Episode 5 - A Trip to Davey Jones' Locker
21st day of January, 1640.
The dockside tavern, Silver Sloop, was littered with drunken pirates engaging in much drunken revelry and singing. The tavern was the hub for all privateers, explorers, swashbucklers, and general villainous characters from around the Caribbean.
Built back in '32, the place was noted for selling the finest ales in the entire region and its proprietor, Captain Jon, always made his brethren pirates welcome, whatever their creed, colour, or nationality.
Inside the tavern, the famous flag maker from Tampico, Mr Quinn, was at the bar showing his latest piece of artwork to Henry Morgan.
"Tis made of tha finest Indian silks, Henry," explained Quinn.
"Aye, but I's wantin' something bright 'n colourful... something bold ta match me ego," replied Morgan.
"'Tis surely a fine flag ye 'ave thar but tis not for me." he added, with dissaponitment.
"Jeeesus, 'Enry, thars not enough material in all o' tha bleedin' Main ta match yer friggin' ego!" replied a frustrated Quinn.
Coggy entered the tavern, took a quick look around, and made his way to one of the dank corners of the room where the notorious pirate, Davey Jones, sat.
"Arrr… <hic> <hic>" mumbled Jones as he awoke from his drunken slumber.
"So, Davey lad, I 'eres yee've got some information on the where-a-bouts o' tha Ol'Man" whispered Coggy in the mouldy ear of his drunken pal.
"Aye… <hic>" he groaned, "tis gonna cost ye <hic> a bottle o' tha finest Jamaican rum though <hic> <hic>" he gurgled.
Coggy called to the bar-tender, "Hey Cap'n Jon, bring me some Jamaican rum - 'n be quick 'bout it!"
"Davey, 'tis a sad sight ta see yer fine self wallowin' in yer drunken state - what 'appened, lad?" asked a concerned Cog.
"I wus in St. Augustine ta see me wench… Anyhow, <hic> I gets ta me townhouse that me gov'nor mate kindly donated me <hic> …low 'n bleedin' behold <hic> me wench 'ad gone 'n ran off wit some French git by the name o' Cap'n Creed. From France 'e was… <hic>" moaned Davey.
"Bloody garlic eatin' bastids - them French ponces be as treacherous as a Spanish greaseball gov'nor. 'Opes ye catch up wit tha blaggard one day Davey - make tha swab walk yer plank wit yer missus, that's what I'd do." said Coggy, trying to console his mate.
"I's not bothered 'bout me wench, Cogs," replied Jones, "I's pissed off 'cos tha Frenchy pinched me bleedin' parrot too. 'E be me best mate 'e wus and I's missin' tha 'lil blighter <hic>" he added, trying to hold back a tear.
Cap'n Jon approached with the rum, "That'll be twelve pesos, Coggy." he said.
"Arrrghhh, yew theiv'n git! I can get three bottles of that thar piss-water from Unlucky Joe's Tavern in St Kitts fer twelve pesos." shouted an angry Cog.
"Ok, ok, Coggy. I'll let yew 'ave it fer ten," said Jon.
"I'll give ye six, and ney more!" replied Coggy.
"eight and it's yers" countered Jon.
"Done" said Coggy.
"Yew 'ave been" replied Jon as he placed the bottle of rum on the table and gave a wry smile.
"Ye could teach a thiev'n Spanish gov'nor a ting 'r two, ye could," said Coggy as he reluctantly handed over the money.
Coggy turned back to Davey Jones and asked, "Well Davey lad… tell me what ye knows 'bout tha Ol'Man's hideaway."
Davey quickly uncorked the rum and guzzled half of it down without comming up for air.
"<hic> <burp> <hic> He's tha divil 'imself, that'n, Coggy." said Davey, as he wiped his lips, " 'Appen a mate o' mine <hic> from Santiago seys tha Ol'Man be in the Spanish 'ell hole of Cartagena <hic>" mumbled Jones before heading back into the bottle.
Coggy scratched his head, "Hmmm, Cartagena, ye sey's. Tis gonna be 'arder than I thought ta git me 'ands on 'is wretched carcass."
"Rumour 'as it, 'e got 'imself a seabitch pirate wench that goes by tha name o' Cyclone <hic> …She be the baddest hag it be yer misfortune ta meet," blurted Davey, before finishing off his bottle of rum and succumbing to the peaceful world of drunken unconsciousness.
Coggy sat and thought for a while, then got up and headed for the door.
"Hey Coggy, where's ye headin'?" asked Henry Morgan.
"I's headin' ta 'ell, mate." Coggy replied, as his thoughts were on the pirate graveyard of Cartagena.
"Sounds fun!" said Morgan, before turning back to Quinn to barter a price for his new flag.
Later that afternoon...
Coggy made his way up to the shipwrights where a bunch of his crewmates where loading the Grim Reapers open launch with provisions.
"What's the news, Cap'n?" asked a sailor.
"We's gonna need some 'elp with our endeavours," replied Cog, "The Ol'Man and his part 'o tha figgin' map are in Cartagena. I reckon it's time ta put out a call fer me auld mate, Maniac Moose" he said, as he looked across the town.