Catering With Benefits (3) - An Appetite for More - 31. Brothers in Paradise

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So that he could put his plan into operations, Jared arranged for he and Thomas to have dinner with Justin and Craig. During dinner Jared said “Justin, I was thinking it might be good for you if I shared some of my skills with you.”

“Like what?” asked Justin

“Jungle survival.”

“Does he need to survive in a jungle?” asked Craig.

“You never know, but what I’m really trying to say, is it would a good brotherly bonding opportunity. We missed out on so much, not growing up together. Whacha ya reckon Justin?”

“Oh yes, I see what you mean.” he replied as the penny dropped.

“Ok with you guys?” Jared asked as he directed the question to Thomas and Craig.

Both partners paused before answering. Then, “I suppose so.” replied Craig, a little mystified.

Thomas was still uncertain, but could not think of a valid reason to object so he said casually. “Yeah, all right with me.”

“So where would we go?” asked Justin.

“I was thinking Cairns to start. We can go into the Daintree for a real tropical jungle experience, but not be too far from civilisation.”

“Sounds exciting.” said Justin “When will we go?”

“I’ll have to arrange time off with Mr P and Justin and Craig, you can work out your schedules. Shouldn’t be too difficult guys. Everyone cool with that?”

***

Time off was arranged, airline bookings were made and on their day of departure, Craig and Thomas drove their partners to the airport. After check-in they all went to the bar to wait till boarding time.

Craig asked “Jared, I didn’t see any tent or camping equipment with your check in luggage.”

“You don’t think we are going to have the luxury of a tent or camp kitchen. This is going to be true jungle survival. We’ll be sleeping under the stars and if it rains, we’ll make shelter with leaves and whatever is at hand. That’s true survival training.”

“So are you fully trained in these skills? I don’t want my man getting into trouble in a strange environment.”

“I was trained in jungle warfare and survival when I signed up for the SAS.”

“So why does the army train you in jungle warfare?”

“You never know when the US might invade a tropical country again and Australia is ever ready to follow them into any warzone.”

“See.” said Thomas “Your man’s going to be safe with my highly trained expert in survival.”

“Ok you two, be careful and keep in contact.” said Craig

“I doubt we’ll be able to do that. Firstly there probably won’t be any phone signals in the jungle and more importantly, what sort of survival training would it be if we were constantly checking in by phone?”

“Fuck!” exclaimed Justin “Is it going to be that serious?”

“We won’t be playing some kid’s game, little brother. This is adult stuff.”

“Ok, but now I’m nervous.”

“Are you sure you should do this Justin?” asked a worried Craig.

“Look, leave him be, he’s made the decision to go already, don’t start sowing doubts in his mind at this late stage.”

“I suppose you’re right Jared. I need to trust you, to take care of him.”

“You need to trust us both. Justin will have to take on some of the responsibility for our safety as well.”

“All right everybody? Let’s not make Justin nervous.” suggested Thomas “And besides, it sounds like your flight’s being called, so off you go and have fun.”

The two couples said their goodbyes and the two adventurers boarded their plane.

After takeoff, Jared retrieved a book from his hand carry and gave it to Justin.

“What’s this...The SAS Guide to Jungle Survival...by Barry Davie. Do I really need this?”

“Yes, I want you to read it cover to cover on our flight. I will be asking questions later.”

“Yes Sir!” replied Justin as he attempted to give an army salute, buy failed miserably.

<>

When their partners went into security screening Thomas and Craig went to the coffee shop.

“Well that’s just leaves us a bachelors for the next week.” mused Thomas.

“I guess so, but I’ve got plenty to keep me busy at the restaurant. I’m going to take this opportunity to move our home office over there, so it’s easier for Juanito to run both sets of accounts from the one office.”

“Do you need some help with that? At this point I don’t really have much to do for the Prices. I feel a bit guilty really, getting paid for doing nothing.”

“Thanks for that. I was thinking of doing the physical move on Sunday when I’m not so busy at the restaurant. Now that we have the van, we can probably move the computers and furniture in one trip.”

