Kind of a low-key section today, featuring an early conversation between Isabelle and Duncan (the Love Interest). The rescue ship is nearly to Jamaica, and Isabelle is worried about finding a way to support herself and Sonia, and a place to lodge, while they wait for word from the States on the sinking of the Empyreal.
"If you go to Antigua, my mother sometimes takes in boarders," Duncan said. "She can be very flexible about the rent."
She would have to be, since I had no money and little chance as yet of making any. "I should like to meet her," I said, "but I'm not sure how we'd even get to Antigua from Jamaica."
"Can you swim?" He sounded reasonable, but there was that mischievous light in his eyes again.
I had to smile. "Not well enough for that, I'm afraid. Besides, aren't there large fishes in these waters?"
"That depends on your meaning of large—there are certainly large whales, but they eat creatures small as your fingernail. To see a big fish, though, you should've been there when I caught the biggest grouper ever seen in the West Indies. I was just a boy and it outweighed me by fifty pounds —"
And so I was treated to an account, illustrated with gestures, of his ultimately unsuccessful encounter with a giant fish. At one point, another crewman walked by; he must have recognized the story.
"The big fish story. May the Lord have mercy on you, Miss—he's not even halfway through."
I laughed, but the crewman's comment only earned him a scathing look from Duncan as he continued. By the time he was finished, I had gotten into the spirit of the thing and he accomplished his mission of making me forget my cares momentarily.
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6 comments:
There's a carefree, fresh feeling about this scene. Me likey!
this scene has a very relaxed feeling to it...like i was right there, lounging against the rail as Duncan told his tall tale...nice snip :)
I like Duncan. He sounds like the kind of guy you want to have around when things get tough. :)
I agree with the Karla. There is a sense of calming with this snippet. I like how you can create something like this with little space. :D
Very relaxing! Like!
I actually liked Duncan's little whale-tale. This scene is very laid back, and well written.
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