BLACKWATER BROADCAST — NO CHARGE FOR COMING HOME [Intro — Barnacle, spoken] Blackwater Broadcast, live from Titans Maw! The ferry is still closed. Captain Brine’s walking tours, however, Have encountered a small problem. The walk is now underwater. [Verse 1 — Barnacle, gravelly male lead] Brine had painted WALKING TOURS On the ferry’s battered board. “Scenic views! No waiting queues!” “No boat,” said Mara. “Still no oars.” Then Tack came wheeling through the rain: “The upstream log’s come loose! Two gallis stranded on the stones— I checked before I brought the news!” [Chorus — Mara leads; Barnacle and crew answer] Haul away, Blackwater! HOLD THAT LINE AGAINST THE FOAM! You can charge a fish for a foolish trip, But not for coming home. When the tide climbs past the mangroves And the dark gets in your bones, We don’t leave a neighbour stranded— NO CHARGE FOR COMING HOME! [Verse 2 — Mara, strong female lead] I shut the book of who owed what And dragged the rope outside. The captain cleared his famous throat: “Now, strictly speaking, I—” A frightened call cut through the rain; He let the sentence die. He took the rope between his teeth And slipped into the tide. [Radio Check — Tack and Mara, spoken] Tack: “Two on the rocks. One line across.” Mara: “And the current?” Tack: “Still far too strong.” Mara: “Good. Report what’s there.” [Verse 3 — Barnacle and Mara trade lines] Barnacle: Mara braced against a root; Mara: The crew took up the strain. Barnacle: Tack kept both within his sight; Mara: We heard him through the rain. Barnacle: One crossed safely, one lost grip— Mara: We thought the line had failed. Barnacle: Brine turned and nudged them toward the bank; Mara: We caught a claw and hauled! [Chorus — Both leads; full crew] Haul away, Blackwater! HOLD THAT LINE AGAINST THE FOAM! You can charge a fish for a foolish trip, But not for coming home. When the tide climbs past the mangroves And the dark gets in your bones, We don’t leave a neighbour stranded— NO CHARGE FOR COMING HOME! [Bridge — Quieter fiddle; Mara and Brine] Mara: His painted sign went spinning past, The prices washed away. “Your finest business plan,” I said. “Have you been paid today?” Brine: “I counted two upon the bank. That’ll do for now.” Mara: I wrote “Rescue — no charge” in the book, Then softly read it out. [Build — Barnacle, spoken over rising stomps] One good deed doesn’t settle every account. But tonight, two travellers reached the shore— And somebody earned a better story. [Final Chorus — Mara soars; Barnacle and crew respond] Haul away, Blackwater! THERE ARE TWO SAFE ON THE SHORE! Keep the lantern by the landing; We’ll leave room for one voice more. There’ll be time to mend the crossing, There’ll be time to count what’s owed— But tonight we count each other: NO CHARGE FOR COMING HOME! [Outro — Spoken, fading accordion] Barnacle: “The upstream crossing remains closed.” Tack: “Two rescued. Confirmed.” Brine: “I do still charge for guided walks.” Mara: “When there’s somewhere safe to walk.” Blackwater Broadcast. Tonight, we brought more than the news.
