Crossbones
by Sarah W.

Character List
Captain: Although faced with the threat of mutiny, he is determined, even if he won’t admit it to Merric’s face, to do what is best for him.

Merric: Determined to do what he believes in, Merric battles within himself on the difference between what he thinks is right and wrong, and what is considered right and wrong.

Woman/Jaidyn: A feisty gal, who just wants to expand from who everybody thinks she is.

Garbaldi: As swift as he is in speed, he is quite dumb when it comes to speaking.

Baccacio: An average, ideal pirate, who believes that everything can be achieved independently without anybody.

Act I

Two males appear from stage left holding a woman hostage, walking onto their ship. She refuses to go without a fight and immediately is seen as a rebel. The Captain, who is much older than the other man who is just out of his teen years, holds a rope that binds the wrists of the woman together in front of her and looks quite confident in himself as he drags her. The other, wearing a black jacket with crossbones on his right shoulder, holds her from behind, closing her eyes and her mouth, but looks as if he didn’t choose the job. The stage is illuminated dimly throughout the play to illustrate how it is late at night; even the crew is fast asleep below deck. On each side of the stage, a grid of rope can be seen to represent the shrouds on the great ship, and two barrels are located next to each other on stage right next to it. Railing is extended off of the stage onto the apron for extra depth into the scene.

Captain: [bitter, harsh tone, trying to keep quiet] Merric! Keep th' girl still fer five minutes while I put on th' lass' shackles, ya landlubber...Keep er quiet before th' crew wakes up an' finds we brought us a lass aboard! [stops the woman at center stage and unlocks shackles to place on her wrists to replace the ropes]

Merric: Wouldn’t want that, we’re breaking the code of secrecy already—

Captain: [sneering] Don’t ye think I know that, lad? Besides, I’m th' Captain an' I say what goes on around here.

Merric: Aye, but they don’t think so anymore...I’ve seen them, Captain, their faces brew with anger and—[taken back with a cursing tone] Well, Davy Jones! She’s bit me, Capt’n! [shakes hand, continues with bitter tone] Nasty, little crab...

Woman: [forced to face stage right from the Captain’s firm hands, she whips her head around and snaps at Merric] And I’ll do it again if you put your dirty hands upon me!

Merric: If I had but dirty hands, I wouldn’t go for your mouth.

Captain: [aside to himself] An' ye’re speakin' o' codes...

Woman: You have a dirty mind instead! You...you devil!

Merric: [continually increasing cockiness] Seems to be better to have a dirty mind than a dirty mouth.

Woman: A dirty mouth is filled with venom, best beware of its poison!

Merric: The only way to deal with snakes is to chop off it’s—

Captain: [harsh whisper] Shut yur bung hole, both o' ye! [Tightens the clasps on the shackles]

Merric: Ay, Capt’n...We’ll both keep our heads on right. [Walks over to upper stage left and leans on railing looking over the ship]

Woman: [defiant as she sees her hands squeezed by the shackles] If yours is right, mine is most left.

Captain: [shaking a finger at her and the other hand clutching the chains between her hands] I’d nerehit a lady, but 't’d be in yer best interest t' avast this talkin', before I change me mind. [He seems to have an idea and pulls out another shackle] Come here, miss, we’re gonna keep ye starboard here. [Attaches one to the chains and the other to the rope on center stage right] Let’s be seein' ye get ou' o' this one, missy. [He walks towards Merric]

Woman: Well, aren’t you the brightest pirate I’ve ever seen! [Captain stops at center stage] Leaving their prisoner in plain daylight! [Seats herself on a barrel underneath the ropes]

Captain: [glancing up as he turned back towards her] Seems thar’s nay sun t' protect ye thar, so thank ye so very much fer yer obvious insight. [He carved a cocky smile to her and continued towards Merric] 't seems we be havin' a need fer some rope. [He raised his voice a little in order for the woman to hear] just t' tie this beast upside down t' keep th' lass quiet!

Woman: [sneers] My poor pirates, ‘tis a shame to tell you how I fear you not.

[Both turn their backs to her and face forward toward the audience]

Merric: So, what is your plan exactly, Capt’n?

Captain: Merric, th' lass' father be th' richest merchant I’ve ereheard o'! I know he’ll be on th' lookout fer th' lass' in a matter o' hours, which be why I kept th' lass' ou' here...I couldn’t let myself be faced wi' another threat o' mutiny if I shouldn’t find a way fer me crewmembers t' be havin' some reward in store soon.

