InsaneJournal

Bill looked at the men and women who were going to set sail aboard the two ships in the harbor that afternoon as they arrived, checking their names down in a little book he had in his hand with a fountain pen. His major concern was that they all show up on time. Not that they gave short notice as to when they'd be setting off or anything.

Once all the names were ticked off, he pulled out a bullhorn and jumped up on a post and stood above them. "All crew of the Endless Horizon  proceed to the right side of the dock. All crew of the Other Vanity, proceed to the left. Thank y'kindly." His voice was bold and commanded attention even without the bullhorn, but it wasn't as if two crews worth of people were milling about silently - especially considering the kind of people they seemed to attract.
After everyone shuffled into place, he jumped down from the post and tossed the bullhorn aside, his own voice loud enough for both lines to hear him from front to back as he spoke. His voice was loud enough to project, but still sound like he wasn't shouting. Stage trick he'd picked up.

"Right! So! Th'two ships're settin' sail in about an hour an' a half and th'whole lot've you're going t'listen up. This is not a game. This is no fanciful quest that we're embarking upon! This is a solemn duty as pirates - to look after what's rightfully ours, and to take it back if it's been claimed by another. And Shipwreck Island is our island. It's our Kingdom. And as far as I see it, we've only had ONE King. If we have any disputes between higher up members of th'crew, we'll turn to her for a level perspective on things!"
He turned to Elizabeth and gave her hand a shake, his voice dipping to a normal tone as he spoke, "Liz, good to have you aboard th'Horizon with us, luv." After giving her a kiss on the cheek and patting Will on the shoulder, he continued.
"There will be things out there that some of you are not prepared for. Luckily we are. Two of our crew, Triesta and Petit are able to take you to land if you've got to go cry home to mommy about gettin' chapped cheeks your first week out there." He nodded to Petit and Tree, "These ladies will be able to help you keep in contact with your loved ones on land, should you need it."
He turned to Anne's crew, which was primarily the landlubbers of the bunch, and he crossed his arms. "There are NO modern conveniences aboard either ship, save for the loo. We do not have TVs, batteries, generators, refrigerators, telephones... wait no, we've got two satellite phones, strike that last one... And certainly no computers with a wi-fi connection out in th'middle of th'ocean. We make our own fun when we make our fun at all. This is work, and you will be compensated as such. You will be working intense labor positions, ranging from eight to twelve hours a day. You will be given breaks when breaks are needed, three square meals a day, clean bunks, fresh water, and good company. You will be paid at the end of your journey with what would amount to sixteen and a quarter dollars an hour. Some of you may consider this bilking you out of your hard work, but trust me, you'll be wanting that money come th'end of th'journey."
Bill turned to the Dutchman and gave her a bow of this head, smiling sweetly. He then continued. "So, that should just about settle all remaining questions. Anyone have anything left t'ask, wait 'till th'Captains are done speaking on behalf of their ships. I thank you all for coming."

With that, Bill dropped into line beside his son and Liz and crossed his arms, "I love doin' that." He confided, letting the Captains have their say.