Just to keep the party going...


Next spoke the Steward of our tidy little ship,
And a delegating man was he,
“I’ve a poker game at stake with the dinner serving crew,
And tonight we’ll all big losers be.”

“Ah ha,” said the Massage Therapist from the on-board SPA,
And a strong-handed lady was she.
“I’ve an open slot at six then booked solid up to ten,
But tonight we’re all cancelled seems to me.”

“Just so,” said the Cruise Director as if in a funk,
“I guess this mermaid legend must be true.
But if not I’ve still got slots for Dante’s Tour of Hell,
We’ll be gathering tomorrow at two.

“Alas,” said the Trivia Coordinator, “Say it isn’t so,
I’ve got eight tables scheduled for a match.
Got my prizes and my categories organized at last,
The last thing I want to do is scratch.”

“Too bad,” said the Bartender, polishing a glass,
“Just when this party’s getting hot.
This mermaid scam’s just another left-wing scare,
It’s an underwater, communistic plot.”

“Not so fast,” said the Alcoholics Anonymous Coordinator
    …from the rear,
“That Bartender’d only touting booze,
Join my 12-step process, and let the mermaid be,
You only signed up for a cruise.

“Listen up,” cried the Manicurist, joining in the fray,
“Get a two-for one special that’s so swell,
It’s a couples mani-pedi for just fifty bucks today,
You’ll be lookin’ good in Heaven or in Hell.”?