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21
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After leaving newlyweds, Will and Elizabeth, to live in their grand new house in 'Gay Paris', bidding their goodbyes and making fake promises that they would visit soon, Jack set the Black Pearl to the sea once again. Following Erik's heartache, he wanted to do something for him that would cheer him up. And what better place to go to cheer a man up than the wonderful little island of Tortuga?
Erik spent the entirety of the sail to Tortuga tucked away in the dark innards of the ship. Some days he would sit in front of his organ, his hands over the keys all set to compose, but nothing would come to him. He was too depressed even for his music.
After many days on the open waters, the Pearl finally reached the docks of Tortuga and the anchor was dropped. All those days, Jack had not dared to bother Erik during his time of mourning, but now that they were there, he decided to pay a visit to the man. Descending slowly down the dark stairwell, the boards of wood which were the steps, creaking under his weight, he reached the bottom. He stood in the lair, looking around for any sign of Erik.
The first thing that caught his sight were the eyes. He could recognize that unique fiery stare from miles away now. "Erik, come on, man. You've been in here for days. Come out of there so we can talk," He called into the darkness, focusing on the two red circles.
The red eyes blinked and turned back to their normal shade. A menacing shadow suddenly began to moved forward through the darkness. Jack took a step back, watching it grow closer. Then it stepped into a lighter area of the lair and he saw Erik. "What do you want?" He asked in a dispirited voice.
"Well, we've just arrived on an island I like very much and it would make me very happy if you could come out and take a little look around. Might even give you a little kick."
Erik shook his head. "I can't. I'm busy."
Jack looked around, trying to figure out what Erik could possibly be busy doing. He shrugged. "Fine. I'll go have fun by myself," He said, turning away and moving to the stairs.
As Jack placed his foot up on the first step, Erik called out: "No! Wait! I'll come with you."
Jack smiled. So reverse-psychology did work afterall... He waited for Erik to come along. When he came up next to him they ascended the stairs and left the ship, stepping out onto the poor lands of Tortuga. They walked through the streets, Jack waving at various people he knew along the way.
Erik eyed his surroundings as they walked, seeing more unholy happenings taking place at this moment than he had in his entire life. People smoked, drank, swore, stole, stripped and made love in broad daylight right out in the open public! It was despicable behavior and Erik didn't care for any of it one bit.
"Today is the first day of your new bachelor life. You'll have a fine time," Jack explained. He gestured to all of the surrounding 'splendor'. "And this, my friend, is the island of Tortuga. I like to think of as me second home," He said emotionally, a tear coming to his eye. Erik rolled his eyes. "So, where do you want to go? We'll go anywhere you want."
Erik shrugged, observing the various run-down buildings. Most were boarded up. It seemed as though the inhabitants of Tortuga only favored shops which sold alcohol. Bars and taverns spanned around farther than the eye could see, drunken scums of men and women wandering around the dwellings in inebriated dazes.
Erik cringed away and set his eyes upon a building which did not seem to be a tavern. The outside appeared clean enough and the men who walked in and out of its doors seemed the slightest bit more presentable than the bar occupants. He extended an arm and pointed to it.
A smile came over Jack's face, his expression becoming bright. He elbowed Erik in the ribs. "Oh, Erik, you naughty boy, you. I think you'll really enjoy yourself there," He remarked, starting off to the place Erik had chosen. He did not know what Jack was referring to and was beginning to feel that he did not want to know.
But he followed along reluctantly and they pulled the door open, entering. At once, they were hit with blasting music and smoke. Erik fanned the smoke away from his face, his eyes tearing in discomfort. He choked as they walked further through a long, dark hall. "What is this place?" He yelled over the music.
Jack smiled at him again. "Why, my favorite place on all of Tortuga!" Jack simply replied. The hall came to an end and he turned the corner, entering a big, dark room. Erik gaped as he surveyed the room. It was filled with several round tables. Sitting around these tables were men of all ages, smoking pipes and cigars. The smoke drifted up into the air, wafting into Erik's nasal passages once again. He choked for a second time. At the opposite end of the room was the raised surface of a stage. It was decorated with red satin curtains and there were sparkles and glitter spread out all along it. As well as the sparkles, a vast disarray of... skimpy female garments and undergarments topped the stage. Several metal poles stood attached from the wooden paneling to the ceiling. However, all of these sights were not the key factors in his awe.
It was the girls. Several young women boasted about on the stage, some stopping to play on the poles, and without any thought, removed their clothing in front of all of these watching men! What was in their heads?
"Wooo!" Jack called, cupping his hands over his mouth. "Take it off"
Erik looked at Jack as though he were a mad man. Jack offered him a smile. "What? You never been to a strip club before?"
"Strip... club?"
"Oh."
Erik watched as some men raised from their seats at the tables and approached the foot of the stage. They hooted and cat-called to the females who danced to the blaring music, then held up money notes to them. The girls would take the legal tender and remove another piece of clothing.
"Come on, let's get in on the action!" Jack shouted, excited. He pulled a reluctant Erik over to a round table right next to the stage and they sat. A waitress came over and asked Jack if she could get him a drink or cigar.
"Yes, a cigar please," he replied, handing her some money. He looked over at Erik as she disappeared. "You want anything?"
Erik shook his head, keeping his eyes down and staring at the table. Jack sighed. "Aw. Come on, man! They're paid to do this. Quite well, too. They don't mind if you look-- in fact, they want you to look."
Erik simply shook his head once again, his eyes remaining on the table. He still felt bad about Christine. The waitress returned and handed Jack his cigar and a light. He struck it up and began puffing away immediately. With the cigar in his mouth slurring his speech, he tapped Erik on the back heartily. "It's okay, mate! You don't need her. We'll be bachelors forever! Mwahahahaha!" He laughed, then abruptly stopped, raising from the table suddenly. "Ah, excuse me for a moment. I'm just going to use the facilities, if you don't mind," He explained, then went off, leaving Erik alone.
Erik decided that this place wasn't for him. He'd simply leave and wait for Jack outside. As he was about raising up from his seat, he bumped into one of the females who was heading up to the stage.
"Excuse me," He muttered, trying to move out of her way.
She raised her hand and pushed him backward playfully. Confused, he raised his eyes to look at her, gasping as he saw that she was wearing a see-through nightgown. He winced and turned his head away, breathing heavily.
"Hey, big guy," She said, tracing a finger down his chest. "Oooh, interesting mask!"
He turned his head an inch to look at her face. He was taken aback, realizing that her appearance seemed very similar to that of his lovely Christine Daae. However, this girl's hair was blonde and her lips were fuller.
"What's your name?" She asked in a husky tone.
"Erik," he gulped. "What's yours?"
"Christine."
His eyes bulged and he became ecstatic. "Oh, how you will sing! And oh, how I will teach you!" He said joyfully, knowing that he had just found himself a new student.
She looked at him with a confused expression and a raised eyebrow which shortly turned into a smile. "You're a strange one, Erik... I have to go up on stage now. I'll talk to you later."
He watched her leave, then turned around and saw Jack standing behind him, smiling. Erik sat back in his seat, Jack joining him. He took a long drag on his cigar and began to cough. Erik turned to him, leaning his elbows on the table and looking around the room, then he turned his eyes to the stage and saw his new muse. He smiled., reaching into his pocket and pulling out the eyepatch which he normally hated to wear. He slipped it over an eye and shifted back in his seat. "Hmmm... you know, I think I'm going to like this bachelor life after all..."