Is it a lady? I hope it’s a lady. Or a transvestite. That’d be a twist :P

In all seriousness, this is a wonderful sequel. I love the way the language has changed from Isla’s piece to this. Before, it was like looking at a painting lined in an elegant frame. Now we’ve stepped forward, into the painting, and it becomes all the more real.

I really liked this, and even though this could have gone either way, I like how you’ve taken my vision into a bygone era instead of something futuristic.

:)

Counting what?
I also found the idea of ‘papers’ and ‘powder room’ funny.. like the Cap’n needed toilet paper.. but I am in a silly frame of mind right now.
This might be the pun you intended.

I like the ‘powder room’ double entendre, and, as usual with your pieces, the humour and colloquial dialogue really bring it to life. Plus I enjoyed the winding route into the depths of the vessel and the torturous chain of communication between boy, officer and captain.

Could do with a couple of tweaks, perhaps eg the heavy boots’ trod – tread? And the young officer of the voice behind the glow sounds slightly awkward to my ear.

Thanks for the comments, and edits made per JonB’s sage advice.

And in my head at least, the captain is counting and recounting the stores of ammunition, and yes pun very much intended for the powder room.