“Great, what time do you need me at your place on Sunday morning?”

“Why don’t you come for breakfast at say 8.00 and we’ll take it from there.”

“I look forward to it.”

“Well, we better get our cars out of the world’s dearest carpark now, before I need to take out a mortgage to pay for it.”

“I know what you mean.” replied Thomas “That’s what you get when a Liberal government sells a taxpayer owned monopoly asset to a bank.”

“So I take it you are on the left of politics, like your boss.”

“Always have been, so it was fortunate that Mr P has the same inclinations. Don’t think I could have worked for him otherwise.”

“I do find it refreshing that a rich businessman leans to the left, seems a bit out of character for such a person.” commented Craig, as he fed his credit card into the carpark money making machine.

“Mr P is not your typical upper class. Although he does come from old money, he is his own man. He’s independently rich enough to pursue his own beliefs. He’s also a very private man and not part of the old boy’s club. I really liked working for him.”

“So where does that leave you now he’s dropped his plan to stand for election?”

“I really don’t know. I’m still on the payroll for now. If he doesn’t find something for me, I’ll have to look for a new job elsewhere.” concluded Thomas, as he also fed the hungry machine.

“See you on Sunday morning. Anything special you’d like for breakfast?”

“My Jared, but alas....”

“I’ll try to find a plateable substitute. Bye Thomas.”

Thomas laughed and waved.

***

When Jared and Justin retrieved their meagre luggage form the Cairns airport carousel, they headed for the taxi stand. Jared handed the driver a small business card and they boarded the cab. “Excuse my ignorance, but do taxis take you to the jungle?” asked Justin.

“Yes, I gave the cabbie the address.”

“The jungle has an address and a business card?”

“This one does, just be patient.”

Justin assumed they were going to some campsite or boot camp, maybe even an army property.
“So how’s the book going, ready for your quiz?”

“Sort of.”

“Question one, how would you clean a wound if you had no clean water?”

“Ah, I remember this one, but it’s a bit weird. You can use urine. Is that right?”

“Good man, but remember urine is sterile but not a disinfectant. Ok number two, in the southern hemisphere, how do you find your direction without a compass?”

“I think I’ve got this one also. The sun rises in the east, sets in the west and is generally north of you in Australia. So morning or evening it’s easy depending on whether the sun is rising or setting.”

“What about during the day?”

“Ah it’s something about sticks and shadows...give me a minute...

<>

They were so engrossed in their quiz that they didn’t realise they had reached their destination until the driver said “Here we are gentlemen, The Jungle Paradise Resort.”

“What! a resort?” exclaimed Justin.

“This is the address you gave me mate, isn’t it the right place?”

“Yes it’s fine, my brother’s just a bit confused.”

“Brother? That’s the first time I’ve heard that one mate.”

“What do you mean?”

“Look I’m a man of the world and I don’t have a problem with you guys. To each his own I believe in. If you want to hold hands in my cab that’s fine.”

“Oh, you noticed.”

“Yes, blind Freddie could have figured it out.”

“Ok, sprung, now how much do I owe you?”

As Jared paid the driver, Justin unloaded their luggage. The driver gave Jared his card and added “If you and your brother...” he said with raised eyebrows “...need private transport during your visit, give me a call.”

“Thank you, I’ll remember that.”

“Have a great stay boys. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

***

After a night of brotherly love, the two hungry men took a table outside for their buffet breakfast.

“How about that cabbie, poor bugger thought he’d made a discovery.” noted Justin.
“Yeah, but he was really nice about it; sorry we couldn’t explain it to him.”

“And you’re a bugger, making me think we were going to spend a week in the jungle with snakes and spiders and maybe even leeches. God I hate those bastards.”

“I have to admit, I was surprised that you accepted the invitation.”

“But why didn’t you tell where we were going before you sprung it on all of us at dinner?”

“It had to be convincing. If they had suspected you knew beforehand, I thought it might blow our cover before I had a chance to blow you.”

