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~~~~~~~~~~
You want to hear a story, eh? Of course, everyone does.
Try this one: I was an honest man, once, love. Painfully
honest. Couldn't lie to save me blessed arse. What, you
don't believe me?
I was also a foolish, naive little prick what thought he had
life by the wheel and the world by the cods. Last part
turned out the other way round, really. Can't say the lesson
wasn't a deserved one, and learned well and good. Those
mutinous dogs, they'd been round the Horn a few times.
They knew a dupe when they saw one.
Was about then I picked up the bottle. Oh, it was earnest
enough at the start. Then I noticed that people tend to
underestimate you when they think you're full to scuppers--
telling you things you're meant to forget, and so on. That
was the easy bit, darling. The hard part was in knowing I
could no longer afford to be that honest man. Not and
survive. Sure enough, if they don't end up doing something
completely stupid sooner or later.
I've hauled in good lading, all things considered, being a
gentleman of fortune. I gradually reinvented myself
precisely so that any crew would be willing to sail with me
to Hell and back. Never showed weakness to man nor
beast. Now, between you and me and the straw sack, was a
member of your fair sex what finally convinced me to belay
the acting; she wanted to know the truth. Well, I suppose
you could say we both did some mutual persuading. Found
out she was in love, sure enough--with sailing the ocean,
with danger and abandon and a life of dancing on the
Devil's blade. But not with me. I think I deserved that one.
Funny old world. We all sell something, don't we?
No matter. Now, do me a favor, love. Tell me lies, dark and
sinful. Lie to me all night long.
~~~~~~~~~~
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