Merric: Aye. What did you have in mind?

Captain: I chose th' moon t' be our compass an' th' stars as our lanterns.

Merric: That is not all, my Capt’n, you’re keeping something from me...This is not the first time you tried to cover something up with a smart remark like poetry—

[Woman continues to screech and holler behind them, kicking and screaming]

Captain: [utterly annoyed] Lemme use that band o' yours in yer hair.

[Merric turns around and watches his captain abruptly tie the ribbon around her mouth to muffle her noise, he returns quite content, pleased with his actions]

Captain: Now, uh, 'ere be I?

Merric: Oh...I asked what we were going to do, Capt’n.

Captain: Aye, aye, o' course ye would want t' know, lad. I’m sure ye wondered why I chose ye ou' o' all o' me crewmembers t' come an' help me, besides th' fact that we’re blood related, but ye did save me from them soldiers, an' be port wi' that scar—

Merric: [holds up his hand to feel his scar beside his right eye and sighs] Aye.

Captain: Nay, nay, do nay feel ashamed, ye showed bravery thar, Merric!...Besides, that’s how I promoted ye t' first mate...

Merric: [laughing] How could I forget, Capt’n? That’s when we—

Captain: [suddenly remembers] Me plan!...[secret urgency] when th' lass' father arrives, we attack on surprise an' raid th' ship, swipe all o' its dubloon an' take 't fer our own—'ere I give ye full captaincy.

Merric: [half smiling and wincing at the same time] Full...captaincy?

Captain: [smiling] Ye risked yer life fer such a captain as I, I who didna e'en claim ye as me own lassie’s lad, an' so I owe ye greatly, an' this be what I propose t' give ye.

Merric: Capt’n...[speechless]

Captain: Nay need t' thank me, boy. All I ask be fer ye t' watch o'er th' bait, an' wake th' hull when ye spy any ship o'er th' horizon. We shall attack, I predict, by dawn. [he presses the keys that unlocks the shackles onto Merric’s chest, winks, and walks swiftly out stage right after getting a stare down rom the woman]

[Tucking the keys into his pocket, Merric stops and steps towards the front of the stage with a spotlight]

Merric: How shall he understand that the only reason why I wanted to be here was to be with him? If I become captain of another ship, though the honor is great, we shall be separated again...does my uncle not understand? My mother’s last words were to find my uncle, and that’s what I did. Now...he’s sending me off! [Looks over to the woman] And her? I don’t wish to see the lady’s father killed and ruined, what man would I be to take the lives away from them...Besides, what does a woman belong on a ship for...bad luck...just bad luck. Here it proves bad luck when I am sent off to be a captain of pirates...the lot of ‘em being nothing but drunkern dogs. Some friendly...some...not so much... [Exasperated sigh] Is she still struggling?

[Returns to normal lighting and Merric walks back to her and sits to her left as she faces forward, her head turned away]

Merric: You know, as long as you kept quiet, I could untie my headband from your mouth.

[She winced from the thought that it was in his hair and began to snarl]

Merric: What a feisty thing you are for a lady. What is it that makes you so tiger like? [Remembers that she cannot talk and slowly starts to untie the ribbon] It’s alright...easy now, I’m not so bad, am I?

[Snapping her head around, she spat at his feet, looked him up and down, and fearfully saw the scar on his face]

Merric: [he turned his head away and placed a hand on his knee] What am I to do with you?

Woman: [pout] Why must men make something out of me?

Merric: [charmed] For women are but clay in our hands—nothing without the sculptor.

Woman: How dare you! What gives you the right idea to degrade woman so?

Merric: [playfully] What gives you the idea for that women should have rights?

Woman: [sulking] You men shall never understand the hardships of a woman.

Merric: Oh, please, tell me. [Sarcastically] Tell me the stories of how terrible you have it—to live in a home the man brings you pleasure, to dwell in fancies, to be and know love.

Woman: You speak as if you knew of such, when you live amongst vandals and bandits!

Merric: Just because I am here does not mean I know nothing of manners.

Woman: So it is to my understanding that killing lives and stealing not only treasures, but women, is not against your morals?

Merric: Not what I planned out for myself, if that’s what you mean.

