Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Sun and Sea 17 A James Gang Story by Mike C

   Feedback : mikec (at) nspace.net

   = = = = =

   We trekked our Scuba gear to the end of the unused pier and Hazel went
through a refresher of our early morning instructions, then started a
familiarization of the Scuba equipment.  We practiced breathing through the
regulators, and went through emergency procedures.

   We checked each other's equipment as Hazel went on, "We're using the
lighter AL53 53-cubic-feet aluminum, or 'Shortie' tanks, which gives you a
maximum of an hour of air.  I say maximum because as we go deeper, we use
up more air..." She looked at me, "Why?"

   "Because we have to breathe in more to offset the pressure of the
water," I answered, "About double every 33-feet." I added before she asked.

   "See?  He's not just a pretty face!" Amanda commented.

   "Right, to both." Hazel smiled, then continued, "For longer dive times,
we can use the bigger 80-cubic feet, or AL80 tanks, which gives up to 100
minutes.  Or, you can choose the HP, or high-pressure steel tanks which
will give you half-again more dive time.  You can make that choice if and
when you purchase your own equipment.  Generally though, aluminum is easier
to care for and recharge - some dive shops do not do high-pressure at all."

   She helped us get the tanks on our backs, and laughed as we staggered
around awkwardly, "On land, the tank will add 40-pounds to you, but once
you're in the water, they'll weigh almost nothing.  In fact, as you use up
the air in the tank, you will have to adjust your BCDs to stop you from
floating up."

   She guided us in the water, which was a relief after the work we had to
do to get 'suited up'.  "Now you will remove your tank and pass it up to
me..." We groaned but went through the sequence of shrugging out of our
equipment, adjusting our weights and handing the tank to Hazel on the pier.
Then she had us reverse the steps to get the tanks back on our backs.

   "Good!  When you're out in rough seas, the safe way to get in the boat
is to remove tanks and fins first.  Now, we'll go through the breathing
exercises..." She said as we finished checking our gear and she joined us
in the water.  We had to make a short delay to catch our breaths as she
gave us the 'Go down' hand signal and we broke out in spontaneous giggles.

   For half an hour, at the cleared rock bottom under the pier, we
practiced breathing techniques, learning to equalize our body's internal
pressure even if our regulators failed.  We went through emergency sharing
procedure of the 'octopus' mouthpiece and the rest of the lessons given
on-shore.  Finally Hazel signaled us to pair up and follow her.

   As she took us to the wreck of the cabin cruiser we explored in the
morning, the silence, even just 10 feet underwater was almost total.  The
steady gurgling and hiss of our air supply was a constant reminder that we
were in an alien realm, with just a tiny, fragile air tank to keep us
alive. Although sensing and seeing the others, we were very much alone, at
best as a barely-tolerated guest in a fantastic and unforgiving world.

   Brenda and I swam slowly, touching and brushing up against each other as
signs of encouragement while Amanda and Sherri swam ahead, darting in and
around the sparkling schools of fish that lived in the hulk.  In the bright
light of the sun overhead, they looked like lovely mermaids surrounded by
an entourage of silver arrows with iridescent rainbow hues.

   Soon Hazel signed for us to continue forward, and a check of our gauges
showed we had used up half of our supply already.  As she took us into
deeper water, below 20 feet, the sun became a weak yellowish blob overhead.
Another five feet deeper, the gloom pressed in around us, and the
temperature dropped accordingly.  Brenda and I joined hands, as the other
two darted ahead, oblivious of the awe-inspiring strangeness all around us.

   The next wreck was a larger pilot-house diesel, in the 35-feet range. 
Its top cabin and most of the left fore deck was missing and its stern was
already four or five feet under the fine sand.  This was the spot Eva had
been fishing in the morning.

   Suddenly, with unusual haste, Hazel flashed by us, and waved for us to
stop, then she tapped on Amanda's tank to get their attention.  When they
turned, Hazel gestured and ushered us back to the pier.

   "Can you help each other get out of the water?" She asked, slipping out
of her gear and climbing out of the water, "Just wait for me here - I'll be
right back." She ran off.

   "What happened?"

   "There was a large fish swimming out of the wreck," Sherri suggested.

   "Shark?  'Cuda?" Brenda asked, breathless.

   "No, it wasn't big, big." Amanda said, "Maybe 10 pounds.  Shaped and
colored like a grouper, but with long fins."

   "A jellyfish.  maybe?" I suggested.

   "Don't think so..."

   "I guess Scuba lesson is done..."

