restrained, and it didn't look like it took any effort on the women's part to keep them that way. As I stared on in fascination at the scene before me, I couldn't help but notice how large each woman's leg looked in relation to the men they were holding. The women's legs were huge and muscular looking, and seemed to dwarf the men's limbs, but they still were very shapely and feminine looking. To me, it gave the scene a feeling of unreality. But it was undeniable that the women were a heady combination of strength and beauty, and they almost took my breath away as I watched. I knew that the three guards were taller than any of the Bromberg women. These woman guards were true giants. The men, on the other hand, looked small and weak in comparison to them and I also knew that they were totally helpless. Almost casually the female guards held the men completely immobile for the women in the crowd to peruse at their leisure. After a few more moments, I tried to refocus on the auctioneer and break the spell the female guards had on me. I noticed that the auctioneer had stopped talking to Sarina, and had casually strolled over to the men, and restarted the auction once again. She paused in front of one of the men and pulled out a piece of paper. "This here is Ben……..He's 5'10'', 175 pounds, and he's thirty two years old………He has all his teeth and he wasn't married in the outside world." A hush of excitement went through the crowd. "Now, What's my bid for him?" "One woman in the crowd yelled out, "Twenty five dollars." Another yelled, "Twenty five dollars and two prime chickens!" The auctioneer shook her head and scolded the last bidder, "Now, Bettylou, you know I can only take money for him, and no credit……Do you want to bid higher?" The woman looked very sad, shook her head no, and silently left. Once she was gone, the bidding started again. The bidding reached one hundred dollars and it came down to two women. Finally, the auctioneer asked, "Do you want to go higher, Selma?" "Can I get a better look? I want to see his muscles," she asked hesitantly. The auctioneer answered immediately, "Sure! honey, both of you come right on up to the stage." The sea of women parted and let the two bidders through. When the women made it up to the front of the stage, Ben's guard forcibly walked him over to the two women and lowered him down, off the stage, by holding him under the arm pits so the two women could get a better look at him. His feet still dangled a foot off the ground, and I thought it was an incredible show of strength on the guards part. Selma felt the muscles in his arms and legs while his body dangled in front of her, and then she bid one hundred and twenty five dollars. A buzz went through the crowd. I guess that was a lot of money around here. "That's not the muscle I want to see!" the other woman exclaimed and proceeded to pull the man's pants down and check out that muscle, to the delight of the spectators. "He's got a nice set! She shouted to the crowd, "I bid one hundred and seventy five dollars!" This time a real loud buzz went through the crowd. Selma gestured with her hand in resignation and said, "Take him, no man's worth that much money." After the other woman paid the bid price, the auctioneer asked, "Do you want him bound, Francesca?" "Naw, He won't be any bother………..Just throw him down." Immediately, Ben's guard flung him off the stage toward Francesca who deftly caught the frightened man in her arms. Smiling at him she set him on his feet, but at the same time she grabbed one of his wrists, and slugged him right in the jaw. Ben's head sort of tilted back as he lost consciousness, but Francesca's grip kept him from falling backwards. Almost in one motion, she jerked the man forward with her hand and bent down as Ben's unconscious body came to a rest over her shoulder. Before she left, she yelled to the crowd, "He'll be easier to tote this way." The crowd roared it's approval as she left. I looked at Sarina and asked, "Isn't there a law against this?…………Doesn't this town have a sheriff?" Instead of Sarina answering my questions, I heard a female voice next to me answer, "The Sheriff got sold off a long time ago, and his deputies fetched a nice price too." I turned and faced the woman who had just spoken. The women in the crowd, for the most part, were very young. But the woman who had just spoken to me, appeared to be in her forties. She was wearing skimpy and raggedy clothing just like most of the other women in the crowd, and her face and hands were covered in dirt. But through the grime, I could make out that she was one very good looking woman. She noticed my reaction to her condition and elaborated, "When I heard about this sale, I just had to drop everything and come to town……….Men are scarce in these parts." "Why?" I asked. Before she answered, the woman looked at Sarina. I swiveled my head in time to see Sarina silently nod her approval without taking her eyes from the auction. I guess the woman was getting permission to talk to me. After the nod of approval, the woman answered my question. "It's a fact, Cajun women just can't get enough sex……..it tends to wear our menfolk out. Here in the bayou, they only seem to last a few years." What a way to go I thought. "So over time men have dwindled to a precious few and women have taken over," she informed me. I looked back on stage for a second contemplating what she had just told me. Then I asked, "Where are these men coming from?" "Boy! You don't know nothin……Do you, honey?