This is a work of fiction any similarities between the characters, events, or locations in this story and actual locations, events, or people are purely coincidental.
© 2004 Warlord
Sea Cruise
After Bridget Johansen’s revelation about the lack of gender balance on our 100-day cruise I stood up and walked to the entertainment center. I sorted through the CD’s. I found Lyle Lovett. I cued up Pontiac. If I Had a Boat surrounded us.
Bridget joined me at the kitchen counter as I poured from the ever-present insulated carafe. She asked:
“Having trouble with the whole concept?”
“I never expected a sea going harem.”
“Every member of the Sunrise staff who has met you speaks well of you and think you will the perfect leader for OUR harem.”
“Thank you, Bridget. That makes me feel better.”
“The captain has requested that you visit the bridge for a chat and then I am to take you on a tour of the ship.”
“That sounds like fun. Let’s not keep the captain waiting. Even if it is a request.”
“Follow me.”
We walked back out into the elevator foyer. Bridget informed me:
“One thing you should know. The suite door will open without your keycard from now on. It will unlock for the chip in your necklace.”
Bridget led me behind Donna’s desk and through the “staff only” door.
“This is the quickest way for you to get to the bridge.”
We walked down a slightly less finished corridor. We reached a dead end with an open hatch overlooking the bow of the ship. There were ships ladders on the left and right side giving access up and down.
Bridget led me up and into the bridge of this ocean going city. It was a techno-nerds dream. There were LCD screens and softly glowing gauges. There was a remarkably small wheel. Incongruously enough, right in front of the wheel was a large magnetic compass tree, just like the clipper ships! To the left of that a plasma screen GPS display and to the right daylight visible radar screen. The mix of old and new was actually a comfort I would be the last one to risk everything on a computer.
Captain Dale Buckley stood up from his chair overlooking the bridge. He walked up with his hand out in greeting. Dale Buckley looked the part. He had sun-streaked hair and his face had the wrinkles from staring into the sun and wind. He had a ready smile and firm handshake. Captain Dale had spent his entire life at sea. He had started as a high school drop out as a mate on tramp steamers. He crewed the supply ships for North Sea oil platforms.
Captain Buckley had worked his way up the chain of command. By dint of correspondence schools and hard work he has a college degree. Now he was at the pinnacle of his career with the responsibility for some 3000 people under his command and care. Captain Dale removed his sunglasses; I noticed his gaze. He had a careful way of looking at a person and assessing them.
“Mr. Johnson, please join me in my office. Officer Johansen if you could excuse us for a moment.”
With that the Captain led me into his office just behind the bridge operations area. It was a very masculine room with oak paneling and oak furniture. He gestured to a small table in the corner of the room. There was a silver coffee service on the table with crystal coffee cups. The captain poured as we talked.
“I am sure that you have had the unique social aspects of our cruise explained to you.”
“Yes Captain, quite a story.”
“The reason we are talking is there is a bit more to discuss.”
“What would that be, Captain? I am at your service.”
“The pass-card and chip you wear give you access to everywhere on this ship.”
“What?”
“The public, employee, and restricted areas of this ship are all open to you. This means access to all employee spaces. In addition you have VIP all access including to the VIP nightclub and to the VIP lounge next to showroom.”
“This is breathtaking.”
“Ted, the situation is this: As the captain of a rank driven para-military organization, I cannot cut a sexual swath through my crew and then expect their unquestioning obedience in an emergency at sea.”
“That seems logical.”
“I asked them to select a surrogate. The screening committee at the hotel picked you.”
“Me?”
“Yes. Before our decision, we checked your background. We even spoke to your employer.”
“Ex-employer.”
“Yes, you might be amused by my conversation. I spoke to someone named George. He spoke very highly of you and gave me every assurance of your good character and judgment.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Then I told him that I was Captain of a cruise ship.”
“George said he was trying to reach you and hoped you would call him after the cruise. Apparently customers wanted your services.”
“What did you tell him?”
