I’m your First Mate. Admit it, you love me.

And I know why. All captains love me. It’s because I know shit. Whether it’s a bowline knot or some minor aspect of pirate law. It’s crucial, and it comes in handy.

Everybody wants a good first mate, and you found one, and it feels good. Someone you can trust. Someone that will talk sense when everyone else goes crazy.

Knowing your place is important; and while command is attractively built, it doesn’t necessarily fit those who are more apt to figure things out.

The weight of command is best left to those who believe in themselves, while the smartest of us are constantly in doubt. That’s why second in command is so important. And why captains should listen more than they talk.

I’m not gonna get into the whole “rats head, ox neck” conversation. I’ll let you google that at will. Nor will I talk about shitty first mates.

Every captain in the world will debate me on this, and yet still, they will defer to a good first mate. Because it’s easy. And better off for crew and passengers.

It’s human nature.

Salute.