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Chapter 8.  Cutter’s Place

Hey Air Pirates! Here is preview chapter which introduces another South Pacific Island character into the adventure mix with our female archaeologist and rascally seaplane pilot.  (oh, and Curtiss the monkey co-pilot too!)

Enjoy! EH


Chapter 8. "Cutter’s Place"

The white and blue Grumman amphibian flies across clear azure sky with an endless ocean of water stretching in every direction. The large radial engines roar in sync with each other as the props shimmer and spin like disks of glass.

Seated behind the controls, Jimmy flies with his eyelids heavy and his head occasionally nodding off. Curtiss lies on the floor, curled in a ball on a crumpled coat between the two captain chairs. From the co-pilot’s seat, Alexa turns her attention from the horizon to Jimmy drifting off. She clears her throat and adjusts her sunshade.

“How far is it to this place?”

Slightly startled, Jimmy blinks himself awake and makes adjustments to his flying. He jabs a finger toward her window.

“That small group of clouds on the horizon, about one o’clock … should be near there.”

“You think it’s safe?”

Jimmy glances over at her, tired and slightly irritated.

“A friend of mine owns a place on the island. He runs a tavern there. We can grab a bite to eat and catch some sleep.”

The sun glares in through the front windscreen and Alexa pushes her sunglasses up on her nose. She eyes Jimmy and smiles with skeptical arrogance.

“Are you sure?”

Jimmy squints into the distance out the starboard window. A small grouping of islands can be seen faintly through the sparse cloud cover. He shakes his head and frowns at Alexa.

“Yes, I’m sure. He’s my friend.”

The sun shifts across the cockpit as the plane banks to the right and Jimmy steers toward the islands below.

Steadily approaching the small grouping of land, Jimmy adjusts the overhead throttles. Alexa peers out the window at the large wooden lodge with the thin dock snaking out into the shallow surrounding waters. Jimmy circles the area once and looks over the two fishing boats and small single engine seaplane on pontoons tied to the dock. He glances over at the copilot seat and nods.

“Suit you okay?”

“Do you know that plane down there?”

Jimmy rolls his eyes at her and mumbles sarcastic.

“Must be the noon-time rush. We should have made a reservation.”

Alexa studies the palm log and thatched roof building with the name on top laid out in pink shells reading: ‘Cutter’s Place’.

She observes the large rambling structure along the wide sandy beach and shrugs her approval. Curtiss sits up and leaps to her lap peering out the window at the island below. Jimmy grins like a young boy with a childish secret as he adjusts the throttles again and banks the seaplane in for a landing approach.

Flying low across crystal clear waters, the boat-plane roars over the surface and gently touches down with a spray of water diverted off the hull. Jimmy taxies the seaplane past the long meandering dock and steers toward the adjacent stretch of sandy beach. Alexa looks over at Jimmy who pulls his headset off with a pleased grin. She peers past the top of her sunglasses at him.

“So … we’re going to ‘Cutter’s Place’?”

“Yup, it’s good to be back.”

The boat-plane rumbles toward the shore and Jimmy activates a lever that lowers the amphibious wheels from the side of the airframe into the water. Slowly, the large seaplane rolls itself out of the surf and eases up onto the beach. The right engine roars as the plane pivots on the opposite braked wheel, turning out to face the open horizon again. Water trickles from the open wheel hulls as the cut engines whirl the props to a standstill.

The rear access cargo hatch opens and Curtiss leaps and rolls onto the sandy beach. Alexa peers out disbelievingly at the hulking lodge of a tavern and turns to Jimmy as he grabs his pack.

“What is this place? Looks like a hideout for Peter Pan and the Lost Boys.”

Jimmy smiles and checks his .45 auto clip.

“You won’t find any Tinks or Fairies here.”

Looking at Jimmy’s gun, Alexa stands before him questioningly.

“I thought you said he was your friend?”

He looks down at the slab-sided auto pistol and tucks it in his back waistband.

“Yeah … so?”

“You’re quite the Boy Scout.”

“Well, with friends like mine, you have to be prepared.”

Jimmy helps lower Alexa down to the beach and tosses his pack next to her. Ignoring the pack, she takes Curtiss’ hand and walks the palm littered beach toward the tavern.

Jimmy jumps down to the soft sand and runs his hand over the wet, dripping body of the plane. He gives his prized bird a quick once-over and frowns at the fresh bullet holes plinked alongside behind the left window. Grabbing up the pack, he watches Curtiss walking devotedly with Alexa, then follows.


