The lad’s canny ways would certainly help him get around in life, but on the Flying Dutchman his twisting ways have no point. An eternity upon the cursed vessel ahead, he’d better abandon this childish hope.
Admittedly, the first mate is not find of children in general. They lack discipline, though Dodger seems to make up for it with his wits. He reminds Maccus of monkey, always ready to come and snatch an unattended item. At times he’s tempted to throw Dodger over the railings and watch sharks do their job with him. But the little imp does have some uses, and the first mate never gets rid of other crewmen without a silent nod from the Captain.
He shakes Dodger a little, pushes him several steps backwards. The lad’s face is hardly looking him in the stomach.
“The rum is for the working men. What’s yer job? Strolling across the deck delivering messages, ohhh, that’s a lot of hard labor! Go ask the Captain.”
The Captain has never been prone to fatherly affections, amd Dodger gets the same treatment, more or less. But there is a fat chance the boy will come with his permission. It won’t matter, for the Captain is the ultimate authority. The first mate dares not go against Jones’ will, not because he can’t, but because he doesn’t want to.
Limbs jangle ‘round a bit as the First Mate gives him a final shake ‘fore sending him stumbling backwards. Scowling up at the bloke, Dodger knows better’n to try to return swing for swing, seeing as he has a good eye on the bloke’s middle and not near much more’n that. Might be quick and nimble, is Dodger, but when a body’s as bulky and mean as the First Mate, there’s only so much he can do. And oh yes, can’t go forgetting the teeth.
After the stumbling, his backside connects with the side of the ship. Ah, nowhere to go. Well, not that there’s much in the way of hideyholes on the ship and ‘specially not near the rum, but it ain’t much in Dodger’s nature to stand his ground neither.
“I am working! How you figure I’m getting so thirsty, huh?” Dodger protests. Ain’t near his fault he can’t be doing much in the way of hauling the riggings, seeing as the rigging marks near double the size of him. He supposes he could be placed in charge of cleaning the Flying Dutchman, but that’d near mark a job in the half, ‘specially from all the grime near covering her haul.
But he buttons his lips closed for a moment at the suggestion to go see the Captain. If’n he’s lucky, the Captain has a mission for him and that marks well enough as far as things go, ‘though it means more work. If’n he’s unlucky--well, Dodger’s seen his fair number of folks being keelhauled over the side of the infamous ship. He’s mostly dead, Dodger knows, but such a trip wouldn’t near be pleasurable. A telling beat then -- “I’ll talk to the Captain.” At the least so’s he can get away from the First Mate.