……..But you're still cute." I just looked at her and shrugged. I had grudgingly accepted a long time ago that most women thought I was cute. I personally thought that my looks were more of the ruggedly handsome variety. After her statement, she shook her head and laughed, but finally answered my question. "The Cajun Cuties supply us with the men and we supply them with provisions………This here is a new batch of men we just bartered for." What was she talking about? Her Cajun accent made it difficult for me to understand her. Did she just say Cajun Cuties? It sounded like a girl's high school pompom team. My curiosity got the best of me and I asked, "Who are they?" The woman threw her head back as she laughed out loud. Then she started to stroke the side of my face with one of her hands as she exclaimed, "Boy, you sure are dumb, honey!…….No muscles either," she added as she looked me over. "But you make up for it by being unbelievably cute." Sarina glanced our way for a moment, but didn't say anything. She obviously was listening. The woman stopped stroking my chin and Sarina's focus went back to the auction. Finally, the woman answered my question. "Some of the young women, in these parts, are so man starved they head out into the bayou in search of menfolk when they turn fifteen or so…….Over time, they've formed sort of a loose coalition, and they've made Muson's Swamp their home." Great! I knew that's where Sarina and I were headed. "Some of the men they catch, they trade to us for provisions. Others, they keep and are never seen again." "Sounds a little bit like WIC," I said out loud. The woman laughed before she said in a matter-of-fact tone of voice, "Oh! They're tame compared to us or the Cuties." I heard Sarina chuckle at that remark and I glanced her way. She was still intently watching the auction, but I knew she was listening. Finally, I looked back at the woman and asked seriously, "Doesn't the law ever come in here and try to stop this?" The woman's reply caught me by surprise. She said sadly, "Not nearly enough…………Law Men are highly prized around here…………They go for a nice premium at auction…….Some say it's the gun and handcuffs a girl gets along with the man that makes them so valuable." I looked at her incredulously as she broke out into laughter again. I also heard Sarina chuckle again as well. Presently, the woman continued on with her story. "One time, the authorities sent in a whole squad of soldiers trying to shut us down, but the Cuties got to them first, and drug them off into the swamp…….We haven't seen hide nor hair of any of those boys since…….Why their vehicles are still rustin on the dead end road that's about ten miles from here." Then in a sadder voice she added, "And they didn't share any of those boys with us!" I tried to envision a pack of very young wild women overpowering a squad of soldiers and dragging them off into the swamp, but my male mind just couldn't come up with the images. Finally, I shook my head to clear it, and asked the one question that really bothered me, "These men are like slaves, Isn't it wrong to buy and sell men?" The woman frowned a bit as she thought about her answer, but presently her smile returned as she informed me in a good-natured voice, "Shucks, their not slaves……..they become our husbands." I thought about it and failed to see the difference. "Besides, You know the old saying," she happily informed me, "spare the rod and spoil the man!" That was not quite how I remembered that particular saying. One of her large hands started to stroke my cheek again as her mood became more serious and her voice became very gentle, "Honey, you of all people should know that men adjust very quickly." I looked towards Sarina again and could see a smile spread across her face as she watched the auction. I have to admit the woman was right about me and that I have always adjusted to my situation. Maybe, it was the only way for me to keep sane. Finally, I looked back towards the woman with a look of resignation on my own face. She gave me a knowing smile and continued on with her answer, "Soon, most of these men will think they've died and gone to heaven……..They'll have no worries or cares, except keepin us happy and that's a full time job………And we'll take care of them and protect them……as it should be………Shucks, most of our men die with smiles on their faces." I was quiet for a few seconds thinking about her answer when she said excitedly, "Oh! This is what I've been waiting for!" Something was happening on stage. I turned my attention back to the auction. Another buzz was going through the crowd. The auctioneer had just announced that the prize catches, of the sale, were about to be auctioned off. In the time I had been talking with this woman a few more men had been purchased. The three huge women guards were now headed back towards the cage and were about to fish out some more men. Everyone