The Ghost Ship Page #3

He's the first older man

who's treated me like a friend...

...and that means something.

- Yeah, I know.

I can see your way of thinking.

You had a tough time when you

were a kid. Not much friendliness.

But, Tom...

...there's a friendliness that tries

to get you to thinking wrong.

But that's got nothing to do with me.

We're bound south. It's a long voyage,

and I have to tend radio.

If you guys want any more,

you can get it yourself.

Okay, Stew.

Boats, the captain's complaining

about the way the deck's being kept.

It ain't as spick-and-span as I'd like it.

We're shorthanded with Jensen dead

and the Greek in his berth.

The boy's taking turns

standing double watches.

Yeah. Can't help that.

The captain wants a clean ship.

Aye, aye, sir.

You're crazy.

Whoever heard of a captain putting

into port just because one man's dead...

...and one man's off-duty? I've been

to sea since I've been a boy.

I've never heard of anything like that.

That's because most sailors

don't know the law.

With the Greek sick, captain

should port to fill up the crew.

Why, you told me yourself

that the captain is the law at sea.

That's the way it used to be.

Now they got new laws, and they say

the captain's got to put into port...

...to fill up his crew on a coastwise trip.

Never heard of it.

Why don't you tell all that

to the captain yourself?

- Who wants to bet I don't dare?

- I'll bet 1000 bucks.

You four-flushers wouldn't bet

10 real cents.

Put up or shut up.

So I felt it only proper to bring

this just complaint of the men...

...to you in person, captain.

You know, there are captains

who might hold this against you, Louie.

Hey, in there, nearly finished?

I'll be there in a minute.

Okay, let her go.

All right. Let her go.

Hey, hold the chain.

The door's locked!

Hold the chain!

Stop it! Stop!

Stop.

Start washing down.

I'll take a look at the locker.

What's wrong?

You'd better get a couple of men

down here and get that cleaned up.

- It's Louie.

- He was a troublemaker.

But he was a nice guy. Always kidding.

You're impressed.

Death is so absolute.

You looked into the chain locker,

no more Louie.

No more insolent remarks.

No more danger

to the discipline of the ship.

- You didn't like him.

- Of course I didn't like him.

He was a sea lawyer,

full of windy complaints...

...seasoned with bad comedy.

So you shut the hatch.

Shut the hatch?

- What do you mean, Mr. Merriam?

- The hatch was shut.

And I think it was locked.

You accuse me

of doing this out of spite...

...because the man was insubordinate?

This is what you meant when you said

you had rights over the lives of the crew.

- You murdered him.

- You're a little hasty, Mr. Merriam.

You can't expect me just to stand by

and watch you kill a man.

What do you propose to do?

Denounce me?

May I speak to you, Mr. Bowns,

on a matter of great importance?

What is it?

What is the law about

an incompetent captain, Mr. Bowns?

Why interrupt me with a question

like that when you see I'm working?

You know the answer.

The first officer would take over.

I think the captain is incompetent.

Louie getting killed in the chain locker,

that wasn't an accident.

The captain did it purposely.

I don't know what you're trying

to pull, fella.

But my advice is, pull in your ears before

you get yourself into a jam you don't like.

Now get away from me. I'm busy.

- But, Mr. Bowns, I'm not joking.

- You heard me.

And I'm the first officer.

- Hey, what's wrong, kid?

- The captain's crazy, Sparks.

Sure the captain's crazy.

Anyone who'd ride one hobbyhorse

so hard is bound to be bugs.

And what a hobby to pick, authority.

Well, I'm glad you believe me.

Bowns practically threw me off the ship.

Sure. The captain's a little tetched.

This isn't a gag. I mean it.

He's really crazy. Insane.

Hey, now, you know,

well, most people are.

But he killed Louie. That wasn't an accident

in the chain locker. That was murder.

You know, kid. You might be

a little excited yourself.

- Well, let me tell you from the beginning...

- Not me. Don't tell me.

I like my job, and I want to keep it.

When we get to port,

I'll tell the company agent.

You'll lose your job.

Even if I believed you,

I'd advise you not to.

You can't mean that, Sparks.

I believe in keeping my nose clean.

Really clean.

And out of other people's business.

- That's the only way to get along.

- Not me.

When something's wrong,

I've got to do something about it.

I'm going to report this

when we get ashore.

All right.

Report to the captain. San Sebastin

light, 2 points off the port bow.

Yes, sir.

All fast, sir.

- Hello, Will. It's good to see you.

- Always good to see you, Charlie.

- This is my first officer, Mr. Bowns.

- Mr. Bowns.

- Mr. Roberts.

- My third, Mr. Merriam.

- How do you do, sir?

- Mr. Roberts is our agent here.

This your first voyage to this port,

Mr. Merriam?

- Yes. In fact, it's my first long voyage.

- Drop into the office, I'll get you a guide.

- Thank you.

- Be sure and take him up on that.

The Dunham Line may be strict

aboard ship...

...but you'll find it friendly on shore.

- Drop by the office.

Thank you.

I'm glad you accepted my invitation

so promptly, Mr. Merriam.

Thank you.

Actually, I'd like to have

a few words with you, Mr. Roberts...

...on a matter of great importance.

- Of course. Sit down.

- Thank you.

- Make yourself comfortable.

- All right, Jose, you can go now.

- Yes, sir.

Well, Mr. Merriam,

what is the matter of importance?

It's about Captain Stone, sir.

An old friend.

A great friend of mine, Mr. Merriam.

That makes it all the more difficult.

What I have to tell you

is extremely unpleasant.

And not the captain.

Mr. Merriam himself gave

the order not to stopper the hook.

To my mind, Mr. Merriam had been

working kind of hard or something.

This is my first voyage with Captain Stone

as it is the for all the crew...

...except Mr. Bowns, the radio operator and

the steward. And all the men are agreed...

...the captain...

- That will do, Boats.

- Aye, aye, sir.

- Thank you.

Billy Radd.

I'd like to hear what

you have to say about the captain.

I'd like to know if you think

him competent...

...or if he had anything to do

with the death of Louie Carter.

No, sir. It's like the others said,

we just can't understand it.

The captain is a good captain.

What you call a kind man

and a gentleman.

And Mr. Merriam,

he was always a fine gentleman.

- We all liked Mr. Merriam too.

- That'll do for now, Billy. Thank you.

If I could have your permission, I would like

to mention just one thing, Mr. Roberts, sir.

The captain here hasn't only given us

the best food...

...and looked after the ship

his own self at all times...

...but he saved my life

by that operation at sea.

And I never in my life can forget that.

Should I call in any more witnesses,

Mr. Merriam?

You men may be a little puzzled

by what's been going on here.

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