   "Yeah..." I undogged my BCD and let the harness slide off my shoulders,
"Grab my tank - let me get out and I can help you."

   By the time we, and our gear were on dry land, Hazel had hurried back,
with Eva closely behind.  Hazel took a flying dive off the piers while Eva
stripped her dress off and followed her, in her bra and panties.

   "Curiouser and curiouser!" Sherri mumbled.  The pair swam to the site of
the larger wreck and dove down, taking turns taking air at the surface and
diving again.

   Finally, they both swam back and we helped them out.  They handed a
small net to Zack, who had accompanied a crowd of curious onlookers on the
pier.

   He held it up and shook his head, "Dis bad, bad t'ing." In the net was
the grouper-like fish that the girls had seen; brown with white zebra
stripes, but with long, vicious looking spines all around its body.

   "This is a Lion fish," Hazel explained to all of us, "and it is
extremely dangerous.  They are not afraid of people and will actually swim
up to you.  Do not go near the stingers."

   "Yes, stay far away!" Eva amplified, "The Lion fish were an exotic
species imported from the Philippines and Indonesia.  They have no natural
enemies here and, since six of them were accidentally released in Florida
during Hurricane Andrew, they've spread all the way to the Islands." She
looked around, "Avoid any Lion fish you see - but report the location so
they can be captured!" She shook her head, "I was wondering why all the
larger fish have left the wreck!"

   "They're that dangerous?"

   "Oh yes, their spines inject a nerve toxin that can paralyze in
seconds." Eva replied, "And there is no antidote."

   "So they have no enemies?"

   "In the wild," Eva said, "Even sharks will avoid them."

   "Oh..." We said, thinking about poor Lulu.

   Eva continued, "That is why they are totally fearless, plus the fact
that they ARE quite gorgeous to look at.  Still, they're a very nasty
character for our ecology, and territorial to boot, so they spread FAST. 
It's been shown that they can deplete a coral reef within months.  There
aren't that many of them yet in the shallows, thank goodness, we've only
caught a handful.  Although once they are caught and without the spines -
they are quite tasty."

   Some of the crowd had followed Zack and the Lion fish up to the Big
House and the remainder dissipated when Eva toweled off and left to get
more dressed.

   "Damn, that Eva's some fine looking woman." I sighed.

   "Don't you have enough women to keep you busy?" Hazel laughed.

   "We let him prove that he still has his eyesight, and that he still
appreciates beauty.  But that's it." Sherri said.

   "Have I told you that I think you're a damn fine looking woman too?" I
said to Hazel.

   Sherri pinched me, "Cut it out, now."

   "Heh, that's cute, Hazel, you're blushing!" Amanda grinned.

   "I'm not..."

   "You are..." Brenda laughed, "Don't worry hon, we won't let him get away
with it!  Even though he's absolutely right, you're a real looker!"

   "Stoppit, all of you." Sherri said, "Let's go clean up." She led the way
back to Hazel's wash-up area.  "Haven't you been told how pretty you are?"

   "Only from boys trying to...  to...  umm..." Hazel blushed bright red
through her dusky brown skin.

   "Oh lord, sorry Haze..." Brenda said, "We don't mean to embarrass you.
Trust me, we are not trying to make fun of you, nor are we trying to... 
umm..." Brenda grinned and looked around, "Are we?"

   "Alright, stop all of you!" I put my foot down.  "I'm really sorry,
Hazel.  We very much want to be your friend and if we caused you any grief,
I am very sorry."

   "Yeah, Hazel, we're sorry..." They echoed.

   "Boss man!" I mouthed at Hazel and pointed at myself with a grin.

   "We saw that!" Sherri said.

   "If you hadn't been all flirty with Hazel, this wouldn't have happened."
Amanda said and splashed me.

   "Hey, you were just as bad..." And splashed her back.

   "It's not a problem," Hazel said, "I don't mind..."

   "Well alright then!" Sherri cried and aimed the spray at Hazel.

   "Hazel's really a good sort." Brenda commented as we dried ourselves in
the lodge after our shower.

   "She feels cuddly, like you..." Sherri murmured against her.

   "A lot of potential there," Brenda sighed into Sherri's neck, "Bet she's
got a yummy neck too."

   "You think?  I think I'll love kissing her here." Sherri's head slipped
down Brenda's body.

   "What are you two going on about?" Amanda sniffed, "When we've got our
sweetie snugglebunny right here!" She clung to me and gave me a patented
soul-searing kiss.

   I was still blinking the stars out of my eyes, but Brenda and Sherri
were fussing over Amanda.  "Are you OK?  Amanda?  Do you feel ill?"

