EXT. SHIP – DECK – NIGHT – 6:00
The boys are back. It is later in the day (6:00) and they are dressed in their best. All of them are wearing theirs best clothes (clothes very different from what they wore in scene 1.) All except May. He is still wearing the simple pants and shirt, but he is not cowed by the fact that he looks like a child compared to the others. On the contrary, he is the most sure of himself, with a smile on his face while the others stare grimly and seriously ahead. They are lined up in a straight line, at attention with their right hands on their foreheads. The captain is standing a bit away from them, talking to a lieutenant, and both instructors. They end their conversation, and head over to where the boys are waiting.
CAPTAIN
I will now read off the names of the boys that have enough skill to join my vessel. Consider yourselves warned boys, this will not be an easy task! Our ship has been set the hardest task, one that we WILL achieve. We are to find all pirates, but we are to focus on two of them. The pirates by the names of Captain Roone and Captain Jay are the ones that we, and we alone, are set out for. They take no mercy and no captives. Its do or die. If any of you wish to leave, do so now. If not, and you are signed aboard my ship, the punishment of desertion is death. If you wish, leave now.
No one moves, although some of the people that signed up seem less than pleased that it’s ‘do or die’.
CAPTAIN
Very well than. I am going to call upon 5 of you boys to join me. The first person called is not the person who did the best, the instructors tell me. No, they say that the last person that I will cal is the best, and the best by far. However, that does not give you an advantage over the others. It does nothing at all, actually, in my point of view. Those of you not chosen, do not come speak to me, begging to be taken. What’s done is done. If you are rejected, take yourself off my ship, or I will do it for you.
Edward!
Edward steps forward. He is happy, but he doesn’t grin, trying to look professional. He is a handsome boy, with jet black hair. It is pulled back in a pony tail. He has brown eyes and he is taller than average, although he isn’t a giant. He is handsome, but in an older way.
CAPTAIN CONT’D
George!
Walks up, and takes his place beside Edward. He is also handsome, but I a different way. He has dimples and curly, blond hair, and he looks like a boy. He has blue eyes, and he looks like a child, even though he tries not to.
CAPTAIN CONT’D
Nathan!
He walks up. He is a cute boy, with brown hair, that is a little curly. It is longer than Georges but shorter than Edward’s. He has green eyes, that look like May’s. He is taller than average, but he isn’t a giant. He had a grace that is uncommon for a boy, and there’s a look in his eye that makes him look intelligent. He doesn’t try to hide his smile, but he doesn’t whoop and rejoice.
CAPTAIN CONT’D
Stuart!
Walks up, and takes his place next to Nathan. He doesn’t have the cuteness that George has, nor the seriousness of Edward or the beauty of Nathan, but he isn’t hideous. He has a hair that looks orange, but not flaming orange. He has freckles and he is a bit shorter than the others, and a but on the chubby side, thought he isn’t fat. He too is trying to act professional, but failing miserably. He cannot hide his grin, nor is his face suited for seriousness.
CAPTAIN CONT’D
May!
May jumps up and starts doing a miniature celebration dance. The officers are astounded, but after a second, the captain starts to laugh.
CAPTAIN CONT’D
Haha! Very funny! May, please come up. I want to see the boy that beat my instructor and got all shots dead on. I would like to congratulate him.
MAY
Stops dancing and faces the captain, saluting
Thank you sir!
The captain is silent, so he rephrases
May sir! Ready for duty!
CAPTAIN
(stunned)
You’ve got to be kidding me.
Turning to sword instructors
This is the boy? The one that beat you?
The sword instructor nods. The captain turns to the shooting instructor
He’s the one that got all five shots in the bulls-eye?
Shooting instructor nods.
CAPTAIN
Shaking his head in disbelief
Very well then. Come stand over here boy.
May practically skips to his spot in the line, completing the 5 boys that got in.
CAPTAIN
I will see you bright and early at 5 ‘clock sharp tomorrow morning. Don’t be late! Dismissed!
He walks to his cabin and goes in. May ignores the others and stands around for a couple of minutes, then heads up to the captains room as well. Knocks
CAPTAIN (O.S.)
Come in!
He has his back turned to May, so he doesn’t know that May just walked it
How did that boy do it? He’s so li-
He turns around, and sees that it’s May
Oh. It’s you
MAY
Yes sir…. Sir… we have a slight complication.
CAPTAIN
(annoyed)
What’s that? You don’t want to be on the boat with the other horrible people? We’re all doomed?
MAY
No sir. Actually, I think that everyone is quite good sir.
CAPTAIN
Well.. they have to be don’t they? We’re a pirate hunting ship!
MAY
Yes sir.. but that’s not my problem.
CAPTAIN
Then what is?
MAY
Well sir… you see….
CAPTAIN
Just say it already!
MAY
Very well then… I’m a girl.