Benny, Leo, Johnny, and Rae Meet King Kong Ch. 9

Chapter 9

*About a month after, New York was abuzz with activity as a theater shows a bright electric sign, "KING KONG, EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD". Below it was another sign that read, “CARL DENHAM’S GIANT MONSTER”. All around the theater, crowds gathered outside waiting to see what Carl Denham, the man of the hour, had to show to his fellow audiences this time*

Man #1: Say, what's Denham got anyway?

Man #2: Well, it better be good after all this valley-who.

Woman #1: Heavens, what a mob.

Man #3: Well, you would come. These tickets cost 20 bucks!

*By the time the audience were inside the theater, everyone started to get in their seats facing a large curtain that covered nearly the entire stage. But of course, some people were not satisfied with their seating arrangements*

Woman #2: I can't sit so near the screen! It hurts my eyes!

Man #4: This is not a moving picture, madam.

Woman #2: What? But Mr. Denham makes those pictures of those darling monkeys and tigers and things.

Man #4: But this is more in the nature of a personal appearance, madam.

Woman #2: *gasps* Well, I never. Thought I was going to see something.

Woman #3: Say, what is it, anyhow?

Man #5: I hear it's a kind of a gorilla.

Woman #3: Gee, ain't we got enough of them in New York?

*As seats began to fill, a larger audience coming through the entrance, there was other activity going on along the wings of the theatre. Ann and Driscoll were in the foreground, peering toward the stage. Ann was garbed in an evening dress, while Driscoll was in a dinner jacket. The Fantasy Adventure Team, all dressed up rather fancy for this occasion, joined them as well. Judging by the expression on their faces, they knew something was troubling not only Ann but Driscoll as well*

Leo: Good evening, Jack, Miss Darrow… Is something wrong?

Ann: I don't like to look at him, Leo. It makes me feel the way I did that awful day on the island.

Johnny: *to the team* I thought we agreed we wouldn't talk about the island.

Benny: Ann, we've told you before. Kong would never hurt you. Don't you remember when he protected you from the dinosaurs that wanted to eat you?

Dagnino: Get real, Benny. What kind of dame would actually feel sorry for a seemingly destructive gorilla anyway? Sounds more like something a movie would do.

Panthy: I still don't get why we actually agreed to attend in the first place.

Driscoll: I wouldn't have brought you, but you know how Denham insisted.

Leo: *shrugs* That's Denham, for you. Thinking that our being here will help benefit the show and all.

Ann: Do you suppose we'll really make a lot of money?

Driscoll: *fussing with his collar* Enough to pay him back for these clothes, anyway… I never had an open-face suit before.

Rae: Well, I think you look quite handsome in one, Jack.

Driscoll: Thanks, I suppose… *chuckles* You and your friends don't look bad, yourselves.

*By now, Denham bustles in dressed fancily for the evening, including a silk top hat and gardenia. In contrast to the nervous bunch, Denham was excited for this seemingly important night*

Denham: Hello, everyone, you're just in time. Gee Ann, you look great. Glad I dressed you up for this show. Hello, boys. Ten thousand dollars in the box office. Not bad for one night, huh?

Driscoll: *admits* That is a lot of money.

Denham: Oh, that's nothing. We're going to do that every night.

*As Denham talks with the group, some newspaper gentlemen stood by observing the animal locked up tight for the big show*

Newspaper Man #1: Look at the size of that animal.

Newspaper Man #2: Hope he's tied up good and tight.

Newspaper Man #3: Sure he is. Denham ain't taking any chances.

Denham: *turns to the group* Oh, here's the boys from the press.

*The group of reporters and photographers come in to be introduced to Ann, Driscoll, and the team*

Denham: Come in, boys. This is Miss Darrow, Mr. Driscoll, and some close associates from some other local studio.

1st Reporter: It was Mr. Driscoll rescued you from the ape, wasn't it?

