The Naked Jungle Page #2

Your brother explained

all that to me.

You want children.

So do I.

You're very...

- Bold?

- Never mind.

What I want to say is this:

Our contract, marriage by proxy,

is not an uncommon way

to get a wife in the jungle.

Only you are uncommon.

How did my brother find you?

He advertised.

In the New Orleans papers.

You'll be flattered to know

there were nearly 50 applications.

- He picked you.

- Not exactly.

I didn't apply.

You see, I've known your brother

for many years.

He asked me to read the applications

and help him choose a wife for you.

I became interested,

finally decided I'd be much better

for you than anyone else.

Your brother didn't agree with me,

but I managed to convince him.

It wasn't easy.

Very stubborn man, your brother.

You might not believe that.

It runs in the family.

Really?

I know why my brother picked you.

But what made you decide

to marry a man you'd never met?

I think it was your letters

that decided me.

Your letters to your brother.

I could tell how lonely you were.

I knew you needed me.

I don't need anyone.

Not even for children?

I suppose I'm to consider myself

fortunate you came down here.

Perhaps not right now,

but when you know me better,

you will.

Perhaps when you know me better,

you won't care to stay.

If I had thought there'd be

any doubt about it,

I would never have left

New Orleans.

You're here and you're welcome.

We do things by schedule

in the tropics.

We eat early, we go to bed early.

Dinner's at 7.

What time is bedtime?

Whenever you wish, madam.

I wouldn't want to upset

your schedule.

Your coffee smells much stronger

than New Orleans coffee.

It is.

The dinner was wonderful.

Very good chicken.

It was lizard.

The climate's very pleasant here.

It's not nearly as hot

as I thought it would be.

This is winter.

That's right. We are pretty far south.

How far?

Does it matter?

Not really.

I was just trying

to make conversation.

Why?

I can't think of a single reason.

My brother wrote me

that you play the piano.

I'd like to hear you play.

We'll have our coffee

in the other room.

I'd like to hear it played

before the termites get at it.

I had it brought upriver 2,000 miles.

- For me?

- No.

For anyone who could play it.

I wanted someone who could.

Play.

What would you like to hear?

I know nothing about music.

What made you stop playing?

It's too sad. I'll play something else.

I'd like my coffee now.

Would you mind?

- One lump or two?

- Two.

Black.

Do you speak any languages?

Aimeriez-vous parler en franais?

Would you like to converse

in French?

I don't speak French.

I was merely trying to see if you were

everything my brother said you were.

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