Greg was startled into silence by the appearance in the doorway of a large black man in overalls and work boots, blocking the available light. "Where's Marci?" he demanded, looking them up and down.
"I'm down here, Sam," called Marci from the docks.
"You OK, Miss Marci?" Sam called back to her.
"I'm fine, Sam, but wait there a minute for me, can you?"
"Yes, ma'am, Miss Marci. I'm not goin' anywhere." Sam came into the small office and looked the three over a tad more deliberately this time. He had nothing to add to the conversation.
Marci came back into the office and had to twist to work her way through the bodies. Back in her chair behind the counter, she said, "Gas came to four tenths of an ounce, so your down payment is six-point-two ounces of gold."
Sam let out a low whistle. "No wonder you needed me to stay, Miss Marci. Sounds like there's a regular Fort Knox in here."
"Greg, I've got some baby Krugers," offered Jennifer. "Let me get the gas." She was searching her backpack and came up with two one-ounce coins and two one-tenth ounce coins. She handed them to Marci, who smiled at her.
Fernando and Greg produced two ounces each and the deal was done.
"Sam," said Marci.
"Yes ma'am," Sam responded.
"Sam," repeated Marci, "I'm going to take these three up river. I'll be gone a few days. Can you look after the place for me until I get back?"
"You know I can, Miss Marci. After all you've done for me, you know I can." Sam turned to Fernando because he was the oldest. "If Miss Marci doesn't come back safe and sound, I will find you and I will kill you."
"Oh, Sam!" Marci punched him. "These folks are OK. If they weren't, I would know, and I wouldn't try to help them get to that Farm in Tennessee, would I?"
"No ma'am I 'spect you wouldn't." He turned to the travelers. "What do y'all want to get to that Farm for? Nothin' there but old hippies."
"Guess we just need to see for ourselves, Sam," said Greg. He was starting to appreciate Sam. He was protective of Marci and because of Sam, Greg was more confident than before that she wouldn't sell them to the highest bidder upriver. But Sam had put doubts in his head about the Farm. Had he idealized the place beyond reasonable expectations? Time would tell.
