Stranded
Chapter Eight -- "If you were stranded on a deserted island..."
Day Six
The day began just as the one before, and the one before
that. Sonny got up, gathered food, and they ate breakfast. Then Sonny went for a
swim, while Taggart watched from under his banana leaf umbrella. Sonny came back
to shore, and took a seat nearby. Taggart started laughing. "What's
up?" Sonny asked. "I was just thinking about that party game, you know
where someone asks you, 'if you were stranded on a deserted island, who would
you want to be with?' You wouldn't have been my choice." Sonny laughed as
well, "no shit, really? Taggart, I’m hurt." Taggart smiled,
"yeah I'm sure." "So what would your answer be?" "Beyonce
Knowles." "Excuse me?" "Yeah man, she's fine." "I
don't even know what you're talking about Taggart." "She's a singer;
don't you listen to music?" "Yeah, but I listen to real music. I've
never heard of her." "Shut up Corinthos! That is real music…like
you'd even know." "Whatever Taggart!" "So, what about
you?" Sonny thought about it. A few months earlier he would have said Carly,
without any hesitation, but she was dead to him now. He shrugged, "I don't
know." "Oh come on, I'm sure there's someone you've always thought
about doing." Sonny shook his head, "I don't indulge in fantasy
Taggart. I prefer real women." "Well fuck man, so do I!" They
both laughed again. "OK, so what real woman?" "Why are you so
interested Taggart? Leave it alone!" Taggart could tell Sonny's mood had
switched from good to bad in a moment. "Oh, sorry man. You're still upset
about your wife…getting divorced and all." Sonny stared at him,
"that's right."
Sonny lay down under his shade, and tried not to think
about Carly. He pictured Maria, and smiled at the memory of their night
together. "Too bad it was the last," he muttered. "What'd you
say?" Taggart asked. "Nothing." "Come on man, I'm bored out
of my mind here." "I was thinking about Maria, from my casino."
"Ah I knew it! I knew you had a woman down here!" "Yeah, well
give yourself a prize detective." "She's nice, huh?" "A
sweetheart…to bad I'll never see her again." "Don't say that. We're
getting off this island man." "Sure, whatever." "Sonny!
Don't lose faith on me now. You've been keeping me going all this time."
"Yeah? Well I'm tired of keeping you going. No one's going to find us
Taggart, and I'm going to die on this fucking island with you! Ugh!"
Sonny got up and walked off in disgust. Taggart watched him go and wondered if
he himself was convincing in his optimism…because it was all an act.
Meanwhile…
"Jason..." "Don't say it Johnny. We've only checked three islands." Johnny and the boat owner traded glances. They both were sure they were wasting their time, but neither was yet prepared to tell Jason that. "I was just going to ask if we could rest awhile." "We just got back out here," Jason replied. "We checked two islands yesterday, and have only stepped off this boat once today." Johnny nodded his head, "OK boss." Jason grabbed him by the throat, "what did I tell you?!" "Sorry! I meant 'Jason'!" Jason released him, and then started scanning the horizon with his binoculars. Johnny sat down and rubbed his neck. "We're all going to die out here," he silently mused. As if he could read Johnny's thoughts, Jason said, "and isn't that what you pledged to do Johnny? Die for Sonny if necessary?" Johnny took a deep breath and released it; "yes sir…I sure did."