Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

Summary: It’s your last night in Angora. You and Morgan have spent the last week exploring the city, as he introduces you to the world on land, culminating in a visit to a local saloon to meet one of his old friends. As you drink and banter and get your fortune told, Morgan seems tormented over the decision of whether or not to hand you over to the Pirate King...but when an unwelcome guest arrives in the port, he may be forced to make his choice, for better or for worse.

Characters:

• Red (R) - Any gender; the owner and barkeep of the Red Sky Saloon; an old friend of Morgan. Tells fortunes with Tarot cards. Playful, sassy, wise, and mysterious.
• Morgan (M) - Male; pirate; captain of the Black Rose; in debt to the pirate king. Acts ruthless/harsh, but has a soft and gentle side that is emerging more and more as he falls for the Listener.

Usage:

• OK to record & monetize, as long as you give me credit in the video/audio description as the scriptwriter! I would also love to listen to the recording when it’s done–please send me the link on Reddit! Paywalling is okay; however, if you paywall, you must make it possible for me to listen to the finished product.
• Gender-flipping and small tweaks are okay (e.g., changing pronouns, leaving out/changing curse words), but no large edits are permitted.
• Feel free to use music or insert sound effects if you’d like. Any sound effects given are suggestions–use at your discretion. *Sound effects in bold, set apart by asterisks\*
• Any dialogue or reactions given by the Listener are purely for the benefit of the VA, to help them feel like they have something to respond to while they’re acting. Listener reactions in italics.
• Please let me know if you have any questions!

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\Bustling seaside city sounds—people chattering, carts clattering, seagulls, merchants hawking their wares\**

M: Well, me lass? What do you say? Have you enjoyed your first taste of the mainland?

[...]

M: \chuckle** Glad to hear it. Angora can be a dream come true, as long as you keep your purse close and your wits about ye. How are you holdin’ up, with yer legs?

[...]

That’s good. You certainly seem to be gettin’ the hang of walkin’. You’re not feelin’ ill yet, are you?

[...]

M: I know; I know, but still. You can’t ever be too careful. You’ll tell me if you start feelin’ bad, understand? That’s an order.

[...]

M: Good girl. You—you look a pretty picture, by the way. I’m glad we could get you somethin’ nicer than those old rags from the ship. The color suits you nicely.

[...]

M: \chuckle** Aye; Sylvester do be the best tailor what ever set foot in any port city. It’s not just anyone who could whip up outfits like those in a week. Still, clothes are only as good as the one wearin’ em. It’s you that makes them beautiful, angelfish.

Brief pause.

M: Hmm? What are you lookin’ at?

[...]

M: The trader with the jewelry, eh? You see somethin’ you like?

[...]

M: (playful) Oh, really? Come on, now, lass. You forget who you’re talkin’ to. I can smell a bluff a mile away. Tell me what’s caught your eye.

[...]

M: That silver one there? The one with the rose?

[...]

M: Aye—it’s a flower we have here on the mainland. The same one me ship is named for. You have good taste. (to the merchant) ‘Scuse me, mate—how much for the necklace?

[...]

M: \chuckle** True, mayhap I don’t have to, but you should know by now, a pirate does as he pleases. Ah, ah ah—no arguin’. If I say you shall have it, then ye shall.

[...]

M: And why shouldn’t I? It’s not a waste if it’s for you.

[...]

M: Aaargh…don’t go worryin’ yourself about me debts, lass. A few gold won’t matter here and there.

[...]

M: Something to…remember me by? (touched; awkward) W-well…aye, I—I suppose you could see it that way.

The merchant hands him the necklace.

M: Oh, thank you kindly, mate. There you go, Angelfish. Would you like to try it on?

[...]

M: Alright then—turn around. Move those lovely locks of yours aside for me.

The Captain puts the necklace on her.

M: Perfect. I thought yer throat was lookin’ a little bare. This be a much better look for you than those chains, that’s for damn sure.

[...]

M: You’re, er—you’re welcome. (soft, with wonder) By me ship…you’re a vision, indeed. Like the first glimpse of the shore, after a long voyage.

Pause.

M: Well—we’d best be goin’. The sun is startin’ to set. Blimey…to think we lift anchor in the mornin’. In that case, would ye like to grab a last drink before we head back to the Rose?

[...]

M: Aye; I might have a place in mind. This way.

\door opening\**

\bustling tavern sounds\**

M: Here we are. Welcome to the Red Sky Saloon. A bit dark, a bit crowded, and more’n a bit smoky…but you won’t find a finer mug of grog anywhere on the mainland.

R: (playful) Ugh, not again. I thought I told my bouncers to keep the riffraff out. It’s so hard to find good help these days.

M: Ah, there [he/she/they] be. (teasing) Don’t be afeared, Angelfish. I know, you might mistake [him/her/them] for the Kraken at first glance, but sad to say, that just be the way their face looks.

R: Careful, Morgan. Remember, few who encounter that dreadful beast ever live to tell the tale.

M: If it’s a pint of your signature brew at stake, there’s no danger I wouldn’t face.

R: Trying to butter me up, now, are you? I ought to toss you out on your arse.

M: Hah! I’d like to see you try. Come on; bring her in.

Bro hug ensues.