“All I got out was the 100 day duration and George became extremely agitated. I finally had to hang-up on him when he became abusive, demanding that I connect you.”
“Fuck him, Captain. He fired me. I’m on vacation. Please instruct your switchboard that his calls do not get through. George can leave a message; maybe if I run out of toilet paper I can use them.”
“That puts our collective minds at ease, Ted! We were afraid that we had lost you back to your old job.”
“Not going to happen Captain Dale. I am along for the duration.”
“Good, glad to hear it. I know the ladies will be pleased. Before you resume your tour, Ted, I want you to the see the most exclusive dining room on this ship.”
With that statement, the Captain led me through a door and up an oak paneled stairway. The stairs opened into room with windows on all four walls. In the center of the room was an octagon shaped table with a formal dining setting with crystal and silver service.
This dining room was atop the bridge and was the highest point on the ship. Its view in all directions was spectacular. Standing quietly in one corner of the room was almost as spectacular a “view.” The Captains valet was blonde and built. She was breathtakingly beautiful and I had a bevy of beautiful women to compare her to. She was attired in a modest uniform with a white napkin over one forearm.
Captain Buckley followed my gaze. With a bland smile he said:
“I enjoy all the aspects of fine dining and personal service.”
“Yes, I can see that.”
“Ted, I want to invite you to join me here at any time during the cruise as my guest. Merely tell Donna to let us know to expect your company.”
“Thank you, Captain. It is an honor and I certainly will take you up on your kind offer.”
“One suggestion, Ted. Do join us when we sail from the harbor. The view of the Statue of Liberty with the fireworks we have ordered should be unique.”
“Thank you, again.”
“Ted, just one question. I assume you have studied the activities available on the ship. Did we miss anything that you would have used in your “spare” time.”
“Just one that I noticed Captain, shooting sports.”
“Shooting? An odd request from a computer nerd! No offense.”
“None taken, Captain. I had an odd way to relieve the stress and tension of my job. I am a graduate of Jeff Cooper’s Gunsite Combat Shooting School in Arizona. I trained in 45 Auto, M-16, Remington model 870. I returned to take classes with Benelli M4, Steyr AUG, and Heckler & Koch's MP5 including the MP5K-PDW, and MP5K. I shot Practical matches and 3-Gun matches. In addition, I am a graduate of the Bob Bondurant Driving School’s Executive Protection /Anti-Kidnapping Driving Class. It was a perfect antidote for my sedentary and stressful job.”
“Good God, that’s unbelievable.”
“Yes, even weirder, the guys I shot against never believed I knew anything about computers.
The captain laughed and then he said:
“Cynthia the Sunrise Chauffeur is a graduate of the same driving school. Did you know that?”
“No.”
“Sometimes we need skills that are not listed in any brochure.”
The Captain gestured toward the stairs and I started down. Just as we reached the bottom and before I opened the door, he stopped me. He made eye contact, held my gaze and said:
“I am leaving Officer Johansen in your care. She has just had another disastrous breakup and YOU are going to get her over it and give me back my competent officer!”
“Captain?”
“Johansen is attracted to men who allow her to be in charge. She needs the man in her relationship to be in charge. You Ted are going to be that “in charge” man.”
“Thank you, Captain.”
“Not thank you, Ted. Yes, sir. Very good, sir. At once, sir.”
“Yes, sir. Very good, sir. At once, sir.”
“This will not be a chore, Ted. Bridget has this little trick where she deep throats you until her chin is right against your balls. She dislocates her jaw and opens her mouth. Her tongue comes out and just bathes your balls while your cock still in her throat.”
At my look, the Captain Dale Buckley laughed uproariously:
“I can’t cut a swath, I never said I was a fucking boy scout.”
With that the Captain slipped on his sunglasses and led me on to his bridge. The Captain gestured to Bridget.
“Officer Johansen, you may resume your tour. Your duties today are solely to see to Mr. Johnson’s smooth transition to shipboard. I will expect you here on the bridge at the beginning of your regular tour tomorrow. Keep your radio with you and if you leave the ship the switchboard must be aware of your movements during your off duty hours. Thank you.”
