by James Coplin

Created on: January 03, 2010   Last Updated: January 04, 2010

What I remember most vividly of my meeting with Jean-Pierre was the click of the ceiling fan as it revolved above our table in that waterfront dive in Port-au-Prince. The hot, humid air was barely stirred by it, each cycle of its blades so slow they recalled the slush and pump of a diseased heartbeat. They actuated the long, frequent silences of our conversation.

At last, Jean-Pierre lifted up his yellowed eyes from the rum glass and stared into my own.

"I understand you need men to load coffee aboard your vessel. I have men. I guarantee they will work without loafing and that they will not steal from you. There will be no papers needed, no payments to the Port Authority. You will deal only with me"

I drained my own rum tumbler in turn and allowed none of my interest to show. Port-au-Prince is the most corrupt port in the world and the last place you would wish to have trouble. I had a lot. I was short crewed, my ship was an unregistered tramp, the engine overhaul she had needed had cost all my ready cash and I had a load of coffee waiting on the dock being pilfered so quickly the crates seemed to have grown legs. Both the Dock bosses and the Port Authority had their hands out and I had nothing to put in them.

And there across the table sat the answer to all my problems, if I could believe him. Jean-Pierre was not a figure to inspire trust. He was squat, black, toad-like with a high domed forehead and bulging, discolored eyes. That he was a cheat and would need careful watching could be taken for granted. Yet then again so was I. I was also desperate.

"I'll pay $50.00 a head for good laborers with a 15% commission to you." I said as I set down my glass. "That's my best offer. Have your men at the berth first thing tomorrow and we'll make book as soon as she's loaded."

Jean-Pierre returned to studying the run bottle, saying nothing.  Then he once again lifted those dead man's eyes.

"Blanc, you will pay me $500.00 and don't worry about the men. The Port Officers alone would take that much from you. And my men are hired only to work at night. They work best at night. I shall bring them to you at Midnight and you shall see. I have only two warnings. Have your crew keep to their quarters while my men are at work. Have my money ready for we will be leaving before the dawn."

Before I could say yes or no, he had risen from his chair and disappeared into the steamy street. I admit I was something relieved to see his stern though I had clearly wasted

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