The inside of the high-beam roofed tavern is cool and dark, with natural light only coming in by the large front windows. Wooden tables and chairs are crammed to the side of the room near a bamboo bar set before a dirty edge-flacked mirror. Snapshots and framed photos of airplanes, boats and war memorabilia fill the walls and clutter the bar-back.

A silhouetted figure stands at the windows and watches the new arrivals coming from the beach. Taking a drag from a thick cigar, the looming figure tosses it away and exhales slowly. The smoky haze hangs in the streaming sunlight and whirls languid as the figure moves from sight.


At the edge of the strand next to the stilted structure, Alexa waits with Curtiss and gracefully ushers Jimmy forward.

“After you, Captain.”

He gives her a humored smile and proceeds up a log-planked incline that connects with the boat dock. Jimmy steps to the front porch of the tavern and approaches the open doorway, peering into the dimness. A chair creaks and tips back out of the light concealing the watching occupant. The shadows conceal all but the lumberjack styled packer boots lifted off the floor.

Pausing to let his eyes adjust to the low light, Jimmy counts three men at the bar: two fishermen and another he recognizes as a scrawny seaplane pilot named Archie. The three men, not expecting many visitors, turn to the obscure figure backlit in the doorway. Jimmy looks over his shoulder at Alexa and Curtiss coming up the ramp, then back inside.

“Hey Archie, where’s Cutter?”

Instantly, a knife slices through the air and sticks in the doorjamb a few inches from Jimmy’s head. Jimmy quickly pulls his pistol and snaps off a shot into the shadows.

The man tilts forward in the chair, letting the sunlight catch his rough leathery features. Jimmy lowers the gun and looks to the ray of sunlight shining through the bullet hole in the wall near where the man’s head was.

“Hello, Cutter …”

Jimmy turns to the knife sticking in the jamb near his face.

“Looks like we’re both a little rusty.”

The shadowed light accents Cutter as he smiles like a classic sea pirate out of a book. He shrugs his large shoulders and adjusts his loose linen shirt over his bulging torso.

“Hell Jim, you’re not even worth getting my knife dirty.”

Cutter leans over and glances out the window at the glistening white and blue, high-winged seaplane on the beach.

“Thought that sounded like yer bird. How’s she flying?”

“Good, ‘nd still not for sale.”

With a roaring laugh, Cutter rocks in his chair.

“What brings you to these waters?”

There is an interrupting cough and Alexa steps through the doorway with Curtiss. Jimmy moves aside and gives a mock salute toward Cutter.

“I’m playing Tour Guide on this one.”

Alexa watches Jimmy tuck his gun away and looks to the large bowie knife stuck in the door jam.

“Am I interrupting you two killing each other?”

Cutter stands and lets the chair drop to the floor, kicks it aside then strolls over toward Alexa. He stops uncomfortably close to her, reaches out and unsticks his knife with a jerk then calmly sheathes it.

“Nope, not much of a contest.”

His hot tobacco tinged breath sweeps Alexa’s senses in a strange mix of danger and mystery. Cutter smiles over at Jimmy then touches Alexa under the chin. His dark eyes peer into hers.

“The name’s Cutter. Whom do I have the pleasure of being my special lady guest?”

Alexa holds her ground and takes Cutter’s hand from her face.

“Alexa Reid.”

Cutter’s eyebrow rises slightly.

“The famed archeologist?”

Surprised, Jimmy watches Cutter seem to recognize the name while sizing her up eagerly with his eyes. The seaplane pilot takes a step forward and pats the large tavern owner on the shoulder.

“You betcha. The one and only.”

Following Curtiss’ lead, Jimmy walks to the bar and nods to the men observing from the other end of the hardwood slab. Jimmy notices as their eyes all divert away and he slaps his hand on the bartop.

“Now that everyone has met, ya think we could get something to eat?”

He lifts Curtiss to one of the barstools and turns as Archie quickly finishes his drink and gets up to leave.

“Where you off to, Archie?”

“Nowhere. Just stuff to do, places to be.”

“You been keeping busy?”

“Yeah, yeah, kinda.”

Nervously tossing a few bills on the bar, Archie fakes a feeble smile and scurries outside. Jimmy watches him go and exchanges a humorous look with Curtiss. He watches as the two fisherman move their drinks to a side table and shrugs unconcerned.

Cutter escorts Alexa to a seat, gentlemanly offers her a stool then steps behind the bar. He leans down on the wooden slab with his burly forearms and yells over his shoulder.

“Hey Manny!”

A round, dark-skinned native man steps out of the back kitchen area door and smiles. He acknowledges Jimmy and Curtiss with a friendly salute. Cutter grabs a ceramic handled jug of some homemade liquor and gives the concoction a shake.

