7th Grade Short Essay Contest Winner

Captain Hook

(In the Captain’s Cabin of a ship, Black Stache is alone staring at what once was his hand.)

Stache: Me hand once downed the bravest men who ever sailed the seven seas. People trembled lookin’ at it. Me crew doesn’t respect a one-handed man much. I need to show I’m still in charge. Nobody understands how hard it is being captain. Hmm, but of course, as the Captain of the ship, I need a weapon to prove me worth. I’m a pirate; we pirates show no mercy, nor do we pirates lament past wrongs. I’ll wreak havoc on this accursed island, and eventually, I’ll have me revenge! And what a glorious revenge it’ll be! Now, for a weapon…Smee, bring me the gaft! Smee! Bloody tarnation! What’s keepin’ you! Smee! Hurry up! Oh, there you are.

Smee: We goin’ fishin’ Cap’n?

Stache: Not today.

Smee: Then whaddyu want the gaft fer?

Stache: Ye know what a vision is, Smee?

Smee: No sir.

Stache: A vision is a dream. I have a vision fer the Jolly Roger. She’ll be a true pirate ship Smee. She’s the fastest ship ever. Its time she serves again. I’ll not be leavin’ this island until I have me revenge. I’ll bring catastrophe upon this island! This accursed island doesn’t know what chaos, catastrophe, and devastation are yet! By the Ladies, they’ll know when I’m done with them!

Smee: Yer willing to risk the Ladies?

Stache: For this, I’m willing to risk the Jolly Roger herself. We’ll wreak mayhem! Smee, the men are to kill, plunder and pillage- this upon any mermaids, fairies, boys, and savages- but save the crocodile and 'the boy' for me! They’re mine, ya hear!

Smee: The mermaids n’ fairies? I don’t wanna kill no mermaids and fairies. They’s real pretty Cap’n.

Stache: Ye’ll do as yer told! You kill ‘em an’ I’ll take care of the others.

Smee: Yes sir. But how’ll ye kill’em captain? Ye can’t use a sword.

Stache: How’ll I kill them? Why, that’s why I summoned ye down here. Take the gaft an’ make me a hook!

Smee: Yer gonna fish fer ‘em?

Stache: You idjit! I wan’ a hook… fer a hand.

Smee: Oh, so ye want a hook for yer hand stump?”

Stache: Yes, idjit! Get it done. I want me hook within the hour! Ye hear? Now be gone! You’re foolish Peter… the moment you went against me, ya made the wrong choice. You may have won the battle, but the war ain’t over. Not by a long shot. And I aim to win this war. Ye took me treasure. ‘Twas the greatest treasure on Earth. Now there’s a debt to be paid. Smee! Hurry up! Yer hour’s up!

Smee: Yes sir, Here I am sir, I gots the hook sir!

Stache: Where is it? Where’s me hook?

Smee: Hereyago Sir.

Stache: Black Stache, he fought by the sword. Me? I’ll fight by me hook; Thus, I am hereby, to be forever known as…Captain Hook.