in the crowd grew quiet in anticipation. When one of the females unlocked the cage, most of the men sort of moved back away from the entrance towards the back of the cage. They looked like a bunch of chickens scrambling away from the butcher. All except two men that is. When the guards entered the large cage the two men did something that surprised me. They attached throwing punches. The female guards held their ground and easily blocked the men's wild haymakers. The guards punches did not miss their mark. The most aggressive man took one right on the jaw from the biggest of the women. The momentum of the punch knocked him back against the cage and he slowly slid down the bars towards the floor of the cage. In a second or two, the man landed on his butt, unconscious. The other man fared no better. One of the other females had grabbed his neck with one of her hands and was squeezing it between her fingers. The man tried to remove her hand with both of his hands but couldn't budge her arm. In a matter of seconds he was unconscious as well. The fight had lasted about twenty seconds. The women in the crowd seemed to enjoy the show and they were hooting and hollering at the spectacle. Some were even rooting for the men. The large female, who had knocked out the man with one punch, was clearly angry. She stepped forward and grabbed the man's collar with one hand, lifting him up a little, and prepared to deliver another blow to the unconscious man. The crowd grew silent. I think everyone, including myself, thought she could kill him if she hit him again. For a few moments her arm was cocked ready to deliver another blow, but I could see the anger leave her face and she let the man go, and he slumped back down to the floor of the cage. She turned and faced the crowd and yelled, "I won't punish a man for having spirit." The crowd roared it's approval. I heard two women near me say they were now going to bid for the two men. I shook my head and chuckled to myself realizing that the value of the two unconscious men had just gone up. Back in the cage, the three guards tried to corner the three men they had singled out. The men scurried away as the women moved in. The crowd was roaring with laughter watching the three big women trying to corner the men in the cage. One by one, the women cut off the available room the men had to maneuver in and cornered each man in turn. It took almost a minute for the women to secure all three men. As I watched, I realized that just catching the men took almost three or four times as long as the fight lasted. Meanwhile, the crowd was enjoying the show. Most of the women were rooting for the men, and a groan went up each time a man was caught by a female guard. The other men, who were not targets, scurried about and tried to stay out of the way of the big females. They looked relieved that they were not singled out and offered no resistance. As I watched the show, I wondered if in a heard of wild animals the survivors felt the same emotion of relief as they watched one of their fellow animals being brought down by a large lioness. After the men had been caught and subdued, I noticed that the largest of the female guards brought out the smallest of the men that was locked in the cage. I estimated him at five foot four or a few inches smaller than myself. The big female guard towered over the man. His head barely came up to her mammoth boobs. The other two guards brought out men jut a little bit bigger, and I thought they looked alike. I wondered if they were brothers. As soon as they were all out, the cage was locked and the two smaller guards forced their men to the ground and sat on their chests, completely immobilizing the men. At the same time, the biggest female started to strip the little guy she was holding. The crowd went wild again as he tried to resist her. I have to admit, he was totally outgunned, but he was trying, nevertheless. The woman next to me, gave me an elbow and exclaimed, "Spunky! Isn't he?………That's the one I want." I stared at her for a second, I could see the gleam in her eye as she watched the show. I heard a loud cheer and instinctively looked back towards the stage. The big woman had just removed the young man's shirt and she was proceeding to remove his pants as well. The guard was sitting on the young man's chest as she worked. Her weight easily controlled him and she was having little trouble removing his pants. She slowly slid his pants off while she played for the crowd and they were eating it up. Finally, she slid them off the boy and held them up for the crowd, who cheered and clapped their appreciation. She held her hands out in a victory pose for a second and then got to her feet. While she did so, she caught the young man's wrists with one of her hands and lifted them over his head till the boy was lifted right off the ground. He dangled, in mid air, next to the huge woman a good foot off the ground. She easily held him aloft with one mighty arm. All the boy could do was look at her pathetically. He was totally helpless. The last piece of clothing the young man was wearing were his briefs. The woman looked at them, then at the crowd, and asked, "Well Girls, What do you think? Should