Beatrix ponders the picture painted by Johnny. While she did not enjoy being held against her will aboard the Dragon’s Strumpet, she had taken to life at sea whilst on the Pegasus with Lady Nelson. She wasn’t so fine that she didn’t enjoy the sea mists in her face and some of the off-color sailors and their tales. “I’d have no qualms sailing with you, Johnny Sparrow. Truth be told, I rather enjoyed life on the Big Blue, and I’m developing a taste for adventure.” Her companion visibly relaxed and expelled a breath he’d been holding with Bea’s declaration. “What? You thought I’d let you go off without me? I don’t think so!”

Bea laughs, and then throws her arms around the pirate’s neck. The kiss they share is less chaste than the ones they’d previously shared. It seems to go on and on. Johnny is the one to break it off. “Lass, as much as I’d like to see where that might have been heading, we’ve gots other things to think about tonight,” he tells her reluctantly. “Now tell me what is going through that mind of yours about Rum and Zack?”

Bea halfhearted pulled herself back to the real matter at hand. “If I know Garnet and Paulie as well as I think, they made sure Rum & Zack had their fill of the house’s finest rum and grog. The stuff only reserved for their special jobs. The men should be passed out after their tumbles, if not from the special treatment they’ll be receiving, then from the special drinks they’d gotten. If we could somehow get you and yer friend upstairs to Paulie and Garnet’s rooms...”

“Oh no Bea!” Johnny cuts her off. “You’ll not be thinking those thoughts. I don’t like you to get involved.”

“That’s real sweet of you Johnny, but I’m already involved. Don’t worry, I’ve a dress of Garnet’s that I’ve been working on. It should fit me well enough to tart myself up some. Zack and his men, if any of them are roaming the upstairs hall, will just see me as one of Garnet’s girls.” At Johnny’s look of disbelief she plows on, “I’ll just show you to their rooms. Then I will hustle back down to my own. I promise! I won’t be in any danger.”