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The map to the treasure of pirate Captain Black Bart Blaggard
The 'Palms and Pirates Souvenir
Shop'-chain of St.Tosia has printed a copy of what they claim to be Captain Blaggard's authentic map to his secret treasure, a yellowish
brown and crumpled authentic pirate treasure chart. Although experts on piracy argue that such treasures do not exist, "The Palm and
Pirates Souvenir Shop"-chain claims the contrary. Their map is part of a St.Tosia Pirate Treasure Chest and the packages sell like hot
cakes in their souvenir stores in St.Tosia, as well as in all gift shops onboard the various cruise ships that tour between the various
Caribbean islands.
To give the maps a distinctive aged look, they are guaranteed to have been stored six to eight weeks in a moist and dark cave, just
like Roquefort Blue Cheese. Besides owning the copy rights, the 'Palms and Pirates Souvenir Shop'-chain also has the monopoly for the
'ripening' of maps in the littoral cavern on the North side of St.Tosia. But since the Treasure Chest package does say on the back in
small lettering 'made in China', cave experts believe that it was done in a print shop in the Far East and the maps are produced with
a 'Penicillium Roqueforti'-mold look-a-like ink that is introduced as an aerosol.
An 'X' on the map marks the spot of the hidden booty. The treasure may indeed exist and be hidden there; given the fact that it marks the
island's Pirate Point.
However, no one has access to the site since it is the location of the heavily guarded, almost fortified, mansion of an old-money
gentlemen's club called the "Syndicus Uberrima Fides" or "syndicate of the utmost good faith". The history booklet that is included
in the St. Tosia Treasure Chest describes how the privateers of Captain Black Bart Blaggard stashed gold doubloons, silver pieces of
eight, emeralds, pearls, and diamonds in a cave at the Pirate Point.
The taxi drivers on St.Tosia tell the tourists that the mansion of the syndicate is the old pirate's hideout. Taxi rides to the site are
in high demand especially since the cab drivers are masters in telling piracy tales. They know that the more spicy and exaggerated the
story, the higher the tip.
Gazing naive tourists with the treasure map in their hand and the taxis parked in front of the property were a thorn in the eye of Montegue
Nelson, the syndicate's President. He filed a complaint against the 'Palms and Pirates Souvenir Shop'-chain in the court of the only judge
on St.Tosia, Fidel Pertinax. The judge ruled that the map was an expression of free creativity, free thought and free speech. In his closing
remarks of the court session, he noted that he wished not to be bothered with such nonsense and that it is not his way or style to favor
any individual or organization regardless of rank or standing in St.Tosia's society. Therefore, he condemned the Syndicate for contempt
of court as he felt his court was abused to seek favoritism. He sentenced them to erect a statue of Captain Blaggard in a location that
seemed the most appropriate to judgment of the court. And that is why there now is a bronze statue of the pirate captain right in front
of the Puerto Olvidar Imperial Yacht Club.
Judge Pertinax represents law and justice on the island and raising an objection in a higher court is not an option because of the lack of
a higher instance. St.Tosia's legal system proves to be efficient and effective and without any piling up of court cases or claims. Unless
true injustice is done a case has little chance of success in this judge's court of law. In the case of the Syndicate opposing gazers, the
insightful and wise decision of the judge was followed. The number of tourists staring in front of the Syndicate's mansion at Pirate Point
has decreased significantly.
Now, Commodore Horatio Dawson, the President of the Imperial yacht Club is annoyed by the tourists who are taking pictures at the pirate's
statue with the prestigious yacht club entrance as a backdrop.
Cdr. Bud Slabbaert
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