“Manny, go ahead and cook up some plates of food for our friend Curtiss and his guests.”

Manny ducks back in the kitchen and Cutter grabs up four stout cocktail glasses. He laughs as he sees Curtiss rub his furry hands and lick his lips with anticipation.

“What do ya say, four Mad-Moondogs?”

Alexa watches as he generously pours the four shots of alcohol.

“I think I’ll pass on the drink.”

“Nonsense, it’s on the house. Jimmy here used to drink these like water.”

Rubbing his hand across his unshaven chin, Jimmy shakes his head and smiles at Alexa.

“I wouldn’t recommend it.”

With a generous smile, Cutter passes the drinks around and Curtiss immediately begins licking and dipping a finger in his glass. Cutter nods pleased and winks at Jimmy.

“I see he still has your manners. Down the hatch.”

He lifts his glass and downs it followed by Jimmy with his. Alexa smells the drink cautiously at first, then lifts it to her lips, tips it and releases it down her throat. Cutter watches delighted as she gives a cough and a shiver.

With a sweep of his burly arm, Cutter gathers up the glasses and begins pouring from the jug again.

“Another round?”

“I’ll just take a soda … and a soda-pop over there for the Captain too. He still has to fly me around today.”

Exchanging a look with Jimmy, Cutter smiles and continues pouring the drinks.

“Bossy, ain’t she?”

Cutter slides Jimmy another drink and Alexa grabs it and slides it back. Easing back on his stool, Jimmy seems to enjoy the sudden confrontation between the two. Alexa stares dead-on with Cutter who has developed an insulted scowl. She tries to disarm him with a quaint smile.

“No thanks.”

“You refuse my hospitality?”

“I am paying for an Island Tour, not a drunken pilot.”

Jimmy leans forward about to speak and Alexa shoots him a cold stare which stops him short. With both large mitts gripping the bar, Cutter leans in closer to Alexa and nearly growls.

“When I offer a drink, it gets drunk.”

Alexa locks eyes with the angry bartender and reaches out for Jimmy’s shot of mystery liquor. She takes the mixture and pours it into her own glass for a double. Still locked in his gaze, Alexa raises her tumbler between them and gives Cutter a nod.

“Cheers.”

Cutter cracks a crooked smile and lifts the glass before him.

“I like your style, Ms. Reid.”

They both tip back the drinks and let the alcohol burn its way down. Cutter smiles as he watches Alexa grip the bar while letting the mixture settle in. She wipes her lips and slides the glass aside which clinks with Curtiss’ drink.

“Now, soda pops please for me and the Captain.”

Jimmy grins as Cutter looks at him approving and they exchange an amused shrug.


Seated at a table, having enjoyed a feast for a meal, Jimmy sits back with empty plates before him and a half-finished soda bottle. Curtiss lies nearby, napping and sunning himself on the window sill. Scooting her chair from the setting, Alexa stands and runs her palm across her lean midsection.

“Excuse me Captain, I have to use the Ladies Room.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

Jimmy waves her off and takes another swig from the recycled glass soda bottle. Coming from the kitchen area, Cutter walks over and pulls up a chair next to Jimmy. His demeanor is changed and oddly serious.

“What’s the deal with the broad?”

“No deal, just showing her around.”

Eyeing Jimmy suspiciously, Cutter pauses then stands and stacks a few dirty plates.

“You sure?”

Cutter piles the used dishes and lifts them from the table.

“How long you staying, Jim?”

Leaning his chair back, Jimmy seems surprised by the question.

“You looking to get rid of me already? Figured I’d take advantage of your hospitality and catch a nap, why?”

“No reason, just curious. Of course, you’re welcome to the cots on the back porch.”

“Thanks.”

Cutter looks up as Alexa exits the bathroom. He smiles at her as he takes the load of empty dishes to the kitchen. She takes a seat and notices Jimmy rubbing his weary eyes.

“What’s up?”

“Nothing, just tired.”

He looks out the front windows toward the pontoon seaplane still tied on the dock near the fishing boats.

“Hmm, I thought Archie left.”

Drowsy and worn-out, Jimmy looks around the now empty room.

“I need some sleep.”

Alexa observes the sleeping monkey in the window box and the tired pilot across the table from her. She looks around the vacant surroundings and nods in agreement.

“Alright, just an hour or two, then we are out of here.”

“Fine.”

Jimmy grabs his soda bottle and finishes the last swallow.







Next Chapter: Chapter 4. Air Pirates land the beach