Woman: And how did your dream-catcher fail you so?

Merric: [cocking his head and smiling at the argument] ...What’s your name, miss?

Woman: Jaidyn. Jaidyn Reid.

Merric: Jaidyn...Such a pretty name, for a girl who believes she is always right.

Jaidyn: No, I do not, you satanic sailor. It is not I who stole me away from my home! Let me go! What profit do you find in taking a woman aboard a pirate ship?

Merric: Actually, under normal circumstances, should the crew find you aboard, you would have been killed, so consider yourself lucky. [Stands up and walks to the front center stage] Actually, I never understood why pirates wouldn’t want a lady aboard when they speak of how they miss women’s spells so often.

Jaidyn: Do you see us as gypsies or such witches?

Merric: Perhaps, [mockingly] but I see no such wonder in such creatures.

Jaidyn: How could you, when your eyes are scarred! [Realizing her mistake, she apologies as she sees his head turn away] I did not mean it so...I merely meant how no man could love a woman without understanding her.

Merric: [gets up walks to the front and center of the stage] Do not apologize...I have no need for pity for this face I have.

Jaidyn: Fine then, I take my pity and I demand that you let me go! [Continues to try to slip her hands out of the clasps]

Merric: [quickly returns and tries to calm her] What is it that makes you so...uneasy, miss?

Jaidyn: If you haven’t noticed, I was captured by pirates. [Spits on his foot]

Merric: Ah, so it’s because I am a pirate that you hate me?

Jaidyn: It’s because you took me from my home that I am restless.

Merric: So, if I was your lover by chance—

Jaidyn: You could only wish!

Merric: Now, now, I said if. If I were your lover and took you away, then would you fidget so?

Jaidyn: [debating with her answer] I suppose not.

Merric: What about a friend?

Jaidyn: No.

Merric: Well, then [content] let us pretend we are friends for just a moment.

Jaidyn: Are you mad? Do you seriously believe such? [Disbelief and quickly determines an answer as she shakes her shackles] Friends would not lock each other to a ship!

Merric: Oh yes, that...well, I suppose I could let you go...

Jaidyn: Then I swear by it.

Merric: Swear by what?

Jaidyn: I swear by...

Merric: Your father’s ships.

Jaidyn: [confused, but allows] I swear...by my father’s ships...

Merric: Then I’ll just pull out my keys and unlock you then.

Jaidyn: [waiting to be freed then attempts to run, but pulled back] Wha...you devil pirate! You tricked me! [Looks on her back to see the rope pulled through her waist ribbon]

Merric: It wasn’t me that did not fulfill my oath.

Jaidyn: But...but my father doesn’t—

Merric: Now, now, come back and sit down before the captain comes back and sees that you’ve attempted to flee.

Jaidyn: [mumbling] Pirates.

Merric: [chuckling as she sulked back to him and shakes his head as he puts the links back on] What a clever thing you think you are...

Jaidyn: I think I am? I know I am clever, pirate.

Merric: If you were but clever, wouldn’t you think that you’d have gotten away by now from a bunch of, what you consider dumb pirates?

Jaidyn: Seems there’s one of every pack that has to be different, but no matter. I shall find a way to slip away from you too.

Merric: Oh good lass, I don’t know what to do with you. Will you never admit that maybe I am right and you are wrong?

Jaidyn: Never.

Merric: [in thought, he stands up and paces from stage left and figuring out his question, sat back down beside her] Why is it...I am wrong when I assume you are a good natured lady, but when you presume I am a bad natured pirate you are right?

Jaidyn: [proudly] For all pirates are reckless, ruthless, ruffians. And ladies are not so easy as men believe to solve.

Merric: Puzzles were meant to be solved, and we each are defined. It’s only a matter of defining who we are that’s challenging...but by judging me thus, you assume that all pirates, even those that were threatened into this position, are evil, vile men?

Jaidyn: Just so, sir.

Merric: Ah, now I have the honor of you calling me human?

Jaidyn: My mistake, I should never have called you that when I forgot you sold your soul to the devil.

Merric: The devil, huh? [Chuckles] What makes you believe that men want to find themselves with the devil? You think my captain, the man who was here before, is a devil?

Jaidyn: Just so.

Merric: Then you have never seen the likes of one.

Jaidyn: What made you join him then? Adventure, boldness, heroism? Those are qualities of a sailor, not pirates.

