Danger on the High Seas

"Ship!"

That single word carried across the ship and awoke us all. There were about thirty of us on board, and until the scream we had been lazily discussing our plans. We had sailed the world and accumulated an enormous amount of goods which we intended to sell in San Franciso. Basking in the sun on the deck of the ship we talked of our dreams.

But then the yell of "Ship!" It was Pierre LaBlanc, a wiry fellow I particularly liked. He had a peg-leg, an eyepatch, and an ever-present parrot perched comfortably on his shoulder. As we looked toward Pierre he and his parrot were staring at the horizon, at a small speck in the distance.

We all knew it was a ship, but what kind? Friend or foe? These were dangerous waters off the west coast of South America; waters rife with pirates.

There was concern on every man's face. Necks craned as the men tried to ascertain the occupants of the approaching vessel. I couldn't wait. I was a man of action. Grabbing the telescope from a pile of rope, I raced upward, toward the crow's nest. Higher and higher I climbed, my breathing heavy, but regular. Finally I reached my destination and raised the telescope.

What I saw caused the grip of death to seize my heart. The Jolly Roger. The dreaded flag waved menacingly.

I glanced down at he deck. All twenty-nine men were looking upward, waiting for the word they didn't want to hear. But what choice did I have?

The winds swirled around me as I screamed at the top of my lungs, "PIRATES!"



"Gustav, would you please shut up and get down from my coffee table! And put my kaleidoscope back! That is quite expensive!"

The voice belonged to Mrs. Bigalke. She was speaking from a chair in her living room. Also in the room were a couple dozen townfolk, gathered to have a discussion about the new Walmart moving into town and what could be done to stop this intrusion by the corporate giant.

I looked at the couch where Gertude sat. Her eyes were moist and she was wringing her hands. Flanking her were the Becker twins and they were leaning toward her, whispering consolatory offerings into her ears. I could hear sentence fragments -- "...didn't take medication..." and "...get out, Gert...now.."

I looked down at the kaleidoscope in my hand. It was nice and I could understand where it could be quite expensive. It appeared to be teak, well-crafted and-

"GUSTAV!"

My head snapped up. It was Mayor Baggins. His face was red and he was staring at me in a very disapproving fashion. His eyes gestured toward the overstuffed chair in the corner. I could take a hint. I got off the coffee table and put the kaleidoscope back on the desk as I made my way to the chair. I sat down and Mrs. Bigalke's cat jumped into my lap. Petting the cat, I looked at Mrs. Bigalke and motioned for her to continue.

She gave me eye-daggers and then turned to the crowd. "As I was saying", she began, "If this store is allowed to move into town all...blah....blah...blah..blah."

I was already mentally escaping again. Off to another adventure.


Has this ever happened to you? In the middle of an excruciatingly boring meeting you have to either make a mental escape or jab an ice pick into your eye.

I choose to go the mental escape route.

This thread will be devoted to daydreaming stories and how the valuable daydream helps us all cope with a stress-filled world.

Someone.... please begin.