[h3][center]MADDOX[/center][/h3]

	Maddox locked eyes with each guest individually. In their eyes, he could sense each person.
	Dustin’s eyes showed a great pain; a pain he may not have yet overcome.
	Rathe’s showed a mystery…a closed book of forgotten, soon-to-be revenant secrets.
	Gabanre’s showed confidence; a strength, a willpower and drive to survive.
	Emma’s showed knowledge and intelligence, but with it, naivety. 
	Christopher’s showed stoicism, escapism, and just a hint of grey.
	Tiffany’s showed innocence, paranoia, and superstition. 
	Richard’s showed pride, hope, and intrigue.
	Elvira’s showed an analytical mind behind indecision and instability.
	And yet each and every one showed promise. 

	My name,” he started, “is Christopher Maddox. I see someone else in the room shares my name.” 
	Maddox gestured to the other Chris in the room.
	“I’m sure you’ll all just getting to know each other, so I’ll keep it brief. On the Crescenzo, there are a few rules you must know. 
	Rule number one: on this boat, there is but one Captain, and that is me. I sail the ship. I pick the destinations. I make the rules. So please, don’t do anything that would make me need to remind you of this rule.
	Rule number two: An unlocked door means come on in. A locked door means do not enter. A word of advice; if you feel like you shouldn’t be somewhere, odds are you’re right.
	Rule number three: this space around here, is your living space. Not mine. I only supply the materials. Your staterooms, your living room, your food, your pool. So please, keep your space nice. There is no one here to clean for you. Food, drinks, and supplies will be re-stocked once-per-week. Same with smokes—if you use them.”
	Maddox gave a sharp glare to Dustin, Rathe, and Christopher; the three smokers in the room.
	“And finally: you own a ticket on Crescenzo. Which means, you live here. I could care less about your reasonings, your plans, or your ideas. As long as you remain on this ship, you’re safe. If you leave, you forfeit your ticket. If you die, you forfeit your ticket. If you sell your ticket, you sell it back to me, and you get the hell off my ship. And if you think you can break my rules, ignore my heeds, and attempt something you shouldn’t? Well—”
	Maddox opened his jacket pocket to reveal to his new passengers perhaps the most important lesson of the day:
	Inside was a silver pistol. 
	“—If you ever make me…I will take my ticket back.”
	Maddox let out a small smile, instantly transitioning back to lighter matters.
	“You’ll be seeing me around. As well as my two crew members. John and Doe. If you’re wondering, John’s the smaller, more talkative one, and Doe’s the strong silent type—but you’d do good to leave them their space. 
	They’ll be announcements every morning over the intercom about the day’s events, and who knows? Maybe I’ll join you for dinner sometime.” 
	Maddox turned on his heel and called out over his shoulder as he left the room:
	“Enjoy your stay!” 

[hr]

[h1][center]NIGHT ONE[/center][/h1]

[hr]


[center][h3]DUSTIN[/h3][/center]

	[i]Holy. Shit.[/i] 

	Dustin had figured the man willing to sell tickets like this with no questions asked was crazy. But maybe not this crazy.
	He could only wonder what other secrets awaited him, but now was not the time.
	Now was the time to make his leave. 
	“Well,” Dustin said as he stood up. “If you’ll be needing me, I’ll be upstairs.”
	Dustin quickly exited the room as soon as he could, making his way past the dining room, his room, the bathroom and laundry, up the stairs, and into the smoking room.
 
	This room was much more pleasant. 
	Darker, dimmer lights shone around, with the pool table illuminating the red fabric on the tables. 
	The windows shone out to the now-black skies. The floors vibrated with the roar of the engine many decks below. 
	Content, happy, and alone, Dustin’s buzz kept him from going to the bar, but he made sure to put out his cigarette on the ashtray that was alongside it. He pulled out another cigarette, and lit it, before turning and looking around the room.
	Another turntable, like the one the long-haired man had used in the living room. Go figure. 
	Smiling, Dustin put on an old record, enjoying the [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Wp7d_kgxI0&ab_channel=aquamaker256] calm mood music.[/url]
	Moving to one of the two pool tables in the room, Dustin set up the balls within the billiard triangle, and made sure to line up his cue ball just right. Striking it with the cue stick, Dustin managed to send the balls flying with a sickening crack, sinking two solid balls. 
	He still was good at some things, he thought to himself.