Ann: Yes. He was alone, well sort've. All the sailors with him had been killed, except for Benny and his friends.

2nd Reporter: How did you and your pals tackle that baby?

Xiro: Honestly, Denham's the one that got him. We're more like the survey team of the group.

Driscoll: Denham had the nerve to stand still and chuck gas bombs at him.

Teresa: Well, actually, it was only one gas bomb that brought him down. He slept like a baby the entire voyage home. *giggles*

*In an instant, the reporters suddenly turn to Denham, saying "Oh, you're the hero" or "Come on, spill it" all while the Fantasy Adventure Team just stood there with their arms cross. All of a sudden, Heath Lynx shows up through the group dressed in a rather overly dressed attire yet still looking fancy*

Heath: All right, all right, settle down people. Here's how it goes: Miss Darrow over there's the story. Why if hadn't been for that broad, Denham would never have gotten near Kong, a monster that ravaged an entire village just for her.

Leo: That's because he practically used her as bait in order to even catch him.

Bruma: Get out of here, Heath! No one wants to listen to you!

Heath: I'm just playing up that angle, toots. *to the reporters* Beauty and the Beast, how I remember it well. Kong could have stayed safe were nobody'd get him, but he couldn't stay away from Beauty. Now there's a story worth tellin'.

2nd Reporter: It's a story, all right.

1st Photographer: How about a few pictures?

Denham: Ah, just a minute. I want you to come out onto the stage and take your flashlights there in front of the audience. I'll go out now and make a speech, telling them about Kong, Mr. Driscoll, Miss Darrow, and the Fantasy Adventure crew. Then when I call you, you will all come on and take pictures.

Heath: Wonderful idea, Mr. D. *to the group* Later, chumps. *heads to his seat*

Denham: *to Ann* Stand by, Ann, till I call you. *takes off his hat and hands it to someone*

*Kong grunts, causing Ann to move back a bit*

Denham: Now, now. It's all right. We've knocked some of the fight out of him since you saw him.

Rae: That's for sure.

Benny: I hate to say this, Mr. Denham, but the rest of the crew and I don't exactly agree that what you're doing with Kong is a good idea.

Denham: Oh, stubborn nonsense, my friend. Just look at the publicity we have drawn because of something as big as that fella. As a film director, I'm sure you understand how important publicity is in your line of work.

Leo: Yes, Mr. Denham, you’re right. Publicity is important in our line of work. But not when it means cashing in on the suffering of others.

Denham: *sighs* Look, Leo. You're a nice kid, I'm sure you are. I don't think you noticed until today, but… I haven't exactly had a big break in a while. This is my big chance to maintain my status as one of the greats. And I'll do anything to get back to the top. If you had the natural sense of a director, Leo, you'd do exactly the same.

Leo: *pause* And what exactly is that, Denham? Strapping an ape to steel chains day after day, watching people press their ugly faces on him? *sighs* To me, you already were a great and I looked up to your works because I wanted to be like you. But now I see the truth… You're not the man I thought you were.

Denham: *stunned* L-L-Leo, I-I…

Leo: *raises his hands* You know what? Just… Forget it. You made your choice, so you might as well give people what they want. Not like you care, it was always about you.

*Denham says nothing as Leo stands with his back turned to him, facing his friends, who simply look in disappointment. Denham moves to a curtain, presumably to go over his next lines, as they turn to get to their seats. Benny turns to Leo, who now looks down on the floor*

Benny: Leo? Are you coming? Mr. Denham’s gonna introduce us pretty soon.

Leo: *clears his throat* I'll join up with you guys, later. I, uh… I just need a minute for myself. Okay?

Benny: *sighs* I'm sorry it didn't work out, Leo. I really am.

Leo: Yeah… *sniffs* Me too.

