Thomas Neede

The morning had risen early to wake Thomas in his new tavern. He washed his face quickly in a small basin of lukewarm water. Dressing, he made his way downstairs to just catch the sun growing above the harbor. This was the first time he was able to view the pub in daylight. Dust had settled on many upended chairs and tables, and quite frankly for his price he had purchased, he was not pleased with the Governor's agent. A wry thought crossed Thomas' mind. He opted to persue it instead of readying the tavern for business. "Soon enough," he told himself.

"Sully, sah." The boy replied. "Pardon?" Thomas quieried. "Me name sah, is Edward, but I'm known by Sully." "Very well Sully." Thomas, Sully, and the driver had left the Customs House and headed back towards the docks. Turning north towards Fort James, they passed the King's Warehouse and soon found themselves on Cannon Street along the docks. The lanterns had been lit amongst the merchants and privateers in the harbor, and Thomas was doing his best to try and pick each out. The pass the Admiralty Court in a matter of several moments and Sully pointed this out to Thomas. He tells of the lashings that occur frequently along the dock, and shows the posts where the offenders are most often tied. "Here we are sah," said Sully as he climbed out. Thomas stood for a moment as Sully and the driver unloaded Thomas's things. The building was different from most of those Thomas had seen in the daylight. While most buildings were tall and narrow, his new tavern was shorter than the surrounding buildings but held a broad open porch before you entered. A large double door with heavy hinges was framed on either side by several large windows. Thomas turned his back to the pub to see his view. He looked north to see several ships riding at anchor is the easy night air. "This will do nicely," he whispered to himself.

Thank you sir. Most helpful indeed.

Questions: In regards to the map shown on page 1 of the thread, what are the "turtle crawles" found on the western end of town? Secondly are any of the other streets named? I know many are (and labeled as such). For instance, what street is St. Paul's Church found on? Thanks

Thomas continued the transaction with polite small talk. All cards were dealt and the Governor's hand was showing. Papers and signatures were transferred, and keys were delivered. With the hearted showing of a deal done, a small pipe of tobacco was procurred from the Agent's desk. Glasses were filled and raised once again to the agreement. All the while, Thomas knew he was standing to make quite a bit of money. Keep the Governour happy, and his pockets fat, and the less he would see of the man. Thomas's belongings were already packed onto a carriage awaiting delivery to his tavern. Robert and Thomas spoke a moment longer and Robert gave directions to Thomas as well as his driver. Robert called aloud for a young runner to go along with Thomas to help him unpack and show him around the city. Handshakes and a sly wink from the Agent sent Thomas on his way. "Bloody politics", Thomas mumbled as he stepped out of the office. "Pahdon sah?" said the young boy. "No matter. What's your name boy?" "Edward, sah. Edward Sullivan." "Very well Edward. Takes us to the Pub." Thomas handed an address to Edward who lept to the driver's seat and handed the driver the note.

In my persona as Captain P.E.W. stated, I'd have to say Donald Pleasance or Wilford Brimley. In real life, Vince Vaughn would probably play me.

So sorry Captain. The charters have picked up here at the harbor. We've been fishing alot lately.

^ Trying to hired on as a mate this summer. < Ready for summer! V What was your best summer job?

Thomas and Robert walked from the docks and into the throng along Queen Street. Mister Dollingsworth walked Thomas into the Customs house for some brief papaerwork and a few signatures. The carriage had arrived previously and Thomas's things were set neatly outside the doorway. Two of the servants to the agent hurriedly carried Thomas's chests into a back room. Robert welcomed Thomas into his office and offered him a seat. A small drink was offered to Thomas. The vintage was newer as was the taste. "Interesting flavor Robert, a local brand perhaps?" "Of course Thomas," said the accountant, "saves us on export taxes." Thomas grew a questioned look. "You make yourselves pay an export tax?" Robert Dollingsworth smiled and finished his crystal goblet, refilling it and offering the bottle to Thomas. "We, my friend, do not pay. But most merchants are not so lucky." "We?" Thomas asked. Robert pulled a chair from the wall and sat close to Thomas. He explained a certain situation whereby he owned a distillery just outside of Port Royal. Robert had contracted through some willing privateers to negotiate his goods through some of the other merchants throughout the Caribbean. "Many smaller islands do not have the capabilities to distill the amount of rum we can. It is in their best interest to partake in our wares." Robert winked. He stood and withdrew a contract from a locked chest behind his desk. He handed it to Thomas and then he read over the names of the ship Captains. "I have heard those names muttered in various circles." Thomas looked over the rims of his glasses, "dare I mention those said circles." "I know them as well as you," Robert replied. "Pardon?" Thomas interrupted, now insulted. Robert sensed this. "No neede to be insulted Thomas, I have heard rumors of your own backing my friend. Men of our stature, are not often placed into their situations unless by their own means. Am I correct sir?" Thomas nodded slowly. "I can understand your argument, if that's what you mean." Robert returned to the chair. He crossed his legs and leaned in towards Thomas. "We can make quite alot of money, you and I Mister Neede."

