Mast

Blustery

Eight men sat on chairs surrounding a thick wooden table. Below them, a wooden floor, swabbed real well. Below that, a series of hammocks laid about parallel to provide more efficient living space, stacked two by two, with slumbering men, some small with wee muscles, just barely old enough to enlist, while others large in both belly and experience. Most of them reeked of alcohol with every noisy breath. Below them, lie what may make or break most men, the sea. Now, Sitting at the table there was a Captain, Jack be his name. Next to him were a scientist, and the rest sailors. Some of them were new, some veterans; but all in her Majesty's Royal Navy. They were all drinking, singing, and having quite the good time. The Captain turned to the scientist, who was gazing at two small creatures that resembled maggots, known as weevils. They were racing to a loaf of bread as fast as their little snake-like form could take them. The Captain said: "Which would you choose?" The scientist turned to him and asked: "What?" Captain Jack replied, "Which would you choose, out of the two". The scientist quickly glanced at the weevils again and simply replied with: "They both seem to be healthy, and have not a difference between them", The Captain: "If you had to choose, if you were forced to, which"? The scientist aggravatingly put on his glasses and gave the two weevils a closer look. "Fine, fine, Captain", he paused. "I would choose the one to the right, it has both advantages of being taller, and thicker". The Captain slammed his hand down on the table, with a loud "Humph! Are you mad?!" He paused, briefly. "When in the service, one must always choose the lesser of two weevils".

Reviews

[Circe]

wow... this is a really good story.. I like the way you introduced the setting... the tight living spaces, the characters and the lack of activity it seems... really compact and right away you are transported and follow the story with keen curiosity.... it's excellent writing, and I really mean that.. very impressed, the ending was so well conceived and built up... gets you thinking, even though it completely took me by surprise!

[ObscurityNone]

Thank you, but it wasn't my work alone, I was inspired to write this from a movie scene. x) I just added some things and changed it up.

[Circe]

oooh, what movie?

[Purplerose]

Nice! Enjoyed your story very much. :)

[ObscurityNone]

Thanks very much. x)

[Justin]

Nice!!! A bit comedic I think. You gave a very good description too, I enjoyed the imagery of the story. It was pretty in-depth. Not a lot of words though, when you compare it to the true meaning of this piece (or at least what I got from it.) which is always nice as well, being straight to the point. Good job mate!

[ObscurityNone]

Thank you, I'm glad you found it enjoyable.