we take his shorts off too?" A resounding "Yes!" was heard throughout the crowd. Before she could respond to the crowd, a woman's voice pierced the air, "Hold it Carla! We want to leave somethin to the women's imaginations." It was the auctioneer who spoke, and a loud "Awwwww!" went through the crowd immediately afterwards. The guard nodded and then transferred the young man to one of her broad shoulders. He sat uneasily on his new perch, and looked very frightened as he stared out at the women in the crowd. The huge guard smiled at him and then proceeded to walk casually around the stage, with the young man sitting on her shoulder, so everyone in the crowd could get a good look at him. The women quickly forgot the disappointment of a few seconds before and started to hoot and holler again. One woman in the crowd yelled, "I'll give two hundred dollars for him!" The woman next to me glanced angrily back towards the voice and said disgustedly, "Damn you Elvira Crabtree!" But it was the auctioneer who spoke next. "Now ladies before you start bidding let me tell you a little about him……..His name is Little Johnny and he's nineteen years old and…….he's told me that he's still a virgin." A real loud murmur went through the crowd this time. The auctioneer had to wait a few seconds before the noise died down enough for her to continue. "He's five foot four inches tall and he weighs all of 115 pounds………..So we want to make sure little Johnny here has a good home……..So I want only women of substance to bid on him……And you all know who you are." The crowd broke out into laughter at the auctioneers joke. I didn't think it was so funny. After the laughter died down, the auctioneer added, "Little Johnny here needs a gentle touch." Somebody yelled, "That eliminates everybody here!" The crowd broke out into laughter once again. The auctioneer held her hands up and quieted the crowd. "You know what I mean girls," she said jokingly. Then she got serious and asked, "Now what's my first bid for little Johnny?" The same woman as before yelled, "Two Hundred dollars!" "Thanks Elvira!" the auctioneer yelled back. Another feminine voice yelled, "Two Hundred and fifty dollars!" I saw the woman next to me pull out a pouch and start counting out her money as the bids continued to rise. She counted her money quickly and then yelled, "I'll give six hundred twelve dollars and eighty five cents for him." A large gasp went through the crowd. The auctioneer shook her head and asked, "That's a nice bid, Clara. Are you sure?" "Yep! I want him!" she said resolutely. The auctioneer looked around the crowd and asked, "Does anybody want to better that bid?" A murmur went through the crowd, but nobody bid higher. A woman yelled out from the back of the crowd, "Damn you Clara Haskill!" Clara looked her way and yelled back, "Sorry Elvira! But I've been saving up for the right one. And this one is definitely the right one!" The crowd roared it's approval. Then the auctioneer said very loudly, "It's done!" Then she looked at little Johnny and said proudly, "You should be very happy……The woman with the biggest farm in these parts just bought you." He looked at the woman who had just paid six hundred dollars for him and he tried to smile. It was a weak pathetic little smile. As Clara went up to pay the fee and pick up her prize, a woman yelled out, "Hey Clara! You gonna have him work your farm?" As the big guard handed little Johnny over to Clara, she cradled him tightly and lovingly in her arms and yelled back towards the woman, "Hell No! I want this little guy to last!" Again the crowd roared. Before she left, Clara walked back to us and said her good bye's. But before she left, she whispered to me, "Now, I got me a little guy just like you," and then she was gone. The bidding on the next two started immediately. They were indeed brothers. Their names were Timmy and Tommy and the auctioneer wanted to keep them together, so they were being sold as one lot. The guards, who were sitting on the two brothers, got up and walked the two men over to the front of the stage. They were stripped of all clothing except for their shorts just like Johnny was moments earlier. Just like before, the women in the crowd hooted and hollered when the clothing came off. After the men were stripped, the biggest female guard came over and placed each man on one of her hips. She then proceeded to parade the men back and forth across the stage while the women near the stage packed themselves even closer together to get a better view of the two brothers. This time Elvira was successful in her bidding. She got the brothers for a little under four hundred dollars. A noose was placed around each brothers neck and Elvira was given the ropes. Before she left, Elvira told everyone that she was throwing a party and everyone was invited to her farm next Saturday night. Again a loud cheer went up. Sarina looked at me and said, "Us Cajuns do love our parties." It was the first time in over and hour that Sarina had spoken. In the next half hour, the rest of the men were sold off as well. The two women, that wanted to buy the two rowdy men , each did indeed get their man. The men sold for close to one hundred and