Popeye: The Nereids Lair

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Popeye the Sailor, Olive Oyl, Wimpy Wellington, Bluto, or any other related characters or objects. They are the property of King Features Syndicate, appearing in the popular comic strip Popeye.
Chapter One: The Unwelcome Party
We open to a scene of couple washing and drying dishes. The man is a bit short but veyr muscular with an anchor tatto on his left arm. The woman is tall, rail thin with short black hair.

"We're not going and that's final!" Popeye said. He put a plate into the cupboard as he stated this, and it landed with a clank.

"But Popeye, it's the first Oyl family reunion in 15 years!" Olive replied. She started scrubbing a pot vigorously as she said this. "Pass me the sponge."
He handed the sponge to her and said. "I don't want to be saying anything bad about your family or nothing. But it's a very long voyage to Portugal."

"You're a sailor. You'll think of something." She said. "And make sure it's something nice. My family's not going to stand anything but the best for their little girl."
Popeye put away the last dish and turned to Olive. "I think I have an idea." He handed the rag to her, and began leaving the house. He closed the door behind him and began heading in the direction of the local dinner.

Olive went to the door and shouted. "No Popeye! You can't trust him. He's made a life of mooching off other people! Why do you think he'll help you?"

"Because he's my friend. And a friend is the best thing to have even if you can't stand them." He hollered back.
~~~
"It's Tuesday. pay up!" The manager snapped. This patron's tab got to be the highest in all the world, he thought.

"I ment next Tuesday." Wimply calmly pleaded. Even though he had plenty of money of his own, why not eat a cheeseburger today and pay for it on Tuesday? Especially when you're smart enough not to say which Tuesday.

"Actually, today's Wednesday." The door swung open and the familiar figure of the local barge company owner appeared. The manager then saw a couple of local punks messing with the juke box and decided to tell them off.

Wimpy smiled. "Hi Popeye."
Popeye took a bar stool next to Wimpy's and asked. "I need a favor of you. No games, got it?"
"We'll see what I can do." Wimpy's smile deepened. "What do you want?"

"My wife's family is having a big ol' reunion. In Portugal by some Great-Aunt I've never met. I need a boat," Popeye said.
"Aww, you want to borrow my yacht? Well, no can do pal. I got big plans in Bermuda. It's the party season there. Think of all the babes..." He answered.
"Think of our friendship," Popeye said. He looked right into Wimpy's eyes. Wimpy was scared for a minute.

"Alright. Well if it's a big family reunion then maybe I'll meet a cousin of Olives'," Wimpy said.
Popeye did his best to keep from laughing. Images of Olive's ugly cousins floated in his mind before Wimpy's stares forced him back into reality.

"We have a deal Wimpy. 5:00 A.M tommorrow morning." He held out his hand to shake.
"Deal." Wimply agreed.

The manager held up the phone. "It's for you, sir. I think it's your wife."

"Hello?Olive. Yeah I got the boat. We leavin' first thing..." There was a pause.

"A few of your family what to go? Your mother an' father? Ok." Another pause.
"Your brother. I always liked Castor. Anyone else?"

A very long pause set in. Wimpy leaned in closer to hear better.

"HIM!? Why him of all people? A business partner? Does your brother have no honor?" He yelled so hard that the whole dinner heard him.

"Fine hon. See you later." He hung up with a smagger that smacked Wimpy on the cheek and sent him flying to the floor.

Wimpy got up. He didn't like interfering in family business but for the sake of himself, not to mention the whole dinner, Popeye needed to calm down.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Ham Gravy is what's wrong. Ham Gravy was Olive's old boyfriend. She dumped him for me. But now he's some successful businessman!" He laid his head in his arms.
End Chapter One

 

Chapter 2: Sink or Swim

Eventually with a few coffees and bit of consoling by the friendly barman, Popeye went home. Olive oyl was so excited and was packing up. She was already to go, and her happiness was so great he didn't want to spoil it for her. Maybe Ham found himself a girl and settled down.

At 5:00 A.M Popeye and Olive Oyl arrived at the port. They were the first ones there. The ship's name was The Great Cheeseburger. The next people to arrive were Olive's parents, Cole and Nana. Olive greeted them with big hugs. After asuring Cole he was taking good care of his daughter, Cole shook his hand. After this happy gathering, Olive's brother Castor and his business partner Ham Gravy arrived.

Popeye asked. "So Ham, how's life been treating you?"

"Pretty good. I travel all the time, though it's mostly by jet." He replied. "By the way when is Weepy--"

"Wimpy", Popeye automatically corrected.
"Whatever. When is he going to get here?" Ham asked.
"Oh, Wimpy can be a spoiler but he's punctual." Olive said with a shooing gesture.

5:15 A.M.
By now everyone is sitting on there luggage.
Castor sighed. "Maybe there's traffic."

5: 30 A.M.
Olive Oyl is redoing her make-up. Castor & Ham are doing paperwork, and Mr.Oyl is a about ready to leave.
"Dang it Wimpy! Where are you?" Popeye whispered.

6:00 A.M. Wellington Manor
He's sleeping like a baby. Then a morningbird is chirping, and hten it crashed right into the window. It wakes Wimpy up. But he simply turns to go back to sleep. He glances at the clock by accident and realises how late it is. He runs to the docks.

By now, the Oyl family is having an argument as to whether they should stay or go. Wimpy shouts. "Be Quiet! Now get on board! I'm not sorry for being late, I'm sorry that you are all punctual busybodies without a life!"

He hops onto the yacht and the family follows him. Of course it is a luxurious yacht, with a pool & everything.
Popeye turns to him. "Who's piloting this thing?"
"Oh. See I usually don't sail in this thing. I just drift it for parties to impress people. So I figured you could do it." Wimpy said.

Popeye grunted but agreed to it. After all they were already sailing and nobody was steering this thing! Wimpy may be philosophical and what-not but he lacked common sense. The family was relaxing and enjoying some fine cavier that Wimpy imported from Russia. Wimpy went to get some vintage wine, and Mrs. Oyl got a bit dipsy and had to lay down.
~~~
Desert Island in the Atlantic

