I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the admirable progress of two of our number, Cabin Boy
Pip and Harpooneer Qua-quadrophenia, who seem to have developed a productive and entirely
professional working relationship together. Is it in my head, or do they truly enjoy taking on the dirty
jobs that most whalers ordinarily try to avoid? From my experience, employees of such youth will often
succumb to distraction, getting lost in their responsibilities like helpless dancers in the sea and sand,
ultimately to be drowned under all the unfinished tasks that swell up around them. But I’m one who will
admit when he’s been mistaken. Qua-quadrophenia even had time to cut my hair the other day, with
such care, skill, and style that I must confess I now feel like the real me. Well, I suppose I’ve had enough
of judgments based on age, because it is apparent that the kids are alright. I believe my views are shared
by the rest of the crew, and I can only predict our collective love will reign o’er the two of them for the
duration of this expedition. In any case, I have great expectations for both their careers.