   "Yeah, what the hell is 'sicko-dummy' anyhow?"

   "Snugglebunny, you twit!  A term of endearment!" Amanda scoffed, then
added a sigh.  "I figured since you two are gonna abandon me to the tender
mercies of the brute here, I better start buttering him up...  Honey and
vinegar and all that."

   "That applies to flies, duh!"

   "And the difference?"

   "So, you think treating your sickie-bozo like a fly constitutes
buttering him up?" Sherri laughed.

   "Ha!  Just watch, the next time you see him, he's not gonna give you
more than a token look!"

   "All I want is a token fuck," Sherri slinked up to me, her lips and
hands latching to critical parts of my torso .  "OK, sweetums?  Skip the
niceties, just fuck me silly!"

   "Yeah," Brenda ruminated, "It sure would be nice to get a 'Hi babe' fuck
and take it from there." She leaned and kissed Amanda, "Honey, make sure he
gets his three squares and raring to hop in the sack with us!"

   "And I'm supposed to sit there and let him abuse me, and STILL service
him and feed him?"

   "Sounds fair to me..." Sherri said.

   "Yep, quite fair."

   "Shit, you guys must've had me confused with Sara!  What makes you think
this girl will do anything of that sort?"

   "Even if I ask nicely?" I enquired.

   "Er...  how nicely?"

   "Like this...?" I tried to repay her with the kiss she gave me.

   "Ahhh," She stirred weakly in my arms, "Babe..." She took a deep breath,
"I forgot the question, ask me again..."

   "Will you let me beat you up?" I gave her a light peck, "And then I can
kiss it better."

   "Can I tell you where to hit, and where to kiss better?" She blinked her
big blues at me.

   "I suppose..."

   "OK, then - beat HER up!" She pointed at Sherri, "Then kiss ME better!"

   "Hah, you got it SO wrong." Sherri grabbed Amanda and started tickling
her, "I'll beat you up and HE'll kiss me!" They started wrestling around
the room.

   "Hi babe," Brenda sidled close, "Forget them, fuck me instead."

   "I thought you needed to abstain..." I said, "Until tonight anyways,
besides, I'm plumb wore out after the thrashing I gave my women!"

   "Hmmm, you're right," Brenda considered, "Then I'll settle for some
kissing-better." She settled on the sofa and lined my head up with her
crotch.  "Mmm, oh boy, yes, yes!" And tightened her grip on my hair.

   After a number of scalp ripping orgasms she relented enough to let me
catch my breath.  She urged me up and kissed me, "Thank you my awesome
snugglebunny!"

   Amanda and Sherri were curled up in the lazy boy, stroking and cooing at
each other.  "Come here my sweethearts," Brenda opened her arms and we
ended up in a warm, cuddly pile on the wide sofa.

   "God this is so great!" Sherri murmured against my chest.  "I love you
guys so much!"

   "Yeah, so much skin to love too!" Brenda shared caresses with us.

   "I can stay like this forever!" Amanda squirmed and gave us kisses, all
over.

   "Oops," I checked my stomach, "I think they're waiting for us for
dinner."

   "Dude, you're one seriously sorry ass." Amanda said, and to the others,
"I tell you, Hazel is beginning to sound better and better!"

   "Honey, I'm just afraid that if I stay here much more, I'll not want to
have dinner..." I managed to sound contrite, "And I know you'll want me to
build up my energy for tonight!"

   "I think we have to believe him," Sherri looked down and shook her head,
"All this willing flesh waiting to be defiled has only got him
half-hard..."

   "And he's supposed to be in the prime of life too!" Amanda sighed, as
they unraveled themselves and started dressing, "I hate to think what's
gonna happen when he gets real old - like twenty-five."

   "Some of the guests started a collection for the Lion fish, so we're
putting it in a tank...  For now." Mrs Bentel confided in us.  "Although it
could serve a purpose: if they can see Leona - yes they've even named her -
here, and heed the warnings, they may not be as eager to approach one in
the ocean."

   Hazel was running sea water from a tank which Zack and Donnie had
transported up the hill into a huge canvas 'pool' as hotel guests streamed
in with bits of flotsam they had collected on the beach to decorate the
fish's new home.  Someone had also added an open jar with the sign, "Donate
to LEONA!"

   Eva showed up and started placing placards describing the nasty habits
of the fish.  She smiled at us, "Looks like we won't be having Lion fish
stew tonight!"

