The Madness of Mr. Lister

On the bustling decks of the merchant ship Susannah, the crew wrestles with the infamous Jem Lister, a man torn between two relentless demons: an insatiable love of strong drink and a greedy hoarding of every penny. His habit of begging for free ale and then paying with a scolding conscience makes him a lightning rod for the other sailors, who view his behavior as a stain on the whole crew’s reputation. When the outspoken Bill Henshaw finally confronts him, the tension erupts into a bitter exchange that forces Lister to consider a change.

For a brief, uneasy peace, Lister begins to pay for his drinks and his complexion brightens, yet the underlying motive remains hidden. A new cook discovers that the old sailor carries a surprisingly large bank balance, enough to fund a secret plan that Lister claims is not for his own old age. Listeners are drawn into the uneasy camaraderie of seafarers and the mystery of what Lister is truly saving for, all set against the salty backdrop of life at sea.