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Dudes Down Under
Dudes Series Book One
Suzannah Burke
Genre: Romantic
Comedy
Publisher: Taylor
Street Books
ISBN: 1475220715
ASIN: B007VIWXF4
Number of pages: 286
Word Count: 90,000
Book Description
Dudes
Down Under, the most luxurious resort ever built. It sits on a privately owned
Island on the Great Barrier Reef, off the northernmost region of Australia.
No cell-phones, no computers,
no paparrazi.
The Menu:
The world’s most famous talk
show hostess and the owner of the island sign a deal, the result; Hollywood's
'A' listers all vying for a chance to be the first guests.
The Method:
They pay half a million
dollars for the privilege of being randomly chosen from a barrel of names on
her programme.
The Ingredients:
The winners, include
Hollywood’s foremost golden couple.
His very unforgiving ex-wife.
The young hotel heiress with
a habit of driving whilst drunk and little else to commend her. Blend in a couple of famous expatriate
actors
Add the tower owning king of
power with an unfortunate hairstyle and attitude.
The television hostess and
her film crew.
Add to the mixture:
The most politically
incorrect bunch of Australian staff you are likely to meet, anywhere.
The dessert:
Cyril, who has impeccable
dress sense, adores Al Pacino and Marlon Brando, drinks to excess, and has a
fascinating attitude about well—everything! Well ... yes--he is a Crocodile,
but he's family.
Blend the ingredients
carefully then stand well back!
'Dudes Down Under' is waiting
for you to arrive.
Character Interview With Cyril
Thank you
for having me on your blog. I thought it would be fun to do a character
interview with Cyril. My book ‘Dudes Down Under’ is a Romantic Comedy. Cyril is
... well, a little different to most characters you would expect to find in a
book that is heavy on the Romance, but he is a pivotal part of what makes
“Dudes Down Under” fun to read. Well, he is
a Crocodile after all; but not like any crocodile you are likely to run into
anywhere else ... trust me.
So, let’s
go to the set of 60 minutes where Mike Peterson (the anchorman) is meeting
‘Cyril’ for the first time.
MP:
“Welcome to the show, Cyril. I must admit this is a first for me. I have never
had the pleasure of interviewing one of your species before. Tell me; when did
you know you could talk?”
Cyril:
“From the very first day I started to, Mate.”
MP:
“Er-yes. Do you recall the first words you said?”
Cyril: “I
wanna Beer.”
MP:
“Perhaps we could have a drink later, in the green room. Now do you remember
those first words?”
Cyril: “I
wanna Beer.”
MP: “Later,
Cyril. Let’s move on, shall we. When did you know you were bilingual?”
Cyril: “Say
WHAT?”
MP:
“Bilingual. When did you realise that you were?”
Cyril:
“That’s a very personal question. Are you bilingual?”
MP: “Well,
yes. As a matter of fact I am.”
Cyril:
“Phew! Don’t you get confused? I mean when do you-you know switch from one to
the other?”
MP: “I can
switch mid conversation if I wish.”
Cyril:” You
can?”
MP:
“Absolutely. I find it very easy to switch from one to the other.”
Cyril: “You
can talk about that on television?”
MP: “Of
course. Now back to you. You are about to start filming the movie of ‘Dudes
Down Under’ I believe. Tell me about that.
Cyril: “I’m
still thinking about this bilingual stuff, mate.”
MP:”Let’s
move on, shall we? Now about the movie.”
Cyril: “You
must have an important job to get away with being bilingual on television.”
MP: “Well
yes, I do. I’m the Anchor.”
Cyril: “You
don’t look like an Anchor.”
MP: “I
don’t?”
Cyril: “No,
mate. Your skin doesn’t look all wrinkled!”
MP: “What’s
my skin got to do with being the Anchor?”
Cyril:
“Well – all that time spent weighing down the show. Must play havoc with the
skin? Have you had a facelift?”
MP:” NO!
Sorry...no, no I haven’t had any work done.
Cyril: “No
barnacles either. Amazing. So about this bilingual stuff ...”
