Richard Parker

Richard Parker is on the boat. A man-eating carnivore is sharing a lifeboat with me in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It could be a matter of seconds or a matter of days before he attacks me. Am I able to keep myself alive? I knew I would have to find a way to keep Richard Parker fed, hydrated, and alive. If Richard Parker dies, I will be alone. Am I really able to survive this? Am I able to defend myself from a Bengal tiger and survive the death traps of the Pacific? If I can trick Richard Parker into thinking I am alpha-male, I may not die. Yes, this is what I must do. I recall learning of how a lion tamer during a show takes control of the beast in the ring. First, he must enter the ring before the tiger. Then show that it is his territory, and no one elses'. He will have a whip, to frighten the beast. Having the whip can be used to be associated with pain. The tamer will also have a treat with him, such as a snack, to reward the beast for doing something good. Most importantly, the tamer must not lose his dominance! The second the beast feels he is in higher power than the tamer, the tamer is doomed. He could be shred to pieces. I must treat the lifeboat as a circus ring. I must keep Richard Parker fed, pleased, and I cannot lose my dominance. I search the trunk under the tarpaulin for any sort of contraption to use as a whip. I found a handful of whistles. The outcome of my life is in the power of these whistles.