"How'ss Norringtion been anywaysss, the only man ever dubbed Incorruptible, that managed to keep it that way… "

"Don't get me started Becca! He's a man who seemss like sssomeone shoved a hot poker up his…"

"Jack," Rebecca said cutting him off, "what'sss his firsst name?"

"I believe its Thomass, why?" Jack looked out from under his hat. Black eyes peered over a bottle.

A slow grin passed Rebecca's features, "Juss' curious. It'ss time for you to sslip into your bonny new outfit." A very strange glint slipped into Rebecca's eyes.

"You can't mean what I think you mean." Jack clung very tightly to his rum.

"Can't I?"



"My boy, I see you have done quite well for yourself," A man clothed in a battered black coat edged near the governor's estate, "Settled down at the ripe old age of twenty-five, huh, it's almost enough to make you sick."

"Stop there sir, no citizens allowed, unless, o'course you have an appointment," A chipper soldier in a crisp red uniform suddenly blocked his path.

"If I see any, I'll tell you," The man started passed, a second soldier in the same uniform, but looking quite worldlier then blocked his path.

"Sir, you can't come in unless you have an appointment."

"Oh, you shouldn't be callin' a lowly man like me, 'sir.' However on the matter of appointments and all…That's why I'm here, so I can schedule one, so I can come back later, to speak of the matter which I came here to discuss."

"Oh oka—" The first soldier started.

"He can't come unless he has an appointment, now." The second soldier turned to face his partner.

"But, how can he get an appointment if can't come in?"

"That's the whole point, see, the guvn'r don't want no visitors till he gets back."

"Well, if the guvn'r ain't here, how can anyone see him?"

"They can't! Now then, sir if you could just….Damn it not again!" The two soldiers turned and ran towards the estate, shouting and waving there muskets and drawing attention to the front of the mansion.

"I tole them not to go on callin' me sir, 't isn't proper. Bright lads though, they may go far," He emerged out from behind a bush, "The front door's too good for the likes 'o me, anyways."

The stranger then headed straight for the back of the manor.



"I've not had enough rum for this," Jack nearly had the bottle to his lips when Rebecca snatched it right out of his hands.

"A Lady should never drink such strong vile liquor, it isn't proper."

"You give that back," Jack pointed a gloved and laced finger at Rebecca, "I think this is of extreme emergency, I'm nearly sober and…well look!"

Jack was covered in lace from his hat to his feet, it was snow white and the hem was threaded with blue silk, one could not see his face because lace was delicately veiled over his hat, which was so covered in feathers and sequence it was impossible to discern the worn hat of Jack.

"You're very pretty."

"Die wench!" Jack lunged at Rebecca, she sidestepped him, and he catapulted straight into the wall.

"Fire and Brimstone! You poor dear, injured like that! That filthy pirate marring you up like that, he will pay!" Rebecca whirled on Jack, "You'll be paying for damages in blood."

"What! I nearly die from a concussion, and you are livid about a little scratch on your wall? Mate, that is bad form that is. Besides, you wouldn't want to ruin your only dress would you?

"Where'd you get this anyway? I may have to get one for Clarice. As a 'I hope you won't kill me' gift. But, it sort of looks like a wedding dress, only the hem is blue, and the train seems to be missing."

"Reminds you somewhat of Port Santia, don't it?"

"Wha..."

"Don't you remember? When you were so blithering drunk that you…"

"Oh, yeah, it does that, but now you won't let me touch the ale, and there doesn't seem to be any fishing nets around."

"You ass, get over--"

Land ho!

"Well, looks like the old gang, might get together after all."

"Except for poor Tomcat Fisher."

"Yeah….of course…not him."