Merric: I’ll have you know that I once was a sailor, just a few months back I believe now... [walks up to center stage, reflecting] you see, upon my mother’s death bed, for I thought she was my last relative, she in fact told me that I had an uncle and whispered about a box under her bed to find him. No name, none such, but a box with a jacket and a patch of a skull on the arm. [He smirked as he looked over to his right arm]

Jaidyn: He’s a pirate? Great...a whole family of them—

Merric: [ignoring] So, obvious that my uncle was a pirate, I set out to be a sailor, perhaps to catch him by the sea. I grew up living to the standards of a respectable man, until...our ship was turned over by pirates—by then, I had almost forgotten my uncle completely, until I saw his face, the captain’s face—the same mold as my mother, the same stern look I used to get was seen through his eyes. [Moves to stage left and leans over railing] But I could not show such softness for an enemy in front of my crew so I fought against them...but, the cards were in our favor—as soon as the pirates considered our ship a gain, another ship rescued us out and imprisoned the pirates...My mother’s dying words were pounding in my head at that point...‘Find your last blood, my brother, and love him as I have. Be with those who love you, my son.’ [Facing upstage, looking at the floor] Curious words they were when I was little, to love a pirate, and my mother, a sweet, appreciated lady of her time despite the vulgarity of the term pirate. So, I sought to free him, my uncle, and his crew. With that, I fought against my own men and they gave me a dose to remember them by [touching his scar and returns to center stage]. And it is then afterwards that I pressed my blood with this crew—for the sake of being with my uncle. I told him when we were closer and more trusted acquaintances of our relation, but he only believed me after I told him stories of my mother. Understanding him, as well as the crew was a bit of a challenge here and there, being brought up with some decent language and all, but it’s slowly pulling me closer and closer to their style and farther and farther away from what I used to know, so forgive me for my accent as well... [Chuckles softly as he comes back to Jaidyn and sits next to her] but this life, it’s not much different than a sailor’s. You still obey orders, you still sail the wonders of the sea, but there’s one thing that separates us—there’s nobody over the captain that controls us. Seemingly dangerous men to me, is only because we grab what we need to survive, gold, jewels, eventually we will buy things and it goes back into your hands again, but I believe it is because we have no master to account for that we are dangerous. Different pirates have different stories—not all of us kill for we are not all monsters. [Bites his lip to decide what to say] All I mean to say is, miss, we are not all what we seem.

Jaidyn: So it would seem...

Merric: Do you mock me? Do you continue to scorn at me for who I am and what I’ve done with me life?

Jaidyn: I merely meant—

Merric: No, you mean what you say.

Jaidyn: Fine! [Folds arms] It is not I who lives with men and mean.

Merric: How cold and mean you are to me!

Jaidyn: Then we have come to a mean between us.

Merric: What must I do to make you see that I am not mad, I am not your ideal picture of a pirate, I am just a man...a man who was looking to find a part of his family. I’m sure you could not understand when all you have is a perfect life of riches and lovers—

Jaidyn: You think such of me? My life is nothing but parties after parties...I am but a wilting flower in such. I yearn for what you have—you have a life of...risks! I have nothing but simple conversations, polite curtsying and tea. You don’t know what it’s like to be criticized for not sitting up straight or yawning when I’m bored. I envy you! Should we trade places for just one day, you would see my life isn’t what you believe it is! It’s not everything when you have everything—I never loved having the pearls around my neck, I never enjoyed the gossiping of others, I never was fond of ponies and dresses and bachelors always trying to woo you! Give me peace, and I shall give you yours.

Merric: [admiring] What a rose you are, peculiar with your thorns, but how I love it more with them than without.

Jaidyn: A rose? No, I am but a weed—never meant to be a rose.

Merric: Then you are my rose.

Jaidyn: No, poor sailor, I could never rise to such beauty.

Merric: Then I should lift you to show you... [Stops]

Jaidyn: [pause] ...show me, what?

Merric: [attempts to speak but stops repetitively] Nothing.

Jaidyn: [sighs and looks up] The stars, they’re quite beautiful...alone, separated by galaxies and miles of space. And then the moon, like a governing mother, shines the brightest for them to look to. Then there’s us...an audience of their lives.

Merric: An audience is only one that judges—for or against them—at least they cannot hear the comments.

