Dudes Down Under by Suzannah Burke Page B

*
     
    At four-thirty, Skeet and Max turned on the large hoses and began to fill the huge crater of silt with water. It soon turned into a thick, slushy, sticky mud puddle about four feet across. The men pronounced it perfect. Skeet fetched Cyril. He ensured he had his hat and sunglasses on. Cyril sat under an umbrella with a few of the other staff, watching with interest.
    Skeet had decided on the red t-shirt for him today. It brought out the recent color of his eyes. Cyril was comfortable. Besides, he knew that all those tubs were filled to the top with ice and beer. It was a fine life for a crocodile. He wouldn’t be a handbag for any fool's money.
    The guests started to wander into the area around five p.m.
    Huge marquees in bright florescent colors had been set up around the lush area that was completed with comfortable recliners and tables, bar staff, and a huge selection of afternoon munchies.
    Lucy sat with Ginny, Didi, Max and Doc. She was thrilled to see the number of guests that had gathered. Many of them had also brought along their own staff members to join in if they wished.
    The women were a collection of the greatest bodies money could buy. Many of them had chosen to wear string bikinis. Lucy knew damned well she would have no problem whatsoever persuading any of the males on staff to assist. Nor the females either. The A-list guys were to die for.
    She smiled to herself. The staff members would not let her down. Most of the guys she employed were male models or strippers; they made the greatest bar staff - friendly to talk to, and even friendlier on the eyes.
    Didi walked across to the microphone, “Okay, lovely to see so many of you. As we are going to be out in the sun to do this, I have t-shirts for everyone in all colors and sizes. I suggest that you lather on some Goth sun lotion. Please wear your hats until it’s your turn to compete. All right, first round. We are gonna have guests vs. staff. Males only. You lovely people select six men and we will do the same. You also need to have an anchorman. If there are insufficient numbers, you may take volunteers from the Dude’s staff. So, c’mon people, choose ‘em up then come on over while I go through the rules.”
    The guests were obviously having fun. Much laughter and flexing of beautiful muscles was taking place. The atmosphere was clearly very relaxed.
    Charlie Danvers made his first social appearance since his arrival, much to the delighted approval of the Aussie staff. He was the most famous export they had. Many of the staff were calling out, “Hey, Charlie, onya mate! Show ’em how it’s done, Charlie.”
    Lucy was surprised to see Ed Guest amongst the selected team. She hadn’t expected the disdainful Mr. Guest to join in anything resembling fun.
    “ Righto, fellas,” Didi said. “We seem to have the right numbers. Who is gonna be the anchorman?”
    “ That’d be me, mate,” Charlie spoke up, clearly pleased to be able to use his own accent for a change.
    “ Okay, form up behind the team leader, boys, and let’s get this show on the road. Staff team, ready? Great stuff. The first team over the line and into the puddle loses. Good luck, everyone. Start on the whistle. Ready … go!”
    And go they did. The A team began well and the staffers were obviously surprised at the strength of these guys. Why they were surprised went back to the Aussie macho thing. Silly assumption, really. These actors had to stay fit and tight muscled, if they wanted work, that is.
    The A team’s support crew were screaming and catcalling good and loud. Led by Lana Peters, they began chanting, “Go, Yanks, go …Go, Yanks, go. Show these Aussies it’s not all show.”
    The Aussie support team, not to be outdone, created their own masterpiece. “Aussies rock and Aussies roll. Show these Yankees we’ve got soul!”
    The teams were evenly matched. It would have to come down to who tired first. The vocal backing got louder and louder.
    The contest was a