The Sea Hag was raging. "That Sailor! That cursed sailor! Trapping me on this island. I offered him all my love and this is how he repays me!" She cried out to the sea, her only true friend.

"Maybe you betrayed yourself." A voice said from the waters. The Sea Hag looked down and saw Thetis, greatest of the Nereids. The Nereids are th 50 daughters of the sea god Nereus and his wife Doris; who are children of Pontus (the Sea). She was of their kin. The Sea Hag was in the days of old the youngest daughter Phorcys and Clio.

"Thetis. You of all people! You married a mortal and everything turned out fine." She crossed her arms.

"I was forced to marry him by Zeus remember, and him dying and it having been all for vain because of Aeneas is more than enough punishment." Thetis replied.
"It is a good thing you are here however." She turned towards the Nereids. "I am calling up my favor."
The Nereid swam and sighed. "I had a feeling you would say that. What do you have in mind?"
~~~~~
All went fine until dinner. Then a ragging storm set in. Popeye and the Oyls and even Wimpy put up a great fight but they eventually hoisted the emergancy flags and prayed someone would see them. The yacht was not made to withstand these winds. Luckily, a familiar ship came in view. A bit too familiar for Popeye's taste.

The man threw a line, and one by one, the company boarded the large barge ship. Olive Oyl reached the top and realised that this was one of Popeye and Bluto's barge ships. Sure enough she looked in front of her.
A rather large man with a big mustache and a lantern smiled back and her.
" Welcome aboard the Angel! I am Captain Bluto!"

 

Sorry for the delay. A site by a certain Brian Clevinger has distracted me. Bluto is an intriguing character, and I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I did writing it.
~~~
Chapter Three: The Saga of Bluto
Olive Oyl said. "Bluto! How nice to see you. But what are you doing out here in this storm?"

"Oh, just typical work hauling barges over the Atlantic. Nothing to sweat over. Unlike you." He caught himself. "Unlike you because you are so sweet and perfect." Olive blushed and Popeye looked away. He knew Bluto was fascinated with Olive. But Olive only has eyes for me. He thought.

"So where are we?" Popeye asked. Bluto replied. "We are sailing east. We should reach landfall at 11 o'hundred hours. But why are you here with all these...people?"
Popeye took a moment to explain the situation. The usual introductions were made. Bluto told a passing attendent to "lock up the food tight. See the short guy with the grin? I don't trust him." Bluto was gracious to Olive's family. He greeted Ham Gravey like a chum, unaware of his past involvement with Olive.

Bluto ordered. "Men we must make concessions tonight. We are graciously giving up space to the Oyls and their guests. Because the weather has calmed, all low-ranking crew-members sleep on deck. Olive & Popeye, you get my quarters. I don't sleep well anyways. I think it's an illness." He half-lied.

Everyone else went to their quarters. The sun had set and the stars were rising. But Popeye stayed behind. Bluto looked pretty sad. Popeye said. "Is something wrong, Bluto?"
Bluto replied. "I am in love. That is the 'wrong'."
"Ah geez. You're lovesick." Popeye replied. He looked up and made out Andromeda, and Sirius, and the North Star. They sparkled like diamonds, and their light reflected upon the sea.
"Yeah. What should I do?" Bluto answered.
"You should sieze the day! Don't let anyone do you wrong! Stop moping and get the girl! You're a nice guy, you'll figure it out." Popeye cheered.
Bluto repressed a laugh. "Thank You Popeye." His eyes slowly closed and he collapsed on the deck.
Popeye laughed. "That's what friends are for. Truth is gold." He took a final look at Perseus and then fell asleep.

"Land Ho!" A sailor yelled. Popeye yawned and rubbed his eyes. They were at Port at Lisbon. He leaned over the deck and saw three young women holding a sign saying: Welcome Oyls.
~~~
Taking a page from my favorite comedic comic books, Wimpy is going to be taking your fan-mail. If you have any questions, comments, complaints about this story please say something.

 

But how is one going to be able to finish fanfictions if no one replies?
It makes no sense that just because nobody answers you are supposed to stop writing. If that were the case then there would be no books at all.