Thanks to all who have read, reviewed (and hopefully liked)this story so far! I can't guarantee that the chapters will come out as quickly in the future as they are right now, but I am on a major roll for the time being and want to get as much of it published as I can before my brain melts down into a mushy puddle of pink wax...can you tell I am fascinated with wax? (just KIDDING, people! razberry) hehehehehehe
anyway...on to the next chapter!
Chapter 4: The Moon's a waxing……
Two days later……Jo grunted as she fought to get the awkward metal cart that bore the Captain's head in it's protective cradle through the narrow doorway of the dresser's studio. Carefully backing the cart into the room looking over her left shoulder, she failed to look over her right and bumped into a heavy object. Grunting a mild expletive, she swung around, uttering a gasp and freezing in place when she saw exactly what it was that she had run into.
The scowling face of Captain Barbosa, Captain Jack Sparrow's mutinous former first mate, loomed over her, the wicked scar running along his cheek glowing luminously in the brightly lit studio. The trademark hat with its dark green feathered plumes rested on the stringy grayish brown hair, and a little monkey sat on the shoulder of his billowing black greatcoat. His arms were in on outstretched position in preparation of holding a cutlass in one had with the blade across the other, and she had inadvertently backed into his dark embrace. Her internal "ick" alarms were going off, and she had long ago learned to listen to them. Letting out the breath she didn't realize she had been holding, she stepped back and immediately felt better, grinning at her foolishness. Edging around the tall wax figure, she made her way further into the room and called out for her friend and co-worker.
Bethany came out from one of the side rooms carrying a leather tricorn hat and a prop cutlass, a smile of welcome on her round, cheerful face. A few inches shorter than Jo's own 5'4, Bethany Holcomb was in her early 40's and a little on the plump side, but her bright green eyes, sunny disposition, and wickedly sharp sense of humor made her quite popular, even among those outside their artistic crowd. The fact that the transplanted Brit had tremendous self confidence and knew how to make the most of her ample assets ensured that she didn't lack for male company whenever she desired it.
"Hello, Empress……I see you've finally brought the famous Captain round for the rest of himself. I've just about got him all ready for you, right over there." She motioned with the sword, and Jo turned to see a headless body standing at the back of the studio, dressed in the outfit she had become so used to seeing both in her waking hours and in her dreams. "Let's get him together then." They carefully unwrapped Jack's head and together lifted the wax bust onto the torso and there he was, her Captain, looking as if he could reach out and take her in his arms and have his wicked way with her.
"Oooooohhhhhhhh, 'e's a handsome devil, he is…though I thought he'd be taller." Bethany cooed, stepping back to admire the culmination of months of her friend's hard work. "Bloody 'ell…..do they all have to say that?" Jo's startled eyes flew up and she looked around, finding the room empty except for her and Bethany, who continued on with no sign she had heard anything unusual. "Ah well," Bethany continued, grinning, "even an old dried up prune like me wouldn't say no to a tumble in the sack with Captain Jack Sparrow." At the mention of the word "tumble", Jo felt her face flame up and heard both her friend and the voice she alone could hear cackle with delight.
"I take it you've had a few thoughts along those lines yourself, eh? I knew you weren't the prude you try and pass yourself off to be." Bethany examined her friend closely, noticing the red eyes and overall appearance of fatigue. "Speaking o' tumbles, looks like you've been through a few of your own, love….care to share what the trouble is?"
Jo brushed the loose hair that was falling from her ponytail back out of her eyes and sighed. "I haven't been sleeping too well here lately…." "Aye, that's the truth lass….nothing like having a pirate lover in your dreams to keep ye from your well deserved rest, although I don't recall hearing you complain about it at the time… She gritted her teeth and continued "And I still haven't decided on a costume for the Opening Gala tomorrow night…"…..not to mention I'm still hearing voices noone else seems to hear from a pirate that doesn't exist…nooooo, no reason for me to be frazzled… Jo sighed. "Got any suggestions?"
"You still haven't been able to talk Michael out of sticking you as co-host, hmmmm? I figured as much---vindictive pipsqueaky little bastard that he is. And talk about a stuffed shirt! He's talented, I'll grant you that…"she said, nodding toward the pirate in the corner, "but he acts like he owns the place and everyone in it." Bethany grumbled as she adjusted the shirt around Jack's neck before stepping back and giving it a thorough look. "No, I don't think this shirt will do after all. I wasn't so sure about it before, but now having seen him up close 'n personal, I'm certain it's got too many ruffles for our feathered namesake here. Can't have him looking more like a peacock than the pirate rogue we know and love, now can we?. Undress him for me while I fetch a replacement, would you, pet." Bethany hustled back into the store room as Jo untied the knot holding Jack's sash and began to unwind it.
"Couldn't wait until bedtime to undress me again, could ya, luv?" The low taunt caused her fingers to fumble, and she was a little rougher than she needed to be in removing the vest. "Easy on the good, there, darlin'….." The voice purred, and her eyes flew up to his face.It had to be just her imagination, but for a moment she could have sworn those chocolate brown kohl-rimmed eyes had been looking down at her with amusement. Shaking her head and telling herself to stop daydreaming, she stepped on a box and carefully slipped the too-frilly poet's shirt off over the Captain's head, and was surprised to see various scars, bullet wounds and even the famous tattoos allegedly sported by the famous pirate. The body manufacturer's at Madame T's had really gone out for authenticity on this project. "Too damn realistic….." Jo murmured aloud.
From behind her, Jo could hear Bethany rummaging amongst the clothes rack. "I suppose Michael told you to dress appropriately like he did the rest of us, in period costume?" Hearing Jo's affirmative answer, she snorted. "Hmph..….probably hoping you'll show up as a Tortuga whore so he could get his jollies by ogling your tits. Ah, here we go." Bethany came back into the studio, holding the plainer shirt triumphantly in her hand and sporting a grin from ear to ear. "Well, after we finish dressing the Captain 'ere, come on back to the stockroom….I've got a little something in mind for you that I think will put a right big kink in Lord Michael's wee winkie!"