Jacky Tar

^ Whole wheat, or a good sour dough!

< Never hav much time fer breakfast durin' the week; usually oatmeal, juice an out the door, then tea or coffee.

V Do ye slow down on the weekend (like sleep in) or speed up (up at the crack o' dawn)?

The inn keeper knocks on the door, an has brought the litter. I know Red Cat will protest, but she had t' let us carry her down the stairs. Wit her precious documents returned t' her, she is willin' t' suffer the indignity of bein' carried out o' the Fat Weasel.

We place the litter on the small bed, an slide Red Cat on t' the litter. The inn keeper is a stout fellow, an takes the lead down the stairs. Safely down the stairs, we load her into the back of the wagon.

The inn keeper's wife brings out two blankets, fer Red Cat. I will not forget their hospitality, an kindnesses.

^ Both, an in line wit' me, at each stop, are the same people!

< Wonder if anyone else, talks t' strangers in lines?

V Meet anyone interestin' while standin' in line?

I kiss her on the forehead, "Did ye think I was born yesterday?" I laughed, an against my better judgement I walked t' the window sill, an picked up the documents. I returned t' Red Cat's bed side, placed the wallet an scroll next t' her.

I looked out the window near her bed, "The wagon is here!" I didn't see our comrades, "Where hav Roberts, Jane an Ransom wandered off?"

"Oh no, maybe Red Cat's condition is takin' a turn fer the worst. I place the wallet an the scroll on the window sill, an rush t' her side.

I gently lift her, place her head back on the pillow, an draw a blanket over her. She's not hot, maybe she lost more blood than I thought? "Red Cat, talk t' me. I didn't mean t' tax ye." Her face is still flush, not shakin', or sweatin'. "Wait one minute..."

I wasn't expectin' that response, an said, "That doesn't answer me first question Red Cat. Whom do ye suppose put a price on yer precious head?" Time was wastin', "Ransom won't be able t' stall Roberts much longer, luv."

"I'm willin' t' accept riskin' me own skin, t' watch ye back, Red Cat. 'Fore I risk me crew or ask other companions t' stay the course, I need t' know who yer enemies be?" Men like Silas, get their marchin' orders an money from someone.

circumnavigate

(takes a long time t' encompass the world, in a tall ship.)

^ Is this an invitation t' breakfast? Eggs over easy, an Coffee, wit' half n' half, an one raw sugar. (I love a good cappuccino, but S.....ks doesn't make one.)

< Good or Bad are measured in degrees, an t' my mind both are subjective.

V Which wins, yer head or yer heart?

The pout looked genuine enough, wit' out the fat lip. But I knew the Cat still had claws, an I said, "Answer my first question, an I'll toss ye the scroll. Whom do ye suppose sent those three thugs after ye last night? Roberts said somethin' 'bout a fella named Silas." I presumed Silas were a bounty hunter.

^ Don't know, still workin' on this life.

< Don't want the here after, t' interfere wit' the here and now.

V Good pirate or Bad pirate (Is there a difference)?

I spy'd the Cat's paw movin' in my direction, inch by inch, I spun out o' the chair. I walked towards the window, furthest from where Red Cat lie.

I held the wallet in one hand, an the scroll in the other, as if I were weighin' 'em. "Which t' open first?" I said, an leaned against the sill. If Red Cat stretched her neck any further, her head might fall off, me thinks. Then I put the wallet in my pocket, an said, "Good things come in small packages, an I hav been carryin' this one the longest. So..."

I pushed me chair back, a bit, an said, "Ye don't know. But if I hav t' ask, than I haven't read it." Not sure she's buyin' wot ol' Jacky is sellin', so I said, "Course I could break the seal right now, an read it. But that might not answer me first question." And I added, "If ye lunge fer it, ye might get it an ye might not. If ye try, an open up yer side, I might be able t' find more catgut t' stitch ye back up an might not!"

Red Cat didn't hav much of a poker face, an she looked damn cute when she tried t' put one on. I had a little more t' tease her wit', an pulled her wallet from inside my coat; the very same one she was so worried 'bout, when we found her. "Course wot I really want t' open is this wallet!" A look o' panic spread across her face.

"Ransom said ye wanted t' see me?" I pulled the small scroll from me pocket, an said, "It wouldn't be 'bout this?" I was careful t' keep it out o' her reach. I searched her eyes fer any reaction, she knew I would, but I saw her eye it.

"Trade a little information fer it, mayhaps? Care t' tell me who would send three thugs, t' catch one Cat? Or, wot's on this here scroll, that ye left it wit ol' Jacky, lest someone take it from ye?