MP: “Cyril,
can we focus on you? You dress rather well. Do you have your own designer?”
Cyril: “No.
Do you?”
MP: “Well
yes, yes I do.”
Cyril:
“Figures. With you being ... you know.”
MP: “I
don’t think we’re on the same page here.”
Cyril:
“You’re reading?”
MP: “NO!
Um-no! I mean I think we’re at cross purposes here.”
Cyril: “Are
you cross? Perhaps you need some counselling, about being you know...bi and
all.”
MP: “Cyril.
I am meant to be interviewing you!”
Cyril:
“Well go right ahead.”
MP: “I lost
my train of thought.”
Cyril:
“Where did you have it last?”
MP: “This
is pointless. You obviously have no idea what I am saying most of the time.
Cyril:
“That makes two of us, mate. You sure you don’t need counselling?”
The
interview ended abruptly. Mike Petersen is expected to make a full
recovery...eventually.
Chapter 1 Dudes Down
Under.
The dream becomes
reality.
Lucy shook back her waist length hair;
it clung in wet strands to her olive-skinned shoulders as she emerged from the
lagoon. This was her island, her
home. Twenty-four hours from now people ready to criticize and find fault with
everything and anything would invade it.
Her
stomach clenched in a tight knot.
Nerves were her biggest enemy. They often blew the hell out of her
attempts to present herself as cool, collected, and unaffected. Well,
daddy, wherever you are…this is it. I have done what I promised you I would
do. I’ve built it. It’s real daddy, I can see it from
here. I wish you could see it. Can
you? I hope so. It was your dream
and mine, I hope to hell it works.
She
gave herself a quick brush down, gently flicking the silver sand onto the
pathway leading through the rainforest to her private dwelling.
Tomorrow
was D Day…Dudes Day. Today was the
last chance to change anything.
Lucy
looked out from her wide verandah at the sparkling newness of the resort.
Dudes down Under curved around the lagoon seeming to
blend into the crystal water. The separate bungalows at varying levels half
hidden from view by the rain forest nestled around them. It was her baby, her
pride in it a tangible thing. She had poured her heart and her entire
inheritance into her dream, her father’s dream. Daddy was gone, their dream
resort was here, real at last and waiting.
Every
bungalow was individually created to reflect a part of her Australia. The Great
Barrier Reef lent itself to every imaginable color combination. The feeling of
being in the water heightened by
the floor to ceiling aquariums in every bungalow, leading through corridors of
terrariums and out to a private
pool and spa ceilinged with rain forest vines, and a glass archway that could
be soundlessly closed over by remote control.
The
pool in each began inside the lower level of the bungalow, the guests could
swim from the wet bar area inside and arrive outside without leaving the water.
Surround sound systems unobtrusively allowed music of the guests choice to be
played in any of the 8 rooms decorated to the absolute comfort of any
individual.
Quality
not quantity was apparent in every room.
Furnishings
lovingly hand crafted by the best of the best…every accessory original and
exquisite.
Lucy
hugged herself and smiled as the memory of her father and his laughter at her
youthful exuberance invaded again. This dream had begun with him. She had been
raised with his vision of a classic place where people could come and find
nirvana…piece of mind in absolute luxury.
Each bungalow was unique. Beautiful stationery lay on the desks inside
the library off the master bedroom. Handwritten letters replacing the urgency
of email. Time was in abundance here. The urgency of the world outside would
disappear for the duration of the stay.
Lucy
took a last glance down at ‘Dudes’.
She dressed in a white cotton sarong, wound her ebony mass of hair into
a chignon, and headed down to the main reception area.
******
Skeet
was having a quiet smoke and coffee, he sat perched on a fallen tree. The air was still damp and cool in
these moments just after sunrise.
He caught sight of Lucy walking down the winding pathway through the
vines and ferns. She looked wonderful
as always. He gave himself a
shake; Steady on stupid! Lucy is way
outta your league. The voice
on his other shoulder was shouting—‘Shut
up angel puss…go for it boyo, what have ya got to lose?’ He told both
voices to shut their cake-holes.
