After a long drink an’ a stop to ‘pay the rent,’ Abby made her way out of the passengers’ lavatory.  What little she’d seen of China Doll offered brighter clues as to her overall upkeep.  Last few years aboard Mariposa...after Aunt Lupe passed...Uncle Bob just kinda let things go.  [i]Depression,[/i] one passenger called it.  [i]La shi[/i] took to pilin’ up in corners an’ some stains et right into the paint.  The young girl washed and scrubbed, but with folk to feed an’ laundry to keep at bay, she had to choose her battles.  

This boat was old, but leastways she was tended.  It showed that Cap’n kept folk on to handle her an’ made sure they did.  Abby couldn’t say where she’d be after they touched New Melbourne, but fer now, they’s a spot here with her name on it.  Still felt more’n a little unsettlin’ and she accepted there’s tears to be cried, but that’d come on her own time.

Medbay lights was on, an she seen Hook actin’ the guide to a woman.  Judgin’ as words like ‘supplies’ passed twixt ‘em, the deckhand took her fer that new doc Cap’n told of. [i]Purty,[/i] Abby thought as she passed by.  [i]Her and Penelope.  They’s both purty,[/i] she mused over thoughts of that new pilot.  [i]He can pick ‘em.[/i]  But the sight of Hook in the new medic’s company doused the girl’s hope of a ready made plate with her name on it.  [i]Mayhaps I can slip down to that cook stall,[/i] she thought as she crossed the cargo bay.

“Excuse me, young lady.”  The fella stood up at the ramp’s foot was tall.  Not a thread out of place, and those all looked to cost top coin.  Even the dust on his shoes looked like it’d be polished off afore he took to his bed.  “I understand you’re destined for New Melbourne?”

“Sure an’ we are,” the girl nodded as she strode down the ramp.  “Bookin’ a passage?  We still got rooms.”

“Sadly, I cannot,” he smiled.  “Harrison Caruthers, Seatronics Corporation.  My card.”  He had the purtiest hands she’d ever seen, long, slender fingers looked so clean as they’d never touched more’n a china cup.  His business card was a sight to behold, too.  Caruthers’ name and a whole stream of letters crawled over a capture of a big fishin’ boat, all white and clean as she glided over an ocean flat as glass.  Abby seen the ocean once, when Uncle Bob hauled a bunch of statues an’ such to some rich guy on Bellerophon.  Damn near went swimmin’ when their pilot almost flew em’ into one of them trash drones…

“Ahem.”

Abby looked up.  “Sorry,” she offered the card.  “Nice pitcher.”

Caruthers chuckled.  “Please, keep it.  Now, as to my purpose,” he continued, “I’ve got a shipment of marine electronics equipment that needs to be delivered before the tuna fleets set sail.  What’s your ETA for New Melbourne?”

“Cap’n says we’re goin’ tonight.  Three full days to New Melbourne,” she answered.  “Got others flyin’ with us what say that puts us down with two days to spare.”

“Cutting it close,” the gent stroked his moustache, “but if the price is agreeable, perhaps we can make arrangements.”

Time to dance, just like Uncle Bob taught her.  [i]...’member, Chick Pea.  They try to hornswoggle yah with numbers and what important folk they are, yah just stick to tha rates.  They show out tah be a huen duan, make’em pay full boat.  If’n they’re respectful, git ‘em tah signin’ off an’ then cut ‘em ten percent.  That’ll have ‘em lookin’ fer ye on future runs.[/i]

Way this Caruthers was playin’ it so nice she’s liable to make it fifteen.  All the while, Abby kept an eye on the darkening street and them as walked it.  She spied three folk, all clustered in a little knot.  Dim as it was, she couldn’t suss out whether they’s passengers tryin’ to decide on comin’ to China Doll, or footpads casin’ Caruthers fer a rich mark.