He turned to me, shook my hand. It was clear that it was time to leave the bridge and continue our tour.
I turned to Bridgett as we left the bridge.
“This is fun. Kind of like touring a Broadway show just before opening night.”
Bridgett smiled and then she asked:
“Where first? You are too organized not to have a list.”
“Busted. The chef is first. We are having a “Welcome to the Boat Party” in my room tonight.”
“Who are you inviting?”
“Everybody we meet on the tour. By the way, it’s part of my smooth transition to shipboard. Be there anytime after 6.”
She looked a bit quizzical and then nodded.
We walked up to the elevators and Bridgett pressed the down button. As we waited I reached behind her and slipped my hand under the belt and inside the back her shorts. I took hold of the left cheek of her ass. Bridgett started and immediately reached behind her. I grasped her hand and held it. She looked at me and I shook my head emphatically while giving her a little pinch.
“Officer Johansen, smooth transition.”
When the elevator arrived I removed my hand and held the door. She entered and looked at me with a bit of trepidation. Then she pushed the deck number for the kitchen. Oddly she was turned slightly so that her ass was easily accessible where I was standing in the car. I placed my hand back under her shorts. I looked at her as I felt around.
“Cynthia was right.”
She blushed scarlet. I snickered as we reached the floor. My hand was back at my side before the doors were fully open. Again, I held the doors as we exited. Bridget led me into the kitchen to meet Chef Shannon. Shannon was a striking woman with the expression of someone who had been dining on lemons and alum! She immediately pointed at her orange Popsicle stick and informed me:
“I’m on duty, big boy. Don’t get any ideas.”
“Hi yourself Shannon. I have plenty of ideas but all of them concern your official capacity and official duties.”
Shannon looked puzzled. I pointed to Bridget.
“Of course, you know Officer Johansen. So you understand that I am here in my official capacity.”
Now Chef Shannon looked concerned. But I spent too many years in sales to wait for her to formulate objections. I moved things along.
“ I am having a get together in my suite this evening. I will need a full dinner buffet starting at six until eight thirty. At eight thirty switch to desert buffet. At ten or so a light snack buffet until midnight. Stock the dinner with an assortment of suitable California red and white wines and the desert buffet with half dozen desert wines of your choice. Stock the bar with an assortment of before and after dinner drinks. Have some espresso and other specialty coffees for after dinner as well.”
Shannon asked:
“How many?”
“Plan for 50 and I may move the number up slightly before the afternoon.”
“Entrée?”
“I’m leaning toward prime rib with some nice fresh Italian bread if someone wants to make a sandwich.”
“Salads?”
“Italian and Caesar with a good supply of dressings and some nice vinegar and fresh extra virgin olive oil for the health conscious. How about a vegetarian or vegan entrée as well, your choice?”
“Yes, this is a lot to pull together.”
“I understand and I leave the final details and decisions in your capable hands. Please coordinate with Donna my concierge and Amanda my steward. I will expect you to furnish bartenders and servers.”
At that point Shannon just looked frazzled and she hadn’t even started yet.
“Shannon, thank you and I look forward to a wonderful job by you and your crew.”
I turned and herded Bridget out the door and into the corridor. She looked me over and then asked:
“What is your official capacity?”
“Passenger, just like 1700 other people.”
“Ted, she doesn’t do parties like this for passengers.”
“Bridget my love you would starve in sales. Shannon jumped to confusion and came to a slightly inaccurate conclusion. It would be a shame to tell her different before the party, especially since she was such a ball buster when I walked up to her.”
Bridget began to laugh which did wonders for her uniform. I turned her, swatted her on the butt and said:
“On with the tour, Officer Johansen.”
The next stop on the tour was a dance studio. Alana was the Dance Instructor. She was an ex-ballerina. With the very erect and graceful bearing that such women carry themselves. Not much figure but long, long lovely legs. I signed up for dance lessons. I would be visiting the studio at least three days a week to work on my waltz and two-step. At the end of our discussion and after making the standing appointment:
“Alana, you will be joining us tonight for a get-together in my suite?”