R: To think, we almost had six straight months of peace, before you came barging in the door. Better luck next time, I guess.

M: Good to see you, too, Red. You’re lookin’ well.

R: As well as one can be in a place like this. (looking at the Listener) And who might this be? Hello, there, love. Tell me, how did a two-bit fisherman like him manage to reel in a pretty thing like you? Don’t tell me he’s been feeding you tales about his “daring adventures.”

M: Like you’re one to talk. Anyways—Angelfish, meet ol’ Red. The proprietor of this fine establishment, and one of me oldest friends.

[...]

M: (sputtering) Wha—? Of course I’ve got friends! What’s that supposed to mean???

R: (laughs) I like you already! What did you say your name was?

[...]

R: I see. Well, allow me to get you a mug of my famous grog, as a reward for helping me cut that massive ego down to size.

\pouring sounds—once, twice\**

R: Here you go, love. On the house.

M: Thanks, Red.

R: Hold it—I didn’t say yours was free. The way you’ve been running your filthy mouth, you’ll be paying double.

M: Aaargh, come on!

R: Ignore him, love. Oh, and don’t worry—yours is a bit lighter on the rum. Wouldn’t want you passing out on your first trip to Angora.

[...]

R: \chuckle** Oh, when you’re a barkeep, you get a sense for these things. But even if my senses were as dull as a blunt ax, I’d have known from my cards.

M: (rolls eyes) Blimey, not this again.

[...]

M: Hmm? Oh—well, besides servin’ grog, ol’ Red also claims to be able to read people’s fortunes. Don’t pay it any mind—it’s all just a load of hogwash.

R: Oh, really? How’d you think I knew to have your favorite brand of rum on hand, Morgan? When I drew “The Fool” every day this week, it could only mean you’d be paying me a visit soon.

M: Hey!

R: (laughs) Seriously, though, all I read is the cards. What they mean, how they apply to you and your life, that’s up to you to decide. Who knows if they can truly predict the future...but either way, they can give you guidance when you need it most. Care to give it a try, love? Once again, it’ll be on the house.

M: Come on, Angelfish. Don’t tell me you actually believe all that hocus-pocus? Let’s just finish our drinks and be on our way.

[...]

M: Scared? Are you out of your mind!? The great “No-Mercy” Morgan, scared of a bunch o’ flimsy bits o' paper!? Fine, then. Do what you will.

R: Wonderful. I must say, the two of you make quite the pair…perhaps we can take a closer look at your relationship?

M: What? Oh, no; we’re not—aaargh, whatever. Just get on with it.

\shuffling a deck of cards\**

R: Here you go, love. Go ahead and pick 3. One…two…three. Alright—line them up in front of you. Now, this first card is about you. Go on; flip it over.

\flipping card sound\**

M: What are those? Sticks?

R: Ah…the Nine of Wands. Persevering in the face of adversity—refusing to bow down to fate, continuing to fight against all odds. You’re a fighter, aren’t you, love? Mmm-hmm…I can tell. You’re a flower that’s been stepped on again and again, yet you continue to reach for the sun. Promise me you won’t ever stop, okay? Even when the world does its best to put out your light, you keep right on shining. Some days, you may only be able to muster up a faint glimmer, but that’s okay. So long as you keep that light going, it’ll be enough. You are enough, I promise you; no matter what.

M: Yeah, yeah; alright. Are we done?

R: Not so fast, Morgan. This next card is yours. Well?...

M: Aaaargh, damn it.

\flipping card sound\**

R: \intrigued noise** Interesting. The Five of Swords…reversed.

M: (uneasy) What’s with that tone?

R: Well, upright, the five of swords means conflict, competition. Trying to win at all costs, consequences be damned.

M: What’s so surprisin’ about that? I’m a pirate, damn it!

R: Now, hold your fire. When it’s reversed—upside-down, like yours—it’s about making amends. Putting an end to old battles, especially ones where no one wins. After all, what’s the point of continuing to fight if winning isn’t worth it? At some point, you have to ask yourself: what do I really want? A hollow victory…or the chance to start again?

M: (shocked at how accurate it is) I…I don’t…what the hell are you talkin’ about!?

[...]

M: (unconvincing) Huh? No, it’s—I—i’m fine! It’s the grog, that’s all. Just hurry up and do the last one, will ye, ‘fore I die of boredom!

R: This last card is for the both of you. It could be your desires, your fears, your wants…we won’t know till it’s revealed. Would you do the honors, love?

\flipping card sound\**

R: (shocked, serious) —Oh, gods.

M: (immediately knows something’s wrong) What’s goin’ on?

R: The—the Seven of Swords.

M: What’s with that face!? What's wrong!?

R: It means deception. Betrayal. Either you’re trying to deceive someone…or else someone may be trying to deceive you. Someone you trust may be going behind your back. They’ve got their own agenda, and they don’t care what happens to you, so long as they get what they want.

M: What!? But—no. Who would—?

\distant sound of cannons firing; faint screams\**

R: (alarmed) What’s that!?

M: Those cannons...! (realizes; horrified) Oh, no! (to the Listener) Come on! We need to get back to the Rose! Now!

R: Oh, gods—you don't mean it’s him!?

M: No time! Come on, Angelfish! RUN!