For some mysterious reason I can't begin to understand, I was given the 'Star of the Week' award on the ship this week. I thought this was a reward for crew who, in the course of their work, go beyond the call of duty. But obviously this couldn't be it, or I wouldn't have gotten it.

I have no idea what the criteria could be such that I would be considered for this honour, let alone receive it.

The musical director, bless his heart, recommended me, but I had to be approved for it at a senior staff meeting. I guess I have some friends in high places.

The prize is a guest cabin for one week, and (limited) guest privileges on the ship. I can eat in guest areas, and walk around the ship in my civilian clothes, just like a real cone!

I'll tell you, this got rid of my end-of-contract anxiety pretty darned quick. I'm not nearly as anxious to leave as I was a week ago when I didn't have a cabin to myself, or dining privileges in the guest restaurants. It's almost like getting a free cruise.

The conspiracy theorist in me says that this is just a diabolical plan they have to get me to come back to work on the ship. They must have sensed I was nearing the edge, maybe beginning to consider not returning. I'll be leaving with a much better feeling about coming back now.

I'm going to miss the people here.

I first learned something was up when Kamal passed on a message from the musical director, Neil, saying only, “He say to tell you you're a star.”

“I'm a star? What do you mean?”

“Thas' all he say. 'Tell heem he's a star.' Oh, and you should call heem.”

My first thought was that the British safety officer had caught me on videotape doing something I shouldn't be doing. Phiw (if you recall his name) has been known to trap unsuspecting crew by setting up a rather obvious situation (maybe a small, stinky chemical spill, or perhaps some smoke coming out of a trash can or something) and then videotaping victims as they walk by the trap without doing anything about it. Or maybe they stop, look at it for a few seconds, then continue on without doing anything. Sort of like Candid Camera.

Phiw sometimes shows these tapes at our monthly safety meetings to embarrass the guilty parties. I was hoping that wasn't what 'you're a star' meant.

I called Neil to find out what it meant to be a star.

“Well, you're 'Star of the Week'”, he said, as if I should know already.

“Oh no! What did I do?” I said, still thinking I was caught on tape somewhere.

“No, you don't get it. It's a good thing! It's an award. You get a guest cabin for a week and guest privileges on the ship. You should feel honoured. Musicians never get to be 'Star of the Week'.”

“Well, why me? What did I do to get this?” I asked, sincerely puzzled.

“Well, each supervisor is asked to submit a name, and I submitted yours. Then, at a senior staff meeting, we voted on the candidates. You won this week.”

“But what did I do?”

Maybe this is silly, but this award, or whatever it is, embarrasses me. I mean, it's hard enough already trying to figure out ways to hide or at least disguise the fact that I hardly do any work around here. Now I've got this little star on my ID tag that identifies me as a Star of the Week with even more special privileges than I normally have. And I have plenty of free time to enjoy them, too!

In the crew elevator on the way up to my new stateroom (#9379) a hard-working, and no doubt more deserving, crew member noticed the star on my ID and congratulated me on the award. She smiled, and didn't seem jealous about it at all.

Then at the guest drill, David, my muster station leader (and the sports staff supervisor) congratulated me and asked if my new stateroom met with my approval. Had he been one of the staff who voted for me?

Even though I don't understand why I got this thing, I accepted it. It would only be an insult not to! But I do feel awkward about it. There are people, many of whom I know, who are much more deserving of special treatment than I. In fact, I don't deserve it at all!

***

I guess I'll probably do a few more contracts on ships before I'm so far over the hill that I'm out of range. For some reason I get on well in this environment. I feel strangely welcome and at home on the ship sometimes.

As if I've been 'here' before.


My ID badge with green 'Star of the Week' star