Chapter 5

As it happened, Tuomas could drive much faster and more efficiently without a pesky pirate getting in his way. He knew he had hurt his friend’s feelings, but making the point was far more important that pandering to the whims of the immature. He got along so well on his own that he started to wonder whether or not he would better off that way. When he arrived in the parking lot at Fort Bargain-bin (which ironically was the store’s real name) he paused for a moment. He could enter, but now, rather than holey socks, he had none at all and he could not leave the bus like that.

What to do?

For the much same reasons he could not borrow any socks from the other band members, he could not ask them to enter the store to try them on. Then he had a rare stroke of genius. He had completely forgotten that he had a road crew, and asked Kimmo, the sound engineer, to do it. He agreed, and left the bus and set out across the parking lot for Fort Bargain-bin. At last, Tuomas had found someone who could actually help him; someone he could trust.

After a few minutes, Kimmo came out shaking his head.

“Sorry Tuomas, but Fort Bargain-bin only accepts gold doubloons as cash payment. We could try to barter, but I don’t think we have anything valuable.”

“No.” Said Tuomas. “I stopped Jukka before he could successfully raid the timber truck. So I have to ask Jukka to borrow some money?” As the only pirate in Nightwish, Jukka is the only one who carries gold doubloons with him everywhere he goes.

“Not only that.” Kimmo sighed, “Everyone in there talks like him.”

“So I have to get the jackass to translate for you as well?” asked Tuomas

“Well maybe it would be less awkward if I just called his cell if I have any trouble?” Even when Jukka is in his element in the pirate universe, even his closest associates do their utmost to distance themselves from him.

That seemed like the best option at this point, though after his mutiny this would still be awkward. After borrowing some pirate money, Kimmo entered the Fort again. Again he came out moments later shaking his head.

“Sorry Tuomas. Line’s dead.”

They turned back to the tour bus, and through the windows he could see that it was engulfed in smoke!