fifty dollars a piece. When the two women were ready to leave, they each slugged their man into unconsciousness once again, and threw the dead weight over their shoulders. They too were given a loud cheer as they departed. One of the women was heard to comment as she carried her man away, "I do like a feisty guy!" I had a feeling those two men would be unconscious a lot from now on. After the auction was over, the auctioneer proclaimed, "Remember girls, there's a dance tonight." A loud cheer went up again in the crowd. "And girls, Boozoo Chavis and his band will be playing for us tonight," she told the crowd gleefully. An even louder cheer went up. Then she issued a warning, "Remember, we've given him and his band safe passage. They're to be left alone." This time, a loud grown went through the crowd. "So we'll see everyone, at the dance hall, at nine o'clock," she reminded them. After the announcement, the crowd started to disperse. I looked up at Sarina and she was smiling down at me. I asked her, "We're going to the dance, aren't we?" "Of course," she said, "A Cajun would never miss a dance or a chance to see Boozo Chavis and his band." I had a feeling even before I asked the question that we would be going to the dance. I wanted to know one more thing. "What kind of music would they be playing?" Sarina looked at me with a confused expression on her face, but answered, "Why Cajun music of course……….And they'll have both types of dances tonight, Zydeco and jitterbug. I thought about her answer, but didn't ask another question. I just shook my head and sighed heavily. Sarina laughed at my reaction, grabbed my hand, and said, "Come little one, we need to get our provisions for Munson's Swamp and I'm hungry……..I want some good Cajun food." I was going to tell her that I didn't like being called little one, but now didn't seem like a good time to me. Besides, I was more curious about the food. What's good Cajun food?" I inquired. As she led me away, she licked her lips and said happily, "We're goin to Poche's and we're going to have some good pork cracklins and some crawfish boudin. Why, when I asked her a question, it always led to even more questions? This time, I decided to remain quiet. Sometimes, it's better not to know. As we walked away from the town square, she offered one more bit of news. "After we get provisioned and eat, you can get some rest…..You're going to need it for tonight." As I looked at the grin on her face, I was sure I would need lots of rest. -------------------------------------- Eva and Brome were at the docks right on time. The Ragin Cajun was raging. He was nowhere near ready. Like usual, he was talking to himself while he threw the gear onto his medium sized boat. Every now and then, his language got even more colorful. Eva and Brome watched the show for a second or two before Eva commented. "Are you sure this guy can help us?" "We can only hope," Brome said sarcastically. Her answer was interrupted by another off color tirade from the Cajun Man. After the tirade played itself out, Brome added jokingly, "If not, we can always feed him to the gators." Eva and Brome watched the man throw some gear towards the boat. It overshot its mark and went right into the water. Another off color tirade followed. Eva looked at Brome and said, "Before we feed him to the gators, I want a few minutes alone with him first." Brome shook her head and laughed. Even as she laughed, her mind was thinking about another topic. Eva and her were working well together. She was surprised how quickly her and her sister seemed to forget about their recent differences. Her mind wouldn't let her dwell on the fact that her and Eva still had some unfinished business to settle. Still she wondered, what was going to happen when Jim was recovered. Eva saw her sister's look of concern. They both stared into each other's eyes for just a second. Brome sensed that Eva knew what she was thinking. Eva smiled at her sister and said soothingly, "Come on, let's go help the Ragin Cajun or we'll never get started." Silently both sisters walked towards the still mumbling man. In ten minutes, the gear had been successfully transferred to the boat. Ron propped his feet up on the dock and issued orders as the boat was provisioned. The women would glance his way from time to time, but remained quiet. Both had decided the boat would be loaded faster if the Cajun Man remained where he was. At least he wasn't swearing anymore. Before they set off on their journey, Eva whispered to Brome, "I think Mr. Ron Ransom needs a good dose of Eva Bromberg." Brome looked at her sister and smiled. A thought came to her mind and maybe a glimmer of hope, but she quickly dismissed it for now before she answered, "We'll you're certainly going to spend some quality time with him." As the Cajun Man steered the boat into the channel, Eva surprisingly whispered back, "That I am!" -------------------------------------- The candle light dinner was progressing marvelously. Helga knew Jim Preston Sr. was everything she wanted in a man. For someone who hadn't dated in ages, while he built his empire, he was proving to be smooth at small talk and remarkably charming. She felt so at ease with him. They felt so right together. She wondered if he could sense it too. As the dinner progressed, Helga's mood slowly darkened, but she tried to mask her emotions and hide her innermost doubts from this incredibly charming man. How was she going to explain her other life to him? Even as she smiled sweetly at him, she was secretly worrying. He was so strong and forceful in his demeanor, the master of every situation. She thought she would lose him if she shared even a glimpse of her other life with him, and it frightened her. She knew she wanted this man. Maybe, she mused, I will just have to take him. Then she thought that the taking might change him, and he would never recover or be the same man again. What to do?