Island of the Unemployed

LUM IN THE SLUMS

"Somethin' smells wonderful!" Cian exclaimed. It was morning and Cian had just woken the group.

"We have very many fishes today, thanks to Deja," Vladi replied.

"Excellent! Whit a treat!"

The sleepy-eyed group of campers stumbled over to the fire, with the exception of Mila. She was still recovering, and Cian thought it best to let her sleep in.

Typically, the morning chatter would have already begun, but, on this day, they were too busy eating, delaying the morning chit-chat for only a little while.

"I had a dream last night that a big old tree fell on top of me and crushed me in my sleep," Kylee said.

"Oh, that vas probably Lum," Sasha said. "He maybe rolled on you!" Everyone laughed.

"Why do ye think ah keep on the other side o' the pavilion?" Cian jested.

"Eet is good thing. He would squash you like leetle bug," Sasha said, pressing her thumb and forefinger together.

"Yeah, well, it's a good thing Lum is on our side." Kylee said, feigning fear. "I'd hate to be on his bad side if he ever got angry."

"Lum doesn't get angry. Do you, Lum?" Sasha commented, with a pat on Lum's massive chest.

"Maybe sometimes," Lum responded, with a serious look. An aww came over the crowd. Then everyone laughed.

"Speaking of trees, how is the raft coming?" Cian asked Kadee.

"Very well. It is very helpful to have River working with me," Kadee said.

"Look at you!" Kylee said to River with a big smile.

"In fact, now we are almost out of wood and need more to keep going."

"Almost oot o' wood!" Cian exclaimed. "Well, ah guess that's a good problem to 'ave. Deja, wid ye mind goin' wi' Lum t'day? Wance we finish this raft we have to start on another. So wur goin' to need plenty o' lumber." He braced for an angry response.

As it turned out, Deja was looking for an opportunity to get to know Lum, anyway. She was happy to accept, but did her best to do it without appearing submissive. "I'll work with Lum in the morning if that is what he wants. But, I plan on doing some fishing in the afternoon."

"Excellent! Vladi, we're goin' to let Mila rest t'day. A'm wantin' ye to keep a close eye on her." He had already spoken privately with Vladi regarding the need to ensure Mila didn't do anything ill-advised. Specifically, to ensure she didn't head out on a mission to find her father.

Vladi began to collect coconut shells, as everyone went to their work assignments. Deja watched as Lum walked out of the camp without saying a word. She got up, and chased after him.

"So, we're going to cut down some trees?"

"Yep."

"Where is it?"

"We're almost there. You'll see."

Hmmm. This guy really doesn't talk much, does he? Deja thought to herself.

They walked for a good thirty-minutes before approaching a large grouping of bamboo trees. They were much larger than she imagined! She looked at the small knives she and Lum held, wondering what good they might be.

"Is the wood soft?" she asked.

"Nope."

"Then how do you plan to take them down with just a knife?"