h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

*the Captain's Wife is out for her nightly constitutional, strolling around the deck enjoying the fresh air*

G7

*the cat does her best to try and be underfoot at all times, as is its nature*

*leans down and pats the cat on the head*

There's a good puss. Do you know where Lizzie is? If you're here, then she's bound to be close by...

*looks around*

Lizzie, dear. Where are you?

*Lizzie's head pops up over the rail of the lifeboat.*

Here I am, Mother! I'm playing hide and seek with the .

* looks over at lizzie as if to say, "i win!"*

Wonderful, dear. How are you feeling tonight? Better? Come walk with me and tell me about your day.

*holds out a hand for Lizzie to take*

Seaman Goodschad is swabbing the deck..

Evenin Mistress.

And a good evening to you Lizzy.

Johan gives the girl a sheepish smile.

*the cat runs from the mop*

Good evening, Mr Goodschad. How are you this evening?

*smiles fondly at the seaman*

*Lizzie clambers over the rail and skips to her mother.*

Good evening, Mr. Goodschad!

I feel fine, Mother, now that the storm has passed and the sea is calm. I've been watching the crew tidying up. They work very hard, don't they?

I'm fine Mistress. Just getting everything cleaned so's I don't have to do it later.

Now don't be getting wet now dearie.

They do indeed, Lizzie. They do indeed.

*smiles at her daughter, then turns her head back to the seaman*

The decks look lovely, Mr Goodscad. Its a good thing that the weather has improved. That should make it much easier to keep everything "ship-shape", don't you think?

*the cat watches goodschad swab from a safe distance with unblinking yellow eyes*

*Johan Lorenzen, also swabbing, meets Johan Goodschad in the middle of the deck. Between them they appear to have gotten the whole thing swabbed.*

'Evening, Goodschad, evening, Mistress, and an especially good evening to you, little mistress.

*He says, indicating Lizzie. He does a little trick of pulling a coin from behind her ear and hands it to her*

There you are now. How are you on this fine evening?

Good evening, Mr Lorenzen. You will spoil my little Lizzie if you aren't careful.

*smiles at Lizzie and smoothes her curls*

Its a lovely job that you men have done on the deck. The ship is practically gleaming.

*Lizzie, amazed, looks at the coin, then at Mr. Lorenzen, then back at the coin and then back at Mr. Lorenzen.*

That is wonderful, Mr. Lorenzen! Will you tell me how you did it... please?

Mother, did you see that?

I did, Lizzie. Quite amazing, wasn't it, dear?

Ah, Lizzie, sometime I'll tell you the secret, but not now. Just now I'm on duty. By the way, M'am, would you tell me where I might find the captain? I wanted a word with him about something that happened earlier.

I believe that my husband is in his cabin, Mr Lorenzen. He should be out shortly to join me on a walk. I can deliver a message to him, or you can deliver it yourself when he comes out. Whichever you prefer.

Yes Mistress, it is easier to clean and to work on the ship if there be no swells coming over the rails.

A sailor's work be never done.