……What to do? Her mind kept asking. During dessert, Jim grew very quiet for a moment. It was the moment Helga had been dreading. This man was very intelligent too. Of course, he could sense the change in her mood. Her body tensed as she waited for the inevitable questions. He put his fork down and asked, "What's the matter, Helga? Are you worried about our children?" The question caught Helga off guard. Their children had not been in her thoughts this evening. It embarrassed her to realize that fact. Right now, though, Jim Preston Sr. was the most important thing on her mind. As she stared into his gentle blue eyes, she knew it could hardly be otherwise. Besides, she had confidence in Brome. She would solve the other problem and bring Jim Preston's son back to New York. She was still confident everything would work out. Their would be another better time to explain everything about his son and her daughters to this man, but she knew, this was not the time. She smiled at the man across from her. It was a forced smile, and she hoped he couldn't sense that. Then she answered in as casual a voice as she could muster, "They're fully grown, I'm sure they'll turn up soon." He looked directly into her own blue eyes as he inquired further, "Then what's the matter? Am I a disappointment to you?" "Hardly!" she told him honestly, "you're everything I could ever want in a man." She regretted saying that almost before the words were out of her mouth. Jim beamed at that bit of news, but it didn't stop him from asking his next question. "Then what?" he pressed further. She put her fork down as well and stared at the man through the dim candle light. The moment she dreaded had come. It was now too late to turn back. "It's just that……" And she paused for a few moments. The words didn't seem to want to come out. The moment seemed to last an eternity to Helga. He stared back at her and waited patiently. Finally, he smiled and said with a calmness and gentleness in his voice, "Please go on!" "It's just that……..I'm almost five inches taller than you…….And I'm not sure you like my body type?" Jim Preston Sr. chuckled after he heard Helga's fears, but he was quick to answer, "You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. I've always liked tall women too." Almost as an after thought he added, "My late wife was taller than me." Helga smiled at that bit of news. She realized one of her fears had been groundless. After her initial reaction, she frowned again. "There's something else?" he asked in that patient voice of his. She felt like she was not in control of the situation. She was not used to that feeling when she was with a man, but she had to go on. "You know nothing about me," she said excitedly. "Look at this body of mine!" she commanded, as she got up from her seat. Jim remained calm and said very sincerely as he looked on, "It's incredible." Helga shook her head from side-to-side and said anxiously, "You still don't understand." Before he could remark further, she grabbed the hem off her evening dress and lifted it over her head revealing her black bra and panties and that magnificently muscled body of hers. For the first time tonight Jim Preston Sr. was speechless as he looked on. Helga immediately went into a biceps pose for the man. She knew she had his complete attention. His jaw had dropped open and she could see he was staring at her in wonderment, but she detected something else as well. It was lust. That made her happy and emboldened her further. She continued to pose for him. Her magnificent muscles revealing themselves, in all their glory, as she went from pose-to-pose. As she continued to pose for the man, the right words came into her mind and emboldened her further. "I'm a powerful woman," she said to him, "Can you handle that?" He stopped staring at her body, got up from the table, and walked over to her. He had too raise his head, to keep eye contact, as he got closer. Helga stopped posing and waited breathlessly for his reply. Her own heart was beating very fast. What he said next thrilled her. "You're everything I could ever want in a woman." A big smile spread across her face, but before she could answer him, he added, "But, I've lived my life by the philosophy of "Survival of the Fittest…….That philosophy has served me well in business." Her smile left her face and she wondered…….What was he telling me? Before she could ask, he added, "I believe only the strong should rule!