Mark Arbour

Why is Calvert thinking about Gatling? Because Gatling is cute, and unassuming, and Calvert has an active libido. I'm not seeing anything unusual here. :-)

Here's a chart showing the distribution of prize money. And here's some info from Wikipedia: Allocation was by eighths. Two eighths of the prize money went to the captain, generally propelling him upwards in political and financial circles. One eighth of the money went to the admiral or commander and chief who signed the ship's written orders (unless the orders came directly from the Admiralty in London, in which case this eighth also went to the captain). One eighth was divided among the lieutenants, sailing master, and captain of marines if any. One eighth was divided among the wardroom warrant officers (surgeon, purser, and chaplain), standing warrant officers (carpenter, boatswain, and gunner), lieutenant of marines, and the master's mates. One eighth was divided among the junior warrant and petty officers, their mates, sergeants of marines, captain's clerk, surgeon's mates, and midshipmen. The final two eighths were divided among the crew, with able and specialist seamen receiving larger shares than ordinary seamen, landsmen, and boys.[1][2] ExamplesPerhaps the greatest amount of prize money awarded was for the capture of the Spanish frigate Hermione on 31 May 1762 by the British frigate Active and sloop Favourite. The two captains, Herbert Sawyer and Philemon Pownoll, received about £65,000 apiece, while each seaman and Marine got £482-485.[3][4][5] In January 1807, the frigate Caroline took the Spanish ship San Rafael as a prize, netting Captain Peter Rainier £52,000.[4] The prize money from the capture of the Spanish frigates Thetis and Santa Brigada, £652,000, was split up among the crews of four British frigates, with each captain being awarded £40,730 each and the Seaman each receiving £182 4s 9¾d or the equivalent of 10 years pay.[2]

You guys really are missing the target with this latest discussion. This family is fluid. They're not taking guys like Gathan and Cody in and buying them shit because they're boy toys, they're doing it because they're incorporating them into their family. The family is very structured, but the admission process is a lot easier than admission to the Danfield's world. So a guy like Cody, or Gathan, or Wade is accepted as a naturalized member of the clan, embraced by the family. It's not a blood thing, necessarily.

I have to pretty much agree with all your observations. You mentioned that businesses got hit hard after 9-11, but in response, I would like to direct you to the fortunes of Halliburton and their ilk. Stef and Brad have, as far as we know, a good chunk of money tied up in Triton, which is in the defense industry. That did quite well, post-911

Why thank you!

You raise an interesting point about the crew. I would have to believe that a few of them may migrate back to the sea, if only to return to their chosen profession. That's the oft heard question of lottery winners: will you quit your job.

Well, Gatling is already an acting lieutenant aboard Santa Clarita, so there's no real promotion here, but I shouldn't wonder that performing well aboard the San Fernando will be good for his career. We would expect Chartley to be in Amboyna since he left London for just that purpose, but he may not have made it yet, or he may have arrived and already left.

I'm glad I could take you back to the days of Disco Inferno! :-) Somers and Granger have a friends with benefit thing going on. While they care deeply for each other, they aren't in love, and sex is more of an athletic match for them than a real expression of emotion.

Now you know better than that. Times really haven't changed all that much. Maidstone is a rich man. He can probably escape justice for whatever he does.

Interesting? Amboyna? I'm betting. :-) By the way, Amboyna, sometimes called Amboina back then, is now called Ambon Island.

I'm glad you enjoyed it. A glass of wine and Granger. I'm thinking something traditional, like a cabernet. Or maybe something tasteful but spunky? Remember that Calvert's officers aren't really 'acting' badly, they're just grumbling behind the scenes. Think of it as workplace gossip or griping over the latest changes to the sick day rules, or whatever.

The next installment won't be as long of a wait as this one. it's already in editing. Probably within a week.

December 1797 Granger digested the Viceroy’s offer as he made the journey back to Bacchante with Avila. Avila, sensing that Granger was deeply in thought, wisely left him alone. It was not until they prepared to leave the cutter for the brief boat ride to Bacchante that Granger seemed to come out of his mental hibernation. “Colonel, would you be willing to join me for supper,” Granger said. “As it is approaching nightfall, I would be glad to provi

Jason, dude, I am not standing close to you ever if there are women in the room. We'll see how 9-11 turns out...I may fuck it up. You never know.

It's like seeing one of our kids grow up. :-)

I'm not giving any hints about what happens on 9-11. Yet. I don't think Tony and Will have that kind of a relationship. Will gets that Tony is damaged goods, and he's fragile, so he's being uncharacteristically patient and gentle. Then again, maybe Will recognizes that Tony needs to be in control of his own life, something that's pretty damn important to Will.

Maybe the powers-that-be will sponsor it.

Happy story? No. I've usually gone for the happy ending though, although that may be tough with this story. Regardless, I hope it doesn't disappoint you.

I am going out on a limb here and I'm going to guess, based on some of the feedback I've gotten, that Tony isn't popular because guys like him are in a lot of pain, but they also tend to spread that pain around. It makes for a less-sympathetic audience. I'm also hypothesizing that those of us who are older have more tolerance for a guy like Tony, while those who are younger perhaps can't understand his denial over his sexuality. I don't see how Will was intimidated by Hank. In fact, he's about the only one of them who's found a way to relate to her effectively. I've been working on Bridgemont, and have a few chapters in the works. Writing takes time, but so does editing.

I am going out on a limb here and I'm going to guess, based on some of the feedback I've gotten, that Tony isn't popular because guys like him are in a lot of pain, but they also tend to spread that pain around. It makes for a less-sympathetic audience. I'm also hypothesizing that those of us who are older have more tolerance for a guy like Tony, while those who are younger perhaps can't understand his denial over his sexuality. I don't see how Will was intimidated by Hank. In fact, he's about the only one of them who's found a way to relate to her effectively. I've been working on Bridgemont, and have a few chapters in the works. Writing takes time, but so does editing.

I'd say you were intuitive if I hadn't warned you about it. :-)

I totally agree. And I think the fact that "Downtown" is an oldie is even more appropriate. I'll bet Hank loves songs like that.

Any good narcotic makes you crave more. I'm working for heroin status. ;-)

It is interesting how areas go through decline and renewal. Well, not all areas, but some anyway. Wade is not naive enough to think that domestic scene is even reasonable for Riley. He'll live his life with an eye to his public persona, or at least his father will.

It isn't all that polite, but it is the truth. If you were at Escorial, Claire and Isidore would chide you for your manners, while Will would applaud you for being candid. Maybe that's a hint.