One day, while reading your favorite book on the beach, you notice a boat slowly drifting to shore. It eventually lands near your spot. A person, draped in pirate clothes, yells to you from the boat, “I have a treasure map and I need help. Are you in?” (prompt from WD Week In Review for 2/23/2013)

I had watched the boat drift to shore and saw the sole passenger costumed as a pirate. I was curious. What the heck was going on here? Is this some sort of performance to entice or engage tourists?

Yet I am the only person on the beach and this “pirate” is approaching me. Hmmmm? I look around again, now more than curious. I am skeptical; puzzled.

Now he’s right in my face. He looks like the real deal, or at least the real deal as far as MGM taught me.

In short order, in a deep throaty voice with no “Argghhh Matey”, he says he has a treasure map and wants my help. Am I in ?

I clear my throat. This seems real but at the same time, has the feel of one those Nigerian e-mails.

“What exactly do you need me to do, sir?”

He garbles, more pirate-like this time.

“There is treasure on this beach. It will be too much for me to handle. I need someone to help me dig it up and put it in my dinghy. It is easy work and for that you will receive one quarter of the bounty.”

My mind keeps saying “Hmmmmmm” with many question marks behind it. This feels more like the Nigerian email than before, or a fairly elaborate prank.

I decide to play along.

“Fifty, fifty” I say.

         Barry John Johnson