He nodded eagerly, staring at the food with keen, hungry eyes.
‘Yes, yes, we soldiers work very hard here. It is good to have some extra food.’
Margaret began chatting with Tesla as they both nibbled at the plate of exotic fruit and vegetables, and she kept the conversation as light and as casual as she could, mostly asking Tesla about his daily duties and activities. All the while the cogs and gears in her mind were whirring at a frenetic pace, trying to put the pieces of a workable escape plan together. Suddenly, something that Tesla said ignited a spark of inspiration in her mind.
‘Busy like a bee, yes? That is a correct English expression, isn’t it?’ he asked.
‘Yeah, “as busy as a bee”. And you certainly sound like a lil’ ol’ bee, buzzing around here and there and everywhere, all day long!’
They both chuckled at this observation, but Margaret now began to work her subtle scheming into the conversation.
‘Speaking of bees,’ she said, ‘you must have a lot of ‘em out here, right? I mean, there are so many beautiful flowering trees and plants that I saw today, I couldn’t help but think about the bees that must be buzzing around.’
‘Yes, we have many bees. They are very good insects! Without them most life on this planet would die! Did you know that, Dr Green? We learn a lot about the interconnectedness of all life forms, from the tiniest microbes and insects to the great whales of the ocean. I really enjoy our environmental awareness classes. The teacher is from—’
‘Um yeah, sure, that sounds real interesting,’ Margaret interrupted, her tone bristling with barely concealed impatience. ‘But listen Tesla, I have to tell you something very important, and I hope you can help me out with it.’
Tesla looked up, wearing an expression of earnest consternation.
‘Why, of course. What’s wrong?’
‘I’m terribly, terribly allergic to bee stings. If I get stung even once I could go into anaphylactic shock and die.’
Tesla gasped.
‘Really? That is terrible!’
‘Yeah, it’s not the nicest allergy to have, that’s for sure, especially in a place like this. Listen, I’m really worried about getting stung out here. Like I said, if it happens, and I don’t have my medication, there’s a very good chance that it could be fatal. If there’s any medication here that I could, ya know, keep on me, in case of a bee sting…’
‘We do have some western medical supplies here in the city. There are not many, of course, but even if we don’t have what you need, I’m sure we can find a way to get it.’
Margaret sat up straight in her chair, making sure to look both relieved and surprised at once.
‘Really? All right Tesla, listen to me, you have to, have to get me the medication I need. I’m serious when I say that if I don’t have it, I could die. Do you really think you could get it for me if I tell you what it is?’
Tesla looked suddenly ill at ease and unsure of himself.
‘I, er, I’m not supposed to go anywhere near the clinic. Only qualified medical personnel are—’
‘Well that’s okay sweetie, can you just ask the General? I’m not trying to do anything sneaky here; I’m sure he’ll understand. He does want me to feel safe, doesn’t he?’
‘Yes, yes of course, your safety and comfort is our priority. I’ll ask him about the medication.’
‘I knew I could count on my best friend!’ Margaret said, beaming an affectionate smile at Tesla.
Despite his earlier misgivings, he couldn’t help but return the gesture, smiling at Margaret with self-conscious shyness glimmering in his eyes.
‘I’m happy to help,’ he said. ‘But now I really do have to go. Tell me the name of the medication and I’ll ask the General about it.’
‘Aw, you’re such a star,’ she said, gushing. ‘I need a real strong antihistamine. If you could just get me a couple pills of 50 milligrams Phenergan, I’d feel a lot safer.’
‘Phenergan, 50 milligrams?’
‘Yes, if you could get that you’d be a real sweetie.’
‘I will do my best! And now Margaret, I must go. It’s been good chatting with you, and I’ll come back later when it’s dinner time. You heard about the attack earlier, so the General will probably be too busy tonight to eat with you in the main hall. If that’s the case, I hope you don’t mind eating in here again.’
‘As long as you eat with me, my friend, it’s all good.’
Tesla stood up, smiled and saluted.
‘I will see you later then, Dr Green. Phenergan, 50 milligrams. I will do my best!’
‘Thank you kiddo, you’re the best!’
Margaret watched him walk out of the door with her heart in her mouth. Had he seen through the deception in her eyes? Had he any inkling of her real motive for requesting that medication? And, more importantly, would the General himself believe her cover story about a bee sting allergy, or would his suspicions be raised?
No, no … I played it cool, I played it real cool. Besides, there isn’t really anything suspicious about asking for an antihistamine. The boy doesn’t suspect a thing, and I think that this lil’ mercenary attack happened at just the right time too. The General is gonna be all preoccupied with his war now, and he won’t be thinking about lil’ ol’ me and my request for medication. No, I think I’m in the clear. Hell, I think it actually might work! And once I’ve got my hands on those pills, phase two of the escape plan can be put into action…
***
Margaret was staring out of the enormous window in her room, mesmerised by the fire-bath sunset over the jungle, when Sergeant Tesla knocked on the door. The sun cascading its inferno over the bulbous rainforest, like molten gold pouring in showers of sparks from a forge, was as spectacular a sight as any she’d seen in all her years, and even
