Good Vibrations

‘Sinking laddie, that’s what it’s called. If you have a hole - water finds a way.’
‘Can Uncle Finken swim?’
‘Only in alcohol!’
‘Damn it - we’re sinking and everyone’s smiling and laughing! Shouldn’t we be calling for help or something?’
‘Who would hear? Those sharks already know.’
‘They can smell fear - that’s why we’re being upbeat.’
‘When were you thinking of informing me?
‘Now. Now you know. Think happy thoughts.’
‘Not sure I’ve got any of those since Aunt Maggie…’
‘SHUShhhhh- they’ll hear - no negative thoughts!’
‘Oh right…’
‘Looking forward to Gilly’s wedding…’
‘Wonderful, they’re so stinking rich it’ll feel like everyone’s getting married! I hear the guests all got tickets to Milan -some show or other…’
‘They look awfully close or we’re getting nearer the water…’
‘Everybody sing! I AM SAILING! I AM SAILING!!’
‘CAN YOU HEAR MEEEEE? CAN YOU HEAAAAR MEEEE? THROUGH THE DARK NIGHTTTT - I AM DYINGGGG - FOREVER CRYINNNG!!!’
‘Not that bit!!’ Keep it cheerful damn it!!’
‘Water on the deck - there’s water on the deck!!’
‘That’s not water - that’s - that’s…
‘Oh hell! I don’t care!! We are SINKINGGGGG- we are SINKIINNGGGGGG!’

Good Vibrations

‘SHUSSSSSSH!!’
‘Listen laddie, we can make it if we all…’
‘AGGHHHHH! It’s up to my ankles!!’
‘Stop yelling! Someone stop him.’

Splash! Uncle Finken went straight down, no thrashing, no gulping for air.

‘What the?’
‘Who pushed him! For heaven’s sake that’s murder!!’
‘We had to shut him up or he’d kill us all - come on -’
‘Water - up to my knees!’
‘GOD SAVE OUR GRACIOUS QUEEN - GOD SAVE OUR NOBLE QUEEN-’

‘It’s not noble queen…that’s not it…
‘It is - definitely noble-’
‘LONG live our noble queen…’

All four are now treading water. The tip of the yacht’s mast like a final hand reaching out.

‘GOD SAVE OUR-’
‘Shuusssh!’
‘But I thought we were singing?’
‘Not now stupid - WE’RE IN THE FUCKING WATERRRR!’
‘No vibrations anyone -’
‘OOh and no peeing either - I read that somewhere.’
‘I love you Margaret - now we’re going to die and I didn’t want to go without telling you!’
‘Mark! But we’re second cousins! How long has…’

Good Vibrations

Mark is jerked under.

‘Three to go. Just saying.’
I do need to pee - I didn’t before you said it.’
‘Don’t think it matters laddie - we’ll all about to be fish food. Brave face laddie, brave face!’
‘Funny isn’t it? We’re about to die and I don’t feel at all afraid…’
‘Me neither - the way I see it is, if I die today, I don’t have to go to that awful wedding, speak to those smiling, fucking bronzed, alien smiley people, who’ve got more money than class!’

Another soul is taken.

‘Looks like his wish was granted. Tread water laddie, gently mind - they’ve had their fill today - I’ve got one more flare left. ’
‘You crafty old blighter!’