VIII: Walk Like a Man
His mind was made up, there had been whispers among the crew and that would not be tolerated. Jack refused to be cowed by a woman. He had to maintain some semblance of order on the ship. " I'm Jack Sparrow, Captain of the Pearl, Chief of the Watusi tribe. I'm the bloody Malechi tribe's god, I will not be thrown out of my own cabin by a woman." Jack paused, " A very enticing woman. Lovely legs." Jack's smirk was quickly wiped off his face as Decare rounded the corner, looking mutinous and nearly plowed into Jack.
" Who the hell does she think she is? She'll learn, she's jes' de Cap'ts two bit- Cap't."
" Decare, something wrong?" Jack looked at the younger man's face.
" Nofing Cap't. Misunderstanding 'sall." Decare grinned, veiling his emotions but not before Jack glimpsed his eyes.
" Carry on then."
" Aye Cap't." Decare nodded and Jack continued to the galley feeling uneasy. Decare's eyes had brimmed with a myriad of anger and lust. The two by themselves did not concern Jack but the two together always created an ugly combination. Plus Decare had never been stable, and was known to be, rough, with women.
" I wonder what the harpy from hell's done now" Jack said aloud. He stopped in front of the door where Sally and Meredith were bound to be. He steeled himself as he was opening the door.
'I'm the Captain, I'm the Captain,' when he heard it. Was that, giggling? Jack put his ear to the door. Yes, he could hear the distinct sound of giggles coming from Meredith and Sally.
"I'd never guess." He slumped against the door. Either someone had put something in the rum or the crew was suffering from cabin fever. As it was, the whole ship was going mad. Gibbs was constantly muttering, Pintel and Ragetti were, well, who really knew with those two. To top it off he had very nearly become one with the deck thanks to Decare, and Sally was actually capable of giggling.
" This is lunacy." Jack put his hand to his chin in contemplation. " The crew seems disoriented. Some are simply demented. We're not an 'onest pirate ship anymore. The Pearl has turned into a floating insane asylum. There must be an end to all this." Jack stood abruptly, turned and marched through the galley doors only to have a small bundle of flour burst in his face.
Sally sputtered," Cap't, din't know ye was comin'" and trailed off.
" Clearly."
Meredith popped up from behind the chopping block, armed with another small sack of flour, laughing. " Sally don't you dare try and dump water on me or I'll get you with another flour bomb. Jack!" She quickly hid the sack behind her back and tried to stiffle another giggle. " Jack, you look like you've seen a ghost."
Jack wiped the powder from his eyes and replied evenly, " That may well be the case for you just may become said ghostie."
" I don't think that's very nice Jack."
Jack's eyes looked like they were about to pop out of his head. "Nice? What the bloody hell do you have in your head? We're on a ship with no land for atleast three more days, our food is running low as it is and you're wasting it. This is not a game girl. And Mr. Sally, I can't, why, both of you clean this mess up." Jack turned on his heel to go, clean up and clear his head when he heard Meredith mutter,
" Maybe if you walked like a man"
" I heard that. Perhaps then, perhaps then what missy?" Jack roared moving to grab Meredith by the arm. " Perhaps then you would understand the gravity of the situation aboard the ship. It is a small microcosm of a world and you don't belong here. My crew shall not see you, a woman no less, get away with being insubordinate. For every action there is a reaction and you will now go and swab the poop deck. Find a brush, a bucket and start scrubbing. You are not to stop until I say so. Do I make myself clear?" Meredith had barely nodded before Jack thrust her out the door. " And you Mr. Sally, there is to be no ration of rum for you tonight."
" Aye Cap't"
" Oh good. Now, find me some eggs. I'm hungry." Jack then left the galley and moved toward the helm. " Mr. Gibbs."
" Cap't. Mother's love Jack, what happened?" Gibbs inquired as he joined Jack at the mast.
Jack quirked his head and grimaced slightly." Mr. Gibbs, I fear there is an acute lack of obedience aboard this ship. Would you care to tell me why that is?"