Exceptional Men throw Ahab out. The White Lion by Aussie Flash Fiction Writing Contest contest entry

The White Lion Tavern stood on the corner of Wood and Cook streets. Candle light seeped from the windows, men and women crowded inside for a pint of ale or a toddy of gin. A popular drinking hole for the costermongers and ladies of the night. Whores walked the dark streets looking for customers. The Tavern, noisy with drunken men, women shouting verbal abuse. Pork pies and rabbit stew served to the hungry patrons. Near to closing time, the double doors swung open and everyone turned to see a familiar figure stomp through the doors. A tall man in a long black coat and top hat stood, legs apart to balance his wooden pegleg with his cane. His deep voice brought the crowd's attention. They all knew the wicked face, scarred and mean. A deep scar ran the length of his face, his white hair askew. "What can I do for ye, Captain?" Artie, the barman puffed himself up, hoping to look more in charge than he felt. Captain Ahab thumped across the wooden floor until he faced the barman. "I'm looking for a crew for the Pequod. Taking her out to sea to find that blasted white whale that took me leg." Ahab snarled. Patrons shuffled away from the bar, the whores trailed out into the night. No one liked Ahab, thought he was a mad man. "A gold sovereign for any man that sails with me!" None of the seamen answered his call to crew the Pequod. Ahab was obsessed with killing whale. "What's wrong with ye men? I'm offering gold to any man that signs on." "No one is interested in sailing with you, Captain. They all have their own trawlers and plenty of work in Portsmouth." He slammed the glass down on the bar. Quick as a snake, Ahab hooked the barman around the neck, pulling Artie off his feet. The men roared and made their way towards Ahab. Piling on top with pent-up anger they pinned his arms behind his back and frog-marched him out onto the slimy cobblestones. Getting up from the floor, Artie rubbed his sore neck and spat in the spitoon. Men gathered around. "Why don't ye ban him from the White Lion?" One wizened old codger shouted to Artie. "I don't want no trouble from the likes of him. Besides, he has a gang of cutthroats that would slit my throat if Ahab told them too." One gin-soaked old lady of the night spat and then stood up face the men. "Some say he's Jack the Ripper, some say. Ain't me going out to stand on a corner for some dirty John and four pence paid. Sides' I'm too old for that nonsense. Clean the bar up for ye Artie?" Lamplight lit the whore standing on the corner. Ahab giggled loudly... Author Notes Contest entry for 5oo words flash fiction. Australian English and cockney grammer. I have taken two characters, Ahab and Jack the Ripper. One fictional, one very real. Wound them into the story to take you back to the 1800's in merry old England. Costermonger = stall holder selling food or wares. I've used some cockney slang to make the story more real. A gold sovereign was worth one pound sterling in 1804.

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