   We stood by and watched the fish - it was indeed gorgeous.  She was a
deep, blood red, with stark white vertical lines which fluoresced in the
bright hall lights.  She swam around in the current caused by the sea water
being pumped in, glaring at us for the disturbances.  Two large fins, each
almost as long as her body, fanned at her sides.  The tips were
needle-sharp spines, linked by some very obvious poison ducts to her body.
Her back was similarly ridged with long toxic shafts, now rigid and almost
a glowing red to show her displeasure.

   "In the ocean, she will lay a thousand eggs each week to drift with the
current.  As they drift, the baby fish break out of the egg sac and drop
down to the bottom, looking for coral communities.  They are so alien in
the ecology here that other fish simply will not eat them.  In fact, her
fins are often mistaken for seaweed and attract small fish, which she then
eats.  In deep-water coral structures, the Lion fish can double in size
every month.  They quickly destroy all the life in an area before moving on
to another site."

   "Can't the fish go back to the old coral afterward?" Asked an obvious
Leona-supporter.

   "No, without the wrasse and other small fish that feed on sea grass, the
grass quickly overwhelms the coral and regrowth takes years, if at all."
Eva replied, "And, please, be careful of the fish, she IS dangerous!" She
distributed more warning signs as Donnie and Zack ringed the pool with
chairs and rope.

   "Have you done this before?" I asked as Hazel joined us, "Where did you
find such a big pool just as you need it?"

   "All hotels keep these as collectors for rain.  Especially in the dry
season, like now.  It's lucky if we get one day of rain a month..." She
stopped and smiled, "Depending on your point of view, of course.  If you
were on your vacation, it would be not-so-lucky!" She paused, "I want to
come and apologize for this afternoon.  We'll reschedule, of course, and I
want to give this bottle of wine for your dinner."

   "No, you shouldn't!" "You already did so much for us!" We chorused.

   "A Carmenere!" Brenda gasped, "Now you REALLY shouldn't have!  You
really know your wine!"

   "No, not me..." Hazel reddened again, she gestured at the bar, "Rico,
the bar man, chose it for me...  I asked him for something really good,
and..." We basked in her glow some more, "Not too expensive."

   "And if I'm not mistaken, this is from a single-sourced lot as well!"
Brenda inclined her head at the bartender and nodded her appreciation. 
"Hazel, you must join us for dinner."

   "I can't - I have to help at the bar.  Perhaps afterwards?"

   "Babe, any time, you know it!" Amanda added enthusiastically, "In fact,
I want you to eat with us all the time - you're fun!"

   "Ooh-hoo, honey, you're red as a beet!" Sherri chortled, "That's so
sweet!  Makes me wanna hug you and kiss you all over!"

   Before she could implode, I grabbed Hazel's hand and led her away from
her tormentors, "Hazel, I'm very sorry - again!" We went out to the patio,
"We do not mean to make you uncomfortable, you know that, right?" She
nodded, looking at her feet.  "It's just that we're used to saying exactly
what we mean.  And we genuinely LIKE you!" I squeezed her hand, "And we
REALLY want you to like us!" She nodded again, and sighed.

   "Excuse me..." One of the servers approached us.  "Sorry...  Hazel -
Rico says to tell you he needs you behind the bar."

   "I-I have to go..."

   "OK, but come back later and join us.  I promise we'll behave!" I told
her as we went back.

   "I think that Rico's sweet on her, he was glaring at the two of you all
the time." Brenda said.

   "Whatever - but you guys take it easy on her!  Don't make her even more
terrified of us!"

   "Dinner will be slightly delayed." Colin came and sat, shaking his head.
"Small problem in the kitchen."

   "No sweat, Colin." They looked at me, "Right, James?"

   "I suppose not...  What kind of problem?" I asked.

   "It's Marion - she thinks she's perfected her recipe for the Lion fish,
and she's quite upset they wouldn't let her test it out!"

   "I can empathize, such a waste when food become pets." I nodded.

   "You know, we should market it differently - the Japanese have a fish
dish with very little going for it except that it's poisonous." Sherri
said, "Very popular, as Amanda will tell you.  There is something so
intriguing about eating food that could kill you, people are willing to pay
$100 for that privilege." She feigned chewing, "Hmm...  I don't feel
anything...  Maybe a little numbness around my mouth, but...  Arrrghhhhh!"
She collapsed back in her chair, grabbed her throat and did quite an
exciting rendition of a Hollywood-style death scene.

   "My friend here," Explained Amanda to the small crowd that had gathered
around our little thespian, "Was showing us what happened to her friend who
ate some Lion fish that was not cleaned properly."