Lucy
smiled with relief when she spotted Skeet, he was her friend, and absolutely
the most dedicated employee anyone could wish for. He stood up to welcome her and she glanced at his 6 ft 3
inch frame, as a friend he was the best, as a man…whoo-ee! The nicest thing was he had no idea
just how devastating he was to look at. Dark curls above a pair of deep blue
eyes, and a killer smile. The most wonderful thing about Skeet was just …
Skeet.
“G’mornin’,
me lovely. Did ya get any sleep?”
he asked.
“Not
much, but it’s okay, I was kind of expecting to toss and turn a bit.”
“Ya
wanna have a coffee before we do the meeting thing?”
“Yes,
oh yes please, Skeet. Even my butterflies have butterflies.”
“She’ll
be right, mate. Can’t do a thing
about it now anyway. So relax a
bit, enjoy a coffee and a smoke. What time do ya want me to call ‘em in for the
session?"
“Half
an hour?”
“Yeah
sounds good. Sit yourself down;
you’re as twitchy as a cow in a bull yard.”
“That
bad huh?”
“Yup.”
“Make
it a bloody strong coffee.”
“You
got it.”
They
relaxed together, sipping on hot coffee and smoking. Each aware of how very
important the next Twenty-four hours would be.
Lucy
flicked a look at her Rolex, gave Skeet a nod, and they both headed into the
Grand ballroom to ready themselves for the staff meeting.
****
“Testing --testing, 1-2-3—Attention,
attention. All staff-- there will
be a full staff meeting in ten minutes in the grand ballroom. Bluey! That means you too, mate. So put ya smoke out—drink down ya coffee, and get your arse in
here quick smart, ya drongo!”
“Is
that what ya wanted, darlin’?”
Skeet asked, as he turned from the public address system.
“Thanks,
I wouldn’t know what to do without you, you’re wonderful!” Lucy reached across the desk and gave
him a quick hug.
“Geez,
mate, knock off the flattery, you’ll give me a swelled bloody head.”
“Skeet,
can you please, please--stop calling me mate! I feel like a man every time you say it.”
“Well,
now, Lucy, me little darlin’, you don’t know how often I wished to hear you say
that! But you’re the boss and I’m
just a Croc handler. Sad, isn’t
it?
“Well
— no. I … I don’t mean I feel like
a man; well I do, but not like really feel, aw hell! You, cheeky bugger, you know what I mean!”
“Wouldn’t
have a clue, ma … er, chooky! No
bloody idea. If ya believe that
malarkey, I got an island ya might be interested in buyin'! Strewth, you’re a real corker, when ya
go that blood red color, Lucy.”
“What? Oh, um, thanks, Skeet, I think?”
“Look,
Lucy, I’ve known ya since you started this project, and I admire you a lot, you
know that. But, mate, bloody hell,
are ya sure it’s a smart move--not tellin' the others that you own this joint?”
“I
don’t know for sure if it’s smart or not.
But, it’s the way I want it.
These people are a good bunch.
You and I both know just how damned hard they’ve worked to have this
place ready in time. I don’t want
to have them watching their manners with me. I’ll get to hear a lot more about, well--everything, if they
think I’m just working here as the manager. Please, Skeet.”
“Yep,
all right. I understand, mum’s the
word.”
Lucy
leaned over and gave her friend another kiss on the cheek, “Thanks, Skeet. Oh, and, Skeet, that’s a nice color red
on you too!”
“Females. Bloody—females.” Skeet headed in to the grand ballroom
with a huge smile on his handsome face.
Lucy was a real little
corker. Her dad would be so proud of her. Bloody shame he had to go
and get himself eaten …! Bloody
Crocs are such unpredictable bastards.
Well--except for Cyril--but Cyril was family.
****
The
staff gathered in the Grand Ballroom waiting for Lucy to come in. She glanced around and noted without
surprise that Bluey was not amongst them.
She looked across at Skeet; he hurried off to the P.A system.
“Bluey!
Ya, lazy bastard--smoko’s finished.
Get ya arse in here now or you will be in deep shit mate. Now, Bluey!”
