Fables4_A Water Ski Adventure

FABLE IV: A WATER SKI ADVENTURE

When I was a young man waterskiing was much in vogue and, since I was athletically inclined, became one of my

obsessions. In no time at all I became as adept at this sport as I had been at other sports I had undertaken. I could ski all

day, on either one or two skis, and my skills far exceeded the skills of most ordinary mortals. It was therefore natural that my

children should also excel at this sport. It is this particular talent that played a large part in the story that I am about to relate.

My son, Zachary, who was fourteen at the time, was vacationing with friends on Catalina Island, off the coast of Southern

California. Shortly before this vacation started, a large bank on the mainland was robbed and the thieves made off with over

$2,000,000. The robbers, in some miraculous fashion, disappeared completely. The police had no clue as to their

whereabouts.

On one of their outings, Zack and his friends were making a water ski circuit of the island when they observed a boat

hidden away in one of the many coves for which this island is acclaimed. With the usual curiosity of teenagers, they decided

to investigate, to see if it was someone they were acquainted with. Before they were able to close within 100 meters of the

boat a man appeared on deck with a rifle in his hand and advised them that if they came any closer they would be shot.

Rather than frightening the boys, this warning aroused their curiosity even more. They were wise enough not to challenge

the man and withdrew from the scene with haste. However, they immediately began to make plans to investigate the

situation more closely in a more clandestine manner.

Late that night Zack and Marty maneuvered their boat into a cove adjacent to the cove where they had seen the mystery

boat anchored. Here they donned scuba gear and, with the help of an underwater jet ski I had helped them build, were able

to make their way right up to the hull of the other boat. This time they were not observed and by cautiously clambering over

the side rails were able to peer through a crack in the curtain into the interior of the boat’s cabin. Inside were three tough

looking men sitting at a table. In front of each were piles of currency which they were in process of counting.

Upon seeing this, the boys made a hasty retreat to their own boat where they were able to discuss the situation and try to

make sense of what they had seen. The only conclusion they could draw was that they had, quite accidentally, stumbled upon

the bank robbers and their loot.

The next step in their discussion was what should they do about it? One option was to go back to Marty’s yacht and tell

his dad, who could then notify the police. If they were to take time to do this the crooks might sense that something was in the

wind and vanish again. No, they needed another alternative. They would need to dismantle the robbers’ boat and then notify

Marty’s dad.

Further discussion brought to light a scheme they were sure would work. Without further ado the boys took steps to

implement it. Zack retrieved a large single water ski that was always with Marty’s boat. Then, with Marty piloting the boat

and Zack towed behind, they proceeded quietly into the mouth of the cove where the other boat was anchored. Immediately

Marty threw the motor into high gear so that Zack was towed at a high speed directly toward the boat. At the last instance

Marty turned his boat away so that Zack was able to ski within a few meters of the scoundrels. This created such a huge

wave that the other boat was capsized and immediately sank.

When the police arrived a short time later Zack and Marty were circling the robbers, who were paddling in the water trying

to stay afloat.