Captain Calamity | Shiver Me Timbers 2023

Island 5: Sam's Scrumptious Strudels

Sam woke up to pale gray light streaming through his window. He laid there a few minutes, mentally preparing himself for the day ahead. Finally, he got out of bed, got himself dressed, and made his way down the stairs.

He didn't bother to unlock the doors, but he did turn on the ovens before heading into the cellar. That's where his real work would begin.

He had to admit, this new life was a lot different than his old one. No rocking planks beneath his feet, much cooler temperatures, and not nearly as many swords. Instead of planning elaborate, doom-fated heists, he only had to worry about whether his flour supply would last the week.

As lunchtime approached, the delicious scent of meats, cheeses, and fruits started filling the air. He already had half a dozen customers in the shop before he'd even taken the first turnovers out of the oven.

Sam had never dreamed of owning a pastry shop, but he did know how to cook; he'd worked his way up from the galley on his last ship. Cook was the last good position he'd held before becoming steadily more infamous. Besides, this would be an excellent way for him to put some of his and Penelope's old recipes to good use. And so, Sam's Scrumptious Strudels was born.

It hadn't taken him long to branch out into more savory delicacies. Now, people came from all over town to buy meat pies, klobasneks, calzones, and samosas. Sam's samosas were especially good. He'd considered making those his signature dish and changing the name to Sam's Scintillating Samosas but had been warned against it by several people.

Sam pulled another sheet of pastries out of the oven, letting them cool before turning to the crowd. Standing with his rotund body pressed concerningly close to the counter was Mayor Williams.

"Well, hello sir!" Sam beamed.

"Hello." the portly mayor beamed back. Sam noticed he got many more smiles as a baker than he ever did as a buccaneer.

"What'll it be?" Sam asked.

"Get me a cheese and a chicken." the mayor said, pointing. "Oh... make it a cheese and two chicken."

"Yes, sir. Can I interest you in a blueberry turnover? Perhaps a lemon tart? Keeps scurvy at bay."

"Oh, I don't think I'm in any danger of scurvy, my boy." the mayor laughed, patting his belly. "Still... maybe a blueberry one. For the road."

"They keep scurvy away?" a rather ragged man asked from behind the mayor.

"Naturally." Sam assured him. "All my fruit pastries do."

"Really?" The man was clearly impressed.

"Guaranteed." Sam nodded.

"Then I'll take three!"

"Blueberry, blackberry, strawberry, or raspberry?" Sam asked, reaching into the display case.

Others had tried in vain to copy him, determined to cut into his business. Sometimes it worked – for a while. But eventually, when sailors came back desperate and needing one of Sam's sweets, the frauds would be found out, and Sam's popularity would soar. There was a rumor in the town that Sam used a special kind of dough for the berry-based confections. Or, maybe it was the way he sprinkled just the right amount of sugar on top. Whenever someone would ask him, he'd just grin and wink. He never mentioned the orange marmalade and lemon zest baked into each one.

Within four hours, Sam had sold out of every single pastry. He knew he could start up again for the dinner rush, but he never did like working that hard. Besides, he made more than enough money with just his lunchtime efforts.

He was in the process of cleaning up when someone walked into the shop, heavy boots stomping on the boards.

"Sorry, we're sold out." Sam said, not turning from the sink.

"Sam?" someone asked incredulously.

Sam froze.

Slowly, he turned from the sink to see Cuddy standing in the middle of the room, looking like Sam had grown an extra head.

"What are you doing here?" Cuddy asked, looking around.

"Making pastries." Sam grinned. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to get you. I heard you'd gone south. But I hadn't heard any outlandish tales of ships exploding or cabin boys turning into deer – it was like you just fell off the map."

"Mmmm... how is Milo anyway?" He'd been a lot more skittish after that bunny battle, but he seemed to be improving when Sam left.

"Ask him yourself." Cuddy shrugged.

"What? He's here?" Sam sure didn't see anyone else in the shop.

"Down at the docks." Cuddy grinned. "Got a little surprise for you."

Sam followed Cuddy down to the water. There, waiting out in the bay was a ship. Not just any ship, but the most gorgeous ship he'd ever seen; it was his ship.

"This was at the bottom of the ocean..." Sam said in awe.

"It was." Cuddy confirmed.

"How did you..."

Cuddy grinned knowingly. Then, he shrugged.

"Bought another one." he admitted.

Sam laughed out loud.

"Figured you'd want to go on one last adventure." Cuddy said.

Sam hesitated. It wasn't that he didn't miss the salty sea sometimes. And the adrenaline rush. Still...

"I don't know." Sam said. "I wasn't a very good captain."

"Are you kidding? You were a terrible captain! The worst I've ever had!"

Sam narrowed his eyes and set his jaw.

"But I also don't know anyone else who's brave enough to go up against a real-life monster."

"You've got a monster in mind?" Despite his best efforts, Sam was intrigued.

"I do." Cuddy told him. "And if we slay it, you might finally be known by a name other than Worst Pirate in the West."

"I have other names." Sam insisted.

"Not good ones."

Sam grumbled to himself. "So what's this monster anyway?"

"Only the most feared creature in the seven seas." Cuddy said.

"Really?" Sam asked. He wasn't sure he liked the sound of that. "We getting paid for this?"

"...Mostly in adoration." Cuddy admitted. "But it'll cement our names in history."

Sam considered it. He didn't really need the money. And hadn't he always wanted to be remembered?

"Let's do it." he said.

He boarded the ship with Cuddy. There, waiting for him, were Finn and Milo. And of course, Pickles.

"Ah, my loyal crew." Sam grinned. "So? Are we ready go monster-hunting again?"