Everyone
was laughing when Skeet returned; and he gave them a shrug and rolled his eyes.
Bluey
wandered in, swaggering as always.
His tall lean frame and his shock of red-hair came as an unusually
attractive package. Not freckled
like many redheads, his skin was clear and his eyes an electric green.
“Thanks
for gracing us with your presence, Bluey,” said Lucy.
“Anything
for you, Lucy, anything at all.”
Lucy
ignored the comment. Bluey was a problem, she kept hoping he would pick up his
act and pull his weight. No luck so far. She dreaded having to fire anyone; but
he was a definite liability at the moment. She ignored that thought for now,
needing to focus clearly on the meeting.
“Okay
everyone.” She said and clapped her hands together, “One more day till the
opening. I want to run through
everything once more. Not as
formally as we usually do. We have
a hectic and nerve racking time ahead of us. Our first and most important guests will be here in just
under twenty-four hours. I want to
thank all of you for the amazing amount of work and dedication you have
shown. I have been advised that
each and every staff member will be receiving a bonus in their next pay.”
This
announcement was greeted with cheers all round. The electricity and collective nerves were very apparent.
“When
do we find out who won the draw, Lucy?
It’s so exciting.” Ginny
spoke up with her eyes glittering feverishly. Lucy looked at her fondly, Ginny
was her friend, and an employee, yet there was no denying that to every male
with a pulse who didn’t know her well it appeared that her twenty-year-old body
was built for sex. Her mind was
built some time later. Sadly, she
was also a natural blonde, which sure as hell didn’t help her in the,
we-believe-you-are-intelligent-truly-we-do, stakes! Lucy was very protective of
the youngster, and it showed.
“Miss
Peters is doing the draw on her talk show.” Lucy continued with a huge grin at Ginny’s excitement. “The list will be sent immediately,
along with any special dietary needs, and the numbers of staff accompanying
those chosen. I have been told to
restrict their staff to two. Due
to the fame of most of the people in the draw, they will be listed under
pseudonyms. We want them to have a
holiday--paparazzi free. That is a
huge part of what has attracted them here, these people want to be treated just
like everyone else. Or at least
they think they do!”
“She, gets to come no matter
what--doesn’t she?” Ginny was
almost squeaking she was so excited.
Yet still managing to say ‘She’ with dignified non-blasphemous
restraint.
“Yes,
Ginny. Miss Peters is the reason
all the other beautiful people want to come. They all want to be the first of the big names on the ‘A’
list to check us out and hopefully give us the thumbs up!”
The
entire room turned as one when Cyril made his regular morning entrance and
headed for his favorite area near the floor to ceiling windows. He liked looking out over the beautiful
lagoon.
“Jeez,
is it that late? Sorry, Cyril me
old mate, I lost track of the time.” Skeet stood as he spoke.
Well I am so touched that you forgot
me! Am I that unnecessary! What would it take for me to be more
memorable? Hmm? I am twenty-eight feet long. I wear my own little collection of
designer t/shirts and sun hats. My
sun glasses are Gucci, and yet I’m forgettable. Sigh! Life is
so unjust.
Skeet
hurried out to the kitchen,
returning with Cyril’s
breakfast. He threw the live
chickens one by one, and Cyril did his usual appreciative, snap--crackle and
slobber routine. He then lay
quietly drinking his gallon of beer.
Being a 28 ft long Crocodile had distinct advantages. Cyril smiled his crocodile smile and
belched loudly.
Well that is much better. You lot are my family you know. Odd—granted, you certainly are. Yet I love you all, in my own way. I mean I haven’t eaten any of you—have
I? Just isn’t done. Life is good, and the women in this
place…mmmm, makes me wish I were a frog, one kiss, and whoo-eeee! I wonder how many of my little family
know just how cute they are.
Cyril,
having drawn only the briefest acknowledgment at his presence; contented
himself by farting and snoring in harmony and stink. Life at ‘Dudes’
was—so—normal.
“Lucy,
they already know about the restrictions—no cell phones, no faxes? No television, all that sort of
stuff?” Asked, Didi with a grin on
her face.
