I was dockside by Lazybuns II, helping to bring provisions aboard. One van was already unloaded and we were working on a second—all in preparation for a cruise to the French Riviera. “Hobby, it looks like you’ve got enough to circumnavigate the world several times.”
 
“You can never have too much, Joe. You know the boy scout motto: ‘Be prepared.’”
 
Who was I, as a nonpaying guest, to argue with Captain Hobby? My attention shifted to a tall man dressed in jeans and T-shirt walking in purposeful strides toward us. I thought I recognized him.
 
“Hey, Hobby, Joe,” as he looked at the cases of goods surrounding us he said, “Can I lend you a hand?”
 
“Hi, Pete. Nice to see you, but I don’t think you came here to do grunt work. What’s up?” Hobby asked.
 
“I heard about your European cruise. It sounds fantastic, so I thought I’d try to hitch a ride.”
 
“What about your law practice? Don’t you have better things to do?” I asked.
 
“Actually, not. I just won a major case and have my docket cleared. I’m going to take a few months off to contemplate my navel.”
 
“Congratulation on your success, but I don’t think I can accommodate you. All of the cabins are spoken for,” Hobby replied.
 
Pete was somewhat deflated by the news, but he wasn’t about to give up. “Surely, on this big beautiful yacht there’s a small space for another passenger. I’ll pay whatever it takes.”
 
While we were talking, Mike, Hobby’s first-mate came back for another load. “Hey, Mike, you remember Pete Prince.”
 
“Sure,” he said as they shook hands. “How’s the ambulance chasing going?”
 
“Couldn’t be better. Say, Mike, couldn’t you use another man on your crew?”
 
“Gee, I can’t imagine what I’d do with a lawyer. Are we going to sue Captain Hobby?”
 
We all had a chuckle over that as I noticed Hobby raised an eyebrow. “Mike, is there an empty crew bunk?”
 
“There’s actually two of them open.”
 
“Would you allow Pete in your quarters?”
 
Mike cocked his head and looked Pete up and down before saying with a smile, “I guess I could stand him.”
 
Hobby said, “Okay, Pete, here’s the deal, if you’re really serious about joining us. You bunk in the crew’s quarters and you’ll have to ante up ten grand, which goes into our gambling kitty. Also, since you’ll be in Mike’s area of command, he might have some menial chores for you. Otherwise, you’ll have the status of my other guests. We sail this Thursday morning, so you’ve got to be aboard by 6:00 a.m.”
 
“Fantastic, I’ll do it!” Pete said with great enthusiasm. “Maybe I can work out with you, too, while we’re sailing. My desk job has taken its toll on my previously fit form.”
 
“I’d be happy to show a former Army Ranger, like myself, a thing or two. And, Joe, you can also work out with us. I’ve noticed you’re getting a little paunchy around the middle.”
 
“Up yours, Hobby. I’ll take on both of you guys, anytime,” I said with false bravado, although what he said was true, I had put on a few pounds.
 
“Hobby, what can I do for you in the meantime?” Pete asked.
 
“Since you’re here, you can help us bring this stuff aboard and Mike will show you around, get you oriented.”
 
Later, Hobby asked me, “What do you think about Pete joining us?”
 
“Great, another poker player and deckhand, it will give us a good full crew for the trip. Pete’s a solid guy and good company. I’m glad he showed up. I read about the big settlement he won. I’m hoping I can separate him from some of it at the table.”
 
“My thinking, exactly,” Hobby confirmed.
 
“Hobby, you’ve got a visitor at the gangway,” Mike hollered.
 
“What can I do for you?”
 
“Are you Hobby Newton?”
 
As Hobby replied the man handed him an envelope and abruptly departed. Hobby opened the envelope and scanned the contents. “What the hell is this?” He shouted, “Where’s my lawyer?”
 
Pete looked it over and said, “A Mexican corporation, Del Serro, has gotten a judge to issue a restraining order barring Lazybuns II from leaving port because Mr. Newton has illegally assumed its ownership. I don’t understand, Hobby.”
 
“I do,” I said, “the slime-ball who used to own this, who I think is now in jail, just won’t give up. First he tried to kidnap me and Hobby, then he tried to blow us up, and now he’s filing a bogus legal claim.”
 
“You’ve got the papers, Hobby?”
 
“I sure do. Let’s go to the salon and I’ll get them for you.”
 
Hobby produced the bill of sale, signed over registration certificate, and an affidavit signed by the Coast Guard that Gomez, the former owner, attempted to highjack the vessel and kidnap Joe and Hobby. Pete studied the papers for a while and said, “They look very solid to me. I know the judge that signed the order. I’ll see if I can’t clear this up very quickly… and, I’ll bet you didn’t think you’d need a lawyer in your crew.”
 
“You’re right, Pete, despite all the nasty things we say about lawyers, when you need one there’s no substitute. Do you need anything from me to act as my representative?”
 
“I’ll make this formal, verbally, in front of Joe as a witness. I hereby represent you in this matter for a complimentary retainer fee in lieu of other considerations of value previously provided and accepted.”
 
He shook Hobby’s hand as Hobby asked me, “What exactly does that mean, Joe?”
 
“It means you lucked out, Hobby. You got a lawyer when you need one and it’s not going to cost you a dime.”
 
“So it seems,” Hobby said, “I’ll reserve judgment until Pete clears this up. Meanwhile, let’s get back to our chores.”
 
“Aye, Aye, Captain,” we responded.
 
Write to author David Valley at: dvalley1@san.rr.com