17 January 2023

I came up with the idea for this story seed while pondering on Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean. Specifically the first movie. In particular, it was about Gibbs and his superstitions, and the way each of his captains handled that differently. When he brings up his statement about bad luck (including “it’s bad luck to have a woman on board”), Norrington kind of waves him off, ignores it. Later, though, when Jack Sparrow hears Gibbs’ concerns, he validates them, while still holding his own position, all with one simple line; “It would be far worse not to, however.”

That approach struck a chord in me. And then I’m taking it too far. :) Rather than simply acknowledging and being considerate of a crew’s superstitions, what if a captain weaponized them and twisted them to suit his needs? It’s actually kind of terrible, now that I stop and think about it; incredibly manipulative. Might be a fun story anyway, though. Not that we’ve got to that part.

Elizabeth wiped the sweat from her brow and pushed a lock of red hair behind her ear. “So you are tracking this place down off a rumor that there’s a ghost here?”

The captain turned back to flash her a grin, with a twinkle in his eye. “But of course! How else would I drive off whatever curse the ship has?”

Elizabeth gave him a flat look, though the effect lost a lot of its power since she was drenched in sweat. “Ghosts aren’t real. And even if they were, wouldn’t that be the exact kind of thing your crew would avoid with a passion?”

“As to your second question, I have it covered. ‘Twill be a simple matter to convince the crew a ghost would be to our benefit, so long as it comes willingly. As for you first statement, on the reality of ghosts, well…” The captain pulled a branch away and pointed into a clearing within the jungle. “What do you make of that, then, I wonder?”