capt_facepalm: (Default)
[personal profile] capt_facepalm
Author: [info]capt_facepalm
Rating:
PG
Fandom:  Sherlock Holmes (Gaslight)
Characters:
  Dr John H. Watson, MD, recently of the Army Medical Department
Summary:
  No relief from the autumn gale for those on board HMMS Orontes
Warnings:
  (none)
Word Count: 100
Author's Notes:
  July 29th writing prompt (continued from HERE)


October 31, 1880
HMMS Orontes


The October gale raged on and the Orontes remained at sea. Below decks, John Watson’s misery was indescribable.

In two days, fifteen sick men can make close quarters unbearable with their heat, their stench, and their despair.  The lucky ones swayed, suspended in hammocks. Others lay moaning in their berths.  Too weak to move, Watson sat against the wall clutching a pail. Vomiting would be a relief if he were not already empty.

The ship’s doctor never appeared and the sufferers no longer looked to Watson for help.  What use would he be if he could not even help himself?

.oOOo.

Please sign the guestbook

Date: 2011-07-29 09:33 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] scotlandyarder.livejournal.com
Ooh... That's a bad, BAD feeling. (And a good, GOOD drabble: you've captured those sensations almost too well for comfort!)

Date: 2011-07-30 04:17 am (UTC)
monkeybard: (sick but snuggly)
From: [personal profile] monkeybard
Oh ugh. Poor Watson! My tummy is sad for him. :(

Date: 2011-07-30 01:59 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] goldvermilion87.livejournal.com
How sad!

Also, something about this line--"Vomiting would be a relief if he were not already empty"--is just so TRUE... if that makes any sense.

Well done.

Date: 2011-08-08 01:47 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] capt-facepalm.livejournal.com
Heh heh heh! Good thing I am limited to 100 words!
I'm glad you found this convincing!

Date: 2011-08-08 01:47 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] capt-facepalm.livejournal.com
Poor Watson!
Thanks for commenting!

Date: 2011-08-08 01:48 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] capt-facepalm.livejournal.com
Fortunately I am not writing from personal experience!
(Thanks!)

Date: 2011-08-08 06:52 am (UTC)
methylviolet10b: a variety of different pocketwatches (Default)
From: [personal profile] methylviolet10b
Out of the frying pan and into the fire, so to speak...you're really giving Watson a tough time in these drabbles! I love how you're telling so much story in so few words.

Date: 2011-08-08 12:14 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] capt-facepalm.livejournal.com
That's a fine compliment coming from a drabbler like yourself!
I think Watson has earned some respite. At least from me. For now.

Date: 2011-08-09 12:00 am (UTC)
methylviolet10b: (relaxing)
From: [personal profile] methylviolet10b
Respite? A little TLC, certainly - but respite implies leaving him alone, which implies you not writing about him...something devoutly to be avoided at all costs, IMHO. ;-)

Date: 2011-09-07 02:15 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dork-nerd.livejournal.com
Where is the ship's doctor!
*is angry for poor, overwhelmed, sick Watson*
If anyone has earned a respite, it is Watson!

Date: 2011-09-07 03:56 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] capt-facepalm.livejournal.com
Oh the ship's doctor is busy helping the crew who are required to keep HMMS Orontes afloat in the great storm. The passengers became a secondary priority. Watson et al will have to make do without.

Date: 2011-09-08 12:51 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dork-nerd.livejournal.com
Okay... sorry I was mad at the (also overwhelmed) ship doctor. :)
I suppose Watson would rather suffer than sink.
I like this theme you have where Watson is not the best ocean-traveler. I'm imagining the point when this is discovered by Holmes. If Watson is embarrassed about his situation in front of strangers... it will be a thousand times worse (or 'better' depending on your POV) in front of Holmes. Especially if they are on a case and Watson (thinks he) is holding back a case.

Date: 2011-09-09 02:58 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] capt-facepalm.livejournal.com
You are right to be angry. The ship's doctor should have appeared at some point. Watson never found out why not.
Poor Watson... he and water do not get along!
Page generated Feb. 4th, 2026 04:49 am
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios