Chapter Ten
Bootstrap sat underneath the rotting stairs of the Flying Dutchman, near to the Captains door. Everyone else was asleep, except for Davey Jones, who was in there, pounding away at the organ.
But Bootstrap wasn't sitting there for the music. This was he and Jack's meeting place to plan for the mutiny.
He couldn't bear to even think of that word. The thought of what would happen if the Captain found out was just unbearable. He shuddered, and went about counting barnacles that had newly connected themselves to his hand.
He looked up to see Jack Sparrow staring at his hand as well. He all but jumped out of his skin, and watched the spirit in annoyance.
"Give yeh a scare, did I?" Jack chuckled, "Sorry about that."
"Tis fine Jack." Bootstrap assured.
"Good. Now down to business." Jack smiled, the moonlight glinting off his gold teeth. "How many barnacle-men do we got on our team?"
"Not very many, I'm afraid." Bootstrap admitted.
"Well, it'll improve. We only started less than a week ago." the ghost pointed out.
"Most of the men are feeling the same way as me."
"Same way as in this is a bad idea? Or same way as in 'Aye! Let's sack him!'?" Jack asked, watching Bootstrap intently.
"Truthfully? A little bit of both." Bootstrap confessed. "Amazing with all we've been through…most of us bein' part sea creature and so on…that we're such cowards."
"Yer not cowards. Davey Jones is a scary man. Scared me once. That weird…thing where he can just…be…" Jack was lost in thought of his bad experiences with the Captain of the Flying Dutchman. "Ya wanna know the worst part about bein dead?"
"If I did, I suppose you would be the one to ask." Bootstrap replied.
"The rum. There is none! I tried to drink some and…it just…it didn't work. Terrible, seeing the rum, feeling the rum, but not being able to get the rum." Jack ranted. "The one time that the rum isn't gone, I can't bloody drink it!"
"Must be tough." Bootstrap chuckled. He noticed that the organ music had stopped, and his eyes widened in horror. Jack looked from Bootstraps expression, to the door of the Captains cabin, before acknowledging.
"I'll take care of that, mate. Go back to bed." Jack said before disappearing.
.x.
"Talking to yourself, eh?" Davey Jones looked disbelieving.
"It gets boring…listening to your music. Did you ever consider making a new tune?" Jack suggested. He watched as the tentacles writhed angrily.
"Thank you for your input Mr. Sparrow."
"Captain! Captain Sparrow." Jack interjected. "I am still captain of my boat, regardless of whether it's on the bottom of the sea or not."
"Of course you are." Davey Jones returned snidely.
"Well I am!" Jack pouted. "Anyway, have you considered giving me a body so I can leave?"
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"I'll give you your heart, and a hat! A really big hat! And a new organ. I'll get you a nice shiny organ." Jack tried.
"No."
"I hate you."
.x.
A few days had passed, and so far Bootstrap had gotten only seven other crewmembers. He relayed the information to Jack who decided that it would have to be enough.
"Now for my part of the job. Rigging Davey Jones' dice." Jack winked.
"I still don't know if this is a good idea." Bootstrap muttered.
"Set a date, lad! The games are about to begin." Jack walked to the door with long steps, and stopped halfway out, turning back to Bootstrap. "We're about to make history, you realize that?"
A/N: Sorry this chapter is so short, but I need to make sure I don't get ahead of myself. Reviews greatly appreciated. Also, I have a favor to ask of anyone reading this. It's totally off the subject of Pirates of the Caribbean and some of you might hate me, but me and my friend have a story on and we're getting pretty much nothing in the way of reviews or ideas or suggestions or anything. If you have any free time, is our penname, and we only have one story so far. thanks to anyone who does this, and sorry to anyone who gets mad about me asking you to.