Captain James Hook, who was now completely content to just be called James Hook, sat outside a small cafe and nibbled on a mediocre roast beef sandwich. He was marvelously happy. He had new clothes, new shoes, and a new life. He sat back and sighed, reveling in the sights, sounds, and smells of London. It had been nearly 12 years since he had been free to roam this city. Two had been spent in that unspeakable prison, and the other ten he had been underground in Neverland.
He felt a trace of guilt for leaving his compatriots down there. It was, after all, a horrible mess at the moment after the destruction Matilda's program had brought on it, but he was confident the others would figure out a way to clean it up. And it wasn't a horrible place to have lived, but knowing that he couldn't leave it all those years had affected his sanity. Plus, he really was tired of being outsmarted by all those young lads. The new technology they used was more and more baffling, and he didn't have the patience to keep up with it.
Hook paid for his meal and walked down the street, drunk with the possibilities of where he could go. He had sold a few of the jewels from his collection to pay for living expenses, and he felt as if the world were at his fingertips. He strolled along the Thames River, nodding at everything he remembered and marveling at everything that was new.
As the sun began to set, he crossed a bridge and stopped in the middle of it to admire the water.
"Excuse me, sir. I've dropped my keys right between your feet."
James Hook turned around and beheld the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She was tall, with auburn hair, hazel eyes, exquisite lips, and a slightly stressed expression which gave her features a tantalizing energy. Slightly overcome, he shuffled back and in the process kicked the lady's keys off the bridge. The woman let out a small cry as the keys fell into the river.
Hook regained his senses and sprang to action. He was excessively grateful he had his Magno-needle with him, although this would be the first time he used it to recover somebody else's lost treasure. He pulled out the skinny rod as he ran to the other side of the bridge. He extended it to its full length as he guided it over the edge and into the water. The Magno-needle vibrated as it attracted various metal objects in the river. After a few seconds of sweeping from side to side, he retracted the apparatus, which was now heavy with all the loot retrieved from the depths of the Thames. With some effort Hook pried off several coins, a toy car, a flask, some rusted nails, a salt shaker, a diamond ring, and thankfully, the woman's keys.
"I'm so sorry to have caused you momentary stress," Hook said, presenting the woman's keys with a flourish.
"Oh, I suppose I shouldn't have dropped them," the woman said, seeming a little flustered as she accepted her keys. "That's quite a handy device you have."
"Ah, yes. This Magno-needle has saved many of my important treasures. Once it even pulled my watch from the belly of a rhinoceros."
The woman made a face and Hook was afraid he was going to lose her after that graphic recounting, but instead she inclined her head and looked at him with curiosity.
"Forgive me for asking, but what is that smell?"
Hook blanched. Smell? He had showered this morning, hadn't he? He was wearing new clothes and new shoes, and he had left his lobster belt in the hotel room. Oh, the mortification to have met this stunning woman only to have her be put off by some unknown, awful smell.
"I'm sorry," Hook said with a weak smile. "Is it bad?"
"No, it's wonderful!" She replied with an enchanting laugh. "It must be your cologne or your hair gel or something. It smells warm and exotic and a bit familiar."
Hook ran his hands through his black curly locks, trying to discern what the scent could be. He was relieved that at least it was a pleasant and not a repulsive smell. He smiled at the woman, and she looked down shyly. With some excitement he realized that the stunning lady was quite possibly attracted to him.
"Would you have dinner with me tomorrow night?" He ventured, a bit surprised at his own brazenness.
The woman's eyes widened and she stepped back. "Oh, I don't think that would be a good idea."
Hook nodded. "Well, yes, it's probably a terrible idea. You've only just met me and I hardly know you. You could be a vicious murderer, although I doubt you could be such a person with those kind eyes."
The woman's expression softened. "It's just I haven't dated in almost 20 years."
"Neither have I!" Hook responded quickly. "So we'll both be painfully awkward!"
The woman laughed that marvelous, musical laugh again. "Alright, then," she said. "I suppose a public outing couldn't do much harm. Shall I give you my phone number?"
Hook panicked. He had noticed that nearly everyone he passed was on their cell phone, and he knew it would seem odd that he didn't have one, but he hadn't gotten around to it yet.
"Ah, I'm actually in the process of getting a new mobile right now. I lost my last one." (This was, in fact, true. The last phone he had was forfeited to the prison authorities 12 years ago.)
"Oh, so you don't have a device that fetches lost phones, then?"
"It would appear I don't," Hook said with a nervous laugh. "How about you meet me here on this bridge in three days? At six o' clock?"
"It's rather old fashioned, but yes, that should do fine."
"I'm James, by the way," Hook said, extending his hand.
"Pleasure."
"And you are...?"
"I'm Angela. Angela Darling."