*The opening choir of the orchestra sets the mood for this packed house, as Denham comes before the curtain. In almost the tones of the circus ringmaster, he begins…*

Denham: Ladies and gentlemen, I am here tonight to tell you a strange story. A story so strange that no one will believe it. But ladies and gentlemen, seeing is believing, and we -- my partners and I -- have brought back the living proof of our adventure, an adventure in which twelve of our party met terrible deaths.

*At the wings of the theater, Rae, Benny, and Leo stand by as if waiting for their cue to come up and at this point they listen to Denham talk, as he draws everyone's attention with his speech. Leo eventually joined up with Benny and Rae, but for the most part he remains silent during the presentation*

Rae: *quietly* Feeling better, Leo?

Leo: *silently nods*

Benny: *quietly* That Denham, making a spectacle out of himself. *sighs* All for the price of an admission ticket, that's all it is to him.

Denham: *continues* - And now, ladies and gentlemen, before I tell you anymore, I am going to show the greatest thing your eyes ever beheld. He was a king and a god in the world he knew, but now he comes to civilization, merely a captive, a show to gratify your curiosity. Ladies and gentlemen, look at Kong. The Eighth Wonder of the World.

*The curtain rises to disclose a raised platform, on which is Kong, loaded with chains and so fastened that he can more nothing but his head. Murmurs and exclamations from the audience arise, a few stand to their feet to get a better look at this incredible discovery*

Denham: And now I want to introduce Miss Ann Darrow. The bravest girl I've ever known.

*The audience applauds, as Ann Darrow walks across the stage*

Denham: There the Beast, and here the Beauty. She has lived through an experience that no other woman ever dreamed of. And she was saved from the very grasp of Kong by her future husband. I want you to meet a very brave gentleman, Mr. John Driscoll.

*The audience applauds once more when Driscoll appears on stage, bowing rather awkwardly*

Denham: But of course, even a aspiring hero like Mr. Driscoll would not be complete without three very brave assistants who represented a team that joined us on this remarkable voyage. They not only represent the valuable additions to our crew, but they also represent three of the four leaders of a fearless group of film directors who went far and wide to make this part of our journey possible. The three we shall all honor for their bravery, strength, and quick wits. Ladies and gentlemen, a warm round of applause to Mr. Benjamin Beast, Miss Rachel Lioness, and more importantly, Mr. Leonardo Lionheart, of the Fantasy Adventure film crew!

Rae: Well, that's our cue! Come on, boys!

Leo: *sighs* Let's get this over with. *takes a deep breath* Smiles everyone.

*The three leaders of the team try to maintain a smile towards the audience, waving their hands to them as they applaud their arrival. Among them, their friends of the team encouragingly claps for them though they too share their troubled concerns for their friends as they reach the center of the stage. Heath just sits by himself, with no one in particular or anyone he cared, just simply clapping at a rather slow rate as each captain made their bow to the stage before Denham continues*

Denham: And now, before I tell you the full story of our voyage, I am going to ask the gentlemen of the press to come forward, so that the audience may have the privilege of seeing them take the first photographs of Kong and his captors. *turns to the side* All right, boys.

*Denham looks off-stage and beckons the press men to come out, as they come in with their cameras ready*

Denham: Miss Darrow first, alone. Stand in front of Kong, Ann.

*Ann reluctantly does so*

Rae: *whispers softly* Benny, I have a bad feeling about this.

1st Photographer: All set? Make it a good one.

2nd Photographer: Okay. Shoot.

*The flashlights go off, as Kong roars trying to back away. Ann looks round with terror in her face, startled by the mighty beast*

Denham: Don't be alarmed, ladies and gentlemen. Those chains are made of chrome steel.

*The flashlights go off again, Kong roars and strains at his chains. Benny and the others couldn't help but feel sorry for him. Ann tries to cover her face, as Driscoll steps forward to her*

Driscoll: It's all right, Ann.

Denham: Get them together, boys. They're going to be married tomorrow.

Benny: *smiles* Congratulations, you two.