I was surprised t' see Jane, from the pub, an more surprised by her boldness. She ususally waited fer someone t' recognize her first, 'fore she spoke. I said t' her, "No hempen dances, though we did have a brush wit' some thugs last night." I studied Jane's expression, t' see if she knew more 'bout our affairs. Her expression told me she didn't, but she looked concerned. Jane wasn't the sort that went lookin' fer trouble. Truth be told I thought she'd run from it, if given the chance; but she never did run.

Our wagon would be here shortly, we had already settled wit' the inn keeper, an I just had t' attend to Red Cat. "Pardon me, but I hav t' check on Red Cat." I said, an headed back t' our room, an left Ransom t' occupy Roberts an Jane.

Red Cat had finished her tea, an present company was in better spirits, now that we'd eatin'. I peered out a window, an spy'd Roberts smokin' his pipe, an talkin' t' the smoke. The spirit in these women, too their credit, both delighted an vexed us men folk. I glanced over at Ransom, an thought, I should take up smokin'.

I took the Cat's tea cup, an said, "Let me look at those stitches, an then ye can get dressed." She pulled the covers up, an I removed the dressin' from her side. I looked her in the eye, "Ye are a very lucky lady, an it's remarkable how well this looks." The Cat had luck on her side again, no troublin' infection or pulled stitches, durin' the night.

I bandaged her back up, an loaded up the tray wit' the remains o' the breakfast. I tried t' look stern, an said, "Red Cat, don't try t' get out o' that bed wit' out help." I looked at Ransom, 'Will ye help dress her? I'm goin' t' see 'bout that wagon."

Ransom was too hungry t' notice anyone watchin' her, as she was greedily devourin' some breakfast. I smiled, "Always glad t' see a gal wit' an appetite!" Wit' that remark, she slowed the shovelin', smiled an sipped some tea.

Red Cat's appetite had returned, an she to was makin' quick work o' her mornin' repast, too. I fixed her some tea, wit cream, an two lumps o' sugar. "I better look at those stitches, after breakfast. I found a gent wit' a wagon, an we may be able t' leave here today, if yer up t' it.

Roberts was the only one whom seemed dispassionate 'bout the food. Somethin', or someone, had cut him deeper than the gash in his head. "Roberts, how's the head mate?"

zero-sum

(one man's loss is another man's gain.)

I set the tray down outside the door, an knocked lightly, incase Red Cat were still sleepin'. I heard footsteps, an Ransom's voice from behind the door. Good girl I thought, an replied, "Room service!"

The door opened a crack, an I bent over t' lift up the tray. When I stood, I found me self facin' a pistol, she said, "Yer late!" She lowered the pistol, an smiled, "What did you bring us?"

I entered the room, an placed the tray on the table. The tray had four bowls, an a pot o' porridge. Bacon an sausages, an a small cold kidney pie, a pot o' tea (English Breakfast, me thinks.). In my coat pockets, I had four fresh baked rolls, utensils, an a small crock o' marmalade.

"How's the patient," I said.

How about a deep thought.....

some people are like slinkies,

they realy don't have a purpose,

but they bring a smile to your face

when you push them down the stairs.

  :angry:  

I've had this up on my frig for almost a year. Always makes me laugh.

Note t' self: Let Ransom go ahead o' me on the stairs.

I secretly smile from under the tricorn. Sounds like everyone is comin' around, an I start t' stretch. Standin' up, I amble over t' where Ransom is standin', next t' Red Cat. I whisper, "Mornin' luv, I'm goin' downstairs t' see about some breakfast, fer everyone. An talk t' a man 'bout a wagon. Bolt the door behind me."

Ransom turns away from her vigil, an walks me t' the door. I pass into the hall, an listen fer the bolt t' slide in place.

Jacky sits takin' notes: chocolate (white, I believe), no sloppy poems, chick flicks ('Sleepless in Seattle', 'Maid in Manhatten', check... check...). Is this romance or a shoppin' list?

How 'bout openin' carriage doors, pickin' wild flowers (or Trader Joe's), an makin' dinner fer two (or reservations at Tsunami Kates)?

soyez notre invité

(be our guest, in french. so, I cheated an used babel fish. pirate!)

"Good grief, Chole! No wonder ye have a hard time sleepin'. Try a turkey sandwich and some milk."

I hear somethin', lift my tricorn, an give the room a sleepy scan.

Red Cat is restless, an I have Ransom sleepin' against me. My shoulder is achin', an I fear wakin' her if I move. I try t' move her, an she settles into a comfortable position across my lap. I caress her hair, count my blessings, an drift back t' sleep.

I turn t' Roberts, "Shall we try t' get some rest? I'll rest against the door, the sun will be up soon. Let's try t' catch a few winks." I sink down against the door, an set my pistol by my side. Everyone, seems ready t' sleep. Tiltin' my tricorn over my eyes, I slip in t' much needed slumber.