Jepp was finishing his second cup of coffee when the two slaves arrived at the shop. Both were dressed so well Jepp guessed they had raided their masters’ closets for the occasion.
“You are sadly late,” said Jepp as they sat.
“Unavoidable,” said the man Jepp knew as Omar.
“What is the password?” demanded the other man, a greasy character with an outlandish crimson beard.
“Your friend is overcautious,” Jepp said to Omar. “Tell me your news.”
“The guard refused to help us. I only hinted, of course. It would have been foolish to ask him directly.”
The proprietor glided over with his coffee pot, but Omar waved him away.
“It would be wise to get coffee, at least,” said Jepp. “For appearances.”
“Fuck your appearances,” said crimson beard. “When this revolt succeeds we’ll be their masters.”
The proprietor wiped the nearby table with a cloth, all ears.
Historical note: The Conspiracy of the Slaves was a failed plot by Muslim slaves in Malta to assassinate Grand Master Manuel Pinto da Fonseca and take over the island. D-Day was June 29th 1749. Three slaves met in a coffee shop in Valletta to discuss the plot and began to quarrel. The shop owner, Giuseppe Cohen, overheard them and told the Grand Master. The men were arrested and, under torture, revealed all the details of the plot. The organizers were soon rounded up and executed.
Methinks they should have found another location for their super-secret meeting. Brilliantly brought to life.
I think anything at all is better than slavery. Thanks for reading!
Great historical fiction as always. There are so many other avenues I could have taken with the prompt, but it would take a lot more research to get the details and language right or even anywhere in the neighborhood.
Seems like crimson-beard doesn’t understand that if you meet in a public place to discuss your secret rebellion, you should keep your stupid voice down! Poor choice of allies, there.
Great slice of history brought to life.
You’ve written an interesting realisation of the conspiracy. They weren’t the brightest, were they?!
Note to self: never discuss a rebellion in an open air shop wih an idiot who can’t keep his voice down. Enjoyed this slice of history. Loved the epilogue as well.
Perhaps the saying “hindsight’s 20/20” was invented shortly thereafter … Very nicely done!
It sounds like loose lips are going to sink the ships of their rebellion.
Very well done, Josh. For sure, one would think that hiding in plain sight would work, would all the members have quieter voices…
Fascinating piece of history there Josh. And you told it so vividly – as always, your historical writing takes us right into the moment