Once upon a time there was a kid named Charley. Charley was a really good kid from Delware. One day Charley decided to move up north to Maine to become a fisherman. So he moved, he got a rickety boat, and he met a sailor named Jeremy. Jeremy and Charley became great friends, and did all their fishing together. The sailed their Downeaster Alexa more and more miles from shore every year. Then one day something truly memorable happened.
A "Help Wanted" poster was up in the local tavern. Everyone was talking about it. It was for Captain Bob's Fishing Company. Captain Bob was a rich rich man, and it seemed he had just fired his first mate, because he was a terrible companion. It was the talk of the town, anyone who was First Mate on Captain Bob's ship would surely be a millionaire.
The next day on the boat, Charley sat in silence, staring out at the water. Jeremy, concerned for his friend asked him what was on his mind.
"Ya know," started Charley, "I've been thinking about it. What with all the expenses from moving, and they just upped my rent, and its been so long since I've had a decent paying job... I could really use the job with Captain Bob."
Jeremy thought for a bit, and decided he would help his friend get this job. So he talked to Captain Bob, and told him what a great travelling companion Charley was. He started rumors around town that Charley had caught a 13 foot swordfish with a piece of dental floss and a stale cheeto. He built up his friend so much that Captain Bob would be a fool not to pick him.
Then came the day Bob was to pick his new first mate. Charley and Jeremy sat by the phone, anxiously awaiting the call. Charley was rehersing his "surprise" that he was chosen, thinking of what he'd say. Then suddenly the phone rang. The Caller ID said "Capt. Bob's Million Dollar Boathouse." A flury of panic attacked Charley's body. His hands shaking, his lips trembling, the butterflies raging in his stomach, he picked up the phone, and with a studder, managed to say "Hello?" The next few words broke Charley's heart.
"Hey, this is Captain Bob. Is Jeremy there?"
Jeremy took the job, he would've been an idiot not to. Charley gave his blessing, and with a bank account full of money and a heart full of guilt, Jeremy left. Occasionally Jeremy would see Charley in that rickety boat, coming in empty handed, as he headed out to sea in his new yacht. Occasionaly he'd lose sleep over it. But the guilt slowly faded, and most of the time, Jeremy was happy driving around in his new Corvette.
A little over a year later, Bob's business caved. Jeremy was out of a job, and like a true friend, Charley took him back. They spent an entire summer together out on the rickety boat, fishing for whatever they could get. But one day as they came back into shore, they saw a massive building being constructed. The sign out front said "Trader Jay's Fishing Emporium: Now Hiring New Manager." Both boys looked at each other quietly. Jeremy knew Charley wanted this job. But deep down inside, he knew he was interested too.
A "Help Wanted" poster was up in the local tavern. Everyone was talking about it. It was for Captain Bob's Fishing Company. Captain Bob was a rich rich man, and it seemed he had just fired his first mate, because he was a terrible companion. It was the talk of the town, anyone who was First Mate on Captain Bob's ship would surely be a millionaire.
The next day on the boat, Charley sat in silence, staring out at the water. Jeremy, concerned for his friend asked him what was on his mind.
"Ya know," started Charley, "I've been thinking about it. What with all the expenses from moving, and they just upped my rent, and its been so long since I've had a decent paying job... I could really use the job with Captain Bob."
Jeremy thought for a bit, and decided he would help his friend get this job. So he talked to Captain Bob, and told him what a great travelling companion Charley was. He started rumors around town that Charley had caught a 13 foot swordfish with a piece of dental floss and a stale cheeto. He built up his friend so much that Captain Bob would be a fool not to pick him.
Then came the day Bob was to pick his new first mate. Charley and Jeremy sat by the phone, anxiously awaiting the call. Charley was rehersing his "surprise" that he was chosen, thinking of what he'd say. Then suddenly the phone rang. The Caller ID said "Capt. Bob's Million Dollar Boathouse." A flury of panic attacked Charley's body. His hands shaking, his lips trembling, the butterflies raging in his stomach, he picked up the phone, and with a studder, managed to say "Hello?" The next few words broke Charley's heart.
"Hey, this is Captain Bob. Is Jeremy there?"
Jeremy took the job, he would've been an idiot not to. Charley gave his blessing, and with a bank account full of money and a heart full of guilt, Jeremy left. Occasionally Jeremy would see Charley in that rickety boat, coming in empty handed, as he headed out to sea in his new yacht. Occasionaly he'd lose sleep over it. But the guilt slowly faded, and most of the time, Jeremy was happy driving around in his new Corvette.
A little over a year later, Bob's business caved. Jeremy was out of a job, and like a true friend, Charley took him back. They spent an entire summer together out on the rickety boat, fishing for whatever they could get. But one day as they came back into shore, they saw a massive building being constructed. The sign out front said "Trader Jay's Fishing Emporium: Now Hiring New Manager." Both boys looked at each other quietly. Jeremy knew Charley wanted this job. But deep down inside, he knew he was interested too.
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