Jaidyn: [catching his point] Sorry...

Merric: For what, dear lady? It is I who should inform you of my apologies for keeping you of such a predicament...

Jaidyn: But then I wouldn’t have been rescued from that life.

Merric: It did you no good to come here...it was a mistake—you deserve a chance to be free of your cages.

Jaidyn: What about you?

Merric: I shall continue on. [Unlocks the cuffs]

Jaidyn: That’s not what you want and you know it.

Merric: Why have you yet to go? I’ve already set you free!

Jaidyn: Because—

Merric: Because what? What do I offer you? There’s nothing—

Jaidyn: Because you make me feel so different than who I thought I was.

Merric: Then I trust you’ll be on your way, I wouldn’t want to change—You wouldn’t want to change who you are.

Jaidyn: Why do you keep shoving me away?...

Merric: Why do you insist on coming back to a man you completely and utterly despise?

Jaidyn: ...Everyday...everyday I thought was the same routine. Suddenly, my life was blowing by me and I was just sitting there one day, realizing that things never changed. It was always the same talk, the same chatter, but I didn’t want that. Tonight, at first I thought it was a bad idea, removing me from “normal”. Now that I realize it, I am more free here...than I have been in my entire life.

Merric: [slowly walks to back stage left] Free in chains, free in life, there is no real freedom in this world, Jaidyn, regardless of what our minds say...[points out to stage left] Now, now, go! I cannot bear to keep you here!

Jaidyn: I shall not!

Merric: You shall!

Jaidyn: You cannot make me!

Merric: What must I do? Leave me! Oh, please, don’t make me a fool for more than I am to believe I’m more than—

Jaidyn: ...You’re a good man, Merric. All you’ve wanted is to do what you thought was—

Merric: Right! I know! I know! The right thing now is for me to make sure you’re out of here.

Jaidyn: Merric, I—

[Captain drags himself from stage right, seeming to be wounded]

Merric: Captain! [rushes to his aid and Jaidyn catches his hand]

Captain: [seeing the two together] Oh, Merric, me nephew, me lassie’s lad, leave me! Th' crew shall surely come an' seek t' kill ye too!

Merric: But what about her father? Isn’t he coming?

Captain: [laughing] Me boy, I fabled such lies in yer hade in order fer ye t' keep th' lass' here. Th' lass' father be a banker in th' port...If ye really knew o' what I wanted, ye would be havin' nereagreed t' 't—I wanted...well, this [motioning towards the two, Merric and Jaidyn]

Merric: You wanted...us?

Captain: Goodness ye’re takin' th' goodness o' me heart wi' bitterness, do ye want me t' sink t'Davy Jones' locker unhappy as I ben before ye came an' told me again o' me lassie? Please, go, take th' lass', nurture th' lass', protect th' lass', marry th' lass', love th' lass'—that be me last wish fer me lassie, fer ye, fer Jaidyn...

Merric: ...Uncle.

Jaidyn: [softly] He is not going to make it, Merric...

Captain: I hoped only th' best fer ye, Merric...After ye told me that I had only ye as me family in th' world, I wanted t' give ye what I could... I knew ye didn’t want captaincy, but I knew ye couldn’t decline. This be all I could do...Good luck, me boy, my nephew, my son. [clasps him on the shoulder and slides to the ground]

Merric: [drags his uncles body over to stage left and rolls him out] Our Father, let the sea be his grave, the depths be his tomb, my love his prayer, and his sister’s spirit guide him to you...Amen. [slight pause, and turns towards front and center stage] He wanted us? [facing Jaidyn on his right]

Jaidyn: He’s not the only one...

Merric: You?...No, you lie to me, there’s no way—

Jaidyn: There you go again, making decisions for me—

Merric: But how? How could you love a face—

Jaidyn: Hush!...I hear them coming...

Just before they exit stage left, two pirates enter stage right with fierce and angry expressions, each carrying a sword. One, by the name of Baccacio who was rather quick with the tongue, but slow in reflexes. The other, Garibaldi, slim and tall, was only able to say words that were smaller than five letters, but interpreted other’s dialect from what others did with their hands. To add to the dimwittedness, both are considerably drunk and mad from the murder of their captain.

Baccacio: Hold 't thar, ye scurvy dog!

Garibaldi: Ye goin’ places, Merric?

