Madam

Olivia and Jones followed Norm deeper into the Jungle. He led them to a semi opened area with many banana trees. Bananas were scattered all over the muddy ground. Norm picked one of them up and peeled it. "Here she is." He said, stuffing himself. "Where?" Olivia asked. "Right there." He replied, pointing to a nearby scarecrow. "Where?" Olivia asks again. "Right there. In the hat." Norm pointed again to the scarecrow who was indeed wearing a big, purple, Sunday hat. Olivia and Jones stood there for a moment, half expecting someone else to pop up. "You guys wanna say hello to her?" "Oh, I wouldn't know what to say." Olivia says, quietly. "Nonsense. Madam is very down to Earth." "Madam?" Jones repeats. "Yeah, that's what we call her. Don't know her real name, but she doesn't seem to mind that." "Um, I guess we could meet her." Olivia says. "Great. You're gonna need to do something for me first though." "What's that?" "I need you to put your gun to the side." He says to Jones. "I'm a solider. I can't do that." "Look, we're very peaceful. You don't want to give Madam the wrong idea. You don't want her to think you guys are hostile." "I am not hostile." Jones shouts. "Just put the gun down. You can get it later." Olivia says. Jones begrudgingly complies. "Good. Now I need you to remove this." Norm says pointing to Olivia's shield. She also complies. "And this." He continues, pointing to Olivia's third eye mask. Olivia removes the mask. She attempts to put her sugar skull mask on in its place. "No. Madam needs to see your real face." "Why?" "Just do it." Jones quips. Olivia refrains from putting the sugar skull mask back on and instead holds both masks. "Good. Now you may meet Madam." Norm says, pleasantly. The three of them walk over to the scarecrow. Norm clears his throat. "Madam, we have visitors." Norm whispers to Olivia and Jones to introduce themselves. "My name is Olivia." "And I am Private Jones." Olivia rolls her eyes at Jones' formal greeting. There is a long pause. The three of them stare into the scarecrow's button eyes. All expecting it to say something. Norm breaks the silence. "I know I have work to do. They seemed interested in meeting you." Olivia and Jones look at Norm, puzzled. "I hope you're not upset." He continues. A faint smile comes across his face. "You're not? Oh, good, because they really did want to meet you." Norm breaths a sigh of relief, and then starts to walk away. Olivia and Jones turn their attention to Norm. "Where are you going?" Olivia asks. "Back to work." "Should we come with?" Jones asks. "No. Absolutely no need. You two should stay here and chat with Madam." With that, Norm scurries out of sight leaving Olivia and Jones alone in the jungle. They both turn back around only to find the patch of Earth that Madam was sticking out of was now vacant. The scarecrow had vanished.