Meryl pulled a last wavy black strand of hair back into the beaded tress lacing and surveyed herself in the mirror. She had taken extra time to get ready tonight. And all the while Jack had been in her thoughts. When she crossed the road from her apartment to the tavern, she was extra careful not to get her shoes dirty. She ducked through the doorway and into the bar, looking around for Jack.

" 'scuse me." She turned around to see an old man with rum-stained clothes and a scruffy beard. "How much be yer service tonight, missy?"

Meryl frowned. "I'm not providing services tonight, good sir." She said as politely as she could.

"What you mean, poppet?" He spat. "I've hired you afore and you could use the money, so I hear."

"I'm sorry." Meryl replied, taking a timid step backward. "I'm not working tonight. I'm waiting for someone."

"Like hell you are!" He yelled, spraying her with spit and spilling his drink on the floor. "You've been in here every night since hell can remember and you 'spect me to believe your-"

"What's all this then, aye?" Jacks voice interrupted him. Meryl breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of him. "Son," Jack continued patronizingly. "If the lady says she aint gonna work, then she aint gonna work. Savvy?"

The man grunted and walked away. Meryl suddenly became aware that half the bar was now watching the scene. Jack leaned close to her and whispered in her ear under the pretence of caressing her cheek with his lips. "Come with me, luv." She followed him out of the saloon, across the street and down a back alley. Normally these places were totally off-limits, but with this roughish pirate to defend her, she felt perfectly safe.

"I see you've made yourself some regular customers, aye?" He laughed.

Meryl smiled back. "Thanks for bailing me out back there. I owe you."

"Well now's your chance to repay me." He said intriguingly. Your line of work… you must be pretty good at acting, aye?"

Meryl giggled. "What are you implying, Captain?"

Jack raised his hands dramatically. "Do you think you could impersonate a British noblewoman, sail under ghastly bad conditions but in the finest ship in the Caribbean and otherwise sacrifice your entire establishment of being?"

Meryl stood shocked for a moment. "Well I…" She stammered. Could she? Could a girl raised around drunkards and prostitutes really pass for nobility? "I suppose I could…"

Jack slid his arms around her waist. "What do you charge, then?" He asked with a smile.

Meryl smiled back. "Two shillings a day. Plus board." She paused. "Your plan- details, Jack."

"Right." He released her awkwardly. "A few weeks ago I happened upon the vessel of Isabella Armeitis."

Meryl gasped. Rumour had it that Isabella, who had been sailing to Port Crowne for her arranged marriage, had been attacked or otherwise delayed by storm.

"So," Jack continued. "As it turns out, miss Armeitis was more devious than meets the eye. She happened to escape, alone, in a bloody rowboat. It'll be weeks before her dear fiancé hears news of her escape, so I thought I'd cash meself in on a few pretty coins, aye?"

Meryl frowned. "So you want me to pretend I'm Isabella just so you can cash in on the ransom of someone who you don't even have captive anyways?"

Jack nodded, wondering if he was in for another slap in the face, a reaction he had become quite accustomed to. "Well?" He prompted, unable to read the expression on her face.

"I'll do it." Meryl said. "But on one condition; you have to guarantee my safety."

Jack smiled, revealing his many gold teeth. "Now there's a condition well worth bartering, luv. Done deal."

They shook hands, Meryl noticing Jack's slight obsession with pewter rings, Jack noticing Meryl's long, dainty fingers.

"Now," Meryl said, "how much pretending is involved here? Am I just Isabella when you ransom me, or will the crew be fooled too?"

Jack paused thoughtfully, his charcoal-lined eyes flashing with inspiration. "Best keep things on a need-to-know basis. You'll be Isabella to the crew as well."

"Then I'm charging you extra." Meryl said with a smile. "Five shillings a day."

"Three."

"Four, then." She conceded.

"Done." Again they shook hands.

"Well," said Meryl, " I have lodging at the Moors boarding house. Ask Mr. Peter Parol, he'll show you to my room. I'll be ready to leave with a few minutes notice."

Jack smiled. "I'll be by for you tomorrow. Goodnight, luv." He strode from the alleyway and disappeared into the black Tortuga night. Meryl quickly fled the premises. Dark alleys were not fitting places for young girls to lurk at night. Too many gents just couldn't be trusted.