Chapter 6: Tiger Town

“That’s just plain mean, boss!”

What’s mean, Warren? Pickled eggs? Spicy yes, very, but mean? Hardly. Was I mean to insist the whores leave at dawn? Was it mean to ask Enrique to ferry them across the harbor in the RIB so early? I don’t see that as mean. Does Enrique? Did he complain? To you?

The counterfeit US currency I bought from Angie and Linda, matching with real money for them to return home with, was I mean to them? Those bills and more counterfeit bills foisted off on me and Tiger at the same Abidjian casino, I stuck all that in a manila envelope, and placed it in the ship’s safe. Contained in that bulging package is a little over a grand in funny money. Scrawled on the outside:

“Counterfeit US! Office to reclaim and exchange for Petty Cash”

Mean? To the office? To whom am I mean? I’m the only one out of pocket! That trash represents my money lost to cheaters. I absorbed the loss, nobody else. Well, I take that back, the casino probably cheats everybody. Passing counterfeit dollars to everyone cashing in their chips and likely passing other counterfeit currencies too. That’s in addition to raking off the house cut, a big percentage at the gaming tables. Dishonest tables, rigged games too, I bet. None of us won a single wager. Does the French mafia own that casino? Probably some criminal syndicate.

The twenty five grand surety bond money, I receipted Mr. Tynsall for, I wire transferred that through an international bank, to my agent TJ. Asked him to hold it for me until after a court settlement. TJ faxed me a receipt in care of the bank. It’s receipts he received contested money from me and I placed it in safe hands. Is it mean for me to protect myself against criminal charges of grand larceny? Those funds are forfeit to me, because Mr. Tynsall defaulted on my wages and return fare home. I have a legitimate claim. Is it mean to take him to court for a just cause?

Another three grand plus, converted to US from my share of the CFA francs bonus, I’m keeping with me. It’s mine, no contest. Might need to use it to buy myself a plane ticket home.

Last night’s party was a blow out over the top grand affair. My aching head attests to it. Only Enrique is remaining on board after today, remaining in Mr Tynsall’s employ. The rest of us are packing. All of us are sad. We were a good team. We promise to keep in touch. We probably won’t.

At noon, the Lagos office agent shows up with two letters and private instructions for me. The two letters are Termination of Employment for Francine and one for me too.

I have a Termination of Employment letter to give to the agent to forward to Houston. A copy of the letter I now give to Warren in the presence of the agent as witness of it’s receipt. Chief Warren is fired.

Both Francine and Warren demand cash in US funds equal to the value of their air fares to the States in lieu of the tickets. They also demand immediate payment, in cash, of all wages owed.

That includes today, up to the minute the letters were presented. If the owed wages aren’t paid promptly, they will lien the vessel, and legally seal it to the dock so it can’t move before the debt is paid and the lien is lifted.

The agent is bewildered about the legality of the lien process. I explain US Maritime law to him, exactly as I earlier explained it to Warren and Francine.

Under US federal law, the crew has an automatic FIRST lien on a vessel for their wages. This FIRST lien supersedes all previous and current mortgages or encumbrances. The crew, upon discharge, may demand their total wages be paid in GOLD! They are not required to accept checks or paper fiat money, or any national currency, but do have the option at their discretion to accept currency in lieu of bullion. Further more, if the lien for wages is not promptly paid, the crew members several or solo, may insist the vessel be seized and auctioned off for the monies to satisfy their liens. That is law! This is a US flagged vessel and US law applies to it anywhere in the world a US flag vessel finds itself. It’s a mobile piece of US territory.

“Inform Mr Tynsall of these facts I have given you. He can verify the law exists just as I told it, by contacting and inquiring from any US Marshall’s office.”

“Do you intend to place a lien against the vessel also, Captain?”

“Captain and crew is not just a phrase. I am not part of the crew. I am management. Captains are not protected under the crew’s wage law. My only options is to sue in court or possibly seek to secure a mortgage on the vessel via a bottomry bond, if I feel I am cheated.”

“Mr Tynsall offers to fly you to Abidjian today, and put you up aboard Appeal to Heaven free of charge. At no expense to you for room and board. Isn’t that fair and considerate of you, Captain?”

“It is Mr Tynsall considering only himself. His plan of sending me to stay on Appeal to Heaven is about making me a prisoner!”

“Mr Tynsall assures me, Captain, it is for your own good.”

“I determine what is good for me, not Mr Tynsall. Tell him to remember that in the future! Here is my demands. I want confirmation of a wire transfer of all my owed wages, received into my personal bank account today, and? I want our cash bonus, all of our cash bonuses, paid into my hand today, before I, uh beg your pardon Chief, I want the bonuses before WE leave the vessel.”

“I will have to confer with Mr Tynsall for instructions.”

“Time is wasting! Ask him if he’s also willing to hotel Warren and Francine on Appeal to Heaven? No charge for their room and board, and no wages. I might consider his offer more friendly, more enticing, if it’s also extended to them. Won’t hurt to ask him. We appreciate your efforts on our behalf. Travel careful. Desperate folks do desperate things. Lot’s of desperately poor folks in town. Bye.”