Baccacio: Somewhere, Garbaldi. Ye say, ‘Be ye goin' somewhere?’ [returns to Merric who shields Jaidyn from view] Merric...'ere’d th' captain run off t'?

Merric: [bitterly] You know you killed him, Baccacio. Don’t play dumb with me.

Baccacio: Aye, I knew ye had a soft spot for ‘em, but we’re better off now. But mark me, lad, I know ye’re hidin' somethin'...th' captain seemed fishy about goin' on deck.

Garibaldi: Aye, fishy. I can smell it...[sniffs]

Merric: There’s nothing aboard, you scallywags, leave your foaming mouths away and trouble me no more.

Baccacio: If I be but a fool, I would join th' rest o' th' crew in th' feast below.

Merric: Then come hither and search me, you devils [meets in the middle while Jaidyn sneaks around the perimeter of the front of the stage to get behind the two pirates], for surely nothing else will suit you. [casts a glance at Jaidyn] What do you think you’re doing?—[returns to the two] I mean, what do you think we do now? You take the ship with the rest of the crew and I leave for you to make fables of what you wish of how you—

Baccacio: Wait, wait, wait, Merric. This makes nay sense, we came here nay t' shake hands, but t' kill ye, don’t ye understand ye pathetic man t' call yersef a swashbuckler. Ye couldn’t kill a cockroach!

Garibaldi: Not even a lil' fly!

Baccacio: Oh, shut up, Garibaldi. 't’s a good thin' ye’re swift at fightin' or else what would th' world do wi' ye?...

Merric: [peeking behind the two to try to see Jaidyn, but finds she’s out of sight and thinks of the worse] ...No, it can’t be—no! Not gone! Gone, gone to the devils themselves below! Ravaging, drunk, ruthless men... [Continues to ramble to himself]

Garibaldi: [points and chuckles] And you said I was weak, he cries for death!

Baccacio: [smirks] Com’on now, get up, ye devil. What a fool! Be havin' ye nay honor fer yersef, Merric?

Merric: None now, the last of my breath escapes from me...The last reason to live has left me—

Baccacio: [to Garibaldi] Do ye think his uncle’s death has jus' got t' th' lad?

Garibaldi: Dunno...[realization] Aww! What fun is there to fight when he’s dumb with gloom?

Baccacio: What matter does 't make if he dies easy or dies hard, Garibaldi?

Merric: [looks up during the two’s bickering and sees Jaidyn hiding behind the barrels, whispering] Jaidyn! [Ponders for a moment and springs up from the ground] Release your cutlasses from your hands! Ask yourself what your last thought should last be, for I shall surely grant your ultimate death shortly! Here, with the power of my sword, I assure you it shall be done with precision and joy. [Forcing the two farther to stage right with every detail] First, I shall take you, then the crew, then the entire ocean shall be mine! Laws no longer bind me to the code; I am my own man now!

Garibaldi: [to Baccacio as he shields himself] Bac! He’s lost it!

Baccacio: Merric! Snap ou' o' 't!

The sound of locked shackles is heard and Jaidyn appears beside Merric, snatching his hand and gleaming proudly. The two pirates’ eyes widen with the sight of a woman on board and stunned with the trick. Each locked with a ring around one of their wrists, they howl in fury.

Baccacio: [spits at her foot] A lass, Merric? Nay only be havin' ye separated yersef from th' crew, but ye’ve broken th' code o' secrecy an' dare t' brin' a lass aboard our ship!

Garibaldi: What luck so bad she brings to us!

Jaidyn: Excuse me, but I believe the correct way to say that is, “She brings us bad luck!”

Baccacio: Ye be nay our mother, nor ought ye be, an' I correct th' lad's, nay ye, lass. Disgraceful. Dishonorable. Merric, ye be or nerewere a sea dog on this ship an' 't pains me t' ereconsider ye such at any time. Th' rumors o' how ye an' th' captain be related in blood spoiled yer view, yer dashin' dare t' save us, yer scar, yer pathetic mother’s words, nobody cares, nor does anybody look upon ye differently than what they saw when ye arrived: a jack brat.

Garibaldi: Slug! You’re nothing but a slug, Merric. Gross and slimy to the touch, but so easy to kill. Just a dash of salt to hit the spot...

Merric: M-my mother...my uncle... [Infuriated] how dare you speak to me like that?

