A Captains life (Story one .1)

[Rosebud]

Johnathon Crain sat behind his large oaken desk attaching his signature to various papers and breaking only to drink from a glass of Coutanseaux cognac 1767 lifted to his lips by his heavily bandaged right hand. A new crate had arrived from France aboard his ship, the Ricki Tiki. He had ordered five, but that arse of a captain drank two on the voyage over and thrown two others overboard following their dispute on the docks. A large bandage covered the right side of his face, hiding the 22 stiches needed to repair his lacerated cheek. The paperwork had to be done and the Cognac had to be consumed to complete it. He was of dower disposition when the door opened and his man servant peeked in.

 

Without entering the room fully the servant said “Begging your pardon sir, a Captain Dupree is here per your request.”

 

“”Make him wait 20 minutes and then send him in Arthur” Crain ordered through clinched teeth without lifting his head. The pain of any attempt he made to speak reminding him of that very embarrassing day. He was undecided about his late captain’s replacement and this Dupree character seemed to fit the bill. None the less, due diligence was required and Crain had made inquiries. As it turned out Dupree received a mixed bag of reviews, ranging from highly recommended to criminally insane. Crain felt he owed the man at the very least an interview; after all he had saved his dignity and probably his life on that dock. “What the hell was I thinking?” he thought to himself. He reached for another drink with his bandaged hand and sipped it tenderly.

 

When the door opened twenty minutes later Dupree entered confidently. He was tall and lean sporting a short beard and ear ring. His manner was calm as he stood before Crain’s desk waiting to be acknowledged. He had played this game many times before. There was a long deliberately awkward pause before Crain spoke.

 

“There are many here that don’t like you captain.” Crain paused waiting to see if the man before him was easily provoked. Without perceiving any change in Dupree’s demeanor he continued, “and many who find you an able captain.” Again he waited, but Dupree offered no statement. “Would you like a drink captain? I have a fine Coutanseaux 67…newly arrived. A rare treat as I have only one case left.”

 

“Two…sir”

 

“Excuse me?” Crain said a little confused.

 

“Two sir…you have two. I had one of the crew recover the crates that your former captain had deep sixed. Unfortunately only one was secured”…he lied. A sailor had recovered both crates and Dupree as ‘temporary and personally appointed captain,’ gave six of the bottles to the crew and kept the rest for himself. “I turned the one we recovered over to you servant when I arrived.”

 

Crain was inwardly impressed as he poured a glass for Dupree. One of his spy’s on the Ricki Tiki had told him the whole story. He had told Crain about Dupree taking charge of the offload, about the crates that were recovered and the bottles of very expense Cognac being dispersed to the crew. Crain was no fool and could see that Dupree was none either. Only a man too fearful of consequences takes nothing for himself in such a circumstance. Something in Dupree’s carriage was compelling to Crain. There was a measure of worry in any decision and Dupree certainly came with some. The conversation would not last much longer as the pain of talking limited Crain’s inquiries. He needed a captain for the Ricki Tiki and in that moment he made up his mind. It came down to gut reactions and Crain felt confident he had found his new captain. He also made a mental note to check to make sure Arthur reported the return of his booze.