Prompt – Week 1

Three couples hire a small boat and a captain for a whale watching tour, but when the boat returns to the dock several hours later, only six people remain on board.

Captain N. Teba stood on the deck of the Misty Savior, watching the late afternoon sun cast long, lonesome shadows across the deck. It was the fifth and final run of the day and his patience was as frayed as a weather-worn anchor rope.

Three couples stood before him. He couldn’t help but notice what a mixed bag they were. A deep dread of the next several hours entered his old seaman’s bones.

“Welcome aboard the Misty Savior,” he announced to the misfits gawking at him.

The first couple up the gangplank was a majestic pair of lions. “Not really looking forward to this, mate. Water really isn’t my jam,” said Leo Lion. Lynette Lion growled at her mate. “I mean this is going to be the beeest day of my life,” he told the Captain.

Captain Teba sighed and watched two ancient, turtles slowly edge their way up to the boat. Before he could introduce himself, two male unicorns bounded up the plank, and used the turtles to launch themselves onto the deck.

“Hey bitches, the unicorns have arrived. Where can a couple of boys find the Champagne and cocaine on this floating garbage can?” said Gabe Unicorn. Crispin Unicorn neighed in agreement.

Captain Teba rubbed his temples and turned his attention to the turtles who had finally made their way to the boat.

“I don’t really know what a whale is and I’m not that keen on finding out. We’re just going to chill out in our shells if you don’t mind,” said Artie Turtle. Ethel Turtle nodded in agreement.

“Let’s get started,” said the captain without much enthusiasm, and pulled away from the dock.

****

About an hour into the trip, the unicorns had clearly been enjoying some mind-altering goodies they’d smuggled aboard.

Crispin was erratically swinging from the mast, using poor Artie like a bongo to pound out a dance rhythm.

Gabe was showing Lynette some of the latest dance moves out of the urban jungle.

Captain Teba yelled himself hoarse for Crispin to come down.

Leo watched jealously as his mate danced with that horse-like creature.

Ethel begged Crispin to let her mate go.

The wind gusted-up, spinning Crispin backwards. He let go of Artie, who plummeted to the deck. Captain Teba leaped into action and dove to catch the large turtle.

Crispin lost his balance and fell, flailing into the choppy sea.

Teba caught the turtle, mostly with his face. He groaned under the weight of the old creature as Ethel screeched at Artie, her stubby legs moving her towards her mate with the effectiveness of pistons in desperate need of oil.

Gabe wailed that Crispin was overboard.

The more mobile passengers ran to the side of the boat and peered over. Crispin was kicking and screaming in the water. Teba grabbed a life preserver and tossed it to him, just as an Orca whale surfaced and swallow Crispin like a dainty appetizer.

Several hours later they returned to dock in silence.

Feature photo credit: gracespace.org.uk