“Thank you Ted. When?”
“Dinner buffet six until eight thirty, desert after.”
“Who?”
“Whoever is on the boat tonight.”
“Sounds like fun, I’ll be there.”
Then we visited Terri our Masseuse and physical therapist confirmed our standing appointment and invited her to the party. I asked her:
“Terri, I would like an aroma-therapy diffuser installed in my suite. The bedroom for sure and if possible through the entire living space. Is that doable?”
“Certainly I will get started on it right away. Would you like a massage before the party?”
“Terri, can you set up in one of my guest rooms?”
“Yes, that will not be a problem.”
“Thank you, I will see you in the suite then.”
With that we moved on to my favorite barber. Tammy wanted to know if I needed a “trim.” Bridget was not in on the joke.
“Tammy you are invited to a party. Tonight six to midnight.”
Tammy asked
“Ted, when does it become clothing optional in your suite.”
“As soon as you arrive?”
Tammy giggled.
I said:
“Midnight.”
Tammy said:
“Cool.”
The next stop on our tour was an authentic dojo right in the middle of the ship. Akira Miori was the Martial Arts instructor with a focus on Aikido. She was also certified as an Acupuncturist. She also provided acupressure therapy. Akira was a lovely Asian doll with a slightly larger bust then her small frame warranted. I signed up for the introductory package and made more standing appointments. This would be part of my low impact aerobics. Maybe not so low impact at that! Akira also got her invite.
After that there was little reason to keep avoiding the issue. Next stop was the gym!
I met with Melissa, my new Personal Trainer. If every personal trainer looked like this, when stuffed into a sports bra maybe I would visit the gym more often.
Melissa had my complete medical file and a frown.
“Ted, are you here to sign up?”
“Yes, Melissa. It will be your job to arrest and reverse years of neglect and abuse in just 100 days.”
Melissa giggled and then tried to look stern.
“We are going to need lots of time and you will need to make an effort for this to work”
“I understand Melissa. One advantage, there is little actual room on this boat for me to hide from you.”
I shared some of my other appointments and Melissa offered to coordinate with Amanda to make gym appointments fit in. She also accepted an invitation.
Just then Bridget’s pager went off and she walked over to a wall phone. Suddenly she looked concerned and came to attention. She hung up and hurried back to me.
“That was the Captain. He wanted to know if he and the rest of the bridge crew were invited tonight.”
“I hope you told him, YES.”
“Yes, am I in trouble?”
“No, Bridget. Trouble is when the Captain pages you to cancel the party. Funny as hell is when the Captain pages you to secure an invitation.”
We headed for my last stop, the pilot area. The Sunrise had an air force. Not really but the ship did have a Bell 430 helicopter and a Lake Amphibian fixed wing aircraft. The pilot’s name was Nikki. She had instructor ratings in both rotary and fixed aircraft.
Drop dead gorgeous, a walking talking invitation to the mile high club with her as membership chairman!
“Nikki, I want to learn to fly.”
“Ted, none of the planes are exactly student trainers.”
“You can do ground school, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then we can do some of the dual control work with the Lake?”
“Okay.”
“When it’s solo time, either you feel comfortable with me in the Lake or we look for a suitable land based plane in the area of our ports.”
“You could end up certified for water landing before you ever see land!”
“That’s very possible, then I want a parallel track for the Bell.”
“That I’m not sure. I may need the Captains approval.”
“Perfectly fine. See him tonight at the party.”
“Okay.”
“Nikki, I think after we work together and you can evaluate my training you will be more comfortable.”
“You have an interesting way of selling your ideas.”
Bridgett piped up:
“You haven’t seen anything.”
There was laughter at this statement.
“Officer Johansen its time to return to my suite and get ready to host my party. Remember we need a smooth transition.”
TO BE CONTINUED