Thomas arrived at the wharf with a thud as the bow hit the dock. A man wearing a long wig accompanied by a soldier stood near and offered his hand as Thomas rose from the boat. "Mister Thomas Neede I presume," said the agent. Thomas brushed his hand quickly on his trousers and completed the salutation. "Yes, Mister Dollingsworth is it?" Thomas now stood on the dock and found he was nearly the same height as the accountant to the governor. They shook hands briefly and waited as the crew from the Penance loaded Neede's chests onto the pier. "How are things in the Colonies Mister Neede?" asked Robert Dollingsworth. Robert's family was due to arrive in port in a fortnight from Charleston. "Please, call me Thomas. You and I shall know much of each other Robert, in the coming months." Thomas adjusted his glasses as the last of his chests were removed from the longboat. "Things are well in the colonies," Thomas padded the coin purse tied to his trousers. They spoke of politics and wealth and all things business. Robert Dollingsworth leaned to the guard and told him to fetch the carriage driver and to have Mister Neede's things brought to his office. As they strolled from the docks, Robert and Thomas walked through the streets of Port Royal, Jamaica.

The morning arrived with a fleck of light passing through the tiny window in the Quartermaster's cabin Thomas Neede shared. He had made plans to meet the Governor's agent by mid-day, and hoped that the Captain's longboat would be sufficient for his trip ashore. Thomas had just finished dressing when there was a knock at the door. One of the crew had come to collect his chest and other goods that had been stowed aboard. Thomas placed his glasses on his nose and drug one of the chests to the door, while another man grabbed the second himself. The sun shone so fierce over the harbor so soon that Thomas needed to shade his eyes. He looked to the stern and saw the Captain standing on the Quarterdeck. "Mornin' Mister Neede, ready to go ashore?" "Aye Captain," said Thomas. "Ready indeed." The longboat had been tied to the chains overnight. He looked overboard and saw his belongings and a few men in the boat. The Captain made his way down the short staircase and shook hands with Thomas. A few words of thanks were spoken and Thomas offered payment for his passage. The Captain pocketed the coins and smiled. Thomas made his way slowly over the railing and down the rope ladder. Within minutes the stout boat was being rowed to the wharf at Port Royal.

Thomas made his way back to his cabin. The next hour or so he spent keeping his numbers correct in the estimates for what he would need one he reaches the agent’s office. The wealthy businessman yawned and removed his glasses. He gathered his things for the final time and locked them away in the chest. The flask had peeked out from under his folded coat and happily indulged. Returning the silver bottle to it’s home, he locked the chest for tomorrow’s journey. He dampened the lantern’s wick burning at the desk. Removing his clothes of the day, he pulled on his night shirt and spread his hammock. Even in the protected harbor of Port Royal, the ship was still rocked gently in the night.

Pardon for continuing questions, what time of night is it? Is it night, correct? (By reading those posts prior to my first I took it as such.)

Dinner continued in the Captain's quarters after several other men joined around the table. A Quartermaster and Captain from a nearby trader were welcomed aboard as they also had just arrived in port. Soon, the wine was flowing as was the cook's plates of late supper. Stories of old and new were supplanted as each man imbibed more and more. Excusing himself from the table after another round of tales, Thomas made his way to the main deck and looked up. Several stars shone bright in the night sky and a few were even trailing after each other. He removed his small pipe and packed it with two fingers of tobacco fresh from the colonies. Mister Neede inhaled deeply catching the wind just blowing off the sea. Lighting the pipe from a Seaman who was securing the longboat, he puffed gently to watch the amber coals glow. He paced about the deck wondering the best price to offer the Governor's agent for the inn. He had more than enough to buy several Alehouses or Inns located within Port Royal, so price was not the matter, but the least amount was. He had not made a small forutne by simply paying the cost. Thomas Neede had never payed the price offered. The Company had been good to him, he smiled, perhaps far too good for him. He padded the coin purse he kept on him and felt for the key to the second sea chest that remained in the cabin. Satisfied, he returned to the rail and watched the lights in Port Royal.