Ann: *smiles* Thank you, Benny.

1st Photographer: Put your arm around her, Driscoll.

*Driscoll does so, as the flashlights continue and Kong roars, struggling to get out. Ann tries to press her face against Driscoll*

Leo: Wait a minute… Wait, STOP!!! STOP!!! *rushes to the photographers* Stop taking pictures, you idiots! *motions to Kong* He thinks you’re attacking Ann!

1st Photographer: Ah, let him roar! Swell picture!

*The flashlights flash on-and-on all over again, with a frightful roar, and to the astonishment of all in attendance, Kong suddenly breaks from his chains. Everyone stands paralyzed, as Kong beats his chest, roaring to the crowd*

Benny: OH CRUD!!!

Leo: Everybody RUN!!!

*And just like that, everyone in the audience starts screaming and running out to the exit doors. Driscoll grabs Ann, rushing for the door as Benny, Leo, and Rae follow. The whole theatre is in an uproar, reporters and attendants, as well as the rest of the team running for safety. Heath looks around amongst the panicked crowd, before turning to Kong, who roars out loud. Heath just simply stares at the beast, slowly gets up and makes his way to the door as if he had devious intentions in mind. By the time Driscoll, Ann, and the others get through the door, Kong starts across the arena*

Heath: Well, what do ya know? *pulls out a modern home movie camera* This is turning out better than I thought. *smirks evilly* Heh, heh, heh, heh… *heads out the door*

*Kong makes a mighty crash through the theatre wall, a car spirals out of control and hits the side of a building. The Fantasy Adventure Team joins up with Benny, Leo, and Rae as they follow Driscoll and Ann into a nearby hotel across the street. The streets are in all out chaos as Kong goes around the streets, picks up one human and crushes him to death with his massive fangs before casting him aside. He then tears part of a building and throws it to several passerby’s, as everyone runs from one end of the street to another for safety. A nearby officer makes his way to the nearest telephone*

Officer: *calls on the phone* Send the riot squad and ambulances! Kong has escaped!

*Kong looms outside a hotel, as a woman, several stories above, looks out the window, sees the beast, and screams. Kong looks up, mistakes the woman as Ann, and climbs up. The woman sees him climbing up the building, and backs away from the window. Soon polices officers exit their station on motor-bikes and cars, as the alarms go off urging people to get out of their way*

*Meanwhile, Kong climbs up a window, sees a woman sleeping in bed, and reaches his paw through a window to grab her. The woman wakes up and screams, as she finds herself lifted out of her hotel room in the beast's massive grip. The beast examines the struggling woman, only to realize it's not Ann, and without much thought he simply drops the girl, sending her falling several stories to the pavement to her death. The beast takes no heed and continues on. By then, Driscoll, Ann, and the team successfully made it to a hotel room, as Driscoll locks the doors*

Kairel: *breathes heavily* Why does everything go wrong when we least expect it?

Leo: *tries to catch his breath* No worries, sis. I don't think he saw us come in here.

Rae: Ann, are you okay?

Ann: It's like a horrible dream. It's like -- like being back on the island again.

Johnny: Well, that answers the question.

*Unbeknownst to the group, Kong reached this level of the hotel, peering his eyes through the window until he sees Driscoll trying to comfort Ann and the whole team standing guard*

Driscoll: It's all right. Don't worry.

Xiro: Driscoll's right, we'll stand guard here tonight. No giant gorilla is going to be coming for you tonight.

Johnny: *sees Kong's face in the window, eyes widen* WAH!!! Uh, guys…

Xiro: *turns to see Kong’s face and gasps* Except this one!

*Kong smashes the window, his hand comes in, reaching out for Ann, who screams in terror. Driscoll picks up a chair and the team prepare themselves for action except for Benny*

Dagnino: Get your hands away from our friend, you big brute!

Benny: Dag, guys, wait!