Baccacio: How could ye keep secrets from us, Merric? Ye’ve broken so many codes—

Merric: I did what I thought was right!

Baccacio: [snarl] Then ye need t' consider what ye be havin' done! Eyeball yersef! Dressed as a swashbuckler, enslaved wi' this wench...who do ye think ye’re foolin'?

Garibaldi: No one cares about you, you scum. Get out quick until she goes too. That’s just what comes from love—misery. No one ever stays...

Jaidyn: Merric, I wouldn’t ever—

Merric: Love? You think this is love? How could you think such luck should be in my life? Not I nor she would consider a thought in our heads...In fact: get out! I told you to get out you whining, nose wiping, addlepate of a fool! [wincing but holding a stern face]

Jaidyn: [hurt] Merric...

Baccacio: Garibaldi’s starboard, lad...eyeball th' lass', beamin' wi' tears. Yer harsh words be havin' already crushed th' poor devil.

Jaidyn: [smacks Baccacio] You are the cause of my pain! Take back what you said about love for nobody has ever loved you nor will love you! Your hands are smeared with coal and when you touch something, it is forever marked with malice. Your words are not sharp, but a poisonous gas that slowly devours its prey. Take what you can from this misery, while I take what I can with one who knows more of compassion than I have known. I take the man who loves me for the “wench” I am and dares to defy me. There is no other that I would choose to be with and you have no right to tell me or him otherwise. Keep to your poisons, apothecary, and I will stay with cupid’s spells.

Garibaldi: Wow, she is a stingray isn’t she, Bac?

Merric: Speak of her no more, or this blade upon your necks will strike. [Turning to Jaidyn] You...do you really mean that? But this is too weird, you hate—

Jaidyn: It’s strange, but...there’s something about you that makes me think twice about everything. And besides...nobody has ever dared to argue with me before...

Merric: What a—

Jaidyn: Tiger; beware of my bite. [Pulls him in slowly for a kiss]

Garbaldi: Ewww...

Baccacio: ...ye do reckon we’re still here?

Merric: [while clutching his lass with one hand and proudly smirking] Now, should the crewmembers find reason to release you, I give you my leave, which is more than you deserve, but you shall never hear of Merric the pirate ‘ere again in your lifetime.

Baccacio: So...that’s it Merric? You’re just going to leave your shipmates for some gal?

Garbaldi: We gotta fight! We can’t just let ‘em go! Co’mon! [pouts at Baccacio]

Merric: Come, my beauty, and farewell, my life of the sea, a vow promised and a new vow begun!

Jaidyn: A vow...in wedding?...Already?

Merric: A vow from my uncle, a vow from my mother to be with the ones that love me and a vow of my own—to always know we all wear crossbones.

Jaidyn: [stops while leaving] We are all pirates?

Merric: No, my dear, we all wear masks.

Jaidyn: Then no more, end the masquerade tonight...

Merric: I can do nothing more for you...you’ve revealed the real me.

Jaidyn: Then...true freedom, Merric, is us. [they exit together stage left]

Baccacio slumps down on a barrel with his head in his hands and Garbaldi sits next to him looking bored.

Garbaldi: ...That’s it? That’s how we end?

Baccacio: Will ye shut 't, Garbaldi? I swear ye nereshut up...

Garbaldi: ...so what do we do now?

Baccacio: Wait fer th' day when real swashbucklers be merciful an' when th' swabbie ye’re chained t' will avast talkin'!

Garbaldi: ...How long is that going to be?

Baccacio: Soon if ye don’t shut yer bung hole!

Garbaldi: [Slips wrist through shackle and sighs] I wonder when the crew’s gonna get up and free us.

Baccacio: [about to bite his head off when he sees he’s out of his shackles] By jove, ye’re free! Get me ou' o' here, ye idiot! Cut th' rope an' let’s get off th' wanniond ship! Did us nay good here than 't did aft on th' streets!

Garbaldi: [clumsily grabbing knife and slices rope and releasing the shackle, but one still remains on Baccacio’s wrist] Seems we’re not in a snag after all, Bac!

Baccacio: Let’s go Garbaldi, out of this forsaken prison! We’re free!

Garbaldi: I could be “cap-tain”, though, Bac!

Baccacio: [biting his lip] Let’s jus' get ou' o' here while we can, mate. [Snatches Garbaldi and shakes his head as he exits stage left]