@buggedout made it official, the 2024 Monster Raffle is on!
“Black birds tend to like shiny things.” ~ The Bloody Raven.
In keeping with the #sgscommunity fun and tradition I shall add a contribution with my usual Neo-Victorian Pirate flourish. But first, the preview as it does have some bearing to what is at stake, as the story goes without further ado…
Tracy McMillan and the Sky Pirates
The Patent Office confirms the registration of a few of his marvelous devices, still pending on others. But the letter also demanded filing fees coming due before any further applications were processed. ”Hrumph! Took long enough!” grunted Edward with a hint frustration as the fees took another bite out of his savings but he counted that as progress.
The application for patents of his various devices and processes were tedious and he could use a Secretary to sort out and file the documents properly. That can wait when he had sufficient cash flow which is zero at the moment. Important first steps to find his fortune in a land of opportunity. A quest in that he must succeed.
He must be patient.
He stepped over to the window opening it to a world buzzing with possibilities until… he unconsciously adjusted his spectacles before he lifted the window to the world waiting to be amazed at his inventions.
All manner of people, carriages, carts, bicycles, horses and a new contraption called an automobile similar to the Benz he’d observed in Hamburg at the Invention symposium the other summer there, all pass by his third floor window. The evening breeze was cool.
His shoulders slouched as even Lady Luck passed on him. There wasn’t much interest in his designs, ideals and drawings. Back in Italy all his working models where destroyed with the bulk of his greatest achievements destroyed, a callous act of vandalism by a gang of German speaking thugs. The only working device left in his workshop was his mother’s music box left to him after she died of pneumonia more than ten years ago. He decided to start new. He had enough cash left in his bank account to come overseas and try his luck here, enough cash for at best another three months living but not sufficient capital to develop his designs into real practical use. Only then he will have to consider a career in manual labor or try his hand at the City’s Stock exchange.
A wave of sadness cast a shadow over his optimism, he felt as if fate had his hand against him. His best works drew acclaim back home, but now their remnants hardly generate any interest among the various American Industrialists.
Edward leaned over to his bed and picked up an old tattered book he found at a local book establishment, “A General History of Pyrates ” along with a new Robert Lewis Stevenson story, The Sea Cook . It was his favored entertainment most nights rather than taking in any of the myriad of nightly theater venues.
He reclined by the window and opened the book to Blackbeard and made good his escape into the past. Edward admired Blackbeard not for his ruthlessness and greed but his brash bravado, his confidence in his abilities and courage. Getting what he wanted making no bones about it. Qualities Edward wanted to have more than mere riches, a life free of petty encumbrances. He let his mind wander to a Carolina beach with the Queen Anne’s Revenge anchored off shore burying his treasure…
There was a sharp rapping at his apartment door. A voice exclaimed, “Special delivery for a Mister Molto!”
“I am here my good man, just a moment.” Edward hobbles to the door and opening to a young uniformed man. The young man read off the package, “Mr. Edwardo Molto esquire, a package from a Lady McMillan for you, labeled as Urgent business.” Then placed it into Edward’s hand, he saluted with a smile, “No tip required, have a great day sir,” patting his chest pocket, it jingled with coins before turning away.
Edward opened the package. A hefty silver coin fell into his open palm. A ship, the markings and legend were unfamiliar but it felt like pure silver. The writer was a woman named Tracy McMillan and wished to meet him tomorrow about 4pm at the Coney Island boardwalk then spend the remains of the day discussing her interest on his inventions. It didn’t matter be it a man or woman industrialist, it was a godsend chance when he needed it most.
This Prize package shall consist of the following;
One Mutiny Metals Silver Pirate Reales as pictured.
Authentic Sticker of the Bloody Raven
With permission; writing the winner’s character into a chapter of the Storyline of the Sky Pirates.
I shall reserve the right to add optional Items of discretionary relevance.
I will ship to anywhere except the bloody south pole.
Meanwhile, I will seek for a dapper little chest to pack these in.
Best of luck participants!
The #piratesunday tag is the scurvy scheme of Captain @stokjockey for #silvergoldstackers pirates to proudly showcase their shiny booty and plunder for all to see. Landlubbers arrrh… welcomed to participate and be a Pirate at heart so open yer treasure chests an’ show us what booty yea got!
References
Photos are my own shot with an ancient 2018 Samsung SM-A530W or otherwise indicated.
P. Image under Pixabay
W. Wiki Commons
☠️🎃 Page Dividers by thekittygirl. ❄️🌞
Cameo Raven Brooch from The Black Wardrobe.
World Map Hanky from Black Flag EDC.
The 2024 Hive 0.999 Silver Round.
