April 13, 1921

Yet another adventure that brought hope for a way out of the Lost World, which was then cruelly dashed. Avery Burton seemed like a trustworthy fellow at first, complimenting me on my legendary reputation as an adventurer, but I felt a nagging suspicion that he might not be all he seemed to be, when he said to Marguerite “Not even two years in the jungle can dim your beauty”. While he was right about her stunning looks, I couldn’t shake the feeling that such compliments were inappropriate after a rather short acquaintance. I called her a ‘woman of fire and steel’ weeks after we had met for the first time. Marguerite invited him to call her by her first name, which I found even more displeasing. Yes, the way off the Plateau is important, but did they have to become bosom buddies that quickly?

Speaking of bosom – he and Veronica got off to quite a bad start. I wish I had trusted her instincts about him more. A cave-in that’ll wreak havoc with my skin for weeks could have been prevented. I’ll have to get some extra aloe to soften the impact of the nasty dust on my cheeks and neck. Maybe I can get Marguerite to apply the aloe? It was her fault after all that Challenger and I were trapped. Sometimes she falls for the guilt card.  

I have to admit I was a bit put off when I found her and Malone lying next to each other in their underground prison. I couldn't refrain from making a remark about 'hoping not to interrupt something'. The journalist usually moons over Veronica all the time, but he's only a man and being in such close proximity to Marguerite could tempt the chastest saint. And Neddy-boy may be inexperienced, but he isn't a saint. Veronica told me how she found him in bed with not one, but TWO amazons!

Marguerite asked earlier whether we think that people are more interesting when they have secrets. I must say that I like to keep my quite ornate beauty regimen a secret. I remember the snickers in boarding school, when the other students saw me apply eye cream. Unusual for a 16-year old, but I know that my crow’s feet would be much worse, if I hadn’t started taking care of the sensitive skin around my eyes at such an early age. Our society often lacks understanding about the delicate position men are in. We are expected to look good, but not waste any time on beauty maintenance. The pretence that only women have to work on their appearance is ludicrous and I for one will do anything to help preserve what Mother Nature bestowed so generously on me and fight off Father Time. That’s my little secret…