“Ok, I get that, though I’m a bit pissed that you would think I couldn’t carry it off. But, why did you make me read that book if we’re not doing jungle stuff?”

“Just in case you get asked questions when we return.”

“Craig doesn’t know anything about that sort of stuff.”

“That’s just the point, you can now drop a few facts and astonish him with your newly acquired skills. I was impressed by how much you learned in a few hours.”

<>

As they finished their breakfast, Justin said “I’m going out to the pool, had better start working on my tan if I’m going to be convincing that I have spent a week in the jungle.”

“Great idea and hold that thought. I’ll meet you at the pool. I’m just going to our room to get something first.”

Justin found two sun lounges together and as he stripped down to his speedos, he was approached by a tall slim young man, also wearing speedos and a cut-off singlet bearing the resort logo. The shortness of the singlet revealed a tight flat stomach and the early signs of developing abs.

“Good morning Sir, I’m Simon, your pool attendant. Can I get anything for you?”

“Good morning to you also, Simon. Yes, could you bring me a couple of pool towels, thank you.”

“Oh” he replied disappointedly “You’re not alone then Sir?”

“No Simon, and please call me Justin.”

“Will your partner be joining you soon Justin?”

“I’m here with my brother.”

“Oh, that’s good.” He replied with a bit more enthusiasm. “So, may I ask is your brother built like you Justin?”

“Except for the age difference, we could be twins.”

“Excellent, I am looking forward to that.”

“Yes, I can see you are.”

Simon looked down at his speedo bulge, then back to Justin and said “I always like to show my appreciation.”

When Jared arrived, Justin said “Jared, meet Simon, our very attentive pool attendant.”

“Pleased to meet you Simon.” Jared said as he sat down and was now eye level with Simon’s manly display.

“And the same here Jared.”

“Yes, I noticed Simon.”

“We’ve already done that Jared.” said Justin.

“Wow this is going to be a difficult choice.”

“What choice is that Simon?” asked Justin

“Between you two, I don’t know how I’ll decide.”

“Oh you don’t have to make a choice Simon....” replied Jared.

Simon smiled and replied “Tempting, but I’m not sure I could handle two of you.”

“You didn’t let me finish Simon, what I was trying to say is neither of us is available.”

“Oh, sorry guys, I thought at least one of you might be...you know.”

“Oh we both are, but not available as we both have partners.”

“And are they here also?”

“No, this is just brotherly bonding.”

“Very good guys, I’ll get those towels for you now.”

As Simon walked away, Jared said “Poor kid, thought he was on to a sure thing.”

“You’ve got to give him points for trying.”

“Yes, on another occasion I might have taken him on.”

“Or he might make a nice sandwich filling.”

“Brother, I’m appalled at such a suggestion. Don’t forget you do have a partner at home.”

“Yes, you’re right. Now why have you got your phone, I thought we were supposed to be out of range.”

“I just want to get some selfies.”

“But you said no pics, no evidence.”

“Yeah, but these are going to be proof of our jungle adventures.”

“This place is far from looking like a jungle.”

“Not if you catch it at the right angle. Follow me.”

Jared led the way to the tropical garden on the opposite side of the pool. “Now step into the garden, I don’t want the concrete edging to show.”

A puzzled Justin, did as requested while Jared went to the nearby fishpond, wet his hand and then grabbed a handful of soil from the garden. He smeared some on Justin, the rest on himself, stepped into the garden and took up a position beside Justin. Then, with his arm held out as far as he could, snapped a few selfies. Just as he finished a security officer came by and said “Gentlemen, would you please step off the garden.”

“Sorry mate, just getting a few souvenir pictures.”

“I understand Sir, but please do it without standing in the garden. If you step out now, I’d be happy to take some shots for you.”

The men stepped out of the garden and Jared said “Thanks for the offer, but we have all we need.”

“Very good, enjoy your stay at Jungle Paradise and you might like to avail of the shower before you go in the pool, gentlemen.”