Thank you for the kind words False Ransom. I do have a "period" question: When I finally come ashore, whom would I see about buying and Inn or Tavern?

"BEST BOWER AWAY!!" cried the Bo'son. Seconds later, a loud splash echoed in the darkness of the harbor. A scurry of activity could be heard in the rigging above with the men furling the sails. The Captain made his way onto the quarterdeck and watched the activity aboard in the dim light of the lanterns posted about the ship. "Tis a late hour Mister Neede, will you be staying aboard this evening?" asked the Captain. The man reflected a moment and then considered the offer. "The cook will have us a late supper with some of our finest spirits." "Very well," smiled Thomas, "A plate of victuals and a fine cognac might be what I need to finish my papers." Thomas padded his logs and papers with his free hand. "Good then, Mister Willams will see to your things if you would care to join me in the main cabin at, say, the next bell." Thomas nodded and handed his notes to the cabin boy. Thomas Neede went below to his shared cabin and refreshed himself with a splash of fresh water to his face and new clothing. Neatly tucking his things away in his sea chest, he removed a small silver flask he had obtained from India. Stamped into the body of the flask was "B.E.I.C.". He ran his hand over the impressed letters and unscrewed the cap. One one motion, he turned the small metal bottle up and emptied it's contents into his belly. He widened his eyes for the moment and then let the warmth overtake his being. He replaced the cap and slid the flask between the folds of his frockcoat in his chest. As he latched the lid closed, the bells tolled from the deck above.

Thank you.

Thomas Neede 33 years old, 5'7", 212 pounds, balding, pudgy, wears small glasses on the end of his nose, honest, to a point. Based in London, he is an accountant to the British East India Company. Well traveled, Thomas has spent the last 10 years of his life keeping the books for the B.E.I.C. He has lived out those last years in India, moving constantly between the cities and walled fortresses of Bombay and Calcutta. Working under the master merchant Andrew Befarge, Thomas was mainly in charge of the imports from the South China Sea, being mainly tea and silks. He since has created a small business of his own importing the goods from China and selling them to several merchants in the Colonies for a lesser price than they can ever get through the Company. Only when he was discovered cheating the Company, did he decide to take his small fortune and one final trip to the colonies. It was there he booked passage to Jamaica to start anew.

I've taken the first step and dove in. Hopefully I can help add to the town.

"LAND HO!!", cried the lookout from the top of the mast. Thomas looked up from his papers under the shaded lantern of the main deck and could see the lights among the hills of Port Royal, Jamaica. The Captain made his way from his cabin onto the main deck and looked ahead. "A fine night to make sail. What do you think Mister Neede?" "Yes Captain," said the rotund businessman,"a very beautiful night." Thomas neede drank from a mug and put his head back into his notes. The Captain looked over Thomas Neede's papers and ledgers. "A might bit of work for you at this hour sir?" "Yes, Captain. I have a meeting at first light. I must get my records in order," said Thomas. "Very well," said the Captain, "do not let me disturb you." "No sir, not at all," replied Thomas. The Captain nodded and spoke pleasantries with the man for several minutes until he excused himself to ready the ship for arrival. Thomas arranged his papers and ledgers and went below to his cabin he shared with the Quartemaster. The voyage from Boston had been uneventful, save for a minor squall they encountered off of Bermuda. A hold full of goods from the Colonies was bound to make the Captain and Proprietor of the ship quite a bit of coin. Thomas also saw the opportunites in the Caribbean to make a fortune of his own.

Might there be room for a simple barkeep within your yarn Captain Sterling?

Being new myself, a most hearty welcome to you.

250 pages is a bit to sift through sir. It has to be the world's largest menu. I now must find myself some true vittles, to dissuade the rhum punch from revealing itself again. Delicious.

You are very welcome good sir. A refreshing beverage for you perhaps? I will have to ply my wares before I can strike out on my own. Maybe a sip from my own special blend in me flask?

Aye, Blackjohn. The Grist Mill is still in operation during the summer. Across from the fire department and Brown's little grocery store. We're around the corner, right off Gov. Bridge Rd. Eerie eh? Do tell. In the meantime, one hot buttered rum, right away.