Fiction Fragment Friday
With this week I continue to explore the tone, themes, and levels of tension that I have been trying to work into this tale. When I started writing I thought I was doing one scene, but it quickly became a different one. I’m realizing the cooking competition arc is going to be longer than I had planned. That is not an issue from my perspective. If some of it doesn’t make the final novel edit the story will still be stronger for my having written and developed all of it. This scene might get more edits, but I can’t imagine not keeping it in.
“My name is Captain Jacob Moss, and it’s my honor to welcome you to Odd Plates. The greatest cooking competition ever held aboard a starship. Over the course of this competition each of our three chefs will be challenged to make breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. It’s not that simple though. Each phase I will be giving them an odd twist to challenge their creativity. So, get comfortable because things are about to get odd.”
I held my pose pointing towards the tablet Pablo was holding until he looked up and said, “Got it.” As usual his tone was so flat I could not read his reaction.
“Well, it wasn’t terrible.” Chief Louise was sitting at the table just behind Pablo giving me her disappointed expression.
“What was wrong with that? It was almost exactly what you wrote.”
“No, I know. It wasn’t the lines. You just came across as too over the top. Like a cheap shill. When you talk as captain you have this gravitas. That..” She pointed to the tablet. “that was more gravitASS than gravitas.”
“Well don’t sugar coat it. Tell me what you really think.”
“Sorry, but you did ask.”
I sighed. “I know, and you’re right. It might be fine just for the ship, but if there is any chance of going viral, I need to do better. This really isn’t my wheelhouse though. I’m no performer.”
“Maybe that’s the problem sir.” I looked over at Pablo who had not raised his eyes from his tablet. He was silent long enough that I started to think he wouldn’t elaborate before he spoke again. “What I mean is that you’re trying to perform. Maybe don’t do that. Just talk like you’re broadcasting a message to the crew. Be yourself.”
I thought about what he was saying and composed myself for another take. When I was ready, I motioned for him to record again.
“This is Captain Moss and it’s my privileged to present Odd Plates. This is to the best of my knowledge the first and by extension the greatest cooking competition ever held onboard an operating starship.
You can expect to see our three brave chefs stretched to the limit of their newly acquired cooking skills over four unique rounds. They will cook breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert for myself and three judges pulled randomly from the crew.
This is the Oddity though and nothing can ever be quite that simple. Each meal I’ll be giving them a twist to test their skill, creativity, and willingness to put up with me. At the end we will crown not just a winner, but the new head chef for the Starship Oddity.
You will all get to join us for every step of the journey. We’ll be going behind the scenes into the kitchen, following their cooking trainer Chief Louise, and watching every facial expression on the faces of our judges. So, sit back and get comfortable because I may not know what will happen, but I promise you it will be odd.”
I was met with applause. Not only was the chief clapping, but the kitchen crew had stepped out into the galley to join her. “Now that was more like it. Not exactly perfect, but much more you.”
“Thank you. I think.”
“Unbelievable.” All the mirth drained out of the room at the sound of Victor Lumsdon’s voice from the doorway. He was leaning against the frame looking directly at me. He gave a mock clap of his own with each a sharp echoing sound in the silence. “Turns out the ship turned into a variety show while I was away.”
“Funny I don’t remember mocking morale improving efforts being part of your job description Mr. Lumsdon.”
“Other duties as assigned cap. Other duties as assigned and trust me it is part of my assignment.”
“Of that I have no doubt.”
He turned to Chief Louise. “You seriously encouraging this?”
“It was my and Chief Burton’s idea.”
“Of course it was.” He looked around the room at the kitchen crew and the chief. “Don’t let him rope you all into his delusions. This ship isn’t a family, and it never will be. It’s just a failing freighter with a fresh coat of paint.”
My instinct told me to lash out verbally at Lumsdon, but deep down I knew that was what he wanted. Instead, I took a deep breath and centered myself before replying. Control the things you can, mitigate the things you can’t. “I think you will find that far more has changed while you were gone than just the paint Mr. Lumsdon. If you continue to fail in grasping that I don’t anticipate you being particularly successful in that special project I gave you. Seeing as that is rather time critical perhaps you should return to your quarters to work on it.”
He held my gaze for longer than I was comfortable with before turning and leaving without another word. When he was out of sight, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. I tried to project an air of control for my crew. They didn’t need to know how much his comments had gotten to me. I had been hopeful for a moment before he deflated my mental momentum. The crew could not see those cracks though.
“Pablo, I look forward to seeing that recording after your processing and graphics are added in. I want something I can send out as a teaser this evening and a version we can use as the intro to each episode.” I made myself a mug of coffee and headed back towards the bridge. I stopped in the door and turned back to my crew. “We are making something special here people. No one can take that away from us.” I said it for their benefit, but realized I needed to hear it too.