“Yep,
they do.”
“So
I had better be prepared for a lot of withdrawal symptoms, hey, Lucy?” Said
Doc.
“Probably,
Doc.”
“When we are all relaxed and
comfortable, I’m going to open up a general question time. Anything—anything at all that might
have crossed your minds; things that we haven’t covered or you’re unsure about,
please feel free to ask--anything! If you just want to confirm something we’ve
already covered, or have a gripe about something, now is the time to do it.
Once our guests arrive I will have little or no time for a one-on-one with any
of you. So people, ask away.”
“So,
beautiful—what are you doing after work?”
Bluey, asked.
“Anything
I like, Bluey boy! But I don’t
date outside my species!” Lucy
smiled sweetly at him, daring him with a look to say more.
“Huh?”
“Precisely!”
That
shut him up--temporarily.
Cyril
belched again. That mongrel, Bluey,
better keep his hands of Lucy. I
wouldn’t need a whole lot of reasons to eat that bastard.
“So,
Lucy” Bluey said with his hands on his hips, “ Lemme get this straight all
right? This bunch of spoiled-arse whatever’s; are paying half-a-million bucks per couple, plus the same
again for each staff member they bring with them. All for the privilege of being normal human beings for one
month?” Bluey was clearly
unimpressed at this brand of stupidity. “Don’t make any damned sense to me at
all. Bunch of wimps if you ask me.”
“Bluey
… these people have so many restrictions in their lives. They can’t do normal
things that we all take for granted without a dozen camera’s following them
every inch of the way. So please lose the attitude. Okay. They are simply here
for a holiday. One we need to help them enjoy … got that?”
“Yeah,
yeah whatever.”
Lucy
chose to ignore his muttered agreement. She turned instead and directed herself
to the remaining staff.
“Okay
people. So long as we are clear on one very important point. These folks want
the freedom of going anywhere they want, without question—or paparazzi. They have gone to a great deal of
trouble to ensure the press doesn’t know where they are.” Lucy looked at the assembled faces and
continued,
“The
names you will be instructed to call them are up to them. Should they decide that they wish to be
referred to as … um… ‘Hey You!’ We
will do it. Is that very clearly
understood, everyone?”
Mutterings
of, “Yeah--no problem … gotcha, right, and … whatever!” All wafted through the air at once.
“Uh-huh—perfect—their
jaded palates and boringly perfect lives are about to get sat on their heads—I
think they might just find Australia—unforgettable.”
About The Author
Authors are meant to enjoy talking about themselves, right?
Wrong! It is so difficult to blow your own trumpet without sounding big-headed
or apologetic or both at once … “I do apologize for sounding big-headed.” You
get my drift? I can do this straight up or in my normal (Occasionally) manner.
So here we go…I have had the privilege of having 3 books
published by Taylor Street Publishing. Books one and two are biographical and
written under my pen name of Stacey Danson. ‘Empty Chairs’ and its sequel
‘Faint Echoes of Laughter’ have been well received and for that I will always
be so very grateful. They are difficult books to read, dealing as they do with
the explosive topic of Child abuse in its most horrific of forms. When I was
writing Empty Chairs I badly needed a release of some sort; somewhere I could
focus my mind apart from the memories I had to relive. ‘Dudes Down Under’ is
the result.
The book is Romantic and dare I say it very funny in an over
the top, off the wall, ‘what the hell did she just say?’ way. The characters I
loved writing. They became my friends. They gave me an avenue to explore strong
women, vulnerable men, and love with all its faults and foibles. They also
allowed me to explore comedic writing to its fullest extent.
Reviewers tell me they cried laughing at the comedy … and at
times simply cried. I have a sequel (Dudes Does Hollywood) in the planning
stages.
I have also recently completed a psychological
thriller…phew! Challenges are something I never avoid. Only time will tell if
my exploration of different genres will be successful.
Thank you so much for the wonderful presentation of my guest blog. I appreciate the time and effort you put into it.
ReplyDeleteWarm Regards from Oz.
Suzannah Burke
You're so welcome! I enjoyed hosting! :)
ReplyDelete