The Naked Jungle

That's a Siji bird.

Kind of rare.

You usually don't see them

this far down the river.

- Something must have scared it.

- Us, perhaps.

No, they are used to my boat.

Although the jungle doesn't often

see someone as pretty as you.

Are you flirting with me, captain?

Wouldn't dare, Mrs. Leiningen.

Very tough man, your husband.

I haven't had a chance

to ask you before,

but how well do you know

Mr. Leiningen?

I brought him upriver on this

same boat, about 15 years ago.

1886. July '86.

What kind of man is he?

I beg your pardon?

What is Mr. Leiningen like?

I thought you were his wife,

Mrs. Leiningen.

I am. But I've never seen him.

You've never seen your husband?

I know it's not polite to ask

questions, and I won't,

so I better get back to my work

before I can't stand it.

The captain's confused.

I've been asking questions

about my husband

and now it's your turn.

We're getting close

to your husband's land.

It begins just beyond that next bend.

I'd better start getting

my things together.

There's no hurry.

We won't reach his dock

until tomorrow.

- Is it that large?

- There's more to it than size.

This is another world,

Mrs. Leiningen.

Beyond that next bend, your husband

has more power than a king.

You know about me, don't you?

You haven't mentioned it

the whole trip,

but I think you know all about me.

Your name was Joanna Selby.

You're 25 years old.

You come from New Orleans.

You married Mr. Leiningen by proxy.

- You've never seen each other...

- Oh, you know a great deal.

When your part of the marriage

ceremony was performed,

Mr. Leiningen's brother

acted in his place.

When the marriage by proxy

was performed here,

I took your place.

I was very good.

I also performed the ceremony.

Well, you're almost one of the family.

Well, as commissioner

of this area for my government,

I have to know everything.

And besides,

I'm what you call nosy.

Will you be stopping off

at my husband's place?

No.

No, I have business

further upriver I cannot delay.

- A little while ago a bird flew over us.

- Yes, I saw it.

There have been

many such birds lately.

My government wants to know

all about these birds.

Sounds very mysterious.

I hope it remains so, only a mystery.

At any rate, after tomorrow,

I will not see you again for a while.

But I wish you much joy of

our marriage to Mr. Leiningen.

Thank you. But you still haven't

told me anything about him, you know.

In a few days,

on my way downriver,

I will stop and visit you.

By then you'll know more

about Leiningen than I do.

Mr. Leiningen will probably

be here soon.

- Well, goodbye.

- Goodbye.

Thank you.

Ma'am...

...you are very welcome here.

We are very glad you're come.

We hope to be very much

in love with you

and you be much in love with us.

We think you're very pretty.

My name is Incacha.

I'm Mr. Leiningen's

number one man.

Whatever you wish,

it is me you will ask...

Well, where is Mr. Leiningen?

Whatever you wish, it is me

you will ask. I will see it is done.

- But... But where is Mr. Leiningen?

- I am Incacha.

I'm Mr. Leiningen's

number one man.

And I'm Mr. Leiningen's

number one wife.

I expected him to meet me here.

- Where is he?

- Ma'am, he's...

He's coming from the jungle.

He's very dirty.

He does not wish to see you

like a dirty man.

Please.

You will come?

Thank you.

His name Mayi.

You want him?

- What about his family?

- Oh, they glad to lose boy.

Make plenty.

Mayi.

Up.

Boys, unload the things.

Give him a bath.

We give him a bath.

We give him two baths.

Your servants, madam.

Zala, your number one girl.

- Do you speak English, Zala?

- Yes, ma'am.

I hope you and I are going to be

very good friends, Zala.

Yes, ma'am.

What was Mr. Leiningen

doing in the jungle?

Yes, ma'am.

- Is that all the English you know?

- Yes, ma'am.

Beautiful! I like these clothes.

Take them away!

Let us go.

Let us go. Let us go!

- Mr. Leiningen?

- Yes, ma'am.

We will keep them here tonight.

No. They must go back to

the village house.

It is tribal law. It is tribal law!

Take them away.

- Leiningen, madam.

- I'll be right out.

You're not dressed, madam.

- I should come back another time.

- I'm not undressed.

And we are married.

- Madam...

- My name is Joanna.

I know that, madam.

Leave something on me.

I'm getting chilly.

You have a sense of humor.

I don't like humor in a woman.

- It's been my...

- I'm just trying to be friendly.

And you interrupt.

- You don't like being interrupted?

- No.

But never mind.

You'll get used to me.

I hope so.

Frankly, you're not what I expected.

Am I worse or better?

Just...more.

More than I expected.

I think if I study that a while,

it might turn out to be a compliment.

Are you making fun of me, madam?

I'm sorry.

I know this must be

as difficult for you as it is for me.

We haven't made

a very good start, have we?

No.

But then, I might not be

what you expected.

A little dirty. Uncouth, perhaps.

Not quite the gentleman

you might have pictured.

I hope we're not going to quarrel.

I am your wife.

And I intend to fulfill

all my marital obligations

as happily as I may.

I want to please you.

- May I speak very frankly, madam?

- Please do.

You know my situation here.

This plantation is a long way

from civilization.

I could not leave it to find a wife,

but I wanted a wife.

Your brother explained

all that to me.

You want children.

So do I.

You're very...

- Bold?

- Never mind.

What I want to say is this:

Our contract, marriage by proxy,

is not an uncommon way

to get a wife in the jungle.

Only you are uncommon.

How did my brother find you?

He advertised.

In the New Orleans papers.

You'll be flattered to know

there were nearly 50 applications.

- He picked you.

- Not exactly.

I didn't apply.

You see, I've known your brother

for many years.

He asked me to read the applications

and help him choose a wife for you.

I became interested,

finally decided I'd be much better

for you than anyone else.

Your brother didn't agree with me,

but I managed to convince him.

It wasn't easy.

Very stubborn man, your brother.

You might not believe that.

It runs in the family.

Really?

I know why my brother picked you.

But what made you decide

to marry a man you'd never met?

I think it was your letters

that decided me.

Your letters to your brother.

I could tell how lonely you were.

I knew you needed me.

I don't need anyone.

Not even for children?

I suppose I'm to consider myself

fortunate you came down here.

Perhaps not right now,

but when you know me better,

you will.

Perhaps when you know me better,

you won't care to stay.

If I had thought there'd be

any doubt about it,

I would never have left

New Orleans.

You're here and you're welcome.

We do things by schedule

in the tropics.

We eat early, we go to bed early.

Dinner's at 7.

What time is bedtime?

Whenever you wish, madam.

I wouldn't want to upset

your schedule.

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