"Excuse me, sir," you say, trying your best to sound polite while still conveying your curiosity. "I couldn't help but notice that you seem to be in charge around here. Are you the captain of this fine vessel?"

The well-dressed man nods gravely, his expression serious. "Aye, I am Captain Smith," he says in a low voice. "And who might yeh be? A stowaway, perhaps?"

You take a deep breath and let it out in a rush, hoping that your next words will reveal the truth without causing too much of a commotion. "Well, sir, I have reason to believe that you may not be entirely... alive," you say, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible while still conveying the gravity of your suspicions. "I've heard rumors of ghosts haunting these halls at night, and I couldn't help but wonder if perhaps one of them might be you."

As soon as the words leave your lips, the captain's expression changes from confident to angry in an instant. "How dare yeh!" he roars, his voice echoing through the grand staircase. "I am not a ghost! I am Captain Smith, and this is my ship!"