…………Can you handle that?" This time it was her mouth that dropped open. What was he saying? Was he challenging her to a fight for supremacy here and now? -------------------------------------- The food was remarkably good. A little spicy, but I have to admit I enjoyed it. I let Sarina order for me, and I didn't ask what I was eating, as I ate it. I had seen too many people in movies ruin their dinner, when they asked that question. After loading the boat with provisions, Sarina got a room in the local hotel. I asked her if it was a Motel 6 because it had six rooms. She just gave me "The stare" and didn't comment on my joke. She was the only woman that I couldn't make laugh and it irritated me. But I knew that I would have plenty of time in the ensuing days to try again. Later, when we were alone in our room, Sarina immediately took off her shorts and top revealing that magnificent body of hers. I watched her undress just as I had watched her dress earlier in the day. I couldn't help myself, she was one beautiful woman. After the strip show, she yawned and stretched her body out in a long lazy pose. It made my mouth water and even got PJ's attention. I really couldn't blame him for getting aroused. Sarina must have been watching my reactions out of the corner of her eye because she slowly turned towards me and gave me a big smile. I thought PJ was about to get in some exercise and that didn't seem all that bad at the moment. But as usual, her next remark completely surprised me. "Come over here, Casanova, and kiss my ass!" I hesitated. I had vowed to fight her at every turn. But was this the time? Sarina didn't like waiting and she transferred her hands to her hips and her pose became much more threatening. I sighed and walked over. What choice did I have. I had about as much chance of resisting her as a mouse had against a cat, maybe less. Besides, I was very tired. I didn't feel like mighty mouse at the moment. As I walked over, her smile returned and she bent slightly and thrust her ass out giving me an inviting target. So I was an ass kisser. So what? Looking at that magnificent ass of hers, it really didn't seem all that bad. I bent down and kissed one of her cheeks as soon as I reached her. I wasn't much for ceremony. She was, however. "Kiss the other cheek!" she commanded. I kissed the other cheek as well. She had more orders, "Make it nicer………..That's better!………Now the other one again!…….Good!…………Now smack you're lips so I can hear the kiss, and I know you're really enjoying yourself……..That's it!" I must have kissed each cheek ten times till I got it right. "Now, tell me you love it!" "I love it!" I yelled. "Louder!" she commanded. "I LOVE IT!" "Good boy!……….Good boy!" she whispered back as she put me through my paces. I wondered if they could hear me in the other rooms. The walls were paper thin. Who cares I thought. I wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary in this town. When I had done everything to her satisfaction, she completely changed gears on me once again. "Now, get some sleep!" she ordered, "you're going to need to be fresh in a couple of hours." She had gotten PJ's complete attention. He took the news pretty hard. But this mouse wasn't about to complain. I was just too darn tired. Earlier, Sarina had procured a book in the general store, but didn't let me see it's title. Now, she produced it from her nap sack and threw it to me. "Look at this……It may help you tonight." I started glancing at the book as Sarina laid on the bed and closed her eyes. I guess I wasn't the only one who was tired. The book was more of a pamphlet and it was entitled "Cajun and Zydeco dance reference guide." Before I started to read it, I slowly made my way to the bed and got in next to Sarina. I was half expecting a command ordering me to the floor, but it was not forthcoming. I was thankful for that, but I tried to be careful and not disturb her slumber as I started leafing through the pamphlet. Their was a section on dance basics and dance etiquette, and one entitled survival tips. As I read further, I realized the sections were further broken down into sections for men and women. The women were encouraged to act one way and the men another. Each had their own protocol. That didn't seem too unusual till I started digging deeper into the protocol. Everything seemed to be reversed. The men's actions mirrored women's actions in the outside world and vice versa. Only the actions were even more pronounced here in No Man's Landing. One dance maneuver caught my attention. It was from the dance form called Zydeco dancing. The maneuver was called the "Shake and toss hand grab." Performing the maneuver required the woman to toss her partner high into the air. After reading about a few more maneuvers and looking at the diagrams, I was afraid to even look at the jitterbug section. As I read, I felt myself getting sleepier. I decided to go to the section on survival tips. I thought I better at least read this section all the way through. It might be very important at the dance. To be continued……… In the next chapter, Jim and Sarina visit the dance. And The Cajun Man leads Brome and Eva deeper into the swamp. And Helga and Jim's dad finally settle who will be in control.