Picture Drabble for Ell

[dwgm]

Quite a while back I did that Picture Drabble Meme and shrieking_ell requested a drabble featuring Jack to go with this picture...



...and here it is, finally, with apologies to Jack London:

~ The One That Got Away ~

The peg-legged tavern keeper came to clear the table, and Jack, though somewhat distracted by the assets of the wench seated upon his knee, addressed him as good manners dictated.

“Thanks, Sharkbait. Much obliged.”

“’ow’d you get the name, Sharkbait?” the wench made bold to ask. “Was it a shark as got your leg, then?”

“Aye,” said Sharkbait, cheerfully. “Years ago it were, when I sailed with the Chimera, fellas accused me o’ stealin’ – though it were a damned lie, weren’t it? -- pardon me French. Sentenced to be hauled: drug behind the ship a ways. Came close to drownin’, an’ then a shark was a-comin’ so they pulled me in quick-like, but not quick enough. Bugger snapped me leg right off at the knee.” Sharkbait snapped his own teeth together and made a fierce swallowing sound, then grinned at the wench, who was now wide-eyed and decidedly green about the gills.

“You’re alive to tell of it, though,” Jack observed.

“That I am, Captain. An’ happy to be here, too. Another mug fer you an’ the lady?”

“What do you think, darlin’?” asked Jack, giving the trim waist a squeeze. “You’re lookin’ a mite peeked.”

“I… I think I could use a drink.”

“That’s the spirit! Another round for me an’ the lady.”

“Comin’ right up,” said Sharkbait, and added as he stumped away, “Funny how that story brings out the thirst in folks.”


~.~

Comments

[hendercats.livejournal.com]

Sharkbait - oh what a wonderful name, I just love it! And the character is marvelous, as yours always are: Sharkbait snapped his own teeth together and made a fierce swallowing sound, then grinned at the wench Whee hee!!

Contrary to recent lengthy absence, I have not fallen off the edge of the earth (nor been eaten by sharks). New job is busy! Perhaps this is because predecessor was an extremely disorganized soul. Am curious - you are in a school office, the principal's secretary, yes? That's what I'm doing, but at an elementary school. The way our county is set up, that means I'm the finance person - and the one responsible for ordering all the textbooks, supplies, furniture, and everything else you could think of. So school starts in two weeks and I'm still playing catch up (sigh).

Actually have a tiny fic to post (hopefully tomorrow a.m.), but also had an idea that I'm uncertain whether it's worth pursuing - care to take a gander?

Need to start catching up on all that good fic I've missed!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Wheeeee! We are fellow Office Managers!!! That is so cool! I've worked with budgets for years, but we finally did a little restructuring and now have another secretary doing that, praise God. I was never trained in accounting, and was basically faking it for about seven years. I much prefer all the graphic design projects I do for the school.

I was really thinking about you the last few days, wondering if RL would slow down enough for you to participate again. I would LOVE to read your story -- send it along! I'll look at it tonight!

Glad you enjoyed Sharkbait and his horrid little story. *G*