In the next room, Evans and Kenner were also handcuffed around two posts. Because there was not a third post, Ted Bradley was handcuffed and left seated on the ground. His head was no longer bleeding, but he had a huge bruise over his left eye. And he looked distinctly frightened. But his eyelids were drooping, as if he might fall asleep.
"What's your impression of village life so far, Ted?" Kenner said. "Still think it's the best way to live?"
"This isn't village life. This is savagery."
"It's all part of it."
"No, it's not. These young kids, that fat creepy guy...this is lunacy. This is everything gone wrong."
"You just don't get it, do you?" Kenner said. "You think civilization is some horrible, polluting human invention that separates us from the state of nature. But civilization doesn't separate us from nature, Ted. Civilizationprotects us from nature. Because what you see right now, all around you--thisis nature."
"Oh no. No, no. Humans are kind, cooperative..."
"Horseshit, Ted."
"There are genes for altruism."
"Wishful thinking, Ted."
"All cruelty springs from weakness."
"Some peoplelike cruelty, Ted."
"Leave him alone," Evans said.
"Why should I? Come on, Ted. Aren't you going to answer me?"
"Oh, fuck you," Ted said. "Maybe we're all going to get killed here by these juvenile delinquent creeps, but I want you to know, if it's the last fucking thing I say in my life, that you are a major and unrelenting ass-hole, Kenner. You bring out the worst in everybody. You're a pessimist, you're an obstructionist, you're against all progress, against everything that is good and noble. You are a right-wing pig in...in...in whatever the fuck you are wearing. Whatever those clothes are. Where's your gun?"
"I dropped it."
"Where?"
"Back in the jungle."
"You think Sanjong has it?"
"I hope so."
"Is he coming to get us?"
Kenner shook his head. "He's doing the job we came to do."
"You mean he's going to the bay."
"Yes."
"So nobody is coming to get us?"
"No, Ted. Nobody."
"We're fucked," he said. "We're fuckingfucked. I can't believe it." And he started to cry.
Two boys entered the room, carrying two heavy hemp ropes. They attached one rope to each of Bradley's wrists, tying them firmly. Then they walked out again.
The drums beat louder.
Out in the center of the village, people took up a rhythmic chant.
Jennifer said, "Can you see out the door from where you are?"
"Yes."
"Keep an eye out. Tell me if someone is coming."
"All right," Sarah said.
She glanced back and saw that Jennifer had arched her back and was gripping the pole between her hands. She had also bent her legs so her soles touched the wood, and proceeded to shimmy up the pole at a remarkable speed, like an acrobat. She got to the top, raised her cuffed hands clear of the top of the pole, and then jumped lightly to the ground.
"Anybody?" she said.
"No...How'd you learn to do that?"
"Keep looking out the door."
Jennifer slid back against her pole again, as if she were still handcuffed to it.
"Anybody yet?"
"No, not yet."
Jennifer sighed. "We need one of those kids to come in," she said. "Soon."
Outside, Sambuca was giving a speech, screaming brief phrases that were each answered by a shout from the crowd. Their leader was building them up, working them into a frenzy. Even in Ted's room, they could feel it building.
Bradley was curled in fetal position, crying softly.
Two men came in, much older than the boys. They unlocked his handcuffs. They lifted him to his feet. Each man took a rope. Together they led him outside.
A moment later, the crowd roared.
PAVUTU
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14
12:02 P. M.
"Hey, cutie pie," Jennifer said, when a boy stuck his head in the door. She grinned. "You like what you see, cutie pie?" She shifted her pelvis suggestively.
The boy looked suspicious at first, but he came deeper into the room. He was older than the others, maybe fourteen or fifteen, and he was bigger. He was carrying a rifle and wore a knife on his belt.
"You want to have some fun? Want to let me go?" Jennifer said, smiling with a little pout. "You understand me? My arms hurt, baby. Want to have fun?"
He gave a laugh, sort of a gurgle from deep in his throat. He moved toward her and pushed her legs open, then crouched down in front of her.
"Oh, let me go first, please..."
"No meri,"he said, laughing and shaking his head. He knew he could have her while she remained cuffed to the pole. He was kneeling between her legs, fumbling with his shorts, but it was clumsy holding the gun, so he set the gun down.