The Hat Story
"What shall it be today, gents?" Mullroy asked amiably perching himself on a barrel next to Murtogg. "Being marooned on an island?"
"We did fight skeletal pirates-caught them too-"Murtogg added setting his tin plate aside. Mullroy nodded and added, "Immortal skeletal pirates."
That was their cue, every day after sunset when the lanterns were lit, the food tossed over the railing, the watch changed, they would suggest a story. Or rather a number of stories for at least half an hour before finally deciding on the first one mentioned. Ah a pirate crew, especially a fictional one that I've thought up, trying to figure them out is like trying to put a coconut into a peanut butter jar.
"How 'bouts a ghost story?"
"No, legend of Cortez and Aztec gold!"
"Morgan! The pirate brethren!"
"Sea monsters!"
"Sirens prettier than gold."
"No one of gold!"
The door to the captain's quarters (that were at the moment occupied by a man who was unrightfully captain of the legendary ship) swung open. Snaffoam and Snivels stepped out, and crossed the main deck to where the suggestions were being made.
"The hat story."
"Cap'n! Sorry gents, Captain's privilege. Shall you start it Mur-Muddog?"
"Ah, the hat story. It's about this one here,"Murtogg removed his har in dramatic fashion waving it about, "See it? Go on, take a good look, pass it around." He tossed it to one of the listeners. They looked at it then passed it down.
"Has everyone had a good look?"
Snivels sniffed, then huffed tiredly, "How can we not with you banishing it around like a-a puppy, a silly puppy!"
"I like puppies, cute things. Oh, Mully remember the ones we found at the-"
"Hat story, Muddy." Mullroy hinted helpfully. Murtogg turned away from his audience to look at him."Who's Muddy?"
"Joe…"
"Who…that's me! Isn't it?"
"Hat story."
"Oh, sorry." He turned back to the hat examining pirate audience. "Seen it? What sort of hat is it?"
"A tricornered one."
"Black."
"Old and worn."
Murtogg nodded at their descriptions, "Ev'ryday sort of thing wouldn't you say?"
"Aye Muddog, that we would."
" Notice anything?" The current hat holder squinted at it, turned it inside out then right side out, everyone was gathered around it. It was sight, a bit strange really, grown men, pirates huddled around an ol' hat as if it were a treasure.
"There's a tear," noted one. "Should we notice anything else?"
"Nope." Murtogg said flatly, shaking his head. Mullroy smiled knowing what was coming.
"Then what are we looking for?"
"Nothing at all." smiled Murtogg.
"Then, why are we looking at it."
"Because it doesn't look like anything.That's why."
"I don't get it."
"It doesn't look it, but it is. It saved my life…"