*The rest of the team and Driscoll launch themselves for attack, but Kong's hand easily sweeps the group aside, Driscoll lies senseless and the rest practically crash toward a wall. Kong's hand drags the bed to the window, lifts up Ann, and takes her out the window*

Johnny: Miss Darrow!!!

Leo: ANN!!!

*They stagger to the window, looks up after Kong, and quickly makes their way out of the hotel room to reclaim Ann*

*In the hotel corridor, Denham passes through pop-eyed bell-boys, clerks and even a waiter. The door to Driscoll's room opens, and Driscoll and the others stagger out, almost colliding with Denham*

Denham: Jack! Fellas! He's climbing up, outside there.

Leo: *irritated* You think!

Driscoll: He’s got Ann. He's taken her up.

Benny: C'mon, we can still catch Kong on the roof! Quickly!

*They rush off towards the roof of the hotel. By they time they got there, they see Kong with Ann firmly in his grip, going over another roof, just barely in sight. For a moment, Kong gently lays Ann down, trying to get the bearings of his surrounding. Ann slowly tries to sneak away, but Kong lifts her up again and proceeds to climb down towards another building*

Driscoll: Ann! Ann!

Kairel: It's no use, he's too big and too fast. We'll never reach him.

Rae: *thinks to herself* Throw me… *to Benny* Benny, throw me!

Benny: Rae, what are you --

Rae: Trust me, I got a plan!

*Reluctantly, Benny lifts Rae up, as she points toward Kong, who's almost out of view. Taking a deep breath and using all his might, Benny hurls Rae towards Kong, barely managing to cling on to the fur along his back as they finally fade from sight*

Denham: How can we follow him? What’ll we do?

Driscoll: *turning to go* Fire department searchlights. Get ’em up on the roof.

Denham: Yeah, they’ll keep him in sight.

Bruma: I hope Rae can hold on.

Teresa: She can and she must! C'mon!

*The motorcycle cops zoom across the streets, as crowds point and shout the approaching Kong, who still had Ann in his grasp and would swat anyone that got too close. He then climbs atop a railroad bridge on the streets and sees a fading light ahead getting closer and closer. What he didn't know was that a train was heading straight to their direction and no one on board had a clue about the giant ape. Seeing this as a possible threat, Kong starts to rip the railroad tracks to pieces. What he also didn't know was that Rae was slowly climbing atop his back, doing her best to keep herself from sight. By the time she reached shoulder level, she saw what Kong was doing and gasped*

Rae: *desperately shouts* Kong, STOP!

*But it was already too late, by the time the driver saw the tracks were being ripped apart he was unable to stop in time. The train crashes off the track causing all the passengers to fall from the impact. Kong starts to beat the train as the people tried to move away from the stuck passenger car. Rae could only watch in horror as Kong tipped the train onto it's side along the streets and proceeds to beat it like a wounded animal*

Rae: Kong, stop it! Please! It won't hurt you!

*But the animal wouldn't listen, he continues to beat the train as several passengers manage to slip their way out. Kong, believing he won another battle, climbs up another building with Rae still clutching to his back and Ann clutched in his hand*

*Some time later, at the city's local police station, a radio broadcast is sent to all nearby stations. Driscoll, Denham, and the Fantasy Adventure Team had been sitting in wait for news regarding Kong, Ann, and their friend, Rae. So far, all seems fruitless for the group*

Radio: Attention all stations, attention all stations. Kong is going west. He is making for the Empire State Building. Stand by for further reports.

Johnny: Ooh, this is bad, guys. This is so bad!

Driscoll: *to Sergeant* If he goes up there, what can we do?

Sergeant: We won't be able to get near him.

Panthy: *dryly* Oh, that's fantastic!

*Just then, Heath pops into the police station, seemingly oblivious to the people inside as he's too busy reviewing the footage he had gotten with his camera. By the time he looks up, that's when he noticed not only Driscoll and Denham, but the Fantasy Adventure Team as well*

Heath: *looks at his camera* Ooh boy, what great footage this is! What a movie this is going to -- *looks up to see Benny* Hey… Benny, buddy… Who would've thought I run into you -- I mean here of all places… Uh… What's up?