“What....oh I see what you mean.” answered Jared

“Thank you.” They replied in unison and then burst into laughter as the security officer walked away.

“What are you going to do with the pics?” asked Justin

“Let’s look at them first and if they’re convincing I’ll send them to Thomas and Craig.”

“Devious bastard.”

“Just using my survival skills.”

***

“Come in Thomas, I’ve got breakfast on the go and it has a special Jungle theme in line with the theme of this week and our other halves adventure.”

“Can’t wait to see what you have.”

“You’ve seen all that before.”

“Oh naughty boy, you still remember.”

“Of course, it was my first and only threesome, so I’ll always remember it.”

“That’s good, glad I was part of it and you’ll always remember me. However, I have to admit I was not ready for that fisting session of yours. Just as well it was only on the phone, not sure I could have coped, in the flesh. You guys utterly amazed me.”

Craig laughed as it was the first time he had thought of that night since it happened.

“Why are you laughing? Do I sound so naive?”

“I’m sorry Thomas, it’s not you. But just wait a minute, I’ll get our jungle juice and then explain all.”

“Jungle juice sounds impressive, but not sure I can cope with any more about the fisting.”

“Oh you’ll cope with this.”

Craig returned with two glasses of dark green juice and a bottle of vodka. He held both up for Thomas to see and asked “Want it spiked?”

“Why not, might give me the courage to listen to your story.”

“It’s not that exciting really. The truth is we were pulling your chain that night.”

“I saw that on a porn channel once, couldn’t believe how much chain they pulled out of that guy’s arse. Did you do that after I hung up?”

“NO! I’m trying to tell you we didn’t do anything, it was all made up, just having a laugh, albeit it at your expense.”

“You little fuckers, you really had me going and I never mentioned it since, because I was embarrassed that I hung up when Justin suggested I come over. I didn’t even tell Jared about it, I was so embarrassed.”

“Well now you know, are we forgiven?”

“Forgiven, I’m relieved. You know sometimes the image comes to mind and I just can’t shake it.” Then they both laughed.

“Hey this green sludge tastes better than it looks, not bad really.”

“Thanks, it took some effort to disguise the taste of the Kale.”

“Now what other jungle treats do you have?”

“Next we’ll have a tropical fruit salad as a palate cleanser then followed by fried bananas wrapped in bacon. You’ll have to imagine the bacon’s from a wild boar. Then we’ll wash it all down with Rooibos tea from Africa.”

“Pretty good effort on such short notice.”

“I was going to serve cuscus, but I couldn’t catch one.”

“It comes in a packet from the supermarket, doesn’t it?”

“That’s C o u s, C o u s, but a C u s c u s, is a possum-like animal from northern Cape York and New Guinea.”

“Is that another chain pulling thing?”

“No, it’s true, look it up.”

<>

After breakfast they started loading the computer equipment that Juanito had unplugged and packed on Friday. Then they loaded the files and office furniture. When all was loaded in the van they set off to Poppy’s. It was about lunch time when they arrived so they had a quick lunch before the unloading.

“That was a good morning’s work.” said Craig, “Thanks for your help. It’s so much quicker with two.”

“My pleasure, I enjoyed it and surprised how strong I am, now Jared has me working out regularly.”

“Yes, I’ve heard they have a pretty well equipped gym at the Price house now.”

“It’s really good and means I can work out during my working day, instead of when I’m tired at the end of the day.”

Thomas’s phone chirped and when he looked at it, he said “It’s a text from Jared, that’s a surprise. He says ‘found a weak signal at the top of the mountain, see pic’.”

While they were looking at the photo of their grubby men, Craig’s phone sounded also. “It’s from Jared" said Craig, “I hope Justin hasn’t had an accident.... Oh I’ve got the same message and photo. Must have used the same phone.”

“They do seem to be having fun, they look happy.”

“Some boys never grow up, but that’s not all bad....if getting muddy is their thing.”

“So while the brothers are having fun we better get back to work and set up your new office.”