M&D Spoiler--Question p. 699

[davemarc]

> From: davemarc <davemarc at panix.com>
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> As for Scott vs. Soames, my Advance Reading Copy sez:
> 
> "No!  Please!  My little ones!  O Tiffany!  Jason!"
> "Any more?"
> "--Scott!"
> 
> But my First Edition sez:
> 
> "No!  Please!  My little ones!  O Tiffany!  Jason!"
> "Any more?"
> "--Soames!"
> 
> Not sure if I "get' it, but interested to note that there's a difference
> between the versions.  
> 
A consultation with the nascent but already excellent M&D Web Archive
reminded me that there's a Soames early in the book, pp 53-4:

***

"Rather stick the Pig and hear it squeal," comments Jack "Fingers" Soames,
a viperish Lad whose eponymous Gesture, made in answer to all Overtures,
however ritual or ev'ryday, strangely lacks any hostile Intent, being
expressive rather of a deep-held wish, so far as may be possible within the
Perimeter of a Sixth-Rate, to be left alone.  All but the most resolutely
matey of Ship's Company are content to oblige him.  He enjoys the solitude
that results,--never idle, obeying commands Outer and Inner, perfecting
maritime Skills,--amid, but not of, a floating Village of others just as
busy living lives he's no desire to enter.  "So you got married, does that
mean you forgot how to fuck yourself?"  "'Nice day'? do you know
Bollocks?--go get hit by Lightning."

The only crew member he has ever been Civil to is Veevle, legendary
thro'out the Royal N. for being impossible to wake to stand Watch.

***

So maybe this dude Soames is a little one of the Slave Driver?  Don't know
why he'd refer to him by his last name, though.

davemarc