Benny: Where have you been, Heath?

Heath: Figured I'd go for a walk, get some coverage on the whole rampage scene. I mean, look at this -- *shows the guys* This is the most amazing footage I've seen in my life. Sure it look slow on TV, but… Wow! Now that's what I call great publicity, right here.

Leo: That's just like you, Heath, you bloody coward! Watching from the sidelines just so you could shoot one of your stupid movies! Is it really worth the lives of all the people that have died during this whole experience?!

Heath: *sarcastically* What did you all expect from me? Okay, I admit that I had doubts with Kong bein' here. But now, now all I see is a window of opportunity: To prove that what we're dealing with is a beast thriving on pure, animal instincts. Besides, people film footage of suffering all the time. Why should I be any different when it can make me rich?

Denham: *angrily walks up to Heath* This is all your fault, Heath! I never should have listened to you!

Johnny: Wait, what?

Benny: Denham, what are you talking about?

Denham: It was Heath's idea to capture Kong and bring him to New York! While you and the others were searching for Ann, Heath gave the idea of using Kong as a publicity stunt. He claimed that doing so would put me back on top and settle all my debts.

Heath: Provided, that I'd get fifty percent of the profits and full ownership of Kong. So now, "his" beast is "mine" and he's going to make me bigger than Merian C. Cooper!

Benny: Why you miserable…

Teresa: Selfish...

Bruma: Overzealous…

Panthy: Egotistical…

Dagnino: Low-minded…

Xiro: Self-absorbed…

Leo: Sociopath!!

Johnny: *pause* Yeah, what they said.

Heath: Do I look like I care what you losers think of me? I may have been responsible for a lot of things: Attempted murder in France, over-taxing in Nottingham, the near death of some stupid kid with the sun-glasses in London… Whoops! Spoilers.

Benny: *shocked* You… WHAT!?

Heath: But in the end, I look back and I accept it as who I am. I am Heath Lynx. Actor, Director, and Producer of the "Fantastic Lynx" studios. And with the Mighty Kong under my grasp, this city… No, the world… Will be mine!

Johnny: You know you just admitted to all of your crimes in a police station, right?

Heath: *looks around at the surrounding cops* Ooh… This is awkward… *throws a smoke pellet on the floor, filling the room with smoke*

Driscoll: *coughs* Why that dirty rat!

*By the time the smoke clears, Heath Lynx had already disappeared*

Dagnino: Dang it! He got away!

Benny: Forget it, Dag. Right now, we have something more important to worry about.

Radio: Kong is climbing the Empire State Building. He is still carrying Ann Darrow… Along with an anonymous red-haired girl clutching to his back… That is all.

Teresa: Sweet mother of Abraham Lincoln! Kong's got Rae!

Xiro: Yeah… Suddenly hurling Rae straight at that big ape doesn't seem like a good idea anymore.

Denham: That's licked us.

Driscoll: There's one thing that hasn't been tried.

Leo: What's that, Jack?

Driscoll: Airplanes. If he should put Ann and Rae down -- if they could fly near enough to pick him off --

Kairel: *gets it* Without hitting our friends --

Sergeant: You're right! Airplanes --

Benny: Wait a minute! You're not actually suggesting to shoot Kong down, are you?

Denham: I hate to say it, my friend, but we have no choice. It's my fault for bringing Kong here in the first place, now I just don't want him to see him suffer another day in this dreadful environment.

Benny: But you can't just KILL him! There's got to be another way!

Sergeant: Call the field!

Newspaper Man #1: Oh boy, what a story!

Benny: No, wait!

Leo: Sorry, Benny. But not all beasts can be saved.

Teresa: Now come on! Rae needs us!