Date: Tue, 7 Oct 1997 19:52:28 -0500 From: Phanny Subject: INT: Writers Party: Evening As the sun slowly slips below the sea, leaving a surprising amount of twilight for a long time, the guests begin to gather in the central garden among the bungalows. Some of them study bobbing lights in the water, moving closer. Others smile, watching palms in silhouette appear with the luminous, soft-colored sunset sky in the background. It looks like a postcard. "Welcome all!" Phanny says with a smile. "Life here is not as you know it at home. But it is wonderful, phull of surprises, and any dream can come true. Tonight we have a pheast prepared by the natives. They have cooked all day, underground, a whole pig, breadfruit, vegetables, and many other surprising and scrumptious delights. The bar is open for anything you wish. There .... on the big veranda overlooking the water, are tables for all, or you may sit out here, native style, on mats. Please feel at home!" Omar rushes over to give Phanny a big hug, lifting her high off the ground in a crushing bear hug that leaves her breathless. The mysterious voyagers move in closer, dreamily, smiling. "There will be entertainment after the meal!" Phanny announces. There is a trail in the sand where Maryanne has dragged her valise to her bungalow. The monkey draws in the smooth path with its phinger. Phanny turns to see Daisy Mae behind her, and they embrace, chattering away about what's been going on since they last met. "Why, this is the most beeoootiful place I's ever bin!" exclaims Daisy Mae. "Ah don't gotta sleep with one a them critters, do Ah, Phanners?" "No, you sure don't. But that's Vinnie and he keeps the geckos at bay at night. They are cute little lizards with round toes, and they wouldn't hurt a phly..... whale..... I really can't say that -- they *eat* phlies. But they are scared of people, Daisy. They can get in your room, though, and might scare you if you walk in on them or wake up to one on the wall." "Eeeeekk! You mean Ah gotta sleep with lizards in mah room?! Can't Ah sleep a the main house, Phanny?" "We don't have a main house here like we do at the Resort, Daisy. Just a big ol haunted house halfway up the mountain there.... you can't see it now. Not enough light."