   Sherri caught her breath and continued, "Fortunately Miriam, the cook
here, has been trained by the best.  I was looking forward to trying it:
for its sublime texture, if not as the aphrodisiac it's been claimed to
be."

   "Of course," Amanda joined in with a sigh, "This being the only Lion
fish that's been caught all year, chances of finding another one..."
Another drawn out sigh.

   "OK, OK, don't overdo it, "Brenda whispered, "Looks like you've got
yourselves a few dissenters already!" Some of the Leona's more eager
protectors had turned back to her with a different sort of gleam in their
eyes.

   "The fish toxin breaks down when heated, so there's no real danger once
the fish is cooked." Eva quietly informed us.

   "So we'll just have to serve it as sashimi!" Amanda was unfazed.

   "Yeah, or tell them they should eat the fish by spearing the morsels
with the spine." Sherri suggested with bloodthirsty glee, "That'll
guarantee some deaths!"

   A more composed Hazel came back and held out her wine, "The Terra Andina
Carmenere."

   She presented the cork and a tasting sip to Brenda and waited for her
approval before serving all of us.

   "This is an excellent wine." Brenda toasted Hazel, then Colin, "My
compliments to your sommelier."

   "We don't have one, to be honest" Colin laughed, "I was lucky - our
supplier came into a batch of Chilean wines at an attractive price and
since Rico and Eva both liked it, I took a chance and bought a few cases."

   Marion, having obviously recovered from her disappointment over losing
custody of Leona, prepared another delicious meal: baby-clam chowder,
Boston style; an appetizer of ginger-basted grilled lobster tails in a
light lime-lemon sauce and a choice of entree: swordfish or sirloin steak;
I couldn't decide - so I had both.  Which went extremely well with the
wine.

   "Mr and Mrs Bentel," Sherri said over coffee, "As a token of our
appreciation for your very warm hospitality, we would like to invite you to
a luncheon concert here on Thursday.  Donnie can move the Hammond Organ up
to the patio and we will like to treat you to lunch, accompanied by a short
music recital."

   "Ah, my dear, that would be the answer to all our dreams," Anne Bentel
gushed.

   "But we must ask for a slight change of the program," Colin interjected,
"You provide the music, and we shall provide luncheon and everything else!"
He waved away her protests, "Do you think once you start playing we could
turn anyone away?  Besides, this way we can invite our friends from town -
I am sure they'd not want to miss it!"

   "How many people do you expect?"

   "The town has 500 residents, so..."

   "Hmmm, I better brush up my repertoire!  And start practicing!"

   "I am sure you will be quite brilliant."

   "And maybe James can prepare some of his patented blackened fish for
us!" Sherri generously offered.

   "Me?  Ahhh, I have to try and remember the recipe..."

   "I thought all you need is a flame thrower," Laughed Amanda.

   "OK, I think I got it; 4P's-to-go, one-two-one-two." I turn to Amanda,
"So all we need is about 100-pounds of Red Drum, cleaned and filleted. 
Plus a flame thrower."

   Colin waved down Miriam, who was supervising the serving of desert. 
Smiling she came with a half gallon bucket of jello cubes with fruit slices
inside, and ice cream on the side.  "You no decide, I bring you all!"

   "I think I'm in love!" I clasped and kissed her hand.

   "Thank you Miriam," Brenda smiled, "We'll make sure he makes good use of
all this great food tonight!"

   "Miriam," Colin said, "Mr.  Mitchel would like to prepare his special
Blackened fish for us at noon on Thursday.  Can you see to it he gets what
he needs?" He stood, "Again, at this juncture, we must bid you goodnight."
He made a small bow and left with his wife.

   "Dis Black'n'fish, what goes in it?" Miriam asked.

   "Just fish filets, usually Drum, cooked on a pan, or cookie sheets.  I
would need butter, salt, peppers, oregano, thyme, garlic and onions."

   "Dat we all have.  You need oven?"

   "No, any flame will be fine."

   "Oh," Sherri added, "And it really stinks while it's cooking!"

   "OK," Miriam nodded, "Cook outside, iron griddle over fire-pit.  We
start fire at eleven, ready in half hour.  Then you start."

   "Well, yeah, OK," I nodded, suppressing the urge to salute, "We'll be
there then.  Thank you."

   "Thank you, Master James, you good for Mr Colin.  You all good." She
gifted us with her smile before turning and continuing her rounds.

   (To be continued)

   = = = = =

   (C) Copyright 2001-2009.  MikeC. All Rights Reserved. All Reproduction
for fee or profit forbidden.

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