In the Orient by Art Collins Page B

up ahead, checked his watch, and predicted that it would be about one o’clock when they reached the place where May had previously left the path.
    Archibald’s prediction was fairly accurate when the first piece of white tape came into view. Each piece ofwhite tape was right where he’d left it the day before, so it wasn’t hard to find the hidden opening in the mountainside.
    Standing just outside the narrow crevice, Archibald turned to Willow and said, “It would be nice to have another blue feather right about now.”
    Hearing the confusing words Archibald had just spoken, May asked in a puzzled tone, “Why would you want a blue feather?”
    “It’s a long story,” Archibald replied soberly. “I’ll tell you about it after we get Jockabeb and Robert out of there.”
    “Okay,” May said as she knelt down and transferred the flying darts from the side pocket of her backpack to the back pocket of her walking shorts.
    After he had reviewed the plan in his head one last time, Archibald described the key steps in the order they would be taken, first saying, “When we get to where the Monkey Clone has Jockabeb trapped, I’ll go in first with the flashlight and the metal flask. I’ll move to the far wall and keep the light shining on the Monkey Clone’s face. I want you two to position yourselves against the wall directly across from me.”
    Seeing nods from both of his teammates, he continued to describe their individual assignments. “May, you need to always face the Monkey Clone so that the flying darts in your back pocket can’t be seen. Willow, you have to do the same, and make sure you keep your crossbow and arrows hidden behind your back untilyou’re ready to shoot. You’ll both be in the dark, so that should help.
    “Even though May will be doing all of the talking, I’ll divert the Monkey Clone’s attention back to me right before it’s time for the two of you to strike. At that point, you’ll have to move fast when I give you the signal.”
    “Tell us again what you plan to do with the flask?” Willow asked. And just to be sure there was no confusion on the signal, she added, “And you probably should repeat the signal one more time.”
    Taking a deep breath, Archibald gave his answer even though he knew he might end up improvising depending on what the Monkey Clone did. “I’ve thought a lot about what I could do with the flask,” he began, “and I think it’s best if we try to trade Jockabeb for it. I don’t think the Monkey Clone will buy it, but it’s worth a try.”
    “That’s not a bad idea,” May agreed. But then she added, “And I’m also pretty sure that the Monkey Clone won’t give up his human bargaining chip until the elixir works its magic. Alright, if the Monkey Clone says no to you, what happens then?”
    “We play it by ear,” Archibald answered honestly.
    “Okay, and one more time, the signal?” Willow again asked.
    Archibald was very precise when he repeated the all-important signal, saying, “At some point, and it will probably be sooner rather than later, I’m going to shout, ‘Nito, Vito.’ The Monkey Clone won’t have any idea what those words mean, but I know it will look right atme when I scream them. That will give you time to draw your weapons without being seen. Willow, then you’ll yell ‘Samu’ to get the Monkey Clone’s attention. When that ugly head turns toward the two of you, you’ll have a clear shot at both eyes. That’s when you fire away.”
    When May asked Archibald if “Nito, Vito, Samu” was Latin, Willow tried unsuccessfully to suppress a smile, but didn’t say a word.
    “I don’t know what language it is,” Archibald replied honestly, “but trust me, those words will be just right.”
    “Do they mean ‘Die, Worthless Monkey,’ or something like that?” May asked with a twinkle in her eye.
    “Yeah, something like that,” Archibald